My turn to vent...or cry :(

[gravy_train]

I don't have any words of wisdom, 5 LIttle Monkeys but it sounds like things are looking up and you're feeling more positive! I hope it works out for you.

[Fun&care]

It really sucks to lose that many kids at once. I think it happens or will happen to all of us at some point...it's upsetting especially if you don't see it coming. What losing kids has taught me tho is that ALL daycare arrangements are temporary and will end at some point whether it's sooner or later. If you go in with that mentality you are less likely to feel heartbroken when a child moves on, although that doesn't mean you don't make the best of it while they are with you. As for filling spots it sounds like you have a great daycare and I'm sure parents will see that in an interview so chin up! Everything will be ok!

[bright sparks]

Things are already looking up!! I have a meeting for the July spot(which I haven't even advertised for yet) with a very interested mom. I have 3 people interested in the full time April spot but no meetings set up yet. Looks like the part time April spot may be the only one I need to advertise for!! Cross your fingers!!

Positive thinking and vibes really do work

Fingers crossed for you. My first couple of departures were sad, but I think because it was just something I had little experience with. The only time I have truly been upset was when I relocated out of town and said goodbye to my entire group, all at the same time and 3 of them had been with me for 3 years. I went to Walmart with 6 kids and had a group picture done and gave them to the parents as departing gifts and I have one in my kitchen draw still that I look at regularly. Great memories!

If the enquiries are still coming in then I'm sure you will fill your spots in no time. It's worse when it's a quiet period and no matter what you do to promote yourself there just aren't any bites and there really isn't anything we can do about that. Good Luck and keep us posted

[5 Little Monkeys]

Thanks everyone! A few of the inquiries won't work out but that is okay. I have a couple that look promising so that is good. The instability and inconsistent paycheques are definitely what stress me out the most with this job.

[5 Little Monkeys]

5 Little Monkeys...I feel your angst. I'm in the same boat After being full for almost 2 years, I'm now going to be down to 2 full time dck's at the beginning of May. One family is moving, one is going on mat. leave and the other lost her job! Ugh. This part of the job is so stressful. Having to fill 3 spots is overwhelming and exhausting and very stressful

Here's to us filing those spots quickly!!

I hope we both fill our spots quickly!! This is the 2nd time that I have had 2-3 spots to fill and you are right, it is overwhelming and emotionally exhausting!! It always works out though

[Secondtimearound]

So sorry to hear !!! I know how hard it is when dcks move on !! I always wonder and hope that their lives have been impacted by their time with me !! It seems so endless !!! Interviews , transitions , good byes !! Repeat !!
I hope you fill your spots soon !!!

[5 Little Monkeys]

Whoop whoop!!! I have an interview for the July ft spot on Sunday and one on Monday for the April ft spot. They have both read my contract and are still interested and both families seem great via email communication. One is a friend with an acquaintance of mine too. I just have the pt spot open and it's been open for awhile but if I can fill the 2 ft ones than I'm not overly worried about it. I hate trying to fill pt spots around the other pt schedules!! TGIF!!

[Polkaroo]

That's great news ! I wish you all the best. I'm sure you'll fill those spots. Anyway you could fill the PT spot FT if you find another client? Maybe advise the PT parents that someone would like the spot FT and they have the option of paying FT or losing their spot? Obviously only say that if you actually have someone interested. Finding a second PT clients is hard to find. Good luck this weekend! Let us know how it goes

[5 Little Monkeys]

Thanks PurpleBunny. I actually have 2 pt. One comes wed-fri and the other comes mon-thurs. I may ask the mon-thurs if they want the fri spot but I know the wed-fri won't want the mon/tues and I'm okay with that. They've been with me 2 years and are a great family and it's the agreement I signed them on as. I may actually not fill the part time spot (its 3 days a week) so that when one of the other 2 pt's leave, It will be easier to just fill it with a ft. I don't know tho...the mon-thurs child is new and they just told me yesterday how much they love it here so I don't see them leaving anytime soon and the wed-fri child will likely be here until preschool or kdtgn if nothing changes in the meantime. That's at least another 1.5 years though so I don't know if I want an empty pt spot for that long.

This is why if I could do it over again, the only thing I would change is no Pt spots!!! lol, oh well

[5 Little Monkeys]

HAPPY MONDAY!!

Things are looking soooo much better I had an interview for my April spot yesterday and one today for my July spot. The July spot is now filled!!!!! She is dropping off the deposit tomorrow. It is such a huge load off my mind knowing that at least that one is filled. The mom from yesterday is supposed to get back to me by tomorrow so hopefully I have good news tomorrow too.