How much notice to give daycare provider? leaving

[countthestars]

You may all remember my daycare fiasco from a few months ago - showed up and there was a dog, door to daycare was unlocked midday.  We had a long conversation with provider and ultimately felt like there was no immediate risk to keeping DD in her care so we stayed (flameful?). The goal all along has been to get DD into a center prior to her first birthday because we wanted her around children her own age and had a few minor complaints about the daycare we had in general (some TV time, not a great menu, # of kids).  I just got a call that we got in off the waitlist at our #1 center (!!!) but I'd like to make sure that I'm being fair to DCP as well.  She took us in last minute because of an issue with not being on the waitlist at our other center, is extremely flexible, loves DD and DD loves her, etc. I would also love to keep her in my back pocket in case 1) we end up having to pull out of this center for any reason or 2) we need care on holidays or snow days that our new center is closed. 

So, how much notice would you give your provider in this situation?  1 week? 2 weeks? 1 month? The new center seems flexible with start dates for us so I would assume no overlap in paying both.

[egeiger]

We have a contract with our in home provider, stating 2 weeks. If possible, I know she would prefer a month to try to get that spot filled, as her childcare is currently their only income.

[Ashley&Scott]

At least a week, maybe 2. I don't think you need to give a month though.

Have things improved since your last post? Did the DCP know you would be pulling DD for a center when she got older?

[Deleted]

Do you have a contract with your current DCP? Ours stipulates 30 days notice. I'd give her at least 2 weeks if you can, unless you know she doesn't plan to fill the spot.

[countthestars]

- We pay weekly
- I'm not worried about DD's safety at this point (or since our discussion).  Doors have remained locked since I talked to DCP and the dog seems to always be gated away from DD.
- I need to find the paperwork we signed but I don't remember it stating any specific timeframe
- Have things improved since your last post? Did the DCP know you would be pulling DD for a center when she got older? Things have been really great since then. She had a really good explanation for what I witnessed and I truly feel that i caught them at a terrible time. We have really loved having DD there. DCP does not know that we plan to pull her for a center. She knows that we were originally trying to start DD at a center but not of our plans to move her. I have no guesses on how surprised she will be when we tell her.
- I'm not sure if she will need to fill the slot. She stopped watching her granddaughter (same age as DD) to accommodate DD because she is only licensed for one infant. I have no idea if she would take granddaughter back instead of opening the slot for someone else.

[sunshineluv]

I think two weeks is good, that is the notice we would have to give our center.

[ssmjlm]

I would probably do 2 weeks since it's basically mid-month.

[redheadbaker]

Our contract with our center says two weeks' notice.

[mswax]

2 weeks is pretty standard. If you have a sport at the center immediately, you could also move your DD sooner and just pay her for 2 weeks.

[shellbear09]

Sounds like you did not have an agreement on notice but I think 2 weeks is absolutely fair. I wouldn't wait a month if I had a spot at a center I liked.

[Deleted]

Our provider requests a 2 weeks notice or you pay a fee.

[dbsk8dance]

I gave 2 week notice. I did not pay extra.

[mandapanda18]

Mar 20, 2014 13:19:04 GMT -5 @bettyhomewrecker33 said:

Our provider requests a 2 weeks notice or you pay a fee.

ours requires 2 week notice, but I had to give a 2 week spot deposit, so it would already be paid for.

[speckledfrog]

Ditto PPs, if it's not in your handbook/contract then two weeks is pretty standard.