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Okay so a couple of nice things lately from my DC parents. One mom called me and was late by 5 min. This happens somewhat often but its never more than 5 minutes, she always calls and I love her in every other way so I have never charged a late fee. Last week she gives me a $10 bill and apologizes for being late and wouldn't take the money back. I felt awkward about taking it and basically speechless at her thoughtfulness. Then another mom with just one daughter had a nice chat with me in our front yard. She said she appreciated what I do especially considering that I have a 5 week old newborn. She has trouble getting out of the house with just one kid with sleep issues and she has the sense enough to think past her own situation and see that I am really hustling and working hard to do my 3 kids plus four more. It was nice to be appreciated. Oh and plus I posted back about a DCM that had termed and wanted to start her own daycare. Its been about 10 weeks and she has not started anything yet. She is barely getting the hang of just her one daughter and I have the feeling she has new found appreciation for me, hee hee.
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That's great. It's nice to know when you're appreciated. -
I had a mom last week buy me flowers because I had her kids till 830 (they are good kids) and she tells me all the time how much she appreciates me. I have another mom who gives me tupperware all the time.Comment
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I must be doing something wrong...
lets see I gave this month so far:
free curriculum fees, usually I charge $15.00 each family per month.
free parents night out
I have opened my doors earlier (6am) to help out a family that just got a new job, who promised to pick up earlier
made every family chicken enchilidas and salads one night for dinner during our cooking week theme.....everyone loves my mexican food....
waived two families late fees
and in return I got
none of my tupperware returned and not one family said thank you for the dinner....ZERO
two parents complain that they don't think their child is going enough worksheets with the new curriculum
one family who termed tried to attend the free parents night out but are no longer clients
The family that is coming early is now picking up late.......ugh
and lastly I got a complaint that the parents should not have to pay me before leaving to go on vacation even though it says so in the contract.....
tell me what i am doing wrong? I want flowers and thank yous..Comment
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well if it makes you feel any better, this is a very recent thing. I have gotten super strict on the families I take and super strict on my policies. I don't do freebies/extra stuff/etc very often because like you, I almost always got burned. I think the difference is that I have really gotten picky on the families I accept. I'd rather go without income than take any one but a top quality family. Those are the kind that appreciate you, pay their bills, don't lie to you, etc.Comment
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Cheerfuldom, congrats to you on having such great families! It must be awesome to have them show their appreciation to you.
I have a question for you - HOW do you tell which families are the ones that will appreciate you, pay on time, etc? In my experience, most of the families seem great at first, but then problems start popping up later. I would honestly like to know how you "weed out" the problem families - I'll have a new round of interviews in the fall and am beginning to feel the same as you in that I'd rather lose out on income than have any more problem families!!Comment
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I figure out what is most important to me and address it fully AT the interview. I am looking for families that can:
1. answer basic questions showing they know their child well and have reasonable expectations for the relationship with me
2. know what they are looking for
3. are completely aware of my "hot button" policy issues. For me its my sick policy, business hours adhered to, payment in advance, respecting my property and myself
4. they have to show up on time for the interview, prepared with questions, read my contract in advance (which I always provide)
5. they have reliable jobs
6. they are moral people from what I can tell. This is just me but we talk about a variety of things at the interview and tons of stuff pops up. I am not impressed by anybody that uses foul language, talks about drama in their life, argues with their spouse in front of me, turns their kid loose in my home, etc.
7. listens when I talk to them. If they don't have time for me now they won't later when junior is trashing the daycare and about to get termed
8. approaches child rearing the way I do or close enough where there are no major issues that come up initially
9. they follow up with me later or at least respond to my follow up email
I am by no means an expert but I have gotten a lot better at the interviews. I basically interview them. I don't feel worried or scared to talk about my setup. I figure, lay it all out and if they don't like something, better they walk away now than later. I am very nice and professional but I am not trying to convince someone to use me. Either they like it here or they don't. Any issues that come up are addressed right away in the first two weeks. I just termed one kid after two days. Parents were A+ but that kid, wowsa, super super strong personality and I could tell it was going to take a looonnnggg time to transition her and I am not up for that. Anyway, if it doesn't click right away it most likely won't down the road. I wish I would have figured that out a couple years ago but at least I have now.Comment
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Wow...that really ****s!I must be doing something wrong...
lets see I gave this month so far:
free curriculum fees, usually I charge $15.00 each family per month.
free parents night out
I have opened my doors earlier (6am) to help out a family that just got a new job, who promised to pick up earlier
made every family chicken enchilidas and salads one night for dinner during our cooking week theme.....everyone loves my mexican food....
waived two families late fees
and in return I got
none of my tupperware returned and not one family said thank you for the dinner....ZERO
two parents complain that they don't think their child is going enough worksheets with the new curriculum
one family who termed tried to attend the free parents night out but are no longer clients
The family that is coming early is now picking up late.......ugh
and lastly I got a complaint that the parents should not have to pay me before leaving to go on vacation even though it says so in the contract.....
tell me what i am doing wrong? I want flowers and thank yous..
I would never in a million years do a "FREE NIGHT". I do "DATE NIGHT" once a month and charge $6.00 per hour per kid for it.
I would never cook dinner for my families! I have a family of 7 and cooking for that big of a family is hard enough! I can't even imagine the amount of money I would spend, the amount of time it would take preparing, cooking and cleaning all the dishes for 5 ungrateful families! AND I would post a sign saying that all Tupperware must be returned or you will charge $20 to their account! (Tupperware isn't cheap!) Kudos to you for being so nice! I'll let you cook dinner for me once a week! ::
If parents are worried about how much (or lack therof) work their child is doing in their workbook, offer to send it home and have the parents do it. Bet they won't do any than!
Late pickups need to be charged accordingly. My late fee is this: $1.00 per minute for anything past closing time (530pm) If normal pick up is 3pm and they have an hour of overtime that is approved, $10.00. Unapproved overtime $10.00 every 15 minutes. (I know it's a little complex...I'm working on that.)
In the past month I have:
Made Mothers Day gifts for all moms
Credited 1 parent's late fees. ($12.00)
Dropped my price by $20.00 a month for a family having financial troubles.
Opened my doors 30 min early (3 days a week) for another family having to work overtime
What I got:
A few thank yous for the gifts I sent home
But, I got sick the other day (to the point I couldn't work) and I called every one and they were here within an hour.
I can't complain about that!
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I think that when you go above and beyond and out of your way and do such wonderful things for your families (which BTW, is SUPER sweet and nice) I think it gives families the impression that you are "friends" and have a very comfortable relationship. I think this type of relationship leads parents to believe that somehow the rules for your business do not apply to them because of your generosity and willingness to accommodate them in otherways...kwim? I think that when you crack down and really have a business only relationship with the families, they respond back in the same manner. Does that make sense? I don't know if I am explaining what I mean correctly.
I think Nannyde said something like, if you are going to do "special", do it for the children and only while in your home. Don't do it outside of hours, don't do it for the family, and don't do it in regards to business policies.....something to that effect, which makes complete sense because I love my kiddos too, but you do end up getting burned when you go above and beyond.
I try to do "special" while the kids are with me. Extra treats, toys, fun activites etc. That way the people (kids) that inspire me to want to do "special" are the actual recipients. Plus, I always get positive feedback to let me know I done good by those folks. (ie. hugs, kisses and giggles).
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