What would you do?

[playfelt]

If they are leaving anyways then so what if the mom gets upset. Yes I get her point the child has been through a lot and moving him probably isn't a good idea.

What about using the argument that moving to the other provider for the last part of the school year - even if you say following the long weekend in May so another couple weeks to give her a chance to try out the program and explain it that way to the child as well. If he likes it you will try to make plans for him to go back there in Sept and if not then have the summer to make different arrangements.

Letting her know that as of the end of the long weekend you will no longer be doing the school runs so she needs to move by then or make her own alternate arrangements which would then be her responsibility to contact the other woman and arrange the drop-offs not yours and her responsibility to pay for the service not coming out of your pay.

[Sassygirl]

I would be saying "Goodbye" to this child. When I first opened my daycare I had a variety of ages. I was just starting out and wanted to see where the best age group was for me. I also have 4 children of my own aged 14, 12, 9 and 1.
I did have a 6 year old Grade 1 dcb before and after school. I had him 2 hours in the morning 1 hour in the afternoon and BOY was he ALOT of work! I then started getting more and more demand for care for 1 year olds and before you know it I was full. This boy wanted to do nothing but play videogames. He refused to do crafts with material I bought specifically geared for HIM refused to read, do his homework. His mom complained that she didn't want him watching TV or playing videogames. His drop off time was 6:30 am and I was most certainly NOT attempting any programming at that time of the morning as well as trying to get the rest of my family ready for their day. He then started complaining "I'm booooooored" and would follow me around. I was slowly losing my patience. Around that time, dcm started showing up late, deciding last minute she would pick dcb from the schoolbus after I had woken up and gotten ready the other wee ones, etc... The final straw was the week of March Break when I didn't have him, I realized how nice it was that he wasn't there. I emailed Mom the Saturday before school returned and gave her my 2 weeks notice. She decided to look elsewhere so he did not return.
I guess what I am saying though my ramblings is... this is a tough age for us providers to care for. Especially boys. Girls are a little easier and like to do crafts and be our little "helpers". I don't think its going to get any better.
Also remember that with summer care you won't get a break all day from this child.
Good luck with your decision!