dumb question-how do you change your daycare

[mama2rey]

Here is my question.

My son has been going to a daycare center since January. It is a good center, however I think it has become a less than ideal match between my family and them. His teacher is great, however, I feel he will be better off in a Montessori school that I can now afford because my baby is potty trained (yay!!!!! potty trained means cheaper daycare!!!!)

I have looked at a few and I have 2 options that are really good. One is a home based montessori school. The provider seems wonderful and the parents I have spoken to seem to be very enthusiastic about her and her daycare/school. There is another montessori school down the street from us-that I would prefer since its closer. I have spoken to several parents from this school who also love it. So I know that when the school year starts-my son is going somewhere (I think).

The home based provider would like my son to attend the week before school starts and everything gets busy to get adjusted, but also to make sure Montessori is a good fit for him. That is 2 weeks away-so if I go with them I have to give 2 week notice now right? So how do I do this? Do I submit something in writing to them? I am not 100 percent that he will leave in 2 weeks either. Would they get annoyed with me if I say that I am giving notice but that I am not 100 percent sure of the date he is leaving?

Also-part of why I am leaving is that the director made me very angry (long story). However, his teacher has been great and extremely patient while we potty trained. I feel bad that I am pulling him out right after he was potty trained. Is giving the teacher a gift (like a gift certificate) allowed? We always had a babysitter before so we could do whatever we wanted. But would his teacher get in trouble if we gave her a gift? I really want her to know that I appreciate all that she has done for my son.

Anyway-advice would be appreciated!

Karen

[Sierra]

Check the policy manual/parent handbook of the center. Usually things like this are specified there, or in your contract.

In anycase, I think it is a good idea to submit the notice in writing. Keep it brief. Just let them know that you have the opportunity to enroll your child in a Montessori school, and that you will thus no longer keep him enrolled in their center. Definitely give notice as soon as you have confirmed enrollment elsewhere.

My dw is a former professional preschool teacher. She has never worked somewhere that a thank you gift and card would not have been allowed, though I am sure places like that exist. Unless the policy manual/parent handbook specifies gifts are not allowed, I would not hesitate. You are saying goodbye, and a thank you for the work she has done is a very appropriate gesture. I think a thank you note with a gift card tucked inside is a very good choice, and is a low-key thing to "present" also.

Oh, and since you appreciate this teacher so much, you might also consider giving her a special mention in your written notice to the center. Nothing huge, just one line to indicate how wonderful she has been for your son. In my opinion, too often, directors don't hear enough positive feedback about their teachers...they tend to only hear when there is an issue. It could be a good thing for the teacher just to have the director aware of how appreciated she is. And just in case there is any question, I think it also reassures the director that you are not leaving because of issues with the teacher.

[lolar2]

We've moved twice, and hence had to give a daycare notice twice, since DS was born. Both times the procedure for giving notice was in the parent handbook.

[zebra15]

You need to decide where he is going first and sign on with them pick your start date, fees, rate, contract stuff etc. Then give your 2 week notice (or whatever your contract states). If you dont have your contract you need to get one from the office at your current daycare. Remember once you give notice they can fill your spot so there is kinda a 'no turning back'. If you have a deposit with the current center find out the procedure for refunds or if that is used for the last weeks etc.
I dont see an issue with a small gift included with the thank you/good bye card card.

Dont feel guilty about moving on to a new center... kids come and go all the time (even during potty training) parents get diff jobs, families relocate, budgets change etc. Daycares can be revolving doors!

[mama2rey]

Well I did give notice yesterday. I did feel bad-but it is a good change. We don't have an official start date, however it may be as soon at August 23. He will be attending a Montessori school that officially "starts" August 30-I want him to get used to being there before school starts. The director was fine with me telling her the exact final date by the end of the week. I would just rather give notice too soon, than too late. Worse comes to worse, he can hang out with his favorite babysitter for a week or so.

Of course I do feel guilty. My son used to scream "no school" until last week, and would cry when I dropped him off. He had been doing this for awhile until this week. Today he even told me good bye as he went to play with some of the kids...... But in my search I found a good Montessori School 5 minutes from our house. Since he is potty trained, and I can pick him up at 2:30, we will be paying less-so better education, closer, less expensive..........

My son also started getting OT through Early Intervention. They come to you, and most daycares allow EI therapists to go in. Where I am won't. Which means that I am missing work until 12:00 on Wednesdays. The Montessori school is absolutely fine with EI and welcomes them. So, its a good choice I think!