This is Business, Nothing Personal

 

Word mouth is basically how my clientele grows. With the problem parents the only thing they can say negative is I enforce my rules. I have parents that have clout and give me referrals or have helped me to receive certain credentials/grants because they know higher ups and they don't ask me to flex, bend or break rules. Hell they even give me an extra tip, bottle of wine or some other gift and talk about how underpaid I am.

 

So I'll say yes to #3. These parents don't get the concept of my closing times, payment due dates or sick policies.

1. Does this person have a business? Could you benefit from bartering? 

2. Are they a talker? Meaning is this someone that knows everybody? Word of Mouth is very powerful, and being friends with someone like that could be to your biggest advantage (and cheapest form of advertising). If this is case, I would definitely give them a little discount because they would bring more business my way. Im thinking something similar to a loyalty rewards program.

3. If they are just a leech....yeah cut them off. You are a business and that means you need to make a profit from your business.

I heard a business owner say something about keeping only your "elite" clients to grow your business. Basically she was saying keep the great clients and let the others go. Even if you raise prices the good clientele won't mind because they know they are getting quality service. In your case, i'd bet if you let those slack clients go, your business would not suffer one bit. 

And  bring kids to the daycare sick? Allllhaiiilllnaw!