Dilemna with trying to change daycares

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I get that most of the members on this forum are childcare providers. And as a childcare provider, you have to look after yourself and what's best for you. I understand that. However, I'm writing as a parent whose number one concern is first for her child and then secondly for the daycare provider. Attacking me for even suggesting that I might want to meet a potential daycare provider twice or assuming that I'm not giving enough notice to our current provider is not helpful. I signed up as a member today and this is the first time I'm posting. I was just hoping that someone might provide some support or tips about how to make this as stress-free as possible for my little girl, especially when it could still be a few months before she actually changes over to a next daycare (depending on how soon we find one and when a spot becomes available).

I was not attacking you. I sorry if you took that way.

What you likely don't see is we get lot of people who make appointment and not show up. Or who come without child because there behaviour issues. Over time, we learn protect our family time. Unlike centre, we only one person and not able to have interview in business hours. This mean that interview happen in our personal time. To repeatedly see same potential client make no sense when we can just see someone else once. Time is most important thing anyone can give someone else. Many provider work 12 hour day = 60 hour week so the concept of initial interview and then real interview with child, not thrilling to many. You would HAVE to meet provider more than once if not bringing child to first interview because as explain, most of us won't sign contract without meeting child first.

And no assumes made about about not giving enough notice to provider. You stated that your preference being to line up replacement care and then give the 4 week notice. I explain why the min notice can be hurtful to a provider who feels you had established relationship with open communication.

How to make less stressful for child, is be open and honest. Let her know change is coming. Give her time adjust to that fact. And not be fearful about her telling provider. It not always possible to do that and keep provider in dark, so it would be best to be honest from get go, and then provider can help prepare child for coming changes.