How Many Hours?

[DaisyMamma]

I've learned not to post my hours or put them in my contract. Nor do I post my rates. When a family calls I ask what hours they work and verify that they will need about a half hour transportation time on either end. Then if I like those hours ill do it. My longest is 10.5 and not every day. The rest are 5, 8 and 9. The 10.5 hour family pays more.

[saved4always]

My longest is about 9.25 hours. I actually have in my contract that anything over 8.5 hours is $5 more a day so most parents seem to be able to get here in the 8.5 hours to save money. I don't work past 4 p.m. so that limits who can actually use me and how many hours are actually available. I have always preferred getting to work earlier and gettin off earlier, even when I was working full time outside of my home.

[Jenniferdawn]

Thanks everyone. That helps. I think keeping a ten hour cap here is what I need to stick to, for my own sanity. This woman never showed for our interview today. I didn't get that great of a feeling from her anyways, but it was annoying to work so hard to get the house ready for her.

[daycare]

one thing that I would be asking is why do they need so many hours? If it is because they have to travel far for work, more than 45 minutes, I would then be asking who will you have for your back up?

TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THIS.....I have already made this mistake. Every day it was I am stuck in traffic I might, will, or am going to be late. When the child got sick here at daycare it was always 2plus hours before she could get picked up. Then of course the longer that they are on the road the higher the chance of care issues, worst accident. YUP had that one too and ended up having the child for 15 hours one day because no one could pick her up.

So now I make sure to ask all of these questions. Why so many hours and will you have a back up person to help you when needed.....

[daycare]

one thing that I would be asking is why do they need so many hours? If it is because they have to travel far for work, more than 45 minutes, I would then be asking who will you have for your back up?

TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THIS.....I have already made this mistake. Every day it was I am stuck in traffic I might, will, or am going to be late. When the child got sick here at daycare it was always 2plus hours before she could get picked up. Then of course the longer that they are on the road the higher the chance of care issues, worst accident. YUP had that one too and ended up having the child for 15 hours one day because no one could pick her up.

So now I make sure to ask all of these questions. Why so many hours and will you have a back up person to help you when needed.....

sorry let me add one more thing....from my personal experience, the child that is in daycare the longest is always the one that I had issues with. They don't get quality time with the parents, the parents don't connect with their kids like I do and then all sorts of stuff blows up.

I have had one mom jealous becuase she had her little here for 11 hour days and then put them to bed right when they got home. They knew me more than her....She was jealous of this and put me down all the time, eventually I got sick of it and termed

another child that was here about that same time I had behavioral issues with them all the time...

Lots of issue with such long hours, but it really is up to you if you can handle it....

Just make sure you ask the right questions.....Best of luck to you with your interview

[Jenniferdawn]

I will definitely make sure to ask those questions. I Hama new to the daycare business do I can use a lot of advise in the business side of thIngs. I do far have two amazing families. I need to find one or two more and I'm set.

[daycare]

I will definitely make sure to ask those questions. I Hama new to the daycare business do I can use a lot of advise in the business side of thIngs. I do far have two amazing families. I need to find one or two more and I'm set.

I wish I would have found this site when I first started. Lucky you found it early. there are a lot of amazing providers on here that give a lot of great advice..

sharlan, blackcat catherder, nan, Crystal, Pitter Patter, Christian mom, I am sure I will forget many names, but seriously have changed my DC for the better.

I know have a backbone and just 1.5 years ago, I didnt even know what that was...

[Crazy8]

around here it is not uncommon for parents who work in the city, take public transportation, etc. but I don't take those on. My "normal" day is 9.5 hours - this year I extended it to 10 hrs (7-5) for a new family but ended up they were coming at 7:30 so we switched back to that. Most common reason I've seen for the long day is one parent does both drop off and pick up - usually see this when they have older siblings who have to be picked up from other places, get to sports, etc.

[mommacat]

The center I work for is an extended hours facility,10 hours is normal for most of our kids.We do however have QUITE a few who attend 12-14 hours all six days that we're open.[State says no more than 18 hours in a 24 hour period.] You'd be surprised how many parent's complain about that.

[Jenniferdawn]

Oh mama cat, reading what you said made my stomach ache and my heart do a flip flop.

[Rachel]

I am opened from 7 - 4:30, but I rarely have a child here before 7:30. My longest one is here at 7:35ish and leaves at closing, so for around 9 hours. Most of them are here for 7 - 9 hours.

[saved4always]

The center I work for is an extended hours facility,10 hours is normal for most of our kids.We do however have QUITE a few who attend 12-14 hours all six days that we're open.[State says no more than 18 hours in a 24 hour period.] You'd be surprised how many parent's complain about that.

The parents complain that the state allows the "only" 18 hours???? That is very sad.

[Abigail]

I wish I would have found this site when I first started. Lucky you found it early. there are a lot of amazing providers on here that give a lot of great advice..

sharlan, blackcat catherder, nan, Crystal, Pitter Patter, Christian mom, I am sure I will forget many names, but seriously have changed my DC for the better.

I know have a backbone and just 1.5 years ago, I didnt even know what that was...

You forgot my name.

I like having part time kids. My current families attend 4.5 hours, 6.5 hours, and 9.0 hours. I ask each person what hours THEY need. I am waiting for more kids to enroll to see what other hours I will come across. I live very close to where people work or live so it doesn't take more than 20 minutes for travel time anywhere even in rush hour.