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Quick question. I have a little one that I've had since I opened and recently found out Mom is expecting. This past July, I filled an opening with a new child but will need that spot for the new baby in the spring. How do I approach this with the new family? If I don't take the baby, I'll lose my first child. I'm not willing to do that, especially considering the new child is a 4 day attender and will be going to kindergarten the year after next. I don't want to cause hard feelings. They will be getting a 7 month notice.
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How much notice do you state in your contract (assuming you have one) that you have to give? Honestly I wouldn't tell them now because I'd be afraid to lose the income for 7 months if they quickly pack up and decide to pull their child. I'd wait untill the new baby is born at the very least. You never know what can happen in 7 months. -
I'm just worried they'll be upset with me for keeping the pregnancy a secret and if I tell them now, I'll be giving them plenty of time to find someone else. I feel bad because they just hired me 2 months ago. My husband agrees with your advice. My handbook states 2 weeks notice for parent withdrawal and I didn't put a time frame in provider termination, only that written notice will be given.Comment
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It's really up to you then. Do these moms cross paths often? Do they know each other outside of daycare? I personally would wait it out as this is business after all but do what feels comfortable for you and your family. Telling her now while it is nice and gives them plenty of time to find alternative care runs the risk for you of having a space open for 7 months. That's 7 months of partial income loss. I would at the very least wait until after the holidays if I were in your shoes.Comment
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A lot can change in 7 months. Someone may leave your care for any reason, and you will have an opening. I would wait until closer to the time you need the spot and then decide what works best for you.Comment
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I see your point and your husbands point. For me, it would be a question of, how hard is it to find care in your area? Some places I know of are booked up months in advance. If it's going to take them time to find a new provider, you could give them some advance notice.
How long is the mom waiting before she has you watch the new baby? If she's keeping the baby home for the first 2 months, I'd wait until then anyway.Children are little angels, even when they are little devils.
They are also our future.Comment
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ITA with a lot can happen in seven months. I would not guarantee the pregnant mom a place, just tell her that assuming that nothing changes, you are planning on having her baby in care...but give yourself an out. I wouldn't commit too hard.Comment
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7 months? I would not give notice. They will most likely pull right away. Collect that income and see where that family is closer to the date. I would give a 2 to 4 week notice honestly. Someone else may of given you notice by then or that family could of left on there own. A lot changes in 7 months.Comment
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Just remember no matter what parents will always do what is best for them. I had a little girl with me since I opened and she was an infant. Mom got a better job on the other side of town and found it no longer beneficial to keep her in my care. She did not even give me any real notice either. her daughter and my daughter were like best friends.
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Thanks everyone. It seems unanimous. I'll wait a while. So, what do I say? So and so is having a new baby and I won't be able to keep X after this date?Comment
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I'm another vote for "wait" - as in, don't say a word until a month before the baby is supposed to start. I've had so many situations that were supposed to happen, I put all my eggs in that basket and then BOOM! Complete 180 from someone. I could give example after example. Just let the expectant Mother know that anything can happen in regards to daycare spaces (like another child could leave), but you will have made final arrangements for a space a month before the new baby is set to start. Whatever arrangements you do make, I would have a deposit in place, assuring the new baby's attendance BEFORE you cut someone if it comes down to that. Doesn't matter how long they've been with you, they will always do what is best for them and not waste a second thought on how that affects your paycheck.
And sometimes, it's just life that changes the plans. I had an acquaintance from church who needed short term care for her daughter. She was a teacher, due with baby #2 mid-September so she was only going to work for about 6 weeks before her maternity leave. Her Mother had been her child care, but she got Cancer and was undergoing chemo. She had the baby, went on leave through Christmas break and ended up staying out the whole year due to her Mother's sickness and eventual death in the Spring. She contacted me soon after, saying she hoped I would have 2 spaces in the Fall for her children. I loved working with them previously, and only had 1 opening coming up for Fall, so I started thinking about who I was going to cut late in the Summer to accommodate them. A bit later, they found out they were expecting a surprise baby #3!! She let me know they wouldn't be needing me after all since she would be staying home another year with 3 children under the age of 4! A lot can happen in the 7 months before this new baby comes....Comment
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This is my situation also & I live something like 20 minutes from you (or close to
)... until I have the first months fee & I have met baby, I do not say anything because I have had expected babies pulled last minute even after parents placed a deposit - that said, I take under 21 months old only as you know... I have had 2 families no show/pull out last minute AFTER placing a deposit in the last 5 months. So yeah, my Ads are out there again because of an unexpected opening for September
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