I don't know where to put this so I just 'stuck it under Children's behaviour- -even though my issue is parental behaviour!
Actually, this is sort of a rant / asking how others do things, etc.!
First off, I do not have a daycare, I have a preschool.
Secondly, the issue I am facing is this: I just received an email from a parent who has their child in drop-in (I don't have a drop in on a usual basis but this year I had two families that really wanted their children in my program and asked if they could have this option if anyone is away). So I call these two families when someone is away sick and their fee is $14 a class ($1 less than the actual fee used for the full timers). Anyways, one of the full time parents went to the drop-in parent and said since they are paying full time fees that she shouldn't have to pay for drop-in as she is taking a spot already paid for; she should be getting it for free. Well, I was angry that the parent would say this (although I have noticed that she is a pot-stirrer) because it isn't her business first off and secondly, if she is unhappy then she should leave. I replied to the parent that asked me about this, that this is typical practice in the field that if a child is drop-in then they are charged for the use of the space but of course the child who is away pays full time for the first option to use the space. (Oh, and I do calculate 2 sick days from the full time fees for the year plus if they miss a day and someone is away but no drop-in is using it, then they can come in for free another time) I know this is the way things are here where I live and I am just wondering how others do things. I will say though, this is the third issue with the 'pot stirrer' in the past two weeks.
HMMMM....I've been there before myself with 'pot sitters'. They don't make life easy do they? Firstly, with your second issue, your contract is with the full-time parent and this parent is paying the fee for their child. The other parent should not have stuck her 'nose' into the situation. You may want to look into changing the word drop-in to nursery school. Many parents misinterpret the word drop-in to mean free. I don't think the parent should have a free spot, if this is what she is looking for then she should look for other "free" options within the community.
If the 'pot stirrer' continues to be a problem, i would say one more issue(although you make the final decision) i would ask her to leave.
Secondly, I'm not sure what you exactly mean by your first issue. But i just thought i would post these definitions:
preschool
Of, relating to, intended for, or being the early years of childhood that precede the beginning of elementary school.
A school for children who are not old enough to attend kindergarten; a nursery school.
day·care
Provision of daytime training, supervision, recreation, and often medical services for children of preschool age, for the disabled, or for the elderly.
Both are similar in what the functions are, however one focuses more on the ages 3-5 rather the whole spectrum.(Correct me if i am wrong).
Has someone offended you with using the wrong terminology?