DCM Not Working

[Unregistered]

Dcm lost her job and has been looking for a new one, but mentioned that she thinks she probably won't find one worth it. She still wants to keep dcg in daycare at least 3 days a week. How do I explain that it will cost more to switch to part time, but also, I don't know that I want to watch her kid if she is not working, so how do I say that nicely? Thanks for any help!

[Gemma]

I don't know that I want to watch her kid if she is not working, so how do I say that nicely? Thanks for any help!

I don't understand, what difference does it make if she's working or not, so long as she pays your rate on time?

As for how to explain to her part time cost more, just tell her!

[childcaremom]

I would just tell her that part time rates are $x/day.

If her hours are long, I would tell her that for socialization spots, the hours you would be available to provide care are as follows....

I have had kids enrolled for socialization and they have worked out well but I do stipulate the hours that they can be here so they are never the first ones here or last to leave.

I have also had parents want to keep their children enrolled to maintain their spot and/or to keep their child in daycare routine in case another job opportunity comes up.

[daycare]

I have lots of kids of parents who don't work.

As long as i could fill the other 2 days of the week, I would go for it. I make more money on PT kids than FT kids..

Sample FT kid -200 wk 40 day

PT KID= $45.00 day x 2 or x3= $90 for 3 days and $135 for 3 days

so you would make $25.00 for a week if you had 2 PT kids VS 1 FT

[Unregistered]

Op here The reason I do not want to watch her if the mom is not working or to go part time is because it is a dreaded friend situation. I know I should not have gotten myself into this, but she needed help when her other provider closed, so I have been watching dcg for 7 months now and it has been going well, but they pay me the least amount. I gave a bit of a friend discount and did not realize that daycare prices in my area had gone up in the past few years (we just moved back to our hometown recently), so now I charge her $125 FT, when I have a lot of interest from people who would pay closer $160 FT. I love the idea of part time, but I just don't think they will be thrilled with me charging anymore than $25 a day and I guess I am trying to weed them out, which I know sounds bad. As for the working part, I don't really want to do so socialization care. I know that sounds weird, but I don't feel daycare is necessary for socialization and since I have a small program, I like to keep it to working parents only. It may seem odd, but I just like to know parents have a reason for not being with their child and I don't feel that 3 days (8-10 hours a day) is necessary to help an 18 month old with socialization. Thank you for the advice and I guess I just need to gather up my backbone and be honest with her. I hate this part of my job

[childcaremom]

Op here The reason I do not want to watch her if the mom is not working or to go part time is because it is a dreaded friend situation. I know I should not have gotten myself into this, but she needed help when her other provider closed, so I have been watching dcg for 7 months now and it has been going well, but they pay me the least amount. I gave a bit of a friend discount and did not realize that daycare prices in my area had gone up in the past few years (we just moved back to our hometown recently), so now I charge her $125 FT, when I have a lot of interest from people who would pay closer $160 FT. I love the idea of part time, but I just don't think they will be thrilled with me charging anymore than $25 a day and I guess I am trying to weed them out, which I know sounds bad. As for the working part, I don't really want to do so socialization care. I know that sounds weird, but I don't feel daycare is necessary for socialization and since I have a small program, I like to keep it to working parents only. It may seem odd, but I just like to know parents have a reason for not being with their child and I don't feel that 3 days (8-10 hours a day) is necessary to help an 18 month old with socialization. Thank you for the advice and I guess I just need to gather up my backbone and be honest with her. I hate this part of my job

Meh. You do what works for you and your business

"Sorry dcm but I don't have any PT openings at the moment. I've enjoyed caring for dcg."

[daycare]

Meh. You do what works for you and your business

"Sorry dcm but I don't have any PT openings at the moment. I've enjoyed caring for dcg."

agree with this.....I would just say sorry, in order for my business to continue to operate, I need don't have a PT spot, but can call you as soon as I have one open.

I only fill FT with FT and PT with PT....

[Thriftylady]

I agree, you have a right to decide how your program works and what services you offer. If part time care is not one of your services, you don't have to change that.

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

If it were me I would just tell the DCM that there is no PT care being offered anymore. And since she is a friend, I would tell her it's because I was finding that since there has been some part-time attendance the days have become too challenging, even stressful to me and the other children. PT kiddos just aren't used to our schedule and routine, and it isn't fair to me or them.

[KidGrind]

Friendship or not, I just would share with her that it is $45 per day and you can offer her 2 days a week for 8 hours per day. Be sweet and firm with her! Don’t start to waiver or try to explain. If she starts to try and wheel & deal just tell her that won’t work for you.

As you mentioned you do not want to do care for nonworking parents, so a, “I don’t do care for nonworking parents."

[Thriftylady]

I kind of have an issue with "I don't work for non-working parents" in that if they are out looking for work they need care. But there are other factors and to me the "friend" thing would be the reason I would say that.

[Unregistered]

Well, that is the thing. I don't think she is looking for work, or at least not very hard. She drops off in sweats and picks up in the same thing, so I am doubting she is out applying and interviewing that way (I would hope not!), so it is starting to bug me. She is newly pregnant and I think she is using this time to rest and whatnot, which I understand, but that is just pushing this whole situation back and I don't like not knowing if/when she is going to get a job. The other issue she has mentioned is that she is not finding any jobs that pay enough to cover two kids in daycare when the baby comes, so I feel like I am going to get the shaft at some point and they are going to use me for cheap care in the meantime and then quit once the new baby comes. I think I may tel her at pick up that after 2 more weeks, I won't be able to watch dcg part time anymore. If I choose the 17th of apr, that would be 4 and a half weeks of part time and plenty of time to find a job, imo. There is no lack of good payig jobs, but dcm is super picky and has been as long as I have known her. Just for reference, the other lady who did the same job as dcm was employed at a similar job less than a few days later.

[Thriftylady]

Well, that is the thing. I don't think she is looking for work, or at least not very hard. She drops off in sweats and picks up in the same thing, so I am doubting she is out applying and interviewing that way (I would hope not!), so it is starting to bug me. She is newly pregnant and I think she is using this time to rest and whatnot, which I understand, but that is just pushing this whole situation back and I don't like not knowing if/when she is going to get a job. The other issue she has mentioned is that she is not finding any jobs that pay enough to cover two kids in daycare when the baby comes, so I feel like I am going to get the shaft at some point and they are going to use me for cheap care in the meantime and then quit once the new baby comes. I think I may tel her at pick up that after 2 more weeks, I won't be able to watch dcg part time anymore. If I choose the 17th of apr, that would be 4 and a half weeks of part time and plenty of time to find a job, imo. There is no lack of good payig jobs, but dcm is super picky and has been as long as I have known her. Just for reference, the other lady who did the same job as dcm was employed at a similar job less than a few days later.

Well if that is what you are thinking, I would just do a new contract with the regular rate and tell her you are no longer doing part time care at all, so she will need to pay the whole week. But that only works if you want to take the chance she will sign on.