Bit of shocking news

[SecondAve]

Hi Friends,

So today I informed parents of my early drop offs that as of June I could no longer offer this to them. I didn't charge anything extra and even provided breakfast. Back story I am pregnant and was not pregnant (no plans to get pregnant) when signing contracts. A while ago I told these parents that I might not be able to offer the early mornings down the road. The one parent was honest and told me it might cause a problem. The other parent (who is also expecting) told me "no worries, my in-laws will help out, we don't want to loose you".

Anyway, after I notified them the parent who said "no biggie" wrote back and said it wouldn't work for them... they have already posted an ad looking for another provider and thanked me for providing ample notice.

I feel so sad over this. I love their child and the family is great. Not too surprised they have to do what is best for them, just like I have to do what is best for my family.

Other kicker is my absolute favourite dck is leaving in a few weeks because his parents bought a house on the other side of town.

So now in a matter of a few weeks, I will potentially have to fill 3 new spots... if the other parent decides that my not providing early drops offs also doesn't work for them. Bummer, such is life sometimes.

[gramma]

I dont understand what you mean when you say you offered early drop offs because it seems that all of your clients used the early drop off. Did these clients sign on with you because of the early drop off or did it just evolve that way? I'm also curious about the time. what time do they drop off now and what time doyou need to change it to. sorry for all the questions, i'm not sure that i understand the situation clearly.

[Other Mummy]

This is why you always take reassurances from clients who tell you that you are the sun and the moon with a grain of salt. I'm sure at the time they mean it. But, weeks, months down the road situations change (eg. your fave family is moving across town) and they won't give you a second thought when the services you provide are not longer needed. It's the cold but reality of this business.

How early do you open now? I've gotten a couple of calls for my space that wanted 7:00am drop offs. That is way to early for me and my family. And makes for really, really long days. So even though I really need to fill 2 spots right now, don't think I'll consider it. yet.

How many children total do you have in your care? Is this most of your daycare leaving?

[SecondAve]

Technically my hours are 7:30am to 5:30pm. But when I first began I agreed to have 1 child begin at 6:45am, since I am normally a morning person. Then I agreed to allow another child to begin at 7:00am, thinking once again "not a big deal, what is one more child". Being pregnant and having a 20 month old to get ready, plus feed the 2 dck's, can prove challenging some mornings. Plus, I have been doing it for free even though my contract clearly states any hours outside the opening/closing are subject to additional fees. Rookie mistakes that will not happen in the future.

One day this week when both of these kiddies were off, it really hit me that I needed to stop offering it. I know 30-45 minutes doesn't sound like much, but I am finding it is a HUGE difference in the morning. As sad as it is to see families leave, my family time and peace of mind are paramount to me. Most importantly, I have to be "on" all day in order to provide excellent care to all the children entrusted to me... and scrambling in the mornings was not cutting it. Half the time I wasn't properly eating breakfast myself (drove my husband nuts considering I am almost 7 months pregnant) and that is with getting up at 5:45am, just to get ready to start the day.

I had 4 children attending. Now I know 2 are leaving. Not sure about a 3rd leaving, I'll have to see how they absorb the reality that I will not offer the early morning drop off in the future.

Not upset with any of the families by any means, just sad to see them go.

[Crayola kiddies]

I open early because no one else opens as early as I do and therefore I'm full and stay full because parents need the early drop off to get into the city. I open at 6:45, But I close at 4:30. I used to be open till 5:30 and i aloso used to look after a child part time till 6 .... I hated it. So I gradually backed up my closing time as families left and I replaced with families that were able to pick up by 430. However I am still open almost 10 hours.

[SecondAve]

@Crayola kiddies - I think that is why I filled up so quickly as well.

I agreed to offer an earlier start to the 2 families that needed it. I guess reading this site, I was nervous about not filling spots, so jumped at the opportunities when they arose. Even though it meant compromising a few of the terms I had previously put in place. I have decided to now stick to my guns, even if it means a few spaces remain empty for a while. Thankfully my hubby fully supports me. Actually he was upset that I even agreed to early drop offs and the few other compromises I made. He was happy tonight when I told him my new outlook, which provides some solace in all of this.

[playfelt]

I do the 6:30 as well although right now my first is closer to 6:45 but love the gone earlier so I can worry about supper after they leave. I treat early morning the same as I would if they were there or not. I eat my breakfast in front of them, feed my daughter whenever she gets up, read the newspaper, check emails etc. and the kids "just play". When everyone is here then we start our day and go from there. Being "on" means I am keeping an eye on the kids as compared to taking a shower or something but does not mean I have to be actively interacting - they play and I eat. They know that amy tea time is not snack time.

[Crayola kiddies]

Yes play felt I agree .... I like the earlier finishes as well .... When I was open later I felt that by the time diner was over and I cleaned up it was bedtime for my kids and I never had anytime with them. Plus it was interfering with extra cirrculars ... Plus my three earliest families are now gone.... They used to be waiting at the door for when I opened and now my first drop off is around 6:55. I am living the few extra minutes in the am. I also do free play in the am when the kids arrive plus I feed them all breakfast (parent supplied) at 730. Then I eat my breakfast while they are playing.

[SecondAve]

@ Playfelt. How I envy you with being able to eat and have a tea, while they play. Not in my world. Even thought I've just given them all breakfast, they hover and I end up sharing. Just can't turn them away.

On a positive note, the one family is in fact staying. Their in-laws have offered to watch the child each morning. Personally I think it is great for everyone. Child I adore gets to stay, grandparents get a little morning visit each day and most importantly I will be able to start my day off on a good foot... enjoying a relaxing breakfast.

[playfelt]

I firmly believe that kids do not need to be fed everytime they see food. If they have had a breakfast then the next feeding is snack regardless of who else eats breakfast, baby has a snack before nap even though the others don't get to eat etc. It is part of learning to recognize their body's signals for hunger not just what the eyes see. Been doing daycare for nearly 28 years - no problem eating when I need to , lots of practice, lol.