DCP's With Joint Custody

[PolkaTots]

I have a problem, and not exactly sure how to handle it. I care for a 5 yo DCG, and have for a couple of years now. Her parents have joint custody, one week with mom, one week with dad. During her moms week, I know exactly when she is coming and leaving and everything runs smooth. During her dads week, I never know what time she is coming or going, or even if she is coming. On several occassions he has even told me a time and arrived hours after. I get a long with the mom very well, but am at my wits end with the dad...if I could, I would term the child on her dads weeks so I could have a consistent schedule. Has anyone dealt with this type of custody situation in their daycare before? Did you have each parent fill out a contract for care? I am doing contract renewals next week and was considering having them both fill out one this time, so the appropiate fees can be charged to the dad. (I have late & conveinence fees in the new contract)

[daycare]

I have the parents set up separate pay accounts as well as individual paperwork. I would sit down with Dad and tell him this is an issue and I will start to enforce fees/policy if you cannot follow the rules and that if necessary he will have to find new child care on the weeks that he has his daughter..

I had a child that went to 2 different day cares due to 50-50 custody. It was horrific, but I made it happen as dad was doing the same thing. It was not before long that mom got full custody and he was back at my daycare full time...

I would also let the mom know what your plan is. As much as she may not like what your decision is if you decide to term on dads weeks, you are running a business and you have to enforce your policies....

[Blackcat31]

I have a problem, and not exactly sure how to handle it. I care for a 5 yo DCG, and have for a couple of years now. Her parents have joint custody, one week with mom, one week with dad. During her moms week, I know exactly when she is coming and leaving and everything runs smooth. During her dads week, I never know what time she is coming or going, or even if she is coming. On several occassions he has even told me a time and arrived hours after. I get a long with the mom very well, but am at my wits end with the dad...if I could, I would term the child on her dads weeks so I could have a consistent schedule. Has anyone dealt with this type of custody situation in their daycare before? Did you have each parent fill out a contract for care? I am doing contract renewals next week and was considering having them both fill out one this time, so the appropiate fees can be charged to the dad. (I have late & conveinence fees in the new contract)

I do the opposite as Daycare does. No way would I have separate contract agreements with two different people for one child. Yes, I would have them both sign a contract and give each a copy but would treat them all as one family regardless of marital situation. I require separated/divorced parents to work together. It is their child and they will have to learn to do so for the next 15 years or so...kwim? As far as dad being late with drop off~ I would let him know the child needs to be at care within so many minutes of his scheduled time and that if she does not arrive, she will NOT be accepted into care that day. I would require a written weekly schedule for when he needs care and I would also enforce a late fee.

The things you are having a tough time with in regards to dad are simple to solve if you set up a plan for late fees and not accepting her if he is late but only if you enforce the policies you make very strictly. Dad may be new to time management and multi-tasking his parent duties on his week because this is all new to him. I would have a frank, open discussion with dad, face to face and let him know your policies and that you are going to enforce them from now on.

I would NEVER threaten to term a child (one week) due to one parent's behavior. That is not fair to the child and you could potentially lose the child all together if you do that. No matter what, these two parents are going to have to work together when it comes to their child so they may as well start now.

[PitterPatter]

I have a problem, and not exactly sure how to handle it. I care for a 5 yo DCG, and have for a couple of years now. Her parents have joint custody, one week with mom, one week with dad. During her moms week, I know exactly when she is coming and leaving and everything runs smooth. During her dads week, I never know what time she is coming or going, or even if she is coming. On several occassions he has even told me a time and arrived hours after. I get a long with the mom very well, but am at my wits end with the dad...if I could, I would term the child on her dads weeks so I could have a consistent schedule. Has anyone dealt with this type of custody situation in their daycare before? Did you have each parent fill out a contract for care? I am doing contract renewals next week and was considering having them both fill out one this time, so the appropiate fees can be charged to the dad. (I have late & conveinence fees in the new contract)

Since the Mom seems to do good I wouldn't term. That wouldnt be fair to her and would only cause problems in the parents relationship possibly making the child suffer as well.

Here I have a no show policy. If a parent is a no show after 1 hour without notice they are charged a small fee (for repeat offenders only) After 2 hours they are not permitted into daycare for that day. It is not fair to you or other children in care having your schedule disrupted because 1 Dad can't get himself together. (been there done that with a dad who slept all day and came when he felt like it)

I would at the very least have a discussion with both parents and inform them that this routine is no longer acceptable as it does effect your business and schedule as well as the other children in care.

Good luck to you, I hope it all works out!