Bit of shocking news

[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.