How to announce you're closing your dc

[bright sparks]

I plan on writing a letter as a formality but speaking to the parent's face to face. I know pick up time can be crazy but fortunately for me I have two late drop offs in the morning, one is leaving for school at the same time as I'm closing so a non issue for them anyway, but that allows me to have 5 minutes with the parent dropping off and only two others at pick up time to contend with as the other child is also going to school and his mom also knows I'm closing already. There are many occasions when these people collect together but also other times when they don't so I'll play it by ear.

I understand the not wanting several people to collect every time you just started telling one parent, then the next and the next. I'd maybe arrange for a telephone call with them individually and that way you are having a personal conversation with them without the distraction of the other children and their families, but they can talk further if they'd like at drop off and pick up but with this being common knowledge already.

In your letter I would refrain from explaining to much why you are closing, just the basics, because I think it can easily become like an "I'm sorry to inconvenience you" kinda tone which is not okay IMO. You shouldn't be sorry to be closing. You are moving onto new pastures. Wishing them the best of luck for the future is one thing, but I can imagine some people feel the need to over explain themselves even justifying their choices to others which really isn't necessary, as though they are doing wrong by these families which is not the case.

I would not personally advise looking for alternative care in the area. It is personal preference and unless I actually knew someone personally, I wouldn't be recommending anyone. That is down to them and up to them to determine. I don't want to pass info on of complete strangers. I would however offer them a list of resources for finding alternative care like websites that advertise and recommending anything more locally applicable such as the ROCK/OEYC. If they ask for recommendations I would simply state that you know of a few providers but you don't know them well enough to recommend them. That way there is no worry on whether you are recommending a good provider to them or not. That is their job to do not yours and not doing it doesn't mean you are in some way a bad person.