Giving notice to DC and leaving b/c I am unhappy, what to say in the letter?

SweetMonkey · April 2011

I am leaving our current daycare, there is not a safety reason, so it's immediately pulling him. I would like his last day to be in two wks and he start the new school in 3 wks (we have a fam vaca between the changing of the school - I hope that is helpful to him for adjustment)

I love the teachers and I am writing recommendation letters of them. I am not happy about how the owner runs the school (is never there, can't keep a director, less students and less structured activities, ect)

I never talked w/ the director about my feelings, never gave her a chance to change anything and I know that is not the most appropriate thing to do, but at the same time I want a school that knows how to run it's self and knows what needs to be done.

Since I am not wanting change I dont really want to list why he will no longer go there. I want a short and to the point letter, but I am NOT going to lie and say. ohh we loved it here but we just cant stay blah blah blah.

How many wks notice 1 or 2 (2 feels a little ackward to me) and what do I write in the note?

BLykins16 · April 2011

Our daycare requires a two week notice, so I'd suggest giving that. It's up to you on how much detail you would like to give in the note. If you want to be vague, you could just say that the daycare isn't the right fit for your family.

If you want to give more detail, so maybe the owner will be made aware of the issues and can perhaps work on them, I'd just state the issues like you did above.

SweetMonkey · April 2011

I have read that u are to give 2 wks notice and I have also read that many ppl just never return w/out saying a word (my co-worker use to work at a daycare)

They never gave me notice when a teacher was leaving or even that a teacher had left it was be days and I'd ask when is so and so coming back from vacationa and I get the look around the room and the low voice... she does not work here anymore.

so torn.

MrsBalletStar05 · April 2011

2 weeks notice.

On one hand, they might be annoyed that you never told them your issues, on the other hand they may need to know what is wrong so they can retain future children. I guess, worse case scenario - you tell them exactly why you are leaving, and they can either use that information or they will assume you're some kind if beeyotch, but that doesn't really matter because you're leaving :-)

thatjessie · April 2011

Tell them the truth for sure. You loved the teachers but didn't like the direction. Nothing wrong with that.

vmm0016 · April 2011

I would still give a two week notice.

Dani.Cherie · April 2011

BLykins16:
Our daycare requires a two week notice, so I'd suggest giving that. It's up to you on how much detail you would like to give in the note. If you want to be vague, you could just say that the daycare isn't the right fit for your family.
If you want to give more detail, so maybe the owner will be made aware of the issues and can perhaps work on them, I'd just state the issues like you did above.

This. Our DC also requires a 2 weeks notice, and there is specific paperwork they have for us to fill out prior to our leave. I'd check your handbook for specifics to make sure there's nothing you're missing.

Good luck with your new center!

ppants · April 2011

I'd give 2 weeks and just say something like you've enjoyed the teachers, but found a better fit for your family.

Valerie120408 · April 2011

I would give 2 weeks notice. Our contract states that we have to pay for 2 weeks from the day we let them know we are leaving and it's our choice if we want to send the kids in or not. Also, they don't necessarily announce when a teacher is leaving because there is no gap in care. When we left our first DCP, I didn't write a letter but I spoke with the DCP and told her why we were switching. If I were to write a letter, I would still mention what made me want to find a new place and I would make sure to say that you liked the teachers.

Maybride2 · April 2011

When we registered at our first daycare, we had to give them a 2 week deposit - the deposit would be used to pay for our final 2 weeks whenever we left. So had we not given 2 weeks notice, we would have lost our deposit. But since we loved them, we wanted to leave on good terms anyway.

shihtzu51 · April 2011

Do you have a contract you signed when you started the daycare? It may say in there how much notice you have to give. Our last daycare was 2 weeks notice - and when we left because our son was biting and they weren't supervising well enough [they never saw most of the incidents til after they happened] we told them.

Our new daycare requires a month notice - we also pay a month ahead of time, so I suspect if you left before the month was up and didn't give notice, you'd just lose the rest of your money.

KerryHS · April 2011

If you don't have a contract saying 2 weeks notice is what you should give, then I think one week is fine. Just do it in a way that doesn't burn any bridges. I have left a daycare center because I didn't like it for my newborn, but brought her back when she was older.....

Emilia0101 · May 2011

mrs_sexy:
I'd give 2 weeks and just say something like you've enjoyed the teachers, but found a better fit for your family.

This

The things you said you didn't like aren't things that would probably change even if they had the chance. I would do a standard 2 weeks notice and cut your ties without and extended goodbye.

Jessys_Girl · May 2011

I'd say something like

"Dear Director,

Regrettably, I am writing to inform you that I will be changing my child(ren) to a new center in 2 weeks. I must say i've enjoyed the teachers and know that my child(ren) has as well. However, there are several things I would like to let you know about, as it may help you to retain future clients.

X issue

Y issue

Z issue

Thank you for caring for my child for the past X amount of time.

Sincerely,

Client"

Then, I would give the recommendation letters to the teachers individually/seperately.

Mominator · May 2011

If you want to say something, then just keep it brief and to the point. Personally, I don't think you are under any obligation to say why you are leaving, a short simple, here is my 2 weeks notice, is plenty adequate.

SweetMonkey · May 2011

Thanks ladies. I am sure I signed a contract, but it was 3 yrs ago, and this place is super lax about stuff. I just realized I was a month BEHIND in paying them, when I realized how much time had lapsed I handed over a check for the amount and the one worker (who handles the books when there is no director) said, Oh good I was just noticing you had not paid.

No Worries, no fee - but I know in the policy it says there is a fee for late payment!

I would like to give them 2 wks notice , wh/ would be today! as long as I get everything squared away w/ the new place, left message w/ them this AM saying we wanted to sign him up, but I want to make sure the date we need is ok (3 wks from now)

I think y'all are right not to burn any bridges, I am not happy w/ the owner, but like some of y'all say.. ya never know what is needed in the future, so I'll try and be general in my letter and hope I dont get too many questioned asked. It's hard b/c I am pretty darn friendly w/ the workers, FB friends, go to each other children's B-day parties, ect. Suck b/c if the last direct had just stayed none of this would happen. She told me that the owner was mean and forced her out, then recently I have heard stories from the other workers who have been w/ the owner for YEARS and I was like wait what? It's one thing to butt head w/ a new person, that happens, but to start to treat your old faithful employees poorly, something is not right tension is getting high and max deserves better. And w/out a director the employees struggle to stay on schedule, keep all the needs supplies for learning activities, ect I noticed a HUGE improvement when the director got there (was about to leave but then we got the new director after MONTHS of no director and the owner not being around) and now that the director is gone... it's sliding back into the old ways.

Thanks again ladies. I think y'all are right

Want a personalized experience?

Giving notice to DC and leaving b/c I am unhappy, what to say in the letter?

Re: Giving notice to DC and leaving b/c I am unhappy, what to say in the letter?

Choose Another Board

Search Boards