How would you handle this dilemma?

[mattsmom]

You could also advertise now with the opening dates as July and September( if those are the correct months) and see if you can find children to fill for then. If June rolls around and you have had no interest, than you could consider the option of terming and accepting the new mom.

Have you spoke to the current parents and asked if they will for sure be staying until July and September or asked if they have alternate care if you need to fill the spots before then? If new mom can find alternate care until at least the first spot opens, that would be my preferred plan.

The current parents are definitely leaving as planned. And yes, I am definitely planning on stepping up the search near the end of school. As I said, I just hope that telling the new mom she has to find alternate care won't backfire on me, in the long run.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I hope it doesn't either!

It sorta makes me think of this saying....if your going to cheat with me, you will probably cheat on me. Yes an odd comparison but as a parent I would wonder if you term for me will you term me when needed? Does that make sense? Lol

[mickyc]

I am sorry mattsmom - I still don't agree with you. It is like a get them before they get me attitude. For me personally I would just keep the family you have now and advertise for the spots with the start date of when mom said they are done. How do you know that the new family will stick around? there are no guarantee's in life and we cannot predict the future. I think you are jumping the gun IMO. How do you know you won't have a pile of inquiries about your spots if you advertise for those specific days?

For me I would stick with what is a guarantee - the family you currently have. Advertise spots now for when they are leaving and let what will happen happen.

[SnugglySpot1986]

If it were me i would probably keep the children I already have. There are always people looking for spots, so I'm sure that you can find someone within your time frame. But its up to you and what makes you comfortable. Good Luck!

[playfelt]

Making a business decision is just that. A chance to fill spaces has come about and I would certainly consider it if clients in your area are hard to find. What I would do is say you won't take them till July when first family is leaving and let second family know now that you will not be keeping them for the summer. Gives them plenty of time to find a summer camp, or to hire a high school student for the summer. It is good for the child going into school to have summer camp and get used to larger groups and group rules anyways. Also what if they are planning to move to the school based care or a new caregiver and are told in beginning of Aug the space is now open. You know full well they will just leave and go rather than lose the space and sometimes we need to make changes so we aren't the ones left high and dry.

To let them go in June I too see as rude and not proper practice but to say you are making changes starting July and give them a month to make the changes when you know there are options out there is not wrong it is practical.

[Secondtimearound]

I think I'm along the opinion of the others ! I would stick to the dcf you have and let her know when a spot comes available . I believe it is more professional . I'm not passing judgement on anyone else or their choices , it is just my opinion and how I run my business . I have had my share of being taken advantage of and being "awesome " and "a life saver" one week and losing the same family the next week over a sick day . It doesn't matter to me how many times peoples behaviour effects me , it's how my behaviour effects people that I am working on !