Held Sibling Spot for 5 Months Free-Mom Cancelled

[Annalee]

Well you don't need me to say it, but your mistake was holding the spot for free. I have never had it come up where a parent needed a spot held, but I have read and heard many horror stories such as this. This is exactly why providers have started charging something (such as half the fee) for holding a spot. For now, as long as she is paying for her spot, I would continue care and take her payments while looking to fill your spots. If you find someone who wants her spot, you could always give a two week notice and go ahead and start a new family.

The moral of the story is......holding spots turns into a bad thing

[sharlan]

Yep, I learned the hard way on this one. I saved a spot for 4 mos for my sil's niece. She came the day before she was to start and picked up the paperwork. She called the next morning to say that her dh's friend's mom offered to watch him for free.

She just left there for a center when she found her 3 yo child alone in the front yard twice in one week.

All spots are first come first served. I will not save a space for anyone.

[daycarediva]

I'd try to replace ASAP. They can go to their cheaper daycare as soon as you get those spots filled. I know that it's hard to ask for it, but to hold a spot, you need to get full payment. They're USING the spot while you hold it, and they should pay for it. Now, you're out 5 months pay. It may seem "mean", but DCM screwed you over-you don't owe her anything.

I would term as soon as I had replacements lined up.

"dcm, unfortunately I cannot keep Jr. until June. I was saving the FT spaces for two children. I will be enrolling a sibling set since baby will not be attending at all. Jr's last day will be X. I'm sure you understand!"

DO NOT SAVE SPACES! I won't save a space for a DAY without payment. Sounds harsh, but once you get burned once you don't want to be burned again.

[NightOwl]

That ****s! I think they tell us they want that spot so that the option is there if their finances work out, but don't actually intend to commit (or bail) until the last moment. So rude. I'm sorry this happened to you.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Yes, no contract was signed for new baby but for dcb my contract states that he can apply his one wk deposit toward his last wk provided a two week written notice is given as long as I do not terminate it for any reason. Dcb will also be decreasing from 4x to 2x weekly after next wk. I just don't feel like it's worth the aggravation to continue. I'm already out months of $$ and don't want to waste a full time spot for a 2x per week while she is on leave either. Dcb was supposed to be here w/out sibling until July's end as it was
Now it's June. Will it be May in another week? Just want to term.

I haven't read past this post yet but I just have to say ... that is a terrible business practice. Do not terminate a family based on your feelings being hurt so that you can "stick it to them" by not allowing them to apply their credit to their final week.

If you would like to end the working relationship then give a two week notice and apply their credit to that notice period. Be the professional here.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Did you know ahead of time that older child was going to part time? If not I would use that as a way out..If it was pre arranged then I would keep him as long as it suits you. I always took a months fee to hold infant slot.If parent did not start as agreed then at least I had that money..It is hard we try to work with parents and they often take whats best for them.Nothing wrong with that but it does make providers change there contracts to protect us and our families. Personally I would do two weeks and state that you will not take older child after that.Two days a week is often more trouble than its worth . Sorry you are dealing with this.

Maybe with infants, but that isn't the case with toddlers and preschoolers. I have 11 children here who are each enrolled 2 days per week and they do just fine. This child could adjust quite easily to attending 2 days a week.

However, if it's a financial hardship for you to have him drop down to 2 days per week then that would completely be an understandable reason to give two weeks notice for providing care. "I'm sorry, Susan. I'm unable to fill the 2 day/3 day spot surrounding the days you were wanting Johnny to attend so I am going to have to give my two week's notice. I appreciate your understanding."

[Blackcat31]

I would term as soon as I had replacements lined up.

"dcm, unfortunately I cannot keep Jr. until June. I was saving the FT spaces for two children. I will be enrolling a sibling set since baby will not be attending at all. Jr's last day will be X. I'm sure you understand!"

DO NOT SAVE SPACES! I won't save a space for a DAY without payment. Sounds harsh, but once you get burned once you don't want to be burned again.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would term as soon as I had replacements lined up.

"dcm, unfortunately I cannot keep Jr. until June. I was saving the FT spaces for two children. I will be enrolling a sibling set since baby will not be attending at all. Jr's last day will be X. I'm sure you understand!"

DO NOT SAVE SPACES! I won't save a space for a DAY without payment. Sounds harsh, but once you get burned once you don't want to be burned again.

I only save a spot for 2 weeks upon turning in the enrollment form and security deposit fee (final tuition payment that is applied to the final two week's tuition payment should a written two week's notice be provided). Works well for me.

[daycarediva]

I only save a spot for 2 weeks upon turning in the enrollment form and security deposit fee (final tuition payment that is applied to the final two week's tuition payment should a written two week's notice be provided). Works well for me.

I would for a short time if a parent had to give notice, etc. but I would absolutely require a 2 week deposit and reg fee upfront!

[MunchkinWrangler]

That ****s! I think they tell us they want that spot so that the option is there if their finances work out, but don't actually intend to commit (or bail) until the last moment. So rude. I'm sorry this happened to you.

Until something 'better' (free) comes along!

[nannyde]

I wrote this post exactly four years ago. I wrote about what happened with both families in my book. I held two spots for two three year old siblings which were due within days of each other.

I asked the parents MULTIPLE times if they were going to keep the three year olds in care and bring me the babies. Both said yes EVERY time. I discussed with them if they could afford it and would I have the three year olds during the maternity leave MANY times.

They both waited until right before the babies were born and said they were pulling the three year olds and not bringing the babies.

I trusted them after working for them for three years.

I lost four slots in one week because they lied. Straight up lied.

Never again.

[spedmommy4]

I haven't read past this post yet but I just have to say ... that is a terrible business practice. Do not terminate a family based on your feelings being hurt so that you can "stick it to them" by not allowing them to apply their credit to their final week.

If you would like to end the working relationship then give a two week notice and apply their credit to that notice period. Be the professional here.

Feelings aside, in my experience, it takes time to fill the other half of a full time slot. Unless she is charging them full price, I would still term. OP has lost several months income by holding the spot and will lose more by not having that full time slot open. In her position, if I could afford to, I would term with a two week notice.

[Mike]

This is one of the areas I haven't fully decided on yet, but when the time comes, I think what I will do is hold one or 2 spots for 1/2 rate as long as there is still 1 free spot. The last spot would be for the first person to take it.

[Blackcat31]

I am a business.

My goal is to make a profit.

I do not give away or discount my services.

I do not hold spots. (holding a space saves a family money while YOU lose money)

I currently have 2 DCM's that are pregnant.

BOTH will continue to pay for the older sibling at their regular rate regardless of their maternity leave plans or whether the older sibling will attend part time or full time or not at all.

Once the infant spot becomes available (one at the end of summer/one at the end of the year) they will both pay for the infant space IN FULL even though neither will actually use it until weeks/months later.

[Cat Herder]

The hardest lessons are often the most expensive.. :hug: