Cut Off Time For Drop Offs?

[nanglgrl]

I require that children are dropped off at their scheduled drop off time. If late drop off is a rare occurrence I will accept the child as long as they are no more than 10 minutes late. If late drop off is a constant problem I will ask that they change their contracted drop off time. If the parent calls and informs me ahead of time they can come as long as they arrive before 9:00 am. I just feel like not calling is so disrespectful. Unless they don't have use of their hands there is absolutely no good reason not to inform me that they will be late.
The only problem I've really ever had with constant late drop offs have been students, people who work from home or who are self employed. I found that most of the time they slept in by their own choice and didn't call to tell me they would be late. They slept in so their child slept in. Then their child wakes up around 10 and they don't see why I say it would create a problem to bring the child to daycare.
The only break I get in my extremely long day is a period during quiet time when everyone is sleeping and/or quiet. If they bring their child that just got out of bed a few hours ago and isn't tired yet I won't even get that little slice of quiet and I NEED that quiet! Then, after everyone else wakes up (if their child is actually quiet enough so that the others can sleep), the child wants to sleep but can't because of the activity in the room. Now, after I didn't get my little slice of energizing quiet, I have a tired, ornery child to attend to and there is a good possibility that everyone's schedule is now out of whack. The domino effect will be that the other children that don't get to sleep because of your bundle of joy are monsters for their parents that night. Then I get asked a million times why but because of privacy reasons I can't tell them it's because another parent decided to let their child sleep in and they arrived late throwing the entire day off. Yipee! No thanks, you don't pay me enough.
I'm full and have never had a problem staying that way but my town hasn't had much of a problem with the economy. Most of the providers have pretty similar policies and rates so it would be hard for parents to daycare hop because they want special treatment.
For the parent who thinks her provider should just "get over it" because you pay them I have to comment. What do you pay your provider to take care of your child per hour? The average seems to be from $2.50-$3.50 (more and less for places with higher/lower costs of living). So take from that the taxes, food, supplies, portion of utilities, space, etc. and you probably pay her around $1-2 an hour. So for 12 hours of tending to YOUR child she makes maybe $12-$24 after expenses. Would you want to deal with someone like yourself who obviously has no respect for the person who cares for her child for that piddly amount of money? I doubt it.

[Unregistered]

Obviously no understanding child development!

So if I am a few minutes late for drop off GET OVER IT!! I PAY YOU!! If it weren't for people like me you wouldn't have a job or a business. I say this because my 7 month old sons sons teacher was VERY rude to me when I dropped my son off at 10:30 instead of 10. The class goes down for nap around 9 and every day when I get there with my son the other kids are still asleep. There is absolutely NO REASON I can't drop him off when they are getting up from their nap. MY SON IS ON HIS SCHEDULE. NOT THE DAYCARES. He sleeps and eats when he's ready.

The provider is a business owner/teacher and she sets the hours she is comfortable with that work for HER and HER FAMILY (as well as ALL the children in her care). If they fit with your schedual than great, but if you don't like it try paying a babysitter or a nanny $10-$12 bucks an hour (which in your case will be between $120-144 a DAY in stead of a WEEK). I do not blame her one bit for being rude to you for being late! It's not fun having a room of sleeping kiddos and having a baby that may be fussy come in and wake everyone up making everyone cranky- you only have to deal with one child by yourself, she has to deal with anywhere from 1-9 children (depending on your state) at one time by herself. She needs to do what is best for EVERYONE not just YOUR child. That is the price you pay for group care! I understand that every child has their own biological rhythms (eat, sleep, potty) but it (at least 2/3) is usually because of the schedules and routines set by their parents and teachers at a young age. It is not good to mess with your child's schedule by bringing him in at different times- the more routine they have the more well adjusted they become as an individual! It is also required (depending on state) that daycares provide 2 hours of "nap time" or "quite time" in which all the children can rest in a quite environment- it is in the NAEYC code of ethics (COE) because naps are important for all young children to help their brains recharge and to improve their ability to focus and concentration.

And MOST providers also work about 10-12 hours a day (6am-6pm) as well and they don't just sit at a desk or even get regular breaks every 2-4 hours- wanna know when their only break is? Naptime! And sometimes even then they are cleaning up anything that wasn't already cleaned, doing paperwork/taxes, dishes from breakfast/lunch/snack, returning business calls to current/prospective parents or their liscneser/accountant, balancing check book, filling out information for food program, looking up or setting up weekly curriculum/ activities/ field trips, setting up for wake up time activities, finally getting a bite to eat or a pee break. Some providers go from 6/7am-12/1pm without so much as a pee break! Maybe you should volunteer one day (on your day off) from open to close and see how their day really is and all the other parents that give them grief about her rules like you do but still has the strength to continue this profession for the good of the CHILDREN- the reason providers go into this profession is because they love working with kids but an unfortunate side to this is that kids often come with parents some of which are not to pleasent to work for. To all rules that you consider "crazy" or "unreasonable" there is a logical reason behind it! If you think it is so easy you should do it and see if you don't start making rules that help make your day a little easier.

and as for your *"If it weren't for people like me you wouldn't have a job or a business."* if it werent for daycare businesses like this many people like you wouldn't be able to work! It's a two way street! If you had no one to watch your child you would have to stay home with your child or get arrested for abandonment/child endangerment! They also tend to be paid less on the hour per child and after taxes, bills, and business/liscensing expenses some child care professionals just barely break even. Many FCC/DCP's who do not have rules or schedules/routines tend to be the ones who "burn out" the fastest and wind up leaving the profession in search of a different career. As my child development professors say "Working with young children wont make you rich and is usually a challenging and thankless job. But sometimes it can be the most rewarding."

The reason we were late this day is because he fell asleep late so I thought it would be better for him to sleep for at least 30 minutes instead of being super sleepy and hard to deal with, not to mention the other students are always still asleep when we get there.

Again with the schedule issue- this messes up his biological rhythm. If you wake him up at his normal time and they put him down for his nap at his normal time he will go back to a normal pattern. When you just let them sleep-in or stay up just because of a few minutes (less than an hour) difference from their normal sleep pattern it will get harder for them to go to sleep at a regular time which can lead to irregular sleep patterns and even insomnia as they get older.

[Unregistered]

I am a single mom who works close to 12 hours a day. I. Understand the drop off times but because of my schedule I rarely see my child. I feel as though everyone else is raising him. So if I am a few minutes late for drop off GET OVER IT!! I PAY YOU!! If it weren't for people like me you wouldn't have a job or a business. I say this because my 7 month old sons sons teacher was VERY rude to me when I dropped my son off at 1030 instead of 10. The class goes down for nap around 9 and every day when I get there with my son the other kids are still asleep. There is absolutely NO REASON I can't drop him off when they are getting up from their nap. MY SON IS ON HIS SCHEDULE. NOT THE DAYCARES. He sleeps and eats when he's ready. The reason we were late this day is because he fell asleep late so I thought it would be better for him to sleep for at least 30 minutes instead of being super sleepy and hard to deal with, not to mention the other students are always still asleep when we get there.

Wow, 'parent'. You you pay a provider, but your child is not the only one there. There are other children there that need rest, their lesson time etc. Do you have any idea how hard it is to keept kids on some kind of a schedule. In my daycare, if your child 'slept in' and then you did not show up until 10:30, I can tell you that the entire daycare would most likely be affected for the rest of the day. If your son is up screaming and crying because he is not ready for a nap (because of 'his schedule') then he will most likely keep the other kids up also. Remember, the other kids' parents are also paying the provider for care and expect their children to be able to nap. Your attitude is really rude. If you want someone to care for your child on his schedule only, then hire a nanny.

[Blackcat31]

::

this thread is from 2011.

[Unregistered]

I am a single mom who works close to 12 hours a day. I. Understand the drop off times but because of my schedule I rarely see my child. I feel as though everyone else is raising him. So if I am a few minutes late for drop off GET OVER IT!! I PAY YOU!! If it weren't for people like me you wouldn't have a job or a business. I say this because my 7 month old sons sons teacher was VERY rude to me when I dropped my son off at 1030 instead of 10. The class goes down for nap around 9 and every day when I get there with my son the other kids are still asleep. There is absolutely NO REASON I can't drop him off when they are getting up from their nap. MY SON IS ON HIS SCHEDULE. NOT THE DAYCARES. He sleeps and eats when he's ready. The reason we were late this day is because he fell asleep late so I thought it would be better for him to sleep for at least 30 minutes instead of being super sleepy and hard to deal with, not to mention the other students are always still asleep when we get there.

Wow you sound very ignorant. When you signed YOUR CHILD UP FOR THAT DAYCARE , you also received a handbook stating the policies and procedures. That is very inconsiderate and childish what you posted. If you miss your child so much and your off keep him or her at home. Clearly you didn’t miss them that much of you can’t do that. So have your child there by drop off time or they won’t be accepted for that day period.

[Cat Herder]

2011.

I am sure that "Parent" has grown up and moved out of their parents' basement by now.

[Snowmom]

2011.

I am sure that "Parent" has grown up and moved out of their parents' basement by now.

::::::::::::::::::
Truer words have never been spoken.

[Blackcat31]

Wow you sound very ignorant. When you signed YOUR CHILD UP FOR THAT DAYCARE , you also received a handbook stating the policies and procedures. That is very inconsiderate and childish what you posted. If you miss your child so much and your off keep him or her at home. Clearly you didn’t miss them that much of you can’t do that. So have your child there by drop off time or they won’t be accepted for that day period.

WOW you sound very angry.

I am hoping you have some time set aside for vacation this holiday season.

I understand the constant struggle between parents that don't follow policy and providers wishing they did but it is part of the job.

Also since reading and comprehending goes both ways, it's important to point out that while the parent you quoted most likely didn't read her handbook it's clear you didn't read the date on this thread either so as I said, I hope you find some peace and a little less anger this holiday season. :hug:

[Unregistered]

Drop off times making a payment violation

This is a violation of merchant services not received. Visa it's a 13.1 and MasterCard it's a 4853. You can't charge for a service you have not provided. This is my job.

Today I reported my daycare. I couldn't go to work today because of my Dr appointments impeding with my drop off time. However when I picked my son up from daycare on Wednesday he was on fire with a fever of 101.6 and it was left ignored. No one called me when I didn't bring him in Thursday because I went to the Dr for him. No one bothers to check, shows real care for my child. So I let them know on Friday he has been sick because his fever was up still. They still even got to keep their prepay for that day. My son is 20 months old. There is no curriculum legally at that age here in TN. Nor is food a problem because I could just bring his lunch if too late to order.

So I prepaid for a day I can't use and DHS pays the rest. You can't get paid if you didn't work.

[Cat Herder]

This is a violation of merchant services not received. Visa it's a 13.1 and MasterCard it's a 4853. You can't charge for a service you have not provided. This is my job.

Today I reported my daycare. I couldn't go to work today because of my Dr appointments impeding with my drop off time. However when I picked my son up from daycare on Wednesday he was on fire with a fever of 101.6 and it was left ignored. No one called me when I didn't bring him in Thursday because I went to the Dr for him. No one bothers to check, shows real care for my child. So I let them know on Friday he has been sick because his fever was up still. They still even got to keep their prepay for that day. My son is 20 months old. There is no curriculum legally at that age here in TN. Nor is food a problem because I could just bring his lunch if too late to order.

So I prepaid for a day I can't use and DHS pays the rest. You can't get paid if you didn't work.

Daycare is not a merchant service.

Read your contract.

If your child is not receiving decent care you will need to speak with the director to resolve the issue or terminate your contract.

[Snowmom]

This is a violation of merchant services not received. Visa it's a 13.1 and MasterCard it's a 4853. You can't charge for a service you have not provided. This is my job.

Today I reported my daycare. I couldn't go to work today because of my Dr appointments impeding with my drop off time. However when I picked my son up from daycare on Wednesday he was on fire with a fever of 101.6 and it was left ignored. No one called me when I didn't bring him in Thursday because I went to the Dr for him. No one bothers to check, shows real care for my child. So I let them know on Friday he has been sick because his fever was up still. They still even got to keep their prepay for that day. My son is 20 months old. There is no curriculum legally at that age here in TN. Nor is food a problem because I could just bring his lunch if too late to order.

So I prepaid for a day I can't use and DHS pays the rest. You can't get paid if you didn't work.

How'd that work out for ya?

[Unregistered]

They are being investigated. Since DHS is the one paying. That's tax payer money. And since the daycare retaliated, they are being escalated. Upper management approval. They dig themselves a deep hole. Couldn't handle someone being late because they have Dr appointments. And I also have screen shots of their heartlessness to put all over review pages. First time late. And only sick with doctors note... And still paid for the sick days. But they refused to provide service and care food needy families on Snap and subsidy programs, they might just lose all access to subsidies.

[Unregistered]

Daycare is not a merchant service.

Read your contract.

If your child is not receiving decent care you will need to speak with the director to resolve the issue or terminate your contract.

Merchant is anyone who sells a good or service. Daycare is a service thus a merchant service. Because you are selling a service.

[Unregistered]

They are being investigated. Since DHS is the one paying. That's tax payer money. And since the daycare retaliated, they are being escalated. Upper management approval. They dig themselves a deep hole. Couldn't handle someone being late because they have Dr appointments. And I also have screen shots of their heartlessness to put all over review pages. First time late. And only sick with doctors note... And still paid for the sick days. But they refused to provide service and care food needy families on Snap and subsidy programs, they might just lose all access to subsidies.

I forgot to include. It was only 5 minutes.

[Cat Herder]

I charge tuition, with a contract, per slot. It does not matter if the child attends or not, the tuition is still due or your child will no longer be enrolled. If payment was reversed, I'd take you to court on the theft of services with easy documentation to prove it. Tomato. Toma"to.

Why didn't you ask them in advance if you could arrive late for your child's Dr. appointment? Did they exclude because your child was still sick? Most places have an exception for well-child checks to the late arrival policy with notification. Some exclude if the child received immunizations.

To be honest, losing a subsidy is not the worst thing to happen to the center. Not accepting it at all has been the best business decision I have made. I can enforce my policies without clients feeling entitled to try to force me to comply with their personal wishes. My business is mine.

This seems such a small issue to have gone to this point. I suspect this is not the first time you and this center have had problems working together. It isn't heartless to enforce policies that benefit children and providers even if it inconveniences parents.