Need Some Help from Caregivers who have dealt with parents and mat leave

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

So one of my little ones is going to be a big sister ! I'm thrilled for her, and for her Mom and Dad. Mom is due at the end of April, and the "plan" (so far) is for dcg to remain in my care until her contract expires in July (2013) At that point in time, Mum isn't sure what she'd like to do - she had mentioned having her daughter drop down to part time care. While I love the family, part time care is not really something I want to do. I'm lukewarm for a few reasons. One, I don't really want to have my income cut by half for 10 months; and two, the child will be starting kindergarten in the Fall of 2014 - I won't be able to be her caregiver at that point in time anyways as I'm not on her bus route. The other thing that I'm sure will become an issue, is that while the parents "love me" and "would love it if Little One #2 could come here" I am certain that they will want to have one drop off in the morning - most parents seem to really hate having multiple caregivers for their children. I realize that there is lots of time to get this sorted out, but I was hoping for some feedback from you ladies - specifically, on how do you tell a wonderful client, nicely, that you have likely reached that fork in the road. I really want to handle this one well - they are a fantastic family, and I love their daughter, but I just can't write off 600 dollars a month for 10 months so that their child can attend part time when she's leaving my care anyways in the fall. :no:

[cfred]

It sounds to me like you already know your answer. People say a lot of things when emotion is involved. Once the other girl has to go to another provider because of JK, I'd be quite surprised if they don't make a switch for the new baby as well. In your shoes, I'd probably just not renew the contract in July.

Good luck with whatever decision you make :)

[apples and bananas]

I think honesty is best in this situation. You should talk to her as a mom and tell her you realize that she can't keep child one there when she goes to school and financially you have to fill that full time space. See what she's thinking and how you can work together. You may be surprised. I kept my daughter at a daycare that was completely inconvenient because she was a good provider, I'd developed a relationship and I trusted her. You never know what she's thinking. But as far as PT care goes. Maybe post to see if you can find another PT and do alternate days? If she's that great and you really want to keep her.

[gramma]

I understand your dilemma. Ive had parents go on mat leave but the continued with full time care for the older one so they didnt lose their spot and also to give them the time to bond with the new baby without the demands of a toddler. I think tht if it will be a financial burden to lose the income that you should fill the spot. If you do continue with part time you may find that in the end you dont get the little one anyway so it will have been a loss of income for no reason. On the other hand it may be hard for her to find one person to do both school aged and infant care. I personally dont think that school aged kids are a good fit for a home daycare that has wee ones a well.

[bright sparks]

M2FM where are you? I know in my school board, Niagara Region, Ontario, that a child can be picked up on a bus based on their childcare providers address not just their home address. Its not really anything out of the ordinary so it might not be as difficult as you think. Call your school board and ask for the number for school transportation and ask them directly. No sense in assuming based on most likely inaccurate information. My biggest no would be dropping down to part time. Write up a new contract, or an additional document for her while she is on Mat leave that this is still a full time spot.

[playfelt]

With so many schools having full day kindergarten there is no money in taking the child for just before/after. Around here kids up to grade 2 have to have an adult meet the bus so it also means taking the group out for the few dollars you would get.

In this case I would simply explain to the parent that since you won't be able to do the school trips that it doesn't make sense to switch to PT. Given the timeline I probably would advertise to fill the space for September fulltime. That gives mom time to recover and get a good routine at home and for the baby to get a few months old. Let child switch to pt for summer if they want to gradually move to time at home.

[Spixie33]

I think you just have to have an honest dialogue.

Next time the mat leave comes up say "I have been thinking about what you said about maybe keeping her in part time. I thought about it the last few weeks and I feel awful for saying this but I don't think I can do it. I really am looking for full time families right now and going to part time would affect our days and my finances to be honest. I love you guys, love little Susie but I also have to think of the finances and logistics of it. I am not able to do part time."

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

I think you just have to have an honest dialogue.

Next time the mat leave comes up say "I have been thinking about what you said about maybe keeping her in part time. I thought about it the last few weeks and I feel awful for saying this but I don't think I can do it. I really am looking for full time families right now and going to part time would affect our days and my finances to be honest. I love you guys, love little Susie but I also have to think of the finances and logistics of it. I am not able to do part time." Thanks for the pre-formed answer - I like it a lot, and it touches on the two main problems that I am having and it incorporates the fact that I do love their "Suzy". Hopefully, everything comes out "right" the next time my dcm brings up her plans.

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

M2FM where are you? I know in my school board, Niagara Region, Ontario, that a child can be picked up on a bus based on their childcare providers address not just their home address. Its not really anything out of the ordinary so it might not be as difficult as you think. Call your school board and ask for the number for school transportation and ask them directly. No sense in assuming based on most likely inaccurate information. My biggest no would be dropping down to part time. Write up a new contract, or an additional document for her while she is on Mat leave that this is still a full time spot.I'm in Ottawa Bright Sparks. I don't want to provide Before and After School care - there's very little money in it, and it is incrediably labour intensive. I prefer to focus my efforts on full time care for the 1 to 4 crowd. Once they graduate to school age, then we bid adieu. =)

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

Thanks Apples and Banana's, I'll be sure to wait and hear what dcm would like to do. Both she and her husband have decent paying jobs, so it is possible that she may like her older girl to continue along in my care until she's ready to head off to kindergarten. I know it's part of this industry, but I always get "anxious" when I learn that a little one is leaving my care - I start trying to plan, and the reality is, that sometimes you just have to sit tight and get a little closer to the day of impact before you can start "doing" anything. Not very satisfying, but there you have it. =)

[Momof4]

Yes, be honest and do what is best for you and your daycare and your income. I did have a Mom go on mat leave last year and she kept her older child with me 3 days/week until he went to JK in Sept. to save the space. I was going to charge her $200/month as a holding fee but instead I filled the space because it worked out that another Mom was going on mat leave and it all fell into place pretty great for me.

However, the new mat leave Mom is asking me if I'll have a space in Jan. 2014. There is no way I can make any promises but they will be visiting since the older daughter was in my daycare for 3 1/2 years and my old clients tend to keep in touch, which I love. Who knows what will be happening in a year. One lesson we learn in our business is that it's ever changing and unpredictable.