What Do You Do If You Have Short Openings...3-4 Months?

[SunflowerMama]

So I'm wondering if anyone has dealt with this.

I have 1 opening August - December and don't know if I should try and fill it or just deal with the income loss.

I have a baby starting in December and they are a sibling of a current child and aren't paying any sort of holding fee (I've learned my lesson and since changed my contract).

So basically I'm sitting with this opening that could be filled but what would I tell a potential family? I can accept your child full-time now but it's only available until December and then I'd have to ask you to leave to make room for the baby.

I know I could go back and ask for a holding fee on the baby but I've already told them their sibling being enrolled is enough to hold the spot so I don't really want to go back on my word.

Would you just fill it for those 4 months or leave it open?

[familyschoolcare]

Advertise a short term opening with the possibility of becoming long term. Then when potential parents ask explain you have an opening now. However, the way things look at this exact moment in time it will go away in December as you have already agreed to take a new child then. However, life happen and as parents only have to give me 2 weeks notice the spot could open up.

[e.j.]

When this happens to me, I use that spot for drop-in care or for families who may need extra hours that week. (I have a lot of part-timers and often, parents find they need an extra day of care so they can catch up on work, housework, go to dr. appointments, etc.)

If I can't fill the spot, I try to look at it as a positive. It's a little bit of a break for me.

[Crazy8]

I don't even try to fill them. I wouldn't want to bring my child to a daycare for only a few months. Now, if you have some inkling you might lose another child before December I might be inclined to try to fill it and just be honest with people about it.

[LittleD]

Some school aged kids may need care for the month of August. It could fill you up for the month anyways

[wdmmom]

Have you discussed scheduling/rates with the current family?

I would advertise for a part time (possibly full time opening). Would you be able to take on a child if it was part time?

Or...advertise how pp suggested. Short term possibly becoming long term.

If I've figured one thing out it's this: Add in another child to an existing and the family doesn't want to pay the rate. A lot of DCM's want to stay home if they will be paying a fortune in daycare for 2 kids. Not to mention, December is a long way out. Who's to say that she won't take an extended time off and wait until after the holidays to return. Then it's January. And, you always have to take into consider complications, something awful could happen or the child may have special needs that you aren't able to tend to.

I say advertise.

AFTER DCM has the baby and everything is ok, start discussing schedule and hours. Who knows, maybe they'll drop down to part time.

[SimpleMom]

When this happens to me, I use that spot for drop-in care or for families who may need extra hours that week. (I have a lot of part-timers and often, parents find they need an extra day of care so they can catch up on work, housework, go to dr. appointments, etc.)

If I can't fill the spot, I try to look at it as a positive. It's a little bit of a break for me.

I do this as well

[CheekyChick]

I wouldn't advertise as "possibly long term" when that's probably not the case. I would advertise that you take drop-in care and try to keep that spot as full as you can until December.

[nannyde]

December is a long way away.

Are you really really certain the mom can afford two in care?

[familyschoolcare]

I wouldn't advertise as "possibly long term" when that's probably not the case. I would advertise that you take drop-in care and try to keep that spot as full as you can until December.

It is always possible to have an opening 5 months from now.

[cheerfuldom]

I would advertise and fill the spot with a "temporary but may turn into long term availability" because that is very possible.

[SandeeAR]

Do you have anything in writing that they are bringing the baby or is it just verbal?

[Unregistered]

I know most people will disagree but I would try to fill the spot. I have had many families change circumstances and I have then been left without income and passed on many great clients b/c someone was "going to start" in a couple months. I would take somone and if you have to give notice to them once the baby starts do so. Are you full to capacity or just as full as you would like to be? With this economy you never know who will be unemployed next and/or who may go to part time or start using free grandma care.

[SunflowerMama]

Thanks everyone for all the great advice.

I have talked with dcm about full time rates for both kids when/should they come back and she seems pretty certain but I know they went back and forth during the pregnancy about her staying home and not going back to work.

I have 2 interviews lined up for today (part time but willing to pay full-time rate to get in the door) and tomorrow (full time). I'll just go with the best fit if they are both interested.

I think I'll just be honest and let them know it's available until at least December and then there is a chance things could change to make it permanent.

[MarinaVanessa]

...they went back and forth during the pregnancy about her staying home and not going back to work.

I would try to fill it and let the new client know that it could possibly turn into a permanent spot if they should decide to stay. If DCF already has gone back and forth about working or not then I wouldn't consider it a sure thing. If I don't already have a contract signed and deposit paid then my spot is still considered open. Like many have said ... alot could happen between now and then.

I had a preggers DCM with a PT DCB that was 4 that wanted her NB to come here also. At first she wanted DCB to keep coming (they were PT) even after she went on maternity leave so that she could rest, once the baby was born and turned 6 weeks she would go back to work and bring NB here. Then she got DCB into full-day pre-school program that they thought they would NEVER get into and she changed it to say that DCB was to keep coming to DC PT until she went on maternity leave early July and once Pre school started this month he would stop coming but baby would still be brought when she reached 6 weeks. Then she changed it to say that DCB would come to DC until she went on maternity leave to save money and baby would still come when 6 weeks. She went on maternity leave and one week later she was laid off, now neither of the two will come. She's still looking for work (even applied at my mom's insurance office) and says that as soon as she gets a job that baby will come here. No contract, no money ... no deal. I NEVER go by what they plan on happening. I go by what is on paper and the green stuff. I since then filled my spot and told her that she can call me when she finds work to see if I have an opening.

Moral of the story ... don't count your chickens before they hatch.