Is this a good letter? (ending childcare)?

Question

Hello there,

I have a bit of bad news. Enclosed with this letter is my two weeks notice to end childcare for Cy. I hate to do this to you (or any parent) and I really like Cy, I just don’t feel that I can give him the attention he needs and he may be more comfortable in a smaller daycare. As you know, right now with school being out I have got my kids (2) PLUS 6 other kids. It was suppose to only be 5 additional children but I allowed one more because she is older and assists me with projects and extra activities. So With Cy included, I have 8 kids each day so I have a hard time dealing with him when he needs something or at meal times.

On the notice, I have dated it from 2 weeks from today’s date but if you need more time, let me know and I can see what I can do. I do want to make sure you have enough time to find a daycare that you are satisfied with, I don’t want to rush you into settling for less… if that makes since! I do have a refferal for you (I used her myself)

(here is the rest)
I believe she charges close to the rate that I charge and lives down the street from me. Her name is Wendy and I have already asked her if she has the room, so she is aware that you may be calling. Here is her number xxx-xxx-xxxx

Again, I apologize. I do really like you both as parents and I think you are doing an excellent job raising Cy so please do not take it personal. I will continue to give Cy the best care throughout the time that I have him, so don’t worry about that. Let me know if there is anything else I can do!

Stephanie

Answer 1

It is good, BUT if I got that letter, I would wonder about the 'I have a hard time dealing with him when I a busy'.. I would wonder why you have a hard time dealing with MY child over the other 7. That is what I would think. I think your letter needs to be a little more professional and a little less expalining. In saying that they should take their time and 'not settle' for a lesser sitter, I would feel that you are implying that I would actually settle on my own child's care. Also that you say that he may be more comfortable in a small daycare, I would wonder if you think he is not good in groups, or is unmanagable... or why it is that you think that my child needs a small place, and that I, as a parent, choose wrong for my own child. Also, why is it that my child NEEDS more attention then the others... you have time for the other 7.. is my child attention seeking and annoying? These are small things, but parents like me, take these kind of letters VERY personally, especially if you are quiting ONLY my child. If I received that letter I would take it better if it was like this:

Unfortunately, I am giving you 2 weeks notice to end my childcare of Cy. He is such a great little boy and I really enjoy him. However, I am finding that I have taken on too many children. Orignally I did so, as I had a helper, but I am still finding that the workload is too much at this point for the individual care that I like to give each individual child. I have a referral for you that I think you may be happy with, I have used her myself... etc etcc.... somthing like that.

Answer 2

Dear Parent,
I'm writing to inform you that I can no longer provide adequate child care for your child and requesting that you seek other child care facilities. With the influx of children at this current time, I feel I cannot provide the level of care for your child that I have been able to provide previously and think it is in the best interest of everyone.

This letter is to serve as my two weeks notice and I hope that you will be able to find another quality child care arrangement in that time. If not, I feel we can certainly work together to negotiate a brief extension of that time if you should need it. I would like to refer you to someone I have used for childcare in the past. I believe she charges a similar rate to what I charge, and lives down the street from me. Her name is Wendy and I have already asked her if she has the room, so she is aware that you may be calling. Here is her number xxx-xxx-xxxx.

I apologize if this puts your family in a stressful situation, that is not my intent, but I have to think about all the families involved and try to make the best decision for all involved. I sincerely hope that you will not take this personally as I think well of you both as parents and I admire how you are raising Cy. I hope that our mutual trust can be maintained for the duration of our professional relationship, I will continue to provide the best for Cy while he remains in my care. Let me know if there is anything I can do to make this transition easier for your family.


The basic idea for the letter is good, it just sounded a little wordy. I would also have to agree with some of the other posters, I would want to know why you are not cutting back more than just my one child. So be prepared to explain yourself a little more, if the parents should question your motives. I know in my state, I have a home day care, you can only have 5 or fewer children without a license, you might want to look into your state requirements just to make sure you are operating legally. Good luck.

Answer 3

It is a loving letter. I hope you aren't being too lienent with the "If you need more time, let me know" since some parents may take advantage of this. It sound like you very much care for this child and am concerned on his and his families happiness. As a parent, I would be relieved at such care and thought that was put into it not to mention that you are vouching for someone close by! you may want to mention that cy was the last person to enter the group - I hope that was the case....and follow up with a phone call. Good luck and Happy Summer!

Answer 4

First make sure you include why it is Cy that is being let go and not one of the other children. Second watch your spelling. Third talk to the parents first then give them the letter. Tell them the letter is just for purposes of having the conversation in writing. Dont be a coward and just hand the letter over. Grow up and talk to the parents.

Answer 5

Ok, you definately need to take out the part..

" As you know, right now with school being out I have got my kids (2) PLUS 6 other kids. It was suppose to only be 5 additional children but I allowed one more because she is older and assists me with projects and extra activities. So With Cy included, I have 8 kids each day so I have a hard time dealing with him when he needs something or at meal times. "

You are making excuses for why you don't want to keep their kid. And don't call them "kids" call them children. If you leave this in then you are basically saying "I don't have time to spend on your "needy" child" and they won't feel comfortable leaving him there. It's not their fault you took on the extra child...you didn't have to say yes.


Also take out

" .... if that makes sense! "

This is suppossed to be professional letter.

Don't just hand them this letter, talk to them. If you don't talk to them it's very unprofessional.

Answer 6

I myself am also a childcare provider, and you did not give any specific reasons for cutting him.Do you have a contract with this family??You are required to at least give them 2 weeks to find other care, if I was Cy's parents though, and I was given this letter as is, I would pull him that day.This letter is ridiculous and has no concrete answers on why you will not continue caring for him.I agree with the 2 women above me, your letter is too informal and cold.

Answer 7

If this letter was written to me. I would want more concrete reasons. Maybe throught in a few things that he is doing that has caused you to let this child go. Don't compare him to the other children but just specifically why you can no longer care for CY.

Because if your reason is soley based on the fact that you took on too many children, and Cy was not the last child you accepted, that's not fair.

Alisha

Answer 8

Sounds good to me, but are you going to tell them in person first? I think you should just talk to the parents, tell them kind of what you said in the letter, then give them the letter so they have something in writing and you can say you gave written notice. It sounds like you may be violating some laws regarding # of children you can care for (I'm not sure of the laws in your state so you may want to check on this). If so, just tell the parents you discovered that you were violating laws by having too many children and you have to end childcare to comply with laws.

Answer 9

If I were the parent I would want to know why it was CY getting cut and not another kid. Was he the last child you took and the one that put you over the limit? Why is he the one being singled out.

With that information included, I'd say your letter is great.

Answer 10

It is a fine letter from a personal home business but not on a professional level. It seems nice enough though. You did however use the wrong word usage of "since" in your sentence that states"if that makes since". You will need to replace it with "sense"; as in common sense. Hope that helps....