BIG DILEMMA - notifying parents of end of daycare operation

[DCMom]

When I signed on with my current daycare families, I told them that I would only be providing care until a certain date (over 1 year from when their children started) at which point I'd be returning to the outside workforce. They were fine with this and even said it wasn't a problem because they would hope to be on mat leave again at that point. It now looks like I may need to return to outside workforce a bit sooner (next spring) and I am wondering when to notify the families. My considerations are this:

- if I notify them now, they have piles of time to find a new spot and possibly have time to get pregant so their mat leave stil coincides with my end date. However, I think there's a risk that they would leave care sooner and I'd be stuck with an empty spot (who would want to sign on with me if it's a very limited time?).

- if I notify them closer to my end date (and how soon before would be fair timeframe to find new care?), then I don't run the risk of them leaving much sooner.

- do you think they would have a hard time finding new care when pregnant and only had a few months gap before going on mat leave?

I'm tending toward telling them now so they have lots of time to plan mat leave and new care, but also don't want to end up without any daycare families (and love our daycare friends and would miss them if they were gone sooner)! What should I do?

TIA!

[playfelt]

If you tell them now be prepared for them to leave for September with the idea they want to be established and no sense in staying longer with you if it isn't going to be long term. Could you actually return to work for January if this happened?

If you wait to tell them in January you will have a better idea of where they are at and your exact dates. Things happen and they know they are just as likely to get pregnant and mess with the schedule too. I wouldn't lie to them but at the same time I probably would keep it to myself till Jan.

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

Do what is best for you and your family. Don't worry about your clients being able to find alternate care for their children. There are lots of excellent caregivers out here, and I'm sure that they will be able to find a suitable replacement quite quickly. I would base your decision about how much notice to provide on your own economic situation - how well can you function without your current income ? If losing your income will be a hardship for you, I think one month's notice is more than fair. (Yes, you can expect your families to fly the coop as soon as you break the news that you will be closing) Good luck in your return to the (adult) workforce !

[Lou]

I think I would give them about a 3 month notice.