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So, I just sent the letter. I did it!! I sent the letter telling my troublesome family that half days will not be offered, thus they will either have to attend full time or find another daycare. I sincerely don't want to lose this kid bc on half days he is very good and cooperative, but his half days are a COMPLETE nightmare!
I am SO afraid of how this is going to turn out. I really hope it turns out in my favour, but I guess we will see soon!
Omg, I have knots in my stomach.
My fingers are crossed for a good outcome for you. As always, make it clear to the parents that this is a business decision and tell them that you have to keep schedules and routines on track for the benefit of ALL the children. Good luck!
Yay for you!!! Let us know how it goes!
So she texted me after she read it and said she understood but that they would not need the whole 5 days and that maybe we could lower it to 3 or 4 full days. We talked for a bit...and then she spoke to her husband. Apparently, he's upset. But I made it clear to her that it's his "fault" I'm taking it away; because I was always having to chase him for shoes, milk, wipes, proper napping. He just didn't get it and I knew he didn't care. So she knows it's his "fault" lol and she said he's frustrated and that he enjoys his time with his son. Which is all fine and dandy, but he was taking him out all the time, never offering him a stable morning routine, and that's no good for anyone. i made it clear that it was just too stressful for me to continue that way and that is behaviour is exceptional when he does full days. Story developping..they may choose to take him out, which would be super sad because even though he's been a CHALLENGE, I have grown attached to him.
I agree with Momof4 this is nothing personal but a choice made to benefit the whole program including their child - I too choice to stop offering 1/2 day program cause it was just too challenging to accommodate the needs of the group when they were not all here for similar time frames :(
It's great that you stood your ground...don't back down! It's the nature of the business to grow attached to our little clients but it is in fact, a business and if they can not follow a couple simple rules then it isn't working anymore. It's stress you won't have to deal with anymore whatever they choose!
It's okay if the Dad is upset. Most people get upset when they are told no. Bless his upsetedness and do what is best to make sure that you, your children, and the other kids aren't upset. At least, with this decision, you just have one person in the mix of people you are considering upset. That's a good thing.
So mom and dad picked him and up and we came to a compromise. Instead of half days in the afternoon, the half days will be in the morning. They were worried about money and they have another baby on the way, so I totally understand their worries. I really didn't want them to take him out, but I think they knew I was at my wits end. The day before I sent them the letter, I answered the door - my hair a mess, sweating and practically in tears (not just because of their son, and I explained that to them, but I think they still felt mostly responsible). Anyways, they said they would send me the new hours today. So, we'll see. I think it'll be ok but I would like to leave this discussing open ended because I have a feeling they're going to do something I don't like lol they never do anything they say they're going to do so we'll see lol
That should work better since the child will be there while the group is awake and busy doing activities. The issues will be them getting him there on time so you aren't just hanging around waiting for him so you can start programming or go to playgroup or whatever. The other issue will be making it clear what time they are paying for as far as pick up goes and what the fee for being late is going to be and that is regardless of what time he arrives. There is nothing worse than waiting for a parent to pick up before lunch and others are needing to eat but you feel guilty serving them or pick up after lunch and you are waiting with cranky children that need to be put down but you know the confusion at the door will wake them up.
Having had the warning and told why they will only have themselves to blame if they screw it up and lose their second chance.
WELL! Sunday night at 8 rolls around and I have yet to hear from them. They were supposed to send me their new hours so I would be able to determine their new price and today was payday. I finally decided (don't know if anyone saw my other post about this) that I would charge them for the new hours but discount it. So instead of raising their price by 30 I only raised it by 20 per week. And I told them that but they weren't sure if they were going to do all day all week, only a few days a week full days, or just switch their afternoon days to mornings. So, I texted mom last night and she said they were going to pay the new price and some days they just may pick him up around 4 or so. Which sounds great to me! I get an increase in pay and he leaves early some days lol I just have to remind him that they can't pick up at certain times. Then she texted me and thanked me for the newsletter (I send it out weekly and she never says anything about it.) And then she texted me and told me they'd practiced his two naps during the weekend (they've NEVER followed my schedule at home, which was OK bc he knew what to expect when he was here) and that now he was ready for the weekly routine. I was flabberghasted! I guess I freaked them out a bit haha
And yes, if this doesn't work, I won't hesitate to let them go. But I have a good feeling. :)
Great news ... Hope it all goes well : )
Mornings would definitely work better than afternoons! I hope this all works out-Keep us posted!