Flaky DCM

[Thriftylady]

My flaky DCM is at it again. This is the one who was with me, then left for cheaper care, then came back. Then I had issues with her and following policies.

Now... Three weeks ago DCD went back to night shift (had been on days due to on the job injury and restrictions), then two weeks ago DCM started STNA training for two weeks for a nursing home job. The state is paying for that, bought her all the clothing and such she needed etc. So it is two week training she did last week. Yesterday afternoon around the time dad was to drop of DCG mom calls me and says "I called in sick today, I have some errands to run, can I still bring DCG?". I don't love keeping kiddos when parents are off, but I had been paid so I said "I am not going to tell you that you can't bring her". I asked mom when she came what about her training and she said "well I have to go make up this whole week now next month". Now the idea was she would do her training and hopefully have a job right away (shortage of nursing home help in this area but when isn't there?). So then I asked her when she picked up yesterday what she was going to do about daycare for a month since she wasn't working. She told me she was going to try to find a job (yeah good luck with that by the time someone trains you you will be gone ).

Brings us to today. DCG was a no call no show. I am guessing that I won't be hearing from her. I could be wrong. I am holding a deposit, but technically if she leaves she owes me a week out of two week notice at least, because she hasn't given notice and if she NCNS out then her notice is automatic after three days. We shall see what happens tomorrow, but why can't some people get their stuff together? OH and her and DCD just moved out into an apartment together two weeks ago. They had both been living with their family her with grandma him with his mom. Every day when she comes she has something bad to say about him usually "He won't do anything I tell him to do he is worse than a little kid". Yeah thinking they will have a long happy relationship!

[Thriftylady]

GRR now she texts me and asks me how much for a couple hours a week and if she gets a job and/or restarts her training in a week she will let me know if she needs me more. I am so tired of this constant schedule changing it means rewriting the contract every darn time.

[Blackcat31]

Hun, I know you've been struggling lately to get decent clients..... :hug:

I wish I could send kids your way.

But I gotta ask... Is this family serious worth the stress they are giving you?

[Thriftylady]

Well the DCG is awesome!! It is her mother that is making me crazy. I am on the phone with hubby right now telling him NO she isn't worth it!

I have TWO interviews Thursday one for two full time kiddos and one for a before and after school kiddo. IF they were to work out, I totally would dump this DCM in a heartbeat. But of course I don't know yet. I am trying to figure out what to tell her at this30 point. She has paid for this week for 1PM to 4:30 PM so IF she comes this week I am going to provide care. It is what I want to tell her right now that is an issue. I am thinking to tell her PT rates will be $4 an hour with a $10 min. Space allowing and if these two families sign on I will be out of space.

[Thriftylady]

Okay help me with this part. Technically she didn't give me a notice. She told me Monday that she missed class and blah blah and now wants to go drop in until she gets a job or goes back to training. I am hoping to have her replaced by then. What to do with the deposit? She didn't give me two weeks notice, but I see her arguing that she wants to stay drop in so she didn't leave. MY issue is that drop in is not the same as the contract she has. Help me out guys!

ETA I am planning to text her that my drop in rates are $4 an hour with a $10 min and requires a 24 hour advance notice. If less than 24 hour notice, I will require $6 an hour with a $15 min. Is this fair? Also if I get these other kids I plan to fill her spot do I tell her that or wait the month until she is ready to go to training and asks me again?

[Thriftylady]

Ack me again. So here is what I am thinking of sending please give me your thoughts. I will send this in text.

DCM,

I am able to offer you drop in care at a rate of $4 an hour with a minimum of $10 per day. Please understand that I am always interviewing new clients and full time clients get first priority. Therefore I cannot promise to have space on a drop in or part time basis in the future. If your spot is in jeopardy, I will of course offer you the choice to pay for a full time slot. As of right now, you are asking to move to a drop in spot and break the current contract. Please understand that this means your deposit is in jeopardy since you did not give the contracted two weeks notice to do this. Below is a list of your options.

1. Skip your two week notice, and forfeit your deposit, paying only for drop in care. Keep in mind drop in care requires a 24 hour notice.

2. Continue in our contracted arrangement and give your two week notice, as per your parent handbook and contract, and use your deposit for that second week.

Please understand that if the contract is ended/broken I cannot promise you a space at a later date, as I have to fill my spots to keep my business going.




ETA: She had her second No Call No Show today. In my handbook I can term after three, and keep her deposit. Do I remind her of that or just let it end the contract when it happens again?

[KidGrind]

Let it go….

[Second Home]

Yes , just let it go .

[Thriftylady]

Well I hope by that you mean let her go, because that is about where I am with it after a nights sleep, I have decided I am over this family. I love DCG, but can't deal with mom. I am hoping she will NCNS out the rest of the week and I can then use that as a reason to term.

[Baby Beluga]

Well I hope by that you mean let her go, because that is about where I am with it after a nights sleep, I have decided I am over this family. I love DCG, but can't deal with mom. I am hoping she will NCNS out the rest of the week and I can then use that as a reason to term.

Good for you - I am glad you have decided to term. This mom has caused you nothing but headache. Put the energy you are currently using on training this DCM into finding a new and better family.

May I just say... you don't need to look for a reason to term now. This mom has given you plenty so far :hug:

[Thriftylady]

Good for you - I am glad you have decided to term. This mom has caused you nothing but headache. Put the energy you are currently using on training this DCM into finding a new and better family.

May I just say... you don't need to look for a reason to term now. This mom has given you plenty so far :hug:

Well I just looked at my handbook and it says "after three no call no shows, I will ask for a meeting to look over your contracted hours". It doesn't say I can term for it. Sigh. I may have to go ahead and refund her deposit since I am terming? Is that what you would do, return the deposit? It is for one week of care. I am thinking I could keep it based on she didn't give me a two week notice she came in Monday and said "oh no more school for a month" that is all I heard from her until she texted yesterday wanting to know "how much would you charge for two hours a week". Honestly, this mom isn't worth my energy for two hours a week. Just not doing it, so my only issue now is the deposit.

[childcaremom]

Well I just looked at my handbook and it says "after three no call no shows, I will ask for a meeting to look over your contracted hours". It doesn't say I can term for it. Sigh. I may have to go ahead and refund her deposit since I am terming? Is that what you would do, return the deposit? It is for one week of care. I am thinking I could keep it based on she didn't give me a two week notice she came in Monday and said "oh no more school for a month" that is all I heard from her until she texted yesterday wanting to know "how much would you charge for two hours a week". Honestly, this mom isn't worth my energy for two hours a week. Just not doing it, so my only issue now is the deposit.

So she hasn't been there this week and has not spoken to you about it?

Deposit is for the last week? I would use her deposit for this week and term on Friday. Is that what your deposit is for? Sorry, I don't use deposits so.... I'm guessing

What does your contract say about immediate termination? I have a broad range of things I can immediately terminate for without refund of fees.

How did she leave it? That she still needs care or that she is done?

[Thriftylady]

All payments are in advance so she paid last Friday. She brought DCG Monday. She told me she had called in sick and had some errands to do, and told me she couldn't go finish her last week of training until next month since she missed the day. I asked her at pickup Monday what she planned to about daycare and she just shrugged her shoulders. DCG was a NCNS yesterday, she is due in at 1 today but I don't think she will be. And they have one NCNS from a month ago. So I was paid for this week, and I still hold a deposit.

I just copied this from my handbook to show what it says.

TERMINATION OF CARE
During your first week of care, you will be required to pay or make arrangements for a deposit. This deposit will be applied to your final week of care fees as long as you give a two week notice. A two week written notice will be required to terminate care, if no notice is given, you will still be required to pay for two more weeks. Any belongings of your child’s left at care will need to be picked up within five (5) days of termination. On the sixth day items left will be disposed of or donated. I will also give you a two week notice if I need to terminate care. I do reserve the right to terminate without notice in some situations (non payment, threats, violence, etc). The following is a list of reasons why I may terminate care with or without a two week notice (not limited to these reasons, as the provider may terminate at will if needed.). If you change your care from full time or part time to drop in care, it will require a two week notice in order for your deposit to be used. Without the two week notice, you will forfeit your deposit.

Failure to return required forms
Lack of parental cooperation
Failure of child to adjust to daycare after a reasonable amount of time (usually 1-2 weeks)
My inability to meet child’s needs without additional staff
Lack of payment
Lack of respect for provider or other child by child or parent
Violence or threats upon any person or staff
Intentional property destruction
Parents refusal to follow provider policies
Three no call/no shows

[childcaremom]

All payments are in advance so she paid last Friday. She brought DCG Monday. She told me she had called in sick and had some errands to do, and told me she couldn't go finish her last week of training until next month since she missed the day. I asked her at pickup Monday what she planned to about daycare and she just shrugged her shoulders. DCG was a NCNS yesterday, she is due in at 1 today but I don't think she will be. And they have one NCNS from a month ago. So I was paid for this week, and I still hold a deposit.

I just copied this from my handbook to show what it says.

TERMINATION OF CARE
During your first week of care, you will be required to pay or make arrangements for a deposit. This deposit will be applied to your final week of care fees as long as you give a two week notice. A two week written notice will be required to terminate care, if no notice is given, you will still be required to pay for two more weeks. Any belongings of your child’s left at care will need to be picked up within five (5) days of termination. On the sixth day items left will be disposed of or donated. I will also give you a two week notice if I need to terminate care. I do reserve the right to terminate without notice in some situations (non payment, threats, violence, etc). The following is a list of reasons why I may terminate care with or without a two week notice (not limited to these reasons, as the provider may terminate at will if needed.). If you change your care from full time or part time to drop in care, it will require a two week notice in order for your deposit to be used. Without the two week notice, you will forfeit your deposit.

Failure to return required forms
Lack of parental cooperation
Failure of child to adjust to daycare after a reasonable amount of time (usually 1-2 weeks)
My inability to meet child’s needs without additional staff
Lack of payment
Lack of respect for provider or other child by child or parent
Violence or threats upon any person or staff
Intentional property destruction
Parents refusal to follow provider policies
Three no call/no shows

I would think that the bolded would allow you to be done now. As well, you could use any of the reasons: Lack of parental cooperation (that's pretty vague but I think applies); lack of respect for provider (no communication is lack of respect); 3 ncns; parents' refusal to follow policies (do you have it stated that parents must communicate when child won't be attending)

At the very least, the lack of communication, non-commital to future schedule, etc would be enough to term.

I don't know about the deposit and monies paid b/c you don't have anything specifically about that. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

In my contract, if I term immediately, it is with no refund of fees.

[Thriftylady]

That is in another section. It says:

PAYMENT PROCEDURES
All tuition payments are due in advance. Each Friday your payment will be due at pick up for the following weeks care. I do not take checks. I will accept cash, money order, cashier’s check or automatic deposit. If payment is not made at pickup on Friday for the following week, there will be a $10 per day late charge assessed. The child will not be accepted into care until ALL fees and late fees are paid. There are no refunds or credits for absences, as tuition is based on enrollment NOT attendance.


TERMINATION OF CARE
During your first week of care, you will be required to pay or make arrangements for a deposit. This deposit will be applied to your final week of care fees as long as you give a two week notice