What do you do when a child leaves their things after a term?

[Unregistered]

I had a really ugly term situation over the weekend...and the DCPs left their child's belongings here. It's quite a bit of stuff, but know they won't be over to avoid paying what is owed, and I was specifically told there would be no further contact (to put it lightly). Do I just donate it?

[AmyKidsCo]

I mail it to the parents so they can't accuse me of stealing it. If it was a bad ending you might want to pay the extra for signature confirmation that they received it. Otherwise it's just your word against theirs.

[crazydaycarelady]

I'd keep it aside for awhile and then if nothing happens donate it (to your daycare!)

[Unregistered]

I mail it to the parents so they can't accuse me of stealing it. If it was a bad ending you might want to pay the extra for signature confirmation that they received it. Otherwise it's just your word against theirs.

If it was just spare clothes, I would...but this is bedding, clothing, school supplies, a few toys...I don't even have a box to fit it all in.

[Blackcat31]

I had a really ugly term situation over the weekend...and the DCPs left their child's belongings here. It's quite a bit of stuff, but know they won't be over to avoid paying what is owed, and I was specifically told there would be no further contact (to put it lightly). Do I just donate it?

I would contact them one more time and tell them their stuff is available for pick up sometime before xx date. Tell them if they do not pick it up by xx date that it will be donated.

Don't actually do that though unless you get some type of confirmation as I'd hate to be charged with theft if you just toss it...kwim?

I know it's ****y to have to store it but if that isn't a route you want to go, I'd take Amy's advice and send it to them with a confirmation receipt required.

Add the cost of shipping it to them to their final tally of what's owed and then if you take them to small claims court, you can recoup the shipping costs.

[permanentvacation]

It's in my handbook that they have 5 business days to collect their belongings from daycare. As of the 6th business day, their belongings become the property of my daycare and I may do with them as I wish.

If it's items that I can use, such as diapers, baby food, etc. as of the 6th day, I use them. I typically give their clothes and any other items I can't use to Goodwill.

[Gemma]

It's in my handbook that they have 5 business days to collect their belongings from daycare. As of the 6th business day, their belongings become the property of my daycare and I may do with them as I wish.

If it's items that I can use, such as diapers, baby food, etc. as of the 6th day, I use them. I typically give their clothes and any other items I can't use to Goodwill.

I'd send a "reminder" message and if I don't hear from them in a week I do just that!

[MarinaVanessa]

I would write them a letter and send it certified. I'd notify them that they can contact you via email or letter to either set up a day/time that they can pick up their stuff from the porch (while you watch) or they can let you know if they want you to get rid of it all. I would itemize the list in the notice so they know what they have there and so they can't say that you have something that you don't have. Honestly I would give them 30 days to contact you. Usually in court you have to keep personal items for a "reasonable amount of time" to give the person a chance to pick the items up before you can consider them abandoned. I'd add something like "If I receive no response in regards to your items by [30 days] the items will be considered abandoned and will be discarded".

Just so that they know what you have, what you expect and what they can expect and so you can do whatever you want with them ... donate them, throw them away, keep them etc.

[Unregistered]

Thank you. This is perfect!

I would write them a letter and send it certified. I'd notify them that they can contact you via email or letter to either set up a day/time that they can pick up their stuff from the porch (while you watch) or they can let you know if they want you to get rid of it all. I would itemize the list in the notice so they know what they have there and so they can't say that you have something that you don't have. Honestly I would give them 30 days to contact you. Usually in court you have to keep personal items for a "reasonable amount of time" to give the person a chance to pick the items up before you can consider them abandoned. I'd add something like "If I receive no response in regards to your items by [30 days] the items will be considered abandoned and will be discarded".

Just so that they know what you have, what you expect and what they can expect and so you can do whatever you want with them ... donate them, throw them away, keep them etc.