Right fit?

[kelleyg19]

I have a mother of two girls ages 8 years and 11 years who is looking for before and after school care for both girls. I do offer before and after school so that isn't a problem.
My other kiddies that I care for are 17 months (my son), 2 year old, 4 year old in the mornings and for 30 min after school, a 6 year old girl after school and a 3 year old Thursday and Friday.
Do you think the 8 and 11 year olds would be to old for this group?
Also, have you had a parent push you to look into becoming a registered provider? This lady really was pushing me on it
Thoughts???

[Bookworm]

The girls would probably be fine as they are used to playing with each other. However, I think I would pass on them just because of what you are saying about the mother. Why is it so important to her for you to be registered? How does it make your abilities as a caregiver any different? If she is already trying to push you around, and she is just inquiring about care, that is a red flag to me, and I would pass. She may be the controlling type that will always find something to complain about.

[Wonderwiper]

Next!!!! What do you mean by registered???? She wants you to join an agency? If you are in Ontario, then only the agency is licensed, not you. If you mean just registering your business then that really has no meaning. I have registered my business name but it really has no usefulness to clients of my daycare.

[kelleyg19]

She rather me be registered as she could use her subsity but she said it wasn't a huge problem. I really didn't like the she was all about being registered. She even went as far as giving me the names and phone numbers as two places that I could become registered with.
They are suppose to come tomorrow night, but I don't know if I should even bother if I could very much well be wasting my time while my son is teething badly.
Ugh this is the one part that I hate, interviewing and knowing if its the right decision.

[Wonderwiper]

So she wants you to join up with an agency???? So she gets subsidy? I dont think there is any benefit to you join an agency, only for her!

[angelina]

So she wants you to join up with an agency???? So she gets subsidy? I dont think there is any benefit to you join an agency, only for her!

I am with you on this one. To join an agency is to get her a subsidy spot.

Privately, in my area South Keys/Greenboro, Ottawa , B/A is $15 average.

If you have an agency, your agency will only pay you $11.50 per child.

I got a call from a mother of 8 years old, asking for B/A. She ask if i have subsidy spot, I said NO. And I said, I won't get one anytime soon. For me, $11.50 is not enough for early morning drop off and good amount of snacks serve in the afternoon.

In this case, the girls will be fine, it is the mother that I will be worried about.

If she still commit with you privately, make sure you ask for deposit or at least ask for advance payment, every Monday before start of care.

Recently, I got burned from a mother who was demanding type, did not pay deposit (it's okay - we are neighbors). She got into fights with hubby, decided to move her child to another caregiver which her hubby can't visit the baby. Guess what? the 2 weeks of work and when I ask for payment as she pick up the leftover diaper, she said "no money, no postdated check", not even a thank you card.

Just be careful, we are all of good hearts, but please ask for advance payment or deposit.

Angie

[angelina]

I have a mother of two girls ages 8 years and 11 years who is looking for before and after school care for both girls. I do offer before and after school so that isn't a problem.
My other kiddies that I care for are 17 months (my son), 2 year old, 4 year old in the mornings and for 30 min after school, a 6 year old girl after school and a 3 year old Thursday and Friday.
Do you think the 8 and 11 year olds would be to old for this group?
Also, have you had a parent push you to look into becoming a registered provider? This lady really was pushing me on it
Thoughts???

Ops, the non paying client of mine has older girls 8 and 11. Hope it is not her, hope you are not in my area. She was one demanding, unreasonable woman and I hope nobody ever need to deal with her.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Personally I would see the moms request as a RED FLAG ... if she is pushing you to be registered so she can get subsidy and than saying 'well it is not a big deal' than my concern is she is only looking at you as a 'short term' solution ... basically if you sign her on and you DO NOT REGISTER the minute a space comes up in a 'agency program' she will move her kids to get said subsidy cause regardless of her saying it is no big deal it IS otherwise she would not have been pushing you in the first place ;)

Personally I do not do before and after school care because I would rather have a full days income at this point in my life if I am working a full day anyway ... if I wanted to work a part time income I would work LESS DAYS verses having LESS KIDS five days a week cause if I am here and working I would rather be full income wise.

[kelleyg19]

Thank you all for your feedback! My husband and I were both put off with her pushiness and what would be next. I usually get a feeling after talking with a potential family and I just don't feel good about this one. I really need another family but don't want to settle on just anyone. I have to remember to look at the big picture especially with the kids I already have.
Thanks again everyone!
Ps I'm in London ontario.

[treeholm]

I would be honest in telling her you have no intention of registering as it is a disadvantage for your business. I agree, though, that she will leave you as soon as she finds a subsized spot, so I would only take her if you are okay with a short-term contract.

[apples and bananas]

In regards to the kids and the age group, I would really want to meet the kids and get the know them first. kids of that age can be amazing if they are helpful and motherly. If they are demanding and always need to be amused then they can be a pain.

In regards to the mom... I'd move on. B/A care is not worth a demanding parent.

[kidlove]

Was just thinking what I just read reggio post: RED FLAG! If I was to be completely honest with you, I say, NEXT!...these girls are too old for the group you currently have. They will require different activities and have VERY different interests than your current group, IMO too much on your part to keep ALL kids happy and satisfied during their time in your care. I would move on to the next call and wait out for a better fit in age. That being said, IF you nee dthe cash or feel up to the chalenge? more power to you, it can be done, just takes a lot more patience and effort on your part to please that many dif ages.
That is not the red flag though...the fact that the mother is trying to push you to change the way you run YOUR business to better accomidate HER needs is the red flag! I wouldn't do it, if you didn't already have plans to become registered, don't do it for this family, chances are, they only need care for a year tops and then the kids will be home alone given in another year the oldest one will be 12, close to ability to be home for an hour or so after school with out Mom. :)