One Year Anniversary

[Boymom]

Warning: this is a totally negative "Debbie downer" post but I could use some advice!

Yesterday was my one year daycare anniversary.

I'm miserable. Absolutely miserable. If I won the lotto or found another way to make money, I would quit in a heartbeat. I love kids, but I hate having other people's kids in my house for 10 hours a day. I honestly started this daycare so I could stay home with my kids. I knew the daycare would be a challenging job, but it's too much for me! I hate that I've let the parents control my business. I'm the reason why I'm miserable. I have always let people walk all over me.

When dcd wasn't here at 5:30 yesterday (again) I could feel my blood boiling. No respect for MY time. I told myself that I was going to enforce my contract. But of course the words didn't come out and his son was acting like a fool, so I could barely get a word in anyways.

AND I feel like I can't charge a late fee because of this: In May, I got really sick over the weekend and had to close on a Monday. They pay me monthly, so for June, I tried to credit them for the day I had to close in May. (I gave them an invoice with the deducted amount.) Well, they paid me for all of June and they didn't deduct the day I closed in May. I asked why and the dcd said that it was no big deal and the extra is for any days that he's a few minutes late....ummmm no!

So now I feel like I'm being cornered and that I can't even enforce my late fees because of this. I don't want to work 1 second past 5:30. He got here at 5:45 yesterday because of traffic. Ummmm there's hardly any traffic around here!! This is also the family that I'm constantly having to remind to pay me (and of course I haven't charged late fees, so it's 100% my fault.)

And another dcp brought their son in underwear today. of course he pooped in his underwear 5 minutes after he went pee on the potty. He's not ready and I'm going to tell her it's not happening again. Disgusting.

Forgive my negativity. I used to be a very happy person. I can't remember the last time I had fun or laughed!

Soooo where do I go from here? Do I update my contract and have them sign a new one and tell them I'm really going to enforce the contract?

Do I type up a simple reminder about how I want things to work around here?

I feel like I can't just all of a sudden start enforcing my contract now without handing them something new.

[childcaremom]

:hug: For me, this was the hardest part of this business to get under control. I am not an outspoken person by nature so it is something that I had to learn and prepare myself to do. But... since I've started doing it, I enjoy my job.

Enforce your contract. I would write a letter that highlights the areas you are having trouble with (late pick ups, potty training policy) and specify the policy. State that moving forward starting today, you will be enforcing the policies, no exceptions. Parents have already signed and agreed to these policies so it should not be a surprise.

Dear dcps,

Well I have been lenient with some issues over the past year, I will be enforcing all of my policies and procedures as outlined in my policy handbook.

Some of these areas include:
list them here

I appreciate everyone's cooperation moving forward.

Your dc provider

Sign, date and return.

Then prepare yourself to enforce them. It is hard initially but the more you do it, the easier it gets.

I have a late pick up fee form that I just slip in the bag that states the amount due at drop off next day. That child will not be accepted into care without the payment. You can follow up with a verbal reminder (late fee form in the bag, dcd, see you tomorrow!) or a text.

:hug: It will get better if you enforce the policies that parents have already agreed to when they signed on.

[DaycareDays126]

I'm so sorry you're feeling this way! We've all been there, but that doesnt make it any better. You can update your handbook/contract or don't...it's YOUR business. Meaning it's up to YOU to enforce policies. Whether you update any rules or not doesn't matter...what matters is getting that backbone (that is so easy to talk about but much harder to use) and stick with it. I've had the same issues and once you start enforcing policies and sticking to them it gets much better. A parent doesn't like it? Too bad. It's your business and it's up to you to run it the way YOU want it to be run...don't let your feelings or the parents run the show!

[KiwiKids]

I would enforce the contract you have but if you wanted to make any changes, now is the perfect time to do it. I can tell you from experience the first time you charge a late fee, that DCD won't ever pay for an extra day again but that makes it easier on you in the long run.

If you have families that continue to battle you or bring stress into your home after you've started to uphold and enforce your contract, get rid of them. They'll learn a valuable lesson about not taking good childcare for granted. Keep the families that are interested in having a good working relationship with you. No family or amount of money is worth the stress. This might mean interviewing and terminating as you can and that's ok!

[Thriftylady]

I agree you need to start enforcing. I know how hard it is, I too have let people run me over most of my life. But DCD is getting a heck of a deal. For the small cost of one day of care he can be as late as he wants as often as he wants? You are playing right into his hand. Put an end to it now! If he says something say "I am sorry DCD, but you have used up every dollar of that day of care and then some, if I billed you right now you would owe me money".

[Boymom]

Thank you all very much!

For late pickup, do you double the fee if you watch siblings? Like if I charge $1 per minute and if they are 5 minutes late, do I charge $5 or $10 since there are 2 of them?

[Luvnmykidz]

Sorry you're feeling so stressed and frustrated with the daycare. I'm not sure how much help I can be, but this is what I would do. I would redo my contract and update any paperwork to make sure everyone is on the same page. I would list my expectations and consequences, whether it is termination, probation, or a fee and give an effective date that is no longer than a week (or effective immediately). I would then create a form for parents to sign stating they are aware of the changes and agree to comply or be terminated. I have a form and can pm it to you if you like. It's called an aknowledgement of policies and lists the policy the date it's effective and the consequences for not complying and has space for parent signatures. I would write a short letter to parents sort of like this
Dear Parents of ABC Daycare,
To better serve my clients and reduce the possibility of confusion or chaos as it pertains to policies I will be enforcing all policies in my handbook. Attached is an aknowledgement of polices form that parents are required to sign in order for care to continue and return by the close of business on July 1. I understand that some families may not be in agreement of all of my policies and have also attached a withdrawal form for anyone choosing to withdraw for this reason. Policy changes and enforcement of policies is for the good of my business and are non negotiable. Feel free to contact me regarding questions or clarification of policies.
Sincerely
Your Provider
Hand the forms and letters to parents at pick up, inform them that it's important time sensitive forms that must be submitted by the next day and then go from there.
I'm sure some of the other providers will chime in and give some great advice.
happyface hugs to you and I hope it gets better. Just know that after the 1st few times of enforcing your policies it gets easier and you will definitely feel more in control of your business.

[Thriftylady]

Thank you all very much!

For late pickup, do you double the fee if you watch siblings? Like if I charge $1 per minute and if they are 5 minutes late, do I charge $5 or $10 since there are 2 of them?

It depends. I charge $5 for every 15 minutes or part thereof. If I was having big issues, I would go with the rate of some other providers who charge $1 or even $2 a minute!

[Luvnmykidz]

Thank you all very much!

For late pickup, do you double the fee if you watch siblings? Like if I charge $1 per minute and if they are 5 minutes late, do I charge $5 or $10 since there are 2 of them?

Each fee should be per child regardless of if they are siblings. So yes double the fee .

[KiwiKids]

Each fee should be per child regardless of if they are siblings. So yes double the fee .

Exactly!

[Boymom]

Thank you! I didn't think I could charge double! That will really make him want to pick up on time hahaha!

[Boymom]

Sorry you're feeling so stressed and frustrated with the daycare. I'm not sure how much help I can be, but this is what I would do. I would redo my contract and update any paperwork to make sure everyone is on the same page. I would list my expectations and consequences, whether it is termination, probation, or a fee and give an effective date that is no longer than a week (or effective immediately). I would then create a form for parents to sign stating they are aware of the changes and agree to comply or be terminated. I have a form and can pm it to you if you like. It's called an aknowledgement of policies and lists the policy the date it's effective and the consequences for not complying and has space for parent signatures. I would write a short letter to parents sort of like this
Dear Parents of ABC Daycare,
To better serve my clients and reduce the possibility of confusion or chaos as it pertains to policies I will be enforcing all policies in my handbook. Attached is an aknowledgement of polices form that parents are required to sign in order for care to continue and return by the close of business on July 1. I understand that some families may not be in agreement of all of my policies and have also attached a withdrawal form for anyone choosing to withdraw for this reason. Policy changes and enforcement of policies is for the good of my business and are non negotiable. Feel free to contact me regarding questions or clarification of policies.
Sincerely
Your Provider
Hand the forms and letters to parents at pick up, inform them that it's important time sensitive forms that must be submitted by the next day and then go from there.
I'm sure some of the other providers will chime in and give some great advice.
happyface hugs to you and I hope it gets better. Just know that after the 1st few times of enforcing your policies it gets easier and you will definitely feel more in control of your business.

Yes, please! Thank you very much!

[Blackcat31]

:hug:

What do you WANT to do?

Do you want to operate a child care?

Do you want to just do it until your child(ren) goes to school and then you plan on getting an outside the home job?

What do YOU want to do?

Once you decide that, you can make a plan of action to work towards that.

I have lots of advice on how to take control or take back the control in your business but before I start spouting off on how easy it really can be..... YOU have to know what direction you really want to move.......

[laundrymom]

BC is awesome.
That is all

:hug:

What do you WANT to do?

Do you want to operate a child care?

Do you want to just do it until your child(ren) goes to school and then you plan on getting an outside the home job?

What do YOU want to do?

Once you decide that, you can make a plan of action to work towards that.

I have lots of advice on how to take control or take back the control in your business but before I start spouting off on how easy it really can be..... YOU have to know what direction you really want to move.......

[Blackcat31]

BC is awesome.
That is all

aww :hug: