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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>How Do I Gently Let Go?
TwinMama 07:42 AM 03-21-2017
So I've got a dcb that I've had for 2 years. He'll be going to school full time next year and I can only have so many kids. He'll still take up a full time spot.

She asked whether I would be interested in having him after school, but I let her know he'd take up a full time spot and I'd charge at least $15 a day for him after school.

How do I bring this up again so we can work out an end date? They don't come here in the Summer.

I'm just bad with words.
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Jupadia 09:13 AM 03-21-2017
There's not much you can do other then ask.

I had to with one of mine I'm losing 1 pt kid due to a move at the end of april already. I've been advertising but only get calls for under 2. Not above 2 like I need. So I've been advertising but no one to fill it up. (Spots 2+ can be hard to fill at times).

I had to ask another family if they were leaving since mom just had baby and is mat leave now (1 year since it's Canada and she pays into ei). It sucked but I had to know if he leaving having 2 or 1 spot changes the kids I'm looking for since I could take a under 2 by the end of June but am hoping not to case if I find over 2s then I have a new space that will open in Sept when my kid starts school.

I preaty much just waited till end of day and out right asked if they were planing on leaving. I did let dad know when talking to him I needed to know so I could advertise or not. (They said no but may drop to pt). It was akward for me cause I get uncomfortable bring it up. I think dad had no problems with being asked.
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CityGarden 09:35 AM 03-21-2017
I could be misreading your post but would you be charging her $15 per day after school or your full time rate for the spot?

I think you present her with her options... something like

I would love to keep dcb next school year! Please note due to state licensing we charge by the spot and not by the actual hours in care. Should you decide to continue with us the cost would remain X per week. In addition to after school care, dcb's childcare needs would also be covered on school in service days and school closure dates i.e. Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Breaks that we remain open. Further if there is an emergency at the school causing early dismissal and the daycare is open dcb would be welcome to continue the day here. All re-enrollment contracts go out in X and are due back by X. Should you know your intent prior to that point please let me know either way.

That puts the ball back in her court and allows you the time needed to fill the space if needed.
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TwinMama 11:28 AM 03-21-2017
Originally Posted by CityGarden:
I could be misreading your post but would you be charging her $15 per day after school or your full time rate for the spot?

I think you present her with her options... something like

I would love to keep dcb next school year! Please note due to state licensing we charge by the spot and not by the actual hours in care. Should you decide to continue with us the cost would remain X per week. In addition to after school care, dcb's childcare needs would also be covered on school in service days and school closure dates i.e. Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring Breaks that we remain open. Further if there is an emergency at the school causing early dismissal and the daycare is open dcb would be welcome to continue the day here. All re-enrollment contracts go out in X and are due back by X. Should you know your intent prior to that point please let me know either way.

That puts the ball back in her court and allows you the time needed to fill the space if needed.
Since it's only after school I'd charge $15, but my rate is $30 a day. I feel like I have to at least charge $15 though because he's taking up a spot. Plus, I kind of want them to move on. They're nice, but very high maintenance.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 11:59 AM 03-21-2017
Originally Posted by TwinMama:
Since it's only after school I'd charge $15, but my rate is $30 a day. I feel like I have to at least charge $15 though because he's taking up a spot. Plus, I kind of want them to move on. They're nice, but very high maintenance.
I'd charge more because you'd be watching that child all day for $15 during early release and/or school closures. Plus, you'd be taking the financial hit (instead of THEM taking the financial hit) to keep him enrolled since he is taking up a full time spot for half of the rate.

I'd charge the full rate (or reduce it by $10 total).
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TwinMama 12:06 PM 03-21-2017
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I'd charge more because you'd be watching that child all day for $15 during early release and/or school closures. Plus, you'd be taking the financial hit (instead of THEM taking the financial hit) to keep him enrolled since he is taking up a full time spot for half of the rate.

I'd charge the full rate (or reduce it by $10 total).
That's actually a good idea. I felt bad about it, but honestly it's not worth it to me to take that financial fall.
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Blackcat31 12:23 PM 03-21-2017
Originally Posted by TwinMama:
Since it's only after school I'd charge $15, but my rate is $30 a day. I feel like I have to at least charge $15 though because he's taking up a spot. Plus, I kind of want them to move on. They're nice, but very high maintenance.
No way would I discount a spot just because it's only after school. It's still a spot and spots should be the same rate you'd normally bring in per spot IF you don't discount parents already.

In other words if your rates are based on enrollment and NOT on attendance or time used, then I'd bill him the regular daily rate because it shouldn't matter how little time or how many days are used.
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laundrymom 12:24 PM 03-21-2017
How do you gently let go?
"Mom, I know my program won't fit your needs much longer. It's ok. It happens. It's part of the cycle. I hate when they outgrow me but all of them eventually do. I'm assuming his last day will be xyz. Is that correct?"
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TwinMama 03:44 PM 03-21-2017
I talked to mom tonight and she agreed that it didn't make sense for dcb to come if I'm looking for a full time spot and she doesn't want to pay for that. However, she questioned the fact that it'd only be for a half hour to an hour after school and would one kid make a difference.

It's difficult to explain it to parents around here because there are so many daycares in my town that are illegal with a ton of kids.

Plus, it's not how much time they're here....it's a spot.
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Blackcat31 03:53 PM 03-21-2017
Originally Posted by TwinMama:
I talked to mom tonight and she agreed that it didn't make sense for dcb to come if I'm looking for a full time spot and she doesn't want to pay for that. However, she questioned the fact that it'd only be for a half hour to an hour after school and would one kid make a difference.

It's difficult to explain it to parents around here because there are so many daycares in my town that are illegal with a ton of kids.

Plus, it's not how much time they're here....it's a spot.
Supervision rules require us to adhere to ratios.
For safety reasons.

You know, so we don't lose anyone.

Of course losing one kid wouldn't make a difference.
If it were hers, I wonder if she'd agree?

I hate when parents act like state regulations are optional.
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TwinMama 05:04 PM 03-21-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Supervision rules require us to adhere to ratios.
For safety reasons.

You know, so we don't lose anyone.

Of course losing one kid wouldn't make a difference.
If it were hers, I wonder if she'd agree?

I hate when parents act like state regulations are optional.
Exactly! Thank you!
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kendallina 02:52 PM 03-23-2017
Originally Posted by TwinMama:
Since it's only after school I'd charge $15, but my rate is $30 a day. I feel like I have to at least charge $15 though because he's taking up a spot. Plus, I kind of want them to move on. They're nice, but very high maintenance.
If you want them to move on, tell them that after thinking about it you won't be able to take them since they'd use a full time spot. You'll end up regretting it if you keep them!
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kendallina 02:53 PM 03-23-2017
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Supervision rules require us to adhere to ratios.
For safety reasons.

You know, so we don't lose anyone.

Of course losing one kid wouldn't make a difference.
If it were hers, I wonder if she'd agree?

I hate when parents act like state regulations are optional.

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