. .. . So Now They Want A Meeting

I've had a 3.5Yr DCB for a month.

During program he is a dream and considering his English is minimal he has done extremely well building friendships.

Out only issue has been around nap. I require at least an hour of quiet rest time (he doesn't have to sleep but he does have to lay down and be quiet (he still naps at home). He is loud and whines and makes noise for the sake of making noise to the point where, last week, NO ONE SLEPT and he had another two year old in tears because the child was so tired he couldn't function.

I called mom that day and had her pick him up.

We have had two meetings where I have asked for suggestions. I got nothing. She wanted to know when this whole transition process would end because he was arguing with her at home now. She was asking me how to handle him at home!!!!

Bottom line: boy was an only child who would get his way at home by arguing . . . Then he came to my house . . . . Poor child was really thrown off by ceented rules you could not budge.

Mom made the decision to pull the plug (Shoot! I would have tried a little longer, I just wanted approval on whether mom thought my suggestions would work!!!

So I told her that I need a months notice in writing and that he can still attend until the month is up, but regardless of attendance, the next cheque is due TODAY!

That was Friday . . . no answer

I tried calling yesterday . . . she insists on TEXTING that they are away and will send me an email . . . . (great so I have to wait to see if im getting paid!)

They emailed me last night . .. . . they want a meeting

Who wants to vote that they are going to try and get out of paying what they owe . . . . who wants to vote that they want to re-neg their choice to leave . . . . who wants to vote that I will have some angry parents in my home telling me that this is all my fault . . .

I need suggestions and ENCOURAGEMENT before 5:15pm today

If child is being pulled there is no need for a meeting - using the excuse that obviously any of the rules and methods at your house did not meet with his approval. The payment is due either by EMT or by cheque which can be delivered with the child if he is attending or left in the mailbox if he is not attending for the rest of the month.

Unless supply of kids is minimal for your area once there is an issue like this it is usually best if the family does move on and vows not to repeat their mistakes with the next provider.

It somewhat sounds like the child is not ready for group care. I rarely take on a child over age 2 as too much damage has been done by that point that can not be undone easily. Better that they get a nanny and you get a toddler you can mold into the group.

I agree with playfelt. No meeting. If they want a meeting to work things out with you then they need to be up to date with payment otherwise their spot is not available to them anyway.

This is why I always say to everyone that payment must always be in advance. I can't get over how many people post on here about payment owing and it's always providers who do not get paid at the beginning of the week in advance.

I am with playfelt and bright, no meeting; If they are meeting to drop off payment that is one thing...(or to stratigize) But no one is allowed in my home to tell me how things should be done er whatever no way no how.....

Good luck tonight!! Stay strong and let them know that if they don't pay, you will have to take them to small claims over an unpaid bill. (even if you don't, I would threaten too lol)

I know you probably just wanted to vent but I also suggest that you request payment ahead of time. I do 2 weeks at a time but if yours is a month, then charge a month ahead. It will save you time, stress and headaches in the future. I would change this asap for all families in your care now.

Do you have all the kids in one room for nap? Maybe in the future if you have a child that bothers the rest put them in a separate room with a fan running outside the door and that way whatever noise the child makes doesn't bother anyone else. I find kids are hard to come by so I don't tell parents if the child is doing something or not doing something unless it puts another child in jeopardy or is enough of a deal breaker that I'm going to term anyway... Most stuff I can handle myself and I'm not willing to rock the boat.

You already had 2 meetings and now they want to leave. What exactly would a third meeting accomplish. I have a feeling they just want to criticize you to justify non payment.

Side note: don't make it obvious you are looking for approval from your clients. In their eyes then it makes them the boss and they are not........YOU ARE!

Good luck and I hope you get paid. If they don't pay you, yes, tell them you will take them to small claims court or send it to collection. Let us know the outcome. We're cheering you on!!:)

Stand your ground for sure. You are in the right, and you have it in your contract that they must give you notice. Whether or not they continue to bring him back is up to them. I imagine they are only meeting to try to talk you out of requiring pay.

I might even go so far as to cut the meeting short if they don't pay you. Tell them that you can no longer meet or talk with them, as you will be taking them to claims court for breach of contract.

Good luck!

The other ladies all offered great advice. If they don't pay you, there is nothing to discuss. however, I also agree with those who said that I would not have brought this up with the parents. i am not sure what they could do on their side if he is napping at home and not for you...it sounds like an issue that has to be resolved at daycare (moving him to a separate space is a good idea). I also can't imagine they were too pleased at having to pick him up because of not napping. I have never called a parent to pick up because of behaviour issues...only illness. Not trying to pick on what you did or didn't do...just offering advice for next time. Good luck!

Just to clear things up. They owe me for the month PAID notice. I have a two week deposit but They still owe me another two week to make up for that month of paid notice.

I do advance payment as everyone else

Not that dumb LOL

With the napping thing. I have two napping rooms. Two to three kids in each room. Then I have a little girl who sleeps in the playroom in a playpen (she sings herself to sleep)

I might have tried switching rooms but the issue is the that child is hollering, enough to keep both rooms awake regardless of what is done.


If I put him in the playroom then he'd keep everyone and my little singer up.

The advice I was asking for was which bribing method would work with mom. but they just wanted me to give in and let him stay up with no nap and no break for me . . . . not happening

I already accepted the meeting. We'll see what happens. 15min in order to get my $400 bucks is totally worth it. I'm not threatening anyone with court until I get an outright 'no we will not pay' from them.

I'll make sure I let ya'll know what happens

Another case of a child who is old enough to know better but has no respect for others or authority. I don't care whether he wants to lay down or not if I as the adult in charge of him ask him to do something I expect him to do it and to do it with a minimal amount of grumble. If child had started as an infant he would have grown up with the rules and would know that what I say goes period. Clear to see who runs things at home too as it somewhat sounds like parents are taking things child said in terms of asking for the meeting.

I would be taking the two weeks I have and sending them on their way tonight following the meeting with all their stuff and say ok no pay for last two weeks then no care during notice period meaning no expenses for food or supplies or dealing with child for the next two weeks.

Exactly playfelt!!!!

Cadillac no one said for you to play the "go to court" card before you have a firm no on payment. You don't play all your cards in one hand. :)

Yes, obviously do not threaten the court thing until they have said no they aren't going to pay!!

I too have a 3.5 year old who no longer naps at home. She is in preschool 2 days a week in the afternoon and can't nap there. I do give her a nap here if it's needed and I just let mom know cuz then she pushes bedtime back a bit for that night. My daycare is in my basement and I have a video baby monitor. The 3.5 year old and I come upstairs for nap time and she gets to watch a bit of tv while I have my lunch and a break. Then after about an hour she is allowed to play with some of the special toys I bought for her (laptop, tag reader, lite brite). I had to change my schedule and routine a bit to accommodate a non napper but now, it's a breeze! I still get a break and she isn't disturbing my nappers. Maybe something like this could work for you if you get another non-napper?

(Thanks to the suggestions I got here on my napping thread :) ps. my 2 year old whose mom didn't want napping anymore is back to her regular sleep pattern at home so now mom said she can nap again LOL )

I know the whole go to court, put them in collections is within our rights but really you have to think if the hassles are worth it unless it is a steady occurrence for your daycare. In 28 years I can count the number of times on one hand I was actually stiffed of end of term money. I would look at a situation like this and realize I am the one that wants the child gone so it is better to play my card and that is instead of asking for pay for the full 4 weeks to cover notice but child can come during that time I would say bye bye tonight with a bag of stuff to hand them and call it even - I get two weeks with no child and payment for two weeks which I already have. I do not want child back given his behavior since he is not a good fit for the daycare. I want him gone so I can move on and get ready to welcome someone that works with my group.

How did this go?

Yes, update please! :)