Just need some outsider opinions on this.

I have 2 full time daycare clients and 2 part time ones. One of my FT clients is a teacher and will be off (and not taking her child here, hence not paying me) for the summer. The understanding when her child started here last fall was that I would be holding her spot.

Okay. In the last year this woman has never picked her child up on time. He has been ill and she has forgotten to call. She regularly forgot to pay me until I had to lay it on the line for her. And recently, she said that they are moving to Chicago "for the summer" because her DH has an assignment up there. She also said that he won't have a job anymore when the summer ends.

So what I'm wondering is are they coming back in the fall? She had said previously that she might need me to care for the child while she did some continuing education during the summer - but if they are in Chicago...???

I can just see her not telling me til the last minute, and then I have to scramble to fill her spot. Her spot is almost 1/2 of my income! I also have 2 babies on my waiting list that need to know pretty soon if I'm going to take them or not in the fall.

Anyway - I just needed to vent. Thanks for listeing.

I'd tell her you can't hold her spot. She needs to understand you are running a business. I'm a teacher, and the daycares where I live still make you pay, even if your kid doesn't go in the summer. That way their spot is saved. Good luck!

Lay it down.

That spot holding is like asking some kid to hold your place in line when you're in elementary school.

Oh gosh pixie, my mom goes through the same thing. It's hard because she wants to help the moms out but sometimes they take advantage. I would just fill the spot. You have to run your business and look out for your own income.

I agree with chickybird. You want to help her and the child out, but you are also running a business. Forgetting to pay you...not acceptable. She's shown she's irresponsible. I say lay it down, you can't hold the spot when you have others on a waiting list that WILL be considerate and responsible.

Take the babies!

Ugh - I'm SO conflicted!!

She responded to my email and said that she will need me a couple of times in the summer and has to report back to work on August 11.

I did tell her that I want to re-negotiate her contract and have a deposit to hold her spot. We will certainly be talking about the fact that her contract says pick up at 4pm and she never does. I will be informing her that I will start to enforce the fee as stated in the contract.

I don't want to be a witch, but sheesh. I've really enjoyed her child - he is a year old and has been with me for the last 10mo. I love that little guy like my own, but his mother makes me want to scream. Unfortunately, she's not as bad as it gets and I never know WHAT I will get if I cut her loose. Trust me - it could be much worse.

Thanks for listening and for all the replies. DH doesn't get it.

I am a teacher and have my youngest in daycare. The daycare center is located on my school's campus and run by the district so it's open only on school days and we pay only the days we work, but it is still a business. We are charged 1 dollar per minute that we are late picking up our kids; even if we are late because of work. We are also charged snack fees and have to provide lunch everyday. It's a little pricey for the area, but the peace of mind that a loving and caring daycare provider gives is worth soooo much more than any amount of money.

This woman will probably meet any demand/request that you make! Knowing that her child is loved is worth it. Good luck!