Give me strength....PLEASE!!

[nschildcare]

Just to clear up he isn't part time. In my original post I stated that he is in transition which was 2weeks at 2 days, 1 week of 3 days and 1 week of 4 days all with shorter hours 9-3. Next week is the fourth week of settling in and then he goes to M-Th 7:30-4:30 which is full time for me as I am only open M-Th. I was hoping to try to stick with it until he has been here two full regular weeks. I told the mom as I do every parent that I don't think gradual entry works and that's just my opinion based on all my experience. She insisted on this set up and now this just goes to prove that it doesn't work once again and I have explained that to mum...coming for two days and then being home for five results in starting from scratch the next week.

After those two weeks do I seriously endure another two for the notice period? I know what is best for the group which is termination without notice and refund her deposit but she is working so she will be left in a very difficult situation. Just because I don't agree with her parenting style or that her child is a real handful doesn't mean I shouldn't care about the fact that the contract states two weeks notice and although it also says I can terminate without notice, I am a kind person who in her shoes regardless of the cause would be pretty pissed off if I was left without daycare without notice. Any thoughts on how I could handle this? Do I verbally tell the mother now that he has two weeks to settle down otherwise the placement will come to an end? Any other suggestions?

So I think you need to lay it on the table with the mom. Tell her your concerns. Tell her you are willing to work with her to get him adjusted. Let her know he needs her help to adapt to the group environment. I understand not wanting to put her in a tight spot. She will (hopefully) appreciate that and your honesty. Give her a 2 week probation period. Explain to her that you want to make it work but that it isn't fair to her little guy to continue on the way things are. Tell her what she needs to do to make his transition successful. I would maybe add that you've tried it her way and it is not working. Now it's time to try your way. I think she needs to trust your experience and advice. Tell her you will be open and honest with how things are going. If you feel that improvement is being made, you will extend the probation period. If not, you will terminate at the end of the 2 week probation period. Do you really want to be stuck in the situation with no quick end in sight, especially if things are not improving and he is there full time for a full day? Either way, someone is going to be unhappy if things are not working out.

I don't know if there is a perfect solution for everyone in this scenario. Maybe someone will have a better idea?

[nschildcare]

Just reading your other post,

Yes, it's like giving notice but it's not. It's giving her notice that things need to change. It gives you an out after 2 weeks if he still isn't adjusting.