Why cant they call in sick????/

[Big Hearts]

I have this family who has been sick for two weeks now but they never call to tell me they wont be droping off the little girl. I have only cared for her a month and two of the weeks she has been home. I call and call and when iget somone on the phone they tell me they cant talk and will call me the next day. Then nothing....I have sent emails telling they they still owe me for two weeks and i need payment but nothing still. What would you guys do? I just want to tell them not to come back and start looking to fill the spot.:mad:

[Crayola kiddies]

I would say that are not coming back !!! If they owe you money and are not returning your calls that is their rude way of saying "see ya".....
Now if it was me I would not allow them back in care because they have broken way too many of my rules already ...... "NEXT"

[jazmic]

Wow... sorry, but it doesn't sound good. If they were interested in keeping you as a provider, they would be doing much better about communicating with you. I hope you get the money they owe you, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I'd say advertise to fill the spot. Draw up a contract and have it so that people pay you upfront for care. Good luck!

[apples and bananas]

2 Weeks is a long time to be sick, and to be off work to be home with a sick child. If it's that serious to be off for 2 weeks then you need to be aware of the sickness in order to warn or prepare for it to spread around the daycare. So, either she's not telling you what the little one has (maybe hand foot mouth, maybe chicken pox? ) and that's a serious no no in our business. Or, she's pulled out and is not coming back. This is where a 2 week deposit for the final 2 weeks of care would have come in handy.

Move on, look for another client. If this one decides to come back let her know that you need payment before you can discuss future care, when/if she gives you payment then hand her a termination letter. Go ahead and replace. The chances of you getting paid for those 2 weeks are very small at this point I think. You're best to cut your losses and move forward.

[mimi]

No one is sick. For whatever reason (and please don't take it personal) they are not coming back. I would not let them come back even if they have the best excuse because it doesn't make up for the no shows, no calls and complete lack of consideration. Try and get your money owed. I hope you do get it, but don't be surprised if it doesn't happen. Did they pay a deposit? They have shown their true colours.

[playfelt]

If they didn't come by to pay or call to make arrangements and are in arrears I would take that as notice of their desire to terminate and advertise to fill the space. Not sure I would want them back at this point anyways. Unless it is a violent illness or medical emergency of some sort there is no reason for the phone treatment you are being given. They are avoiding you for some reason and I would stop trying to contact them and let the notice time slip by so that you can cancel their contract if you want to and refill.

[Big Hearts]

well what should i do about the spair change of clothes? Should i mail a termination letter?

[cfred]

I think everyone's right. They've already checked out. It's a shame they were so sneaky about it. If they want the spare clothes, let them come for them. You can certainly include the termination letter with them. Like playfelt said, just leave it alone, let the notice time go by and advertise. Even with the notice time, I'd say you probably don't even owe them that. They're in breach of the contract anyway with their own behaviour. You could terminate just based on that.

[Play and Learn]

If you're really wanting to do something. I would send them a term letter stating that they didn't abide by your rules and the last day of care has past. You tried to call/email them and they didn't respond.
Also in your term letter state that you have their daughters' clothes, and if they would like to pick up, this is when they're able to come get it, and it will be by the front door. Otherwise it will be donated to a charity.

Good luck and start advertising NOW! Hope you find a family that respects you!

[Big Hearts]

Thanks everyone

[apples and bananas]

I would send that letter by registered mail with a reciept with whatever they have paid you so far. And give a final date on the pick up of the clothes. Just to cover all of your angles.

[playfelt]

Personally I would do nothing but advertise to fill the space. If they want the clothes they left behind they know where they are and it is their responsibility to come and get them - now having said that I would hold onto them for up to 3 months or longer just in case as I wouldn't want to be accused of giving away their stuff. By sending a termination letter now then you are responsible for whatever terms you have in your contract which is likely 2 or more weeks notice meaning they have that time to come back. If you do nothing then the termination is on their part starting with when they failed to pay for the space. If they aren't paying for a space then they are not entitled to one. If they wanted it held they should have come by with payment or made contact and arrangements.

Not to belittle the situation but if the mom or dad lost their job or a close relative did and they want to help them out by letting them care for the child or grandma put pressure on them to keep the child in the familly and let her do the care they may be too embarassed to talk to you. Wrong yes but some parents are like that. I would just be moving on and act as if they were never registered.

Keep whatever money has been paid so far and there is NO receipt for care until tax time and then they have to come and get it. No way would I be going out of my way to mail them. I love doing that to families that have left during the year and especially if it was for an annoying reason or I disliked the family or whatever. They have to actually face me at the door to get their tax receipt. Law says we have to give them one. It doesn't say we have to jump through hoops and mail them one. What if they have moved in the year and now their receipt and your SIN number is in the hands of whomever - at least that is the reason I give for making them personally come and get it in hand.

[Cocoon]

Personally, I don't think they are coming back. Even if they do give them the term. letter as it is obvious that you will have problems with this family especially, if they don't communicate with you. They probably found alternative care which is cheaper then you are or even free. Regardless, I would term. them. I hope you charged them deposit.

I'm not going to follow them and ask them every single day when they are coming. If they want and need my service they should call me to make sure that their spot is still available especially, after 2 weeks of not showing.

We should run our business like a business. And shouldn't entertain such families. If you need me YOU need to follow up with me I don't have time for this.

[cfred]

Or, you can state in the term letter that they can pick up their child's clothes when they drop off your money....you know, to save them an extra trip. I doubt they'll bother with the clothes, or the money I'm afraid. I hope we're all wrong, but it really doesn't sound good.

[Inspired by Reggio]

...Keep whatever money has been paid so far and there is NO receipt for care until tax time and then they have to come and get it. No way would I be going out of my way to mail them. I love doing that to families that have left during the year and especially if it was for an annoying reason or I disliked the family or whatever. They have to actually face me at the door to get their tax receipt. Law says we have to give them one. It doesn't say we have to jump through hoops and mail them one. What if they have moved in the year and now their receipt and your SIN number is in the hands of whomever - at least that is the reason I give for making them personally come and get it in hand.

Exactly ~ I personally would do the same thing in regards to this....you have tried calling / emailing and they are not responding and have not paid for the space that makes the contract you had null and void by their failure to abide by it.

I actually have a clause in my handbook that states 'Any clothes or personally belongings left unclaimed in the program longer than 3 months will be donated to a worthy cause' ... to be honest this goes for clients still IN the program ~ if a season has passed and you have not cleaned out your cubby after a reminder to do so anything hanging around in there gets TOSSED cause some people are just 'clueless' about how much crap their child ends up accumulating in their spare clothes bin ~ stuff that is now 3 inches too small cause they've grown over the season!

BTW just wanted to add the only reason I would send a 'registered letter' in regards to this is if I was intending to sue them for breach of the contract and wanted legal proof I had attempted to contact them in regards to this issue before taking it to court for any monies owed.