Guessing I was Dumped by DCP's?

[Crazy8]

agree with everyone else.

#1 - change your contract and start charging for the space based on their contracted days/hours. If you are only allowed 4 children this is your reasoning - you have 4 spaces available you need to be sure they are being utilized (and paid for!!!).
If at all possible I would require payment in advance (I have heard some say this doesn't work in their area but if its the norm in your area absolutely do it!!).

#2 - I would not block the dcp's number - I would email or text (however you usually communicate) and say that since they do not seem to need care you will be terminating your agreement with them and wish them well. Keep it short and professional. If parent questions it just explain that you have 4 spots in your daycare and you need to fill them with clients who will be using them!

[Rockgirl]

I wouldn't block her number, but I'd definitely fill the spot! If she shows up with her child, or asks about coming, you can tell her, "Sorry, didn't hear from you....the spot has been filled."

[Missqjulie]

You could but really what you should do is email her and tell her that your contact for services is terminated effective immediately and that you will no longer be available for services after today.

Then if she continues to call, text or e-mail you can ignore or block her.

I think a final termination notice is best business practice rather than just verbally calling it done ...kwim?

OKAY SORRY I forgot that she told me last Wednesday that she would be dropping her child off Tuesday or tomorrow because they went camping this weekend and wouldn't be back till then!!! She just text now to remind me I completely forgot. I have still made notices and will be handing them out when everyone pays again!!

[Missqjulie]

agree with everyone else.

#1 - change your contract and start charging for the space based on their contracted days/hours. If you are only allowed 4 children this is your reasoning - you have 4 spaces available you need to be sure they are being utilized (and paid for!!!).
If at all possible I would require payment in advance (I have heard some say this doesn't work in their area but if its the norm in your area absolutely do it!!).

#2 - I would not block the dcp's number - I would email or text (however you usually communicate) and say that since they do not seem to need care you will be terminating your agreement with them and wish them well. Keep it short and professional. If parent questions it just explain that you have 4 spots in your daycare and you need to fill them with clients who will be using them!

[Missqjulie]

I have DCP's who signed a contract for 3 days a week but find excuses as to why their kid can not make it often. They have been here for going on 2 months and the entire time it has been a week off for vacation, moms sister having a baby so gone for that week, kid was sick so off for that week, and this past Friday she wanted to keep him home for a shot he received at his well-check. I did tell her that he is gone more times than not and that she was paying for a spot in addition to childcare services. I currently don't make anyone pay for missed days. Also that I usually shop for food for the week and that she needs to notify me a week in advance like noted in our contract. I told her that I couldn't refund her for Friday and hadn't gotten a chance to tell her I would credit her for today. This morning she no called and no showed and hasn't replied to my text. What the heck? Running a daycare is harder than I thought. What is going on? Should I just block her number?

Thank you everyone! I have made notices and will be passing them out when everyone pays again for the following week! I forgot that this mom told me they were going camping last week and was reminded by her, so she did return my text after all. I will be handing her a notice for payment regardless of attendance and if she self terms then so be it. Thank you

[Blackcat31]

I will be handing her a notice for payment regardless of attendance and if she self terms then so be it. Thank you

Cool! Sounds like a good plan!

It's tough to work with a family that isn't really "working" with you.

[Missqjulie]

Very true!

[Thriftylady]

I agree as far as charging for enrollment not attendance. That is what I do as well. It seems unfair, but it isn't because it isn't like we can just take another child in case that child doesn't show up, then we would be over ratio. I have one family right now I am working with who will start next week. BUT I am doing it because they only need me for up to two months AND I have no other kids right now, so I am hoping for the word of mouth. But I wouldn't do it on long term basis.

[daycare]

sounds good that you are going to transition to flat rate care.


years ago when I did both flat rate and drop in, I did it this way.

flat rate for 3 days was 145

if you paid drop in rate is was $65 a day with a max of 8 hours use

but now if I have the room I only allow drop in during the summer months.

[Laurel]

My part time was a 3 day minimum. You pay for 3 days always whether you use 3, 2, 1 or none. Payment is Monday BEFORE care for that week or some do it the Friday before the week of care.

Laurel

[tntsmom]

charge

You are holding a spot and my contract states you pay whether they are here or not, I have learned, that stops situations like this.

[Missqjulie]

Things ended up not working out with this dcp and I'm happy for it. She ended up stating she didn't want to pay for days she was not using (It's like exactly what days were you using?). The only reason I gave her a discount on my rates was because she stated that she needed three days a week and then drop off days in between. So initially she made it seem like she would need 3-6 days a week. So I gave her a discount… Not happening again. It's just really hard getting this daycare thing off the ground.

I have been advertising for a year now and lost two other clients because I thought I was going to go back to work. Now it's like i'm starting from scratch and can't find any good clients.

I screw up by discounting people who never do what they say they are going to do. My current dcb was supposed to go full time a month ago but dcm wants now to start full time in the fall. I never did say, well the only reason I gave you a discount is because you were going full time when we initially signed an agreement!

Sorry for the vent! Just need to develop some business skills or a backbone.

[Thriftylady]

Things ended up not working out with this dcp and I'm happy for it. She ended up stating she didn't want to pay for days she was not using (It's like exactly what days were you using?). The only reason I gave her a discount on my rates was because she stated that she needed three days a week and then drop off days in between. So initially she made it seem like she would need 3-6 days a week. So I gave her a discount… Not happening again. It's just really hard getting this daycare thing off the ground.

I have been advertising for a year now and lost two other clients because I thought I was going to go back to work. Now it's like i'm starting from scratch and can't find any good clients.

I screw up by discounting people who never do what they say they are going to do. My current dcb was supposed to go full time a month ago but dcm wants now to start full time in the fall. I never did say, well the only reason I gave you a discount is because you were going full time when we initially signed an agreement!

Sorry for the vent! Just need to develop some business skills or a backbone.

I started working on restarting my daycare a year ago! In Feb. I got two SA kids before and after school. Then later in the spring my infant (a year old at the time), who then left for cheaper care. Hubby told me she would be back and she is, but was a no call no show today. And I have a very part time boy who is temporary due to staying with his grandmother this summer. You and I can hang in there together!!!!

[Missqjulie]

Yes we can! I had someone last year leave me for cheaper care! And the person who she left for was charging $15/day and had over 20 kids in her apartment. So I said good bye to bad rubbish.
She never even thought to call and tell me she was terminating care, just simply didn't show up on Monday, then when I called to see if she was okay, she said "oh I don't want to pay your rate". Tootles!

[Thriftylady]

Yes we can! I had someone last year leave me for cheaper care! And the person who she left for was charging $15/day and had over 20 kids in her apartment. So I said good bye to bad rubbish.
She never even thought to call and tell me she was terminating care, just simply didn't show up on Monday, then when I called to see if she was okay, she said "oh I don't want to pay your rate". Tootles!

OH mine told me that she was leaving for a SAHM who charged $30 a week. DH told me "she will be back". And she is because that person kept not being home . I took her back, but I know she is flaky and will leave again. Not a biggie, I need the money, if she leaves again fine but I won't take her back again. She will have to either tell me she is leaving, or leave the diapers, wipes, etc that are in the cubby. I require a deposit and every child to have cubby supplies.