Help!

[Unregistered]

Hey everyone!

I am new to the daycare business world so I wanted some help from you experts.

I met with a family with two kids that I agreed to take care of in January because my son needs to turn 2 so that I stay with the correct ratios and age groups that I need to have. Suddenly the mom emails me tonight to tell me that her husband is coming with the kids at 4 AM tomorrow. Ugh! They can not start yet plus my hours are from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. I will NOT do 4 AM.

I am not going to open the door when he comes. Is that bad? I feel kind of bad about it but I have a signed contract with them stating the times that they were going to be here and when they will start. Any advice for me? Like I said I am new at this. Any help is appreciated.

[Jupadia]

I would email back saying you are not offering care tomorrow for them. Let her know when care could start and the hours that will be available. Ask her to give a call during business hours or email back a response so you know what's up and can plan accordingly.

Also there would be no way I would answer the door at that time. That's crazy that she dose not relize that she needs to sign a contract or pay a deposit or anything else before starting care.

[Unregistered]

A quick reply back saying I am sorry, but that will not work for me. I look forward to seeing you on January ? at the time we contracted for.

[Leigh]

I'd just phone her back and tell her that you can not accept her kids until the agreed upon date and that when that date comes, you don't accept kids before 6:30.

[Josiegirl]

Umm, who would do that? Did wires get severely crossed somewhere? Did she sign a contract? Were things left in a vague limbo? Something doesn't sound right to me.

[Ariana]

These people are crazy!

Ansolutely do not feel bad, they are the ones making mistakes here! As the above posters have said, call or email back saying "I am sorry but as per our contract and our conversations your spot is not available until January. Also my hours run from 6:30am to 5:30pm. If that no longer works for you please let me know so that I can offer your space to another family. Thanks and have a great day"

[Blackcat31]

Sounds like there was some sort of communication issue...

What would lead them to think they can drop off tomorrow if they contracted for care in January?

I know people are crazy sometimes but this one kind of feels like there was no communication or maybe you were a bit leading in wanting to secure a new family and they took that kindness and ran with it ??

Either way, if you aren't able to start them until January then I'd pick up the phone and clarify the mistake. I know you said you are new to this business but you won't make it far if you don't learn fast how to communicate about simple things like scheduling etc.

Pick the phone up and call the parent.

Find out where the mis-communication is happening...

[Gemma]

I would email back saying you are not offering care tomorrow for them. Let her know when care could start and the hours that will be available. Ask her to give a call during business hours or email back a response so you know what's up and can plan accordingly.

Also there would be no way I would answer the door at that time. That's crazy that she dose not relize that she needs to sign a contract or pay a deposit or anything else before starting care.

[Annalee]

Umm, who would do that? Did wires get severely crossed somewhere? Did she sign a contract? Were things left in a vague limbo? Something doesn't sound right to me.

Parents hear what they want to hear! Had a dad stop by Friday wanting to enroll his 2 year old for today...Told them there needed to be an interview first...so he called Saturday and said his fiance would come by today for paperwork....I told him she had to allow me significant time to go over paperwork....he seemed bumfuzzled by that! They are coming today but not holding my breath because parents today???!

[Unregistered]

I communicated with the mom several times about how she was scheduled to start in January and she always said she was looking forward to having her kids start on that date. I was excited too because they seemed like a great family.

They left a note on my door step this morning saying that they really needed care today and were counting on me. They also said that I should be a little more laid back about when I will provide care. This seems so strange to me. I don't know how I could have communicated better than having them sign a contract, going over my policies thoroughly, sending emails back and forth, and talking to them on the phone.

I called them after reading the note and had to leave a voice mail. I have yet to hear from them.

[redmaple]

Curious how many people they think would be laid back about a 4am start time, especially with short notice? Also with it not being phrased as a request, but telling you. Despite it going against all that had already been arranged. I'm thinking they are seeking care arrangements, that simply do not fit with what you offer.

[LovetheSun]

I communicated with the mom several times about how she was scheduled to start in January and she always said she was looking forward to having her kids start on that date. I was excited too because they seemed like a great family.

They left a note on my door step this morning saying that they really needed care today and were counting on me. They also said that I should be a little more laid back about when I will provide care. This seems so strange to me. I don't know how I could have communicated better than having them sign a contract, going over my policies thoroughly, sending emails back and forth, and talking to them on the phone.

I called them after reading the note and had to leave a voice mail. I have yet to hear from them.

It must be such a disappointment to you but is actually better this happened now rather than later! At least it gives you some time to find another family because they seems to have unrealistic expectations about a childcare.

[Blackcat31]

I communicated with the mom several times about how she was scheduled to start in January and she always said she was looking forward to having her kids start on that date. I was excited too because they seemed like a great family.

They left a note on my door step this morning saying that they really needed care today and were counting on me. They also said that I should be a little more laid back about when I will provide care. This seems so strange to me. I don't know how I could have communicated better than having them sign a contract, going over my policies thoroughly, sending emails back and forth, and talking to them on the phone.

I called them after reading the note and had to leave a voice mail. I have yet to hear from them.

Some people view child care as on-call babysitters and don't have the slightest understanding of ratios and state regulations etc so they may simply not understand how the entire process works.

When I look back to the "feel" or "tone" of this profession back when I first started 20+ yrs ago... compared to now days... It HAS changed.

There are more that see this a a business and understand the process of enrolling and attending etc and then you still get that one parent that will knock on the door and ask if you are a babysitter or daycare and when you say yes, they tell you Jr's in the car and they'll go bring him in and then be back at 5:00.

So yeah, sorry they turned out to be so "laid back" but like Lovethesun said it's better to find that out now than later.

[Rockgirl]

Wow--they actually tried dropping off at 4 AM after you told them no? It's definitely better that they weeded themselves out now.