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I did an interview with a grandmother of a 3 year old girl and spoke with mom on the phone on Friday (grandma and mom live together). They needed care starting Monday. They agreed to do 10 hour contract time from 7:30 am - 5:30 pm, I have a 10 hour or less per day policy. Mom shows up at 7am on Monday and says to get to work on time she will need to be here at 7 instead of 7:30 I told her she should not have signed the contract and should have called me. I talked to grandma yesterday since she dropped off at 8 and picked up at 5:30 and she said she can drop off and pick up 7:30 am - 5:30 pm per the contract. Today mom shows up at 7 am again and has a letter stating they cannot do 7:30 am to 5:30 pm they she will be here at 7 am. She also said she will be on maternity leave in November and December and wants to know the cost to hold the spot for those 2 months since she will keep her child at home. I found out she was pregnant on Monday via the dcg. I told her I don't usually hold spots long term. I only have 7 spots and my kids take up 2 so I have never held a spot over 1 week. I really want to just drop this family but I have no backbone when it comes to ending an agreement (especially once I have met the child). Help me see the light on this. Sometines you guys think of crafty things to say or do or options I never even think about since I am only 2 years into this business. I weighed the pros and cons and know I probably need to move on but I need some support from you guys to help me have the courage this afternoon to talk to dcp about how I am going to handle this situation. Thanks
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Dcm, I am terminating our child care contract effective today as I cannot meet your child care needs.
Unless you want to open earlier, then change the fees. -
I would tell her she can either stick to her hours (7:30-5:30) or put in her notice. She doesn't decide when you open! If it were me, I would have her things packed at the end of the day and then let her know you are done. And i would not be opening my door until 7:30.
It make my blood boil when parents think they can tell you what to do. I hope you stand up for yourself with her!Comment
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Yep.
Dcm,
Childcare contract is termintaed immediately. Our contract is for 7:30, not 7.
Provider w a backbone.
Unless you want to charge her overtime for 30 min a day. At about 20$ an hour.Comment
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Do you even have a spot available for the infant?Comment
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My policy on holding a spot is that if the parents want a guaranteed spot when they are ready to return to day care, they have to pay for it - no deals, no discounts. I don't think it's fair to ask me to take a loss in income when I can cut ties and find someone else who needs the spot and will pay full tuition on it. If you explain you don't offer discounts, the situation may resolve itself if she decides to leave on her own.
If not, I would just say, "Dcm, I've given this situation a lot of thought and I don't feel it's going to work out. The hours you need don't mesh with the hours we discussed in the interview and I don't offer a discount during maternity leave. I really think it would be best if you found a provider who is a better fit for your family."Comment
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I have to agree with the others. I open at 7:30, not 7. If you are unable to drop off at 7:30, you'll need to find other care arrangements.
As far as holding spots, I require full price, too. If they're using the spot (and the ARE using it by keeping you from selling it to someone else), then they pay for it. MY income and MY family are what needs to come first.Comment
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Same as above.
7:30 or charge for early drop off
holding spot is full price - I might do a small discount, but not much
otherwise, goodbyeChildren are little angels, even when they are little devils.
They are also our future.Comment
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SO this is what I got ...
You all agreed to a specific 10 hours per day
Parent signed the contract
Parent discussed that she need an earlier 30 mins drop-off
The earlier drop off would also put her 30 mins over your 10 hour maximum
You let them know that you couldn't accommodate them
Grandma told you that the originally agreement was fine
DCM comes in earlier ANYWAY
DCM came in with a letter in writing telling you again that she was going to need the earlier drop-off and expects you to accommodate her
I'd offer her the following choices and leave it in her court..
1) DCM stick to original 7:30-5:30 agreement
2) (assuming that you are open at 7am) DCM can drop off at 7am and child gets picked up at 5pm, keeping her within her 10 hour day, you both sign a new contract with these hours
3) (assuming you decide to agree to that extra 30 mins and 7am pick up time) DCM can drop off at 7am and child gets picked up at 5:30pm and you both sign a new contract with these hours, DCM pays an extra $15 to $20 a week for the extra 2 1/2 hours a week.
4) DCM gives you her termination notice
I'm also assuming that DCM thinks that because she brought in a written note saying she needs more hours she thinks that this is like a "notice" to you of change in terms. You didn't agree to these terms o she is in breech of contract. The only way that her note is effective is if you both sign/agree to it.Comment
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As far as holding the spot goes ... if you don't typically hold the spot then don't. Let her know that she can put in a 2 week notice when she goes on maternity leave and she can contact you before she goes back to work to see if you have a spot.
More than likely she's going to want both of her kids to go to the same daycare anyway, most parents do, so I wouldn't count on DCG returning once she leaves. If you hold a spot for her I'd charge full price and let her take it or leave it.Comment
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