Feeling bad about a daycare letter.

[playfelt]

When caring for a child that needs extra attention whether it is because of special needs, being a young infant, etc. the provider plans her day so that it runs as smoothly as possible. It means having grilled cheese for lunch on the day the baby isn't in care so I don't have to make a special meal for them to eat. It means planning to bake cookies on a day that I only have children that can stand up to the counter and enjoy and on the days a special needs child that doesn't walk is in care we plan to do a sensory experiment that involves a tub on the floor at their level and everyone participating.

When you change your days the curriculum, meals, outings, etc. has to change too and that is very disruptive. What do you say to the child you promised was baking day on Thursday all week only to have Thursday come and have to say sorry child XXX is here so baking is off. Daycare is about being fair to all of the children in care.

Occasionally things will come up such a medical appointments that necessitate changing days but that is when you ask with as much notice as possible - IS IT possible to change days and then respect your provider's answer of sorry not this week I have plans already in place for the daycare that can't be changed. I am gathering from the letter you posted that the frequency of asking for changes was getting out of hand. Your provider is not a drop in centre.