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I just found out this morning that one of my existing dcm's is pregnant. I'm thrilled for her. The problem is I have a different family starting in January sometime with a new infant. I'm trying to work the numbers, but I don't think I'll be able to take both. So the problem is, I really want to keep the existing family because I really like them, not to mention that it's all year with 2 kids and the other family is a teacher so only teacher working months and only 1 child. What to do?
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Do you know for sure the existing DCM will want to bring her child?
Did you take a deposit or holding fee for the other family? -
Yes, I asked the existing dcm this morning when she told me she was pregnant if she was planning on still coming. She said yes. She is due in April, so I would get her baby in July. She said that she would still send the dcb that I have currently for most of the time when she's off on maternity, but of course pay for him no matter if he was here or not. I did not take a deposit from the other family. I know them because she used to be my sons teacher. I kinda figure this is really not something I could have planned for and that I should probably keep the existing, but don't want the other family to be upset either. UGH!Comment
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I would just tell the other family that an existing family is now looking to fill the space and that current families obviously have priority.
Since she didn't pay a holding fee or any type of deposit, she can't really expect that the space was 100% guaranteed. Plus, giving her notice now, gives her plenty of time to find alternate care arrangements.
I really wouldn't give it a second thought, and I wouldn't feel badly about it. Business is business and we all gotta do what we gotta do.
I would tell the other family as soon as possible though. Keep it short and truthful. Current family will now be needing the space, sorry for any inconvenience, good luck in your search, sorry things didn't work out, have a nice day, daycare provider....
(I can help with wording if you need)
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The other thing is if I do the numbers and it is possible for me to take the 2 babies at the same time I don't usually like to do that because it's just me here and to have 2 babies at the same time with 4 other kids might be alot.Comment
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I have 2 babies here with 9 other kids.
My babies are 2 months and 7 months. My other kids are all 2-5 yrs.
If that is a possibility, I would absolutely consider it. Atleast work your trial period and see if both babies are doable. I mean if they are easy babies, then having two IMPO, isn't that tough.Comment
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I have to check the numbers because I have 3 right now that are under 18 months. I have to write down their schedules and see if I'm allowed to have the 2 babies. I don't know how it is in your state, but here you can have 4 under the age of 30 months, with 2 out of those 4 under 18 months. I just have not had good luck with babies. I usually get the screamers LOL!
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I have had a 50-50 mix of good ones and high-needs ones. The last one I had was SUPER high needs and almost drove me to the nut house....LOL! I swore I would never do it again.
So far my two babies are pretty easy going and are on great schedules but I have a feeling one of them might not stay long as mom is a college student and thinking of dropping to part time and I don't offer part time care.
Here we can have 3 under age 2 but of those 3 only two of them can be under 12 months old. I have 10 under school age kids and one 5 yr old who was Kindergarten eligible but parents opted not to send giving me 11 total.
If I want to add an additional child under 2 years old, I have to have a second adult helper/assistant.
If I were in your shoes and the numbers work out, I would definitely give it a shot but I would make it very clear to both moms that if either baby required more care than normal or turns out to have high needs, that you won't be able to do it in fairness to the other kids you have in care. In that case, I would hope it was the teacher family that would get notice.
Either way, I guess I wouldn't make any permanent decisions until you know for sure your capacity limits and what the babies will be like...kwim?Comment
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After writing these posts and talking with you, I am certain that I will keep the existing family and see if it's possible to take the other. I haven't worked the numbers yet, will have to do that later when the kids are napping so I can actually think LOL! Just thinking that the new baby from the new family will come in January. The other baby from the existing family won't come until the end of July so that gives me some time to adjust to that baby. Then maybe if it's tough with the new baby in July, I could always not take the teachers baby in the summer. That way they would be older in the fall and maybe not such high maintenance (maybe)!! Alot to think about. Have to work the numbers first of all and also see which ones I will be losing in the fall due to school.Comment
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What states are you ladies in? Are you Registered or Certified? Just curious.Comment
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They will be 6 months apart. The one is due the first of November and the other is due in April. The timing is definately a consideration. The teachers baby is supposed to come 2 days a week during the school year and 1 day a week in the summer. I have to sit down and figure out if I have room to accept both of them. It wouldn't be half bad though to have the teachers baby take the whole summer off and come back in the fall.Comment
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I would do first baby come, first serve, so start the November baby. IF april baby's mom asks, let her know that you dont currently have a spot open but will let her know asap if something changes. then see how Nov baby works out. if they dont work out, then you have an instant replacement. base the decision on what is best right now, you can always change it down the road but I absolutely would not hold spots when I could have them filled immediatelyComment
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