Yikes!! HELP

[jec]

OK so I have a family who told me that they are pregnant. I've asked them if they are staying or going....they would love to stay but can't afford to keep their little one in daycare while on mat leave. Totally understand.
I posted my opening that day- got an interview for the next, which was last night( when does that happen!! )
I chat casually with pregnant daycare Mom this morning, without asking she tells me that she chatted with her boss and gets paid from Dec. 24th but on holidays so offically on mat leave as of January 2nd and to fill my spot from that date.
I get an email from the family I interviewed with who is not wanting my spot to be taken and wants to have their little one join my daycare !!!! Here is where the trouble comes in , she is due back to work first week of December. They can make arrangements for family to cover some days and talk to her boss about using up her vacation to have her daughter here but needs to know a date when the family I have currently here is leaving. SOOOOOOO do I ask the family leaving that I need them to leave on the 24th as I know she is off work and getting paid so I can accomidate the new family as much as I can. The new family can't cover a month and I think 3 weeks is still a stretch and I might loose them.

What would you do!!!?? The family leaving is wonderful and my first clients in my new town and i just love them.....having said that, they are leaving and I need to fill my spot and this family I met with were wonderful and I would hate to loose them over this but putting the shoe on the other foot, I would leave to help out my provider but am I being rude? How would I ask?!
Help ladies!

[sunnydays]

I would explain the situation to the leaving family and ask if it would be possible to have the spot for the 24th (don't charge them for that week). Make sure they know you are not kicking them out, but just trying to accommodate everyone as best as you can. Are you completely full with 5 dck's? If not, then you could overlap them, but if you are full I definitely wouldn't risk it. Good luck!

[jec]

It would be putting me over my numbers so I can't overlap them
Nothing I really can do ...just ask them to make 24th their last day- hope they wil understand which I think they will be I feel cheeky to ask

[mimi]

Yes, I would ask them to make the 24th available to you as your business needs to continue to grow in their absence. I am sure your mat leave Mom will understand and of course as kangaroomama suggested, don't charge them. I am always closed on December 24 as most people take it off or work the half day. Good luck, I am sure your mat leave Mom will be fine with your request.

[Inspired by Reggio]

I had this happen with my current mat leave family ~ new family needed care 3 weeks before old family was leaving ~ I just explained that the new family needed care to start before they were slated to formally finish and was their any 'wiggle room' with their end date ... we worked out a schedule cause there were 3 days that current family NEEDED care due to appointments and did not want to give up the spot but the other days in that three week period they had family/friends and dad took some 'vacation' days to cover .... enrolling family found someone to help them with the 3 days that current client 'needed' care .... it was win win for everyone and I aim to find that solution when I can ~ if we do not put our 'needs' out there than we cannot complain when our needs are not met