How much notice should I give?

[MsBell]

So currently I have one boy that is before and after school, I have had him since he was 18 months (except for the year his mom went on mat leave for baby #2), I have his little sister now 4 days a week. In september I have two part timers going to school, so I have two openings that I plan to fill with full timers, because of this change I will not have room for the before and after school (currently, there is only one day, where the kids over lap for not even an hour, but in the fall, if I fill both spots it would be 4 days a week that they would over lap) plus he is just getting to old for my daycare, I do full days younger kids. I give them a great deal on him (I only charge $5/day) I know that before and after school care around here is tough to find, and expensive. My concern is they decide to move his little sister too, which would be fine, I 'm sure I can fill the spot, BUT I don't want to until september. I worry if I give notice now, they will move before summer, but if I wait they will have a really hard time finding care for the boy.....I feel a guilty not saying something soon

[kindertime]

Maybe wait untill June. Then they have all summer. Most people don't start planning till then anyway. If they decide to pull the younger one, you should have some time to replace her. As far as guilty, you have to do what is best for your business. They will do what is best for them. And wow, $5/day, that is a heck of a deal. All the money they have saved with you can go to the new place. My Brother and SIL were paying $20 in Calgary, 7-10 years ago.

[sandylynn]

Hey MsBell....it's unfortunate that after being in this business for a LONG time...one learns that the parents don't seem to have a hard time screwing us and looking out for only themselves...so I say to that....THINK OF YOURSELF....this is a BUSINESS...if you are going to be filling spots...keep them as long as you can....give them....say 3 weeks notice.....BATA BING...BATA BOOM!!!

[torontokids]

I personally would tell them in May/June 1st and have the end of June be his last day. They can find camps for him for the summer and you can fill it for July. How much do they pay you for a full day in the summer? Not worth it to me

[mickyc]

Personally I would be honest and tell them shortly. If they pull the younger one sooner then so be it. I am always open and honest with my families. I treat people how I want to be treated. Yes I have been screwed over by some families before but I don't want to stoop to their level.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I would tell them soon. It not about screwing people over. It about treating people how we would want to be treated.
Yes, you might lose the younger girl but that the way it goes.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I agree with mickyc and suzie. It's tough because we obviously don't want to loose money before we have too but we also want to be fair. Word of mouth is usually our best advertiser so I try to think about that when I need to deliver bad news.

Thinking about ourselves first is needed but I also think it can be done without screwing over others too badly. I am already trying to decide when to give parents notice and I'm not changing anything until next summer LOL

I think Torontokids has a good suggestion and I would likely tell them at that time too.

[MsBell]

Thanks Ladies, I value your opinion! I was thinking giving them a June 1st notice, he is enrolled in summer camps some of the summer, and just here with me a few weeks (and they pay a full day rate when he is here all day) I do know a lady that just does before and after school care, but she charges $10 for each (so $20 a day) I don't see that as too expensive, it is for 4 hours of care, and she gives them after school snack, but compared me and the ease of having both kids at the same place....I would rather not have to fill a spot in the summer, both my kids play summer sports, and I don't have much time for interviews and having little ones adjust while my kids are off school can be a big struggle, even if they pulled the younger one in the summer, I would be fine, but right now, I would have to fill the spot sooner then later.
If it were me, I would think three months notice fair, so I will stick with that

[33 Daiseys]

Do what is best for you.....if the coin were flipped, you can bet your hat that they would do what is in their best intrest and not care that it left you in a bind