Bummer.

[treeholm]

When she was telling me about others in the area who charge less and who don't charge for parents' days off, I wondered aloud how they managed to make a living like that. She then replied, "well I guess they're not doing daycare to make money".

Oh yes, where are all those saints who do daycare just for fun, not like those of us who are evil and want to earn money in a career we love... oh right, they are called Grandma LOL. I assume this teacher is not in it for the "money" but hands her paycheque back because she chose the teaching profession as a ministry to children?

And I am a grandma, so I'm not insulting Grandmas with my comment above. I would cheerfully welcome my grandchild 24/7, weekends, on overnights, take them on vacation etc. because she is my grandchild. I'm not offering 24/7, weekends, and sleepovers to my clients, as much as I think they are adorable.

[Lou]

I recently had an altercation with a parent regarding fees. She had booked her 6 year old for every Wed and Fri for this summer and as of today, has not used a single one. After I went after her for payment, (which she had agreed to pay regardless of absences of course), she apologized blah blah blah what is the total I'm owing I'll send you a cheque today. When I told her the amount she said "Well, that seems a bit much, considering I didn't use any of the time" To which my response was "In the spring you booked every wednesday and friday for the duration of summer, which means I turned away other interested families for that space. That is a lot of lost income on my part, income that you agreed to pay regardless of absences (this is where I inserted our email exchange regarding this topicin the spring). I am not a bored housewife looking for extra gambling money, this is a business that I work very hard on, and it is my income with which I pay my bills. This is the total." (and I laid out every day for her with the daily fee beside it)
To which she profusely apologized and instantly sent an email transfer in the amount owing. lol. This is a parent from my daughter's school by the way, which is why it may not be so professionaly worded. More of a friend (big mistake #1), than a client. But I felt so much better after I stuck it to her.

[Mamma_Mia]

If "all the other daycares" are doing A) B) and C) then why aren't you WITH the other daycares? Because you're shooting our of your A$$ & testing me as a provider and I will NOT back down!

LOSER!!!!

[Mamma_Mia]

Oh and re: teachers

We have 3 in our family and my mom says about them (not all teachers) that "geeze for someone with so much schooling and is responsiable for teaching 'our' children they sure are STUPID and seem to have no common sense". LOL I laugh everything she says that....because my cousin is pretty "dumb" outside of books.

[Momof4]

Oh Alpha, you did a great job educating this woman on the realities of a quality home daycare instead of a 'babysitter'. You don't want to deal with someone like that on a daily basis! Keep going, they will find you. I know it's frustrating.

[kidlove]

Good luck finding QUALITY care on those terms! you are def better off with out her!!!

Dont forget though, if you are willing to go with lots of part timers (easier to find) and keep a min due, you could actually make more than having full timers, thats what I do, works great and people love me, they say no one else in the area will do this. everyone else takes full time with full time pay. I charge part time fee BUT its at 1-3 day weeks, they always pay my fee, but if I only have room for one or two days some weeks they still agree, works for both, they dont have to pay full time, and I can fill fill fill my spots. Confusing at times but works for me. (i have over 12 enrolled)

[kidlove]

When I started this business I had a disagreement with a mother over "school bus drop off" anyway, things ended up pretty heated, she began yelling at me over the phone and said "you work for me, I am your boss, you have to do what I tell you!" so i said........come get your kid!

[Sandbox Sally]

When I started this business I had a disagreement with a mother over "school bus drop off" anyway, things ended up pretty heated, she began yelling at me over the phone and said "you work for me, I am your boss, you have to do what I tell you!" so i said........come get your kid!

Wow...that is beyond messed up!!

Regarding the part timers...yeah I understand that, but it's pretty hard to schedule more part timers (I already have 2) while keeping within my 5 kid maximum.

[Crayola kiddies]

Alpha .... I'm just wondering if you had to move or just wanted a change of scenery and are you wishing you hadn't ?

[mimi]

Yes, it's always a good strategy to piss off your dc provider! I applaud what you said