Touchy Conversation

Just do it. Be open and honest. It isn't new to them. Get it over with so you can stop worrying....

I agree with the other post-ers on this topic. Just give your notice, but you really aren't expected to give an explanation. I think a nice handwritten note thanking them for their wonderful service would be a nice gesture. That way they know that whatever reason you are leaving their facility isn't because you weren't happy with their program or staff.

HTH,
A.

Try to remember that they are providing you with a service; not you serving them. Also try to remember that you are an adult capable of making any dicision you choose. You do not have to justify your decision to the current provider. Just say that you have appreciated all the have done for your children, but your circumstances now dictate a change. That is all you need to say. Thank them and leave. You can do this. Good luck! Liz

I run a day carefrom my home. All you have to do is write a letter and give the provider a reasonable notice. You don't need to give an explanation....tis non of their business. If they ask, tell them it's due to personal reasons.

Best of Luck. I feel you on the dificult situations.

I do in-home daycare. Here's what you do: just tell her it's nothing against her or the center, you're just doing what you think is best for your kids. If she cares about your kids at all she will trust that you are doing what's best. If she gets pissy about it, then you don't need your kids with her anyway.

"You've been awesome for our kids. Thank you for your good work. We will not be attending anymore."

No further explanation needed.
They are providing a service and you have no obligation to them. If they are good, they'll have a waiting list. If they ask, and they may wish to know a reason, you could say you are seeing how a change will fit with your evolving lifestyle. You'll be in touch if you have need of their services in the future and you would recommend their center to your friends. It doesn't have to be uncomfortable...focus on thanking them.

As I have worked in the field of daycare, and have experienced this situation all to often, the best way to tell the director is tell her the reason. Even if the reason is because of something you don't like that is going on. The director's really rely on the parents to say when something isn't going right in their centers, so if you are leaving because of a specfic reason be downright honest and tell the director, they will appreciate your honesty.
Good luck!

I was an assistant director of a day care center for around 7 years and while it is hard for you to tell them, they are use to kids coming and going so they don't put much into it unless you say things like "well, we really enjoyed you, but we really think this place is better", that would probably bother them a bit. Just smile and thank them for doing such a great job with your children, maybe even take a little thank you gift like brownies or cookies for them all. You don't have to explain where or why you are taking them out and unless you have a contract stating how much notice you need to give, just let them know you are happy with them but that you are removing the children.

Something I didn't see here but that you could add...if you really did like what they did, you could even offer to serve as a reference to anyone checking out their facility--that should indicate to them that you really did think they did a good job, if that's something you're truly and honestly willing to do.

Sounds like you don't like confrontation, but this is not confrontation. It's you doing what you feel is best for your child. You don't owe them any explanation. Just tell them you will be switching. If they ask why, then say this works better for my family. Are you friends with them in that you call to chat? They are a place of business.If it's not working it's not working. I had to switch my daughter because they were just a holding place and didn't have any sort of curriculum. Toys in a box in a big room. They only thing I did like was that they painted. But come one. That place just wasn't working for us so we switched her. Do what you feel is best and don't feel guilty. It's your family.

My advice would be to just say you're making a change. I would also just suggest that you try not to burn any bridges. You never know. I've known of people leaving a center for something that they thought was so much better only to find out that they really weren't that impressed once care started. Don't assume if something is newer or fresher or "cleaner" that your child will get better care. I've seen it dozens of times. What really matters are the staff caring for your child(ren).

I've had this conversation with in-home providers when I switched to more of a pre-school setting. I think it was more difficult for me to say than it was for the provider to hear. It is part of what they deal with in their business, and if they are true professionals they shouldn't take it personally.

All the parents here are giving you great advice. It does not have to be a big deal.

as an in home child care provider, theres not much you can do when a parent chooses to leave... so we usually dont take offense or anything. there might actually be a waiting list, so.... who knows?

anyway, i would just tell them that youre changing child cares, and that you loved their center, but your needs have changed. you dont have to go into details.
i know that i require a note in writing, and a 2 weeks notice. please give the 2 week notice, as they may have the right to charge you for any time short of that 2 weeks, depending on their policy.

good luck, and just go with your gut!

I don't think you necessarily *have* to give more of reason other than you're switching, but we did that a few years ago with our son & will with our daughter in a few months. All I said was that the new program was a better fit for our family & it was closer to home. Not sure if that's the case for you, but it alleviated most of the upset. The director at the first center felt we didn't give their preschool program a good chance, then I got more specific in my disagreements with their curriculum. I didn't think it made sense for my 3 year old to be learning states & capitals before he could recognize all of the letters of the alphabet, ya know? :)

Good luck! I'm guessing it'll go better than you think.
J.

Hi,

I was just in your situation last week---so I know how NOT fun it is. I was the same as you...very nervous about telling my current provider we were taking our kids out of the center because we had hired a nanny. But, all my worry was for nothing. The director was fabulous about it. I just explained that the we had thought long and hard about the decision and in the end, we had to do what was best for our family. I also told her that we had been very pleased with the care our children had received there and would continue to recommend them to people in the future.

I think just be honest and explain the situation. I am sure they will understand and be just as great about it as mine was. And if they aren't, then at least you have done your part and been upfront and honest about it.

Good luck...you will do great!

Be very professional about it and give a 2 week notice. You do not want to burn any bridges. You may find yourself not liking the new center as well as you think you will and want to take your children back to the current one. I would also have it down on paper just in case they require that, too. It will take less time and nerves to have it prepared than to try to whip it together in front of them. Keep it short and sweet. :)
Good luck! You can do it!

I have worked at a daycare before and the best way to do it is to be honest. Tell them you think that they did I good job however you feel that you might have found a better fit for your children.

I wish you luck.. I had switched my son to a new daycare because his current one was not good anymore to the point of being tempting to call teh state on them. I don't think anyway you look at it would make it easy to tell them. Keep in mind you don't have to justify yourself. They are your children and you want what is best for them. Nothing wrong with wanting the best for them. Good luck again. I am glad I switched my son.

Hello H.,

I wouldn't even mention to the current day care about how great you think the new day care is.
We switched day cares twice. It is never a touchy conversation, unless you yourself feel uncomfortable having this conversation. It should just be a matter of fact conversation, keep it brief, something like I just wanted to let you know that such and such will be my daughter's last day in the day care, and is there any paperwork I need to sign? From there you will just be answering there questions. They will probably be very nice about it, kids come ad go in any day care, that's normal. Both our directors said awww we loved having your daughter here, please come back any time, and so on and so forth. If they ask you about where she is going, you can tell them, you can say either it is more convenient for you for drop off and pick up or that you decided to try out that specific day care and see how it works out for your child. Trust me, they won't ask what is it that you didn't like here or what is it that they did wrong :)
They just need to know what day will be your child's last day and what will be the last week that you will pay for.
You pay for the services that the day care provides, and you will stop needing those services, no need for the services provider to feel bad about it, it's normal.
I know my daughter liked the teacher and kids in the old day cares, and on her last days we brought a box of cookies for the kids and teachers, and the teachers made her a good-bye card, it's very sweet. But so she liked the new day care too, and the teacher there, and kids there too. She still remembers the old teachers and the kids by names :)
Transitions are normal, and part of our lives, and it is your right to decide when to make that transition. Please don't feel uncomfortable informing the teachers and the director about it, keep the conversation brief and matter of fact, if it helps, and they will help you too, they are there to help you, not to make obstacles for you and not to make you feel bad.
It will be perfectly fine.

Hi H.

I work in daycare and the best thing to do is be honest with the director. Is the new daycare closer to home or work then the old one is ? I hope the new one is as good as you think . Just be honest with the daycare and hope all works out for you .

This is part of everyday life in a center. People change places, move, etc and most likely the director won't even ask. I wouldn't worry about it. Just make sure you give the correct notice as many centers have a 30 day notice policy. It will all work out so don't worry.