Worried About Termination

[littlelionspreschool]

I think I am on the homestretch of this drama filled mess. Now the parent drives by our house randomly which is creepy, but not a terribly big deal since she hasn't stopped yet. Her attorney mailed me a letter stating I needed to mail her progress reports. I told the attorney she received them at conference time and was told "they were lost or destroyed" so she needed another copy. Well that's not my problem, but I gave her another copy of them anyway!

The hardest part is the parents asking a million questions about the family. They obviously don't know for sure that I terminated the family, but they have heard "hearsay" from the dad's friends or have been told by the dad that they were "kicked out". Then I have them asking if they were terminated to which I have to basically avoid the subject for privacy reasons. I just say....well I haven't spoken to them in a few weeks so I don't know what is going on with them at this point and time.

[laundrymom]

"They are no longer enrolled" is how I respond.

And as for me, I keep all observations reports in my possession. The only things I ever return are items like clothes, diapers, etc. Things they've purchased. I tell them when I hand them contract to fill out, "make sure you make copies of this if you want them. I do not offer that service."
At termination day they get the stuff in their cubby and a great big smile as they walk out the door.
I have in my contract that I keep belongings for 5days following termination date, so if they don't take them with them or aren't attending at that time, I donate or trash their belongings on that fifth day.

I think I am on the homestretch of this drama filled mess. Now the parent drives by our house randomly which is creepy, but not a terribly big deal since she hasn't stopped yet. Her attorney mailed me a letter stating I needed to mail her progress reports. I told the attorney she received them at conference time and was told "they were lost or destroyed" so she needed another copy. Well that's not my problem, but I gave her another copy of them anyway!

The hardest part is the parents asking a million questions about the family. They obviously don't know for sure that I terminated the family, but they have heard "hearsay" from the dad's friends or have been told by the dad that they were "kicked out". Then I have them asking if they were terminated to which I have to basically avoid the subject for privacy reasons. I just say....well I haven't spoken to them in a few weeks so I don't know what is going on with them at this point and time.

[Shell]

I think I am on the homestretch of this drama filled mess. Now the parent drives by our house randomly which is creepy, but not a terribly big deal since she hasn't stopped yet. Her attorney mailed me a letter stating I needed to mail her progress reports. I told the attorney she received them at conference time and was told "they were lost or destroyed" so she needed another copy. Well that's not my problem, but I gave her another copy of them anyway!

The hardest part is the parents asking a million questions about the family. They obviously don't know for sure that I terminated the family, but they have heard "hearsay" from the dad's friends or have been told by the dad that they were "kicked out". Then I have them asking if they were terminated to which I have to basically avoid the subject for privacy reasons. I just say....well I haven't spoken to them in a few weeks so I don't know what is going on with them at this point and time.

Do you think she's trying to sue you for discrimination, and needs the progress reports to "back up" her claims?

Just a thought- I can be a paranoid person.

Her driving by is creepy- she seems a little obsessed with being termed- hopefully she finds some other drama to occupy her time and leaves you alone!

Parents like this are the reason why I always make up an excuse for terming- parents can be crazy!

[littlelionspreschool]

I e-mailed Tom Copeland the details of the term and events after and he said there was nothing I did to discriminate.

It's not like she didn't have the forms to begin with, so I just gave her new copies since her lawyer was involved. I was worried what would happen if I didn't send them!

I just had to send the dad an insufficient funds letter telling him to mail me a money order so I know I will get the money this time. If I don't hear from him, does it cost money to take him to small claims court? It's for $140, so if it costs a lot to take him to small claims court, I'll just have to be out the money.

[littlelionspreschool]

Parents like this are the reason why I always make up an excuse for terming- parents can be crazy!

Tom said not to give a written reason for term since I didn't see them in person after terminating. I'm sure they would use that for some kind of discrimination case if I gave a reasoning.....and I agree: parents can be CRAZY!

[Blackcat31]

I just had to send the dad an insufficient funds letter telling him to mail me a money order so I know I will get the money this time. If I don't hear from him, does it cost money to take him to small claims court? It's for $140, so if it costs a lot to take him to small claims court, I'll just have to be out the money.

Is the insufficient fund due to an NSF check that he wrote?

If so, you can collect that easier than going through small claims court.

However if you choose to go through small claims it does cost (approx $45 in my county) but the person who loses has to pay that fee so if you pay it to file and DCD loses, he would owe that fee in addition to what he already owes

If the money due was from a bounced check, I woukd also add late fees (as payment is technically late) and a returned check fee which is anywhere from $20-35 in MN and you have a right to collect that when some one writes you a check that is not honored by their bank.

[CraftyMom]

Reading this now for the first time.

So this mom and little girl had some unknown contagious illness that they refused to tell you the details of...including what it was? I would not have let them in my house another second beyond that. They can sue me for discrimination all they want, but I would not have my entire home and all the other kids exposed to something that I don't even have any details of. If she really wanted her kid to be there so badly all she had to do was tell you about the illness and let you make the decision if the child could attend.

[littlelionspreschool]

Is the insufficient fund due to an NSF check that he wrote?

If so, you can collect that easier than going through small claims court.

However if you choose to go through small claims it does cost (approx $45 in my county) but the person who loses has to pay that fee so if you pay it to file and DCD loses, he would owe that fee in addition to what he already owes

If the money due was from a bounced check, I woukd also add late fees (as payment is technically late) and a returned check fee which is anywhere from $20-35 in MN and you have a right to collect that when some one writes you a check that is not honored by their bank.

His check bounced. He owed $120 and I charge a $20 bounced check fee. I waited a week after I got my bank letter that his checked bounced to see if he would send me the money in the mail, but he did not. I asked in the letter I am going to mail tomorrow to have him mail a money order, but I can see him not paying that either. I have never gone to small claims court before, but I would assume there is no way he would be able to win since the care was already provided for the money he owes, correct?

[Blackcat31]

His check bounced. He owed $120 and I charge a $20 bounced check fee. I waited a week after I got my bank letter that his checked bounced to see if he would send me the money in the mail, but he did not. I asked in the letter I am going to mail tomorrow to have him mail a money order, but I can see him not paying that either. I have never gone to small claims court before, but I would assume there is no way he would be able to win since the care was already provided for the money he owes, correct?

Yes, this would be a easy case as he is "saying" he agreed/agrees to pay for the services because he wrote you a check for it.

This is a pretty simple case, since writing an NSF check in MN is considered a crime. Usually only a petty misdemeanor but still, something he can't ignore.

I've taken NSF checks directly to my local sheriff's office and they've sent a collection letter to the debtor but depending on how busy your sheriff's office is, they may tell you to take it to small claims/conciliation court.

I wouldn't worry though, because the NSF check is all the proof you need to show that he owes you AND that he acknowledges it (because he wrote the check) so you'd win that case hands down.

I'd send him a certified letter giving him 10 days to pay the amount due (including late fees) and if he fails to do so, file with small claims.

Remember, he will have to pay the fees you had to pay to file as well.

[littlelionspreschool]

I sent his letter out today, so hopefully he just pays and I won't have to worry about it.

Just got a call after lunch from social services (or human services...don't remember now because I was flustered) asking if this child was here for preschool or daycare. I stated preschool and then stated she no longer is here. The lady said she knew that and didn't ask any more questions. I have no idea what that was about, but it makes me worried that the parents are trying to stir up trouble again. I've never been called by the county after terminating anyone before. :confused:

[Blackcat31]

I sent his letter out today, so hopefully he just pays and I won't have to worry about it.

Just got a call after lunch from social services (or human services...don't remember now because I was flustered) asking if this child was here for preschool or daycare. I stated preschool and then stated she no longer is here. The lady said she knew that and didn't ask any more questions. I have no idea what that was about, but it makes me worried that the parents are trying to stir up trouble again. I've never been called by the county after terminating anyone before. :confused:

I wouldn't worry about it. If there was any reason to believe the parents complaint (IF they filed one) the state (human services/social services) is required to visit not just call so I wouldn't stress about it.

Hoping DCD pays the NSF check for you and it'll all be over and done with.

I would suggest documenting the fact that they are driving by your house. Record the time and the date. As a matter of fact document ALL things having to do with them. Contact from them, to them and about them. (including the most recent call you got). You never know when something like that comes in handy.

[Leigh]

I wouldn't worry about it. If there was any reason to believe the parents complaint (IF they filed one) the state (human services/social services) is required to visit not just call so I wouldn't stress about it.

Hoping DCD pays the NSF check for you and it'll all be over and done with.

I would suggest documenting the fact that they are driving by your house. Record the time and the date. As a matter of fact document ALL things having to do with them. Contact from them, to them and about them. (including the most recent call you got). You never know when something like that comes in handy.

If you're going to record their "drive-by", try to take a time-stamped photo, too.

[CraftyMom]

I sent his letter out today, so hopefully he just pays and I won't have to worry about it.

Just got a call after lunch from social services (or human services...don't remember now because I was flustered) asking if this child was here for preschool or daycare. I stated preschool and then stated she no longer is here. The lady said she knew that and didn't ask any more questions. I have no idea what that was about, but it makes me worried that the parents are trying to stir up trouble again. I've never been called by the county after terminating anyone before. :confused:

I don't think this call has anything to do with you terming. Sounds like there is something else going on at home. Perhaps related to the mysterious illness?

[Unregistered]

I don't think this call has anything to do with you terming. Sounds like there is something else going on at home. Perhaps related to the mysterious illness?

Or her abusing the system. Are they on welfare?

[littlelionspreschool]

Or her abusing the system. Are they on welfare?

I'm not 100% sure. If anything, I think the DCM mentioned she gets food stamps, but I know she did not qualify for child care assistance because she does not have a job/does not go to school/is not job searching. The weird thing is, that they only asked if the child was here for daycare or preschool. No other questions or reason why she needed to know. I was so taken back I didn't even ask why she was asking at the time....wish I would have though!

I have every text saved from the parents so thank goodness they decided to text and not call me. I also have pics from FB posts (before she deleted me) where she stated nice things about me and also the post that was negative she posted after termination with date stamps on those. I figured those might come in handy if I needed to show proof that once she thought I was great enough to publicly annouce.