Terming a Family: Short And Sweet or Detailed Letter?

[Lovisa]

Hi all!

I posted last week about a DCM who was driving me crazy with her constant telling me what to do, how to do it, being super paranoid about everything, not bring kiddo on contracted days and my not being paid for those days, etc. Honestly, this was my first client after getting licensed and so I wasn't super clear on being paid in advance or when dck was not in attendance (I have learned a lot and since have adjusted my current contract to make things crystal clear about those things so this is no longer a problem with other clients).

I finally had enough and told her yesterday that I was terming them. I am giving them 2 weeks as per our contract but I want to put it in writing (so far it has only been verbal). I seriously doubt they will bring their child here for the next 2 weeks so I'm not sure if I will even see them again. I was going to mail a term letter to them today. Just not sure if it should be short and sweet or go into more detail as to why I am terming them. I searched the forum and found several examples so I used those to help guide my letter.

My question is, do I have to give them an actual reason or can I just say "I am writing this letter to inform you that such and such a date will be the last day I will be offering my childcare services for so and so. I will continue care until the above mentioned date as per our contract."

Is that sufficient?

TIA!

[Blackcat31]

Hi all!

I posted last week about a DCM who was driving me crazy with her constant telling me what to do, how to do it, being super paranoid about everything, not bring kiddo on contracted days and my not being paid for those days, etc. Honestly, this was my first client after getting licensed and so I wasn't super clear on being paid in advance or when dck was not in attendance (I have learned a lot and since have adjusted my current contract to make things crystal clear about those things so this is no longer a problem with other clients).

I finally had enough and told her yesterday that I was terming them. I am giving them 2 weeks as per our contract but I want to put it in writing (so far it has only been verbal). I seriously doubt they will bring their child here for the next 2 weeks so I'm not sure if I will even see them again. I was going to mail a term letter to them today. Just not sure if it should be short and sweet or go into more detail as to why I am terming them. I searched the forum and found several examples so I used those to help guide my letter.

My question is, do I have to give them an actual reason or can I just say "I am writing this letter to inform you that such and such a date will be the last day I will be offering my childcare services for so and so. I will continue care until the above mentioned date as per our contract."

Is that sufficient?

TIA!

You are not required to give a reason and often times providers do not give reasons as that only seems to open the door to further drama and/or negotiating.
If you want to term immediately, term without the notice period (2 weeks). If you don't mind having the family for the final two weeks, then give them the 2 weeks but if you do, I'd make sure to state that ANY disrespect of policy breaking and they are termed immediately.

I wouldn't assume that a family won't use their final two weeks as many do...sometimes just to be a thorn in the providers side and other times until they can find alternate daycare.

So I guess the answer you are looking for it basically up to you...

I only give reasons for terminating if I truly think the parent can benefit from it. If not, I just say it's not a good fit and isn't going to work.

HTH

[Cat Herder]

BIFF.

Brief, Informative, Factual, Friendly.

Try to leave nothing for them to "misunderstand", nothing to negotiate and nothing to respond to.

[Lovisa]

You are not required to give a reason and often times providers do not give reasons as that only seems to open the door to further drama and/or negotiating.
If you want to term immediately, term without the notice period (2 weeks). If you don't mind having the family for the final two weeks, then give them the 2 weeks but if you do, I'd make sure to state that ANY disrespect of policy breaking and they are termed immediately.

I wouldn't assume that a family won't use their final two weeks as many do...sometimes just to be a thorn in the providers side and other times until they can find alternate daycare.

So I guess the answer you are looking for it basically up to you...

I only give reasons for terminating if I truly think the parent can benefit from it. If not, I just say it's not a good fit and isn't going to work.

HTH

I ended up keeping it short and sweet. No extra info. And I sent it to her today in writing. Curious now if she will use the 2 weeks I gave her.....

BIFF.

Brief, Informative, Factual, Friendly.

Try to leave nothing for them to "misunderstand", nothing to negotiate and nothing to respond to.

Will have to remember this!

[Lovisa]

Just received a mean and quite nasty message from dcm. She not only insulted me (or tried to) but was soooo rude. Told me she won't be using her 2 weeks, that I would never see her child again, yadda yadda yadda.

Seems like I made the right decision terminating and probably dodged a bullet!

[Blackcat31]

Just received a mean and quite nasty message from dcm. She not only insulted me (or tried to) but was soooo rude. Told me she won't be using her 2 weeks, that I would never see her child again, yadda yadda yadda.

Seems like I made the right decision terminating and probably dodged a bullet!

I'm sorry she was rude. No one likes to be the one that gets broken up with so I'm sure everything she said was out of anger.

I am glad however that she is choosing not to use her last two weeks and you are done with the whole situation. I am sure you will feel better moving on.

Hope your week gets brighter now that it is done and over with.

[Lovisa]

I'm sorry she was rude. No one likes to be the one that gets broken up with so I'm sure everything she said was out of anger.

I am glad however that she is choosing not to use her last two weeks and you are done with the whole situation. I am sure you will feel better moving on.

Hope your week gets brighter now that it is done and over with.

Thanks. A weight has been lifted and I feel much better