Inconvenience Fee For Late Drop-Off?

[momofboys]

Does anyone do this? My 1 DCF is unorganized & it drives me nuts. They usually tell me when plans change but not soon enough to make a difference. They are my earliest family so it really does matter to me if they are rather late at drop-off (otherwise I would not get up at 5:45!). DCD called this morning at 6:20 am (about 10 min before normal drop-off) to tell me he had a dr appt so he'd be bringing the kids at 7:15 instead of 6:30. I'm certain he knew about it last night at pick-up. Why are we always the last to know?:confused: I could have used the extra 30-45 min to sleep in!

[bunnyslippers]

Are they aware that they are your first drop-off? I would make sure to let them know, and to let them know that you need to get up very early for them. Make a point to tell them that you would have appreciated a phone call to help make your morning run better. If they continue to be arrive later than they are scheduled, I would implement a fee.

[MrsB]

newsletter

I always put it into my monthly newsletter first, 2nd I always mention to the direct family always in a "joking" way but direct. "I had an exhausting day yesterday, I could have really used that extra 45 minutes sleep, had I known you were going to be coming late, the night before.", the 3rd time I would say something more direct. "Unfortunately, you forgot to tell me yesterday you were bringing late again today. Now I understand why other providers charge a fee for showing up later than your scheduled time without notification. I think i will start that too."

[momofboys]

Thanks for your insight. The parents do realize that their kids are here the earliest. I think I will jokingly mention something to dad tonight, ask how his appt went & maybe tactfully request that in the future they notify me the night before. They are also here LONG hours so while I appreciate them coming later it really didn't help me out knowing 10 min before arrival time.

[Blackcat31]

Ok, I am going to completely go against the tone of this thread and say that I think it is wrong for providers to complain about this type of thing.

Here is my reasoning:

If you are open certain hours, then you are simply open those hours and are paid for them. It isn't right, IMOP to complain about needing the few extra hours of sleep and think the "late" family robbed it from you so to speak. If they paid for their time, then it is the providers job to be be available and ready and it is the family's right to use the time or not.

If you work on contracted hours only, then again, if the family paid for the time and chooses not to use it that is up to them....their loss.

It is like the dentist or even the grocery store.....if they open at 6 am and no one comes shopping, they can't really complain because those are the advertised or agreed upon "open" hours.

Or for the dentist who schedules an appt at 8:00 a.m. If the client doesn't show up, they are billed for the visit anyways, so either way it really should be no skin off their backs or money out of their pockets.

If providers really don't like being up so early, either don't offer to open so early or make sure those few hours before "normal" business hours are charged a bigger fee to compensate for the early open time.

If you really really could have used the extra 45-60 minutes of sleep, then take a day off and spend it catching up on the things you need.

I agree that it is disrespectful for the families in your care to not atleast have good communication with you, but as a professional child care provider, I offer certain hours. I am paid for those hours (I decide what rate) and I am available for those hours....whether a client uses them or not.

It may be an easier concept for me to see since I actually get up and drive 7 miles into work every day. I open at 6:40 as my first client is scheduled to arrive at 7:00 a.m. If they don't show up, I don't go back home. I use the time to clean up, organize, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee and some unexpected PAID quiet time.

I don't care if the client is late or not because it is their money they are wasting not mine They aren't wasting my time because when I cashed their check, I agreed at that point to be up and ready to provide services.

[momofboys]

Ok, I am going to completely go against the tone of this thread and say that I think it is wrong for providers to complain about this type of thing.

Here is my reasoning:

If you are open certain hours, then you are simply open those hours and are paid for them. It isn't right, IMOP to complain about needing the few extra hours of sleep and think the "late" family robbed it from you so to speak. If they paid for their time, then it is the providers job to be be available and ready and it is the family's right to use the time or not.

If you work on contracted hours only, then again, if the family paid for the time and chooses not to use it that is up to them....their loss.

It is like the dentist or even the grocery store.....if they open at 6 am and no one comes shopping, they can't really complain because those are the advertised or agreed upon "open" hours.

Or for the dentist who schedules an appt at 8:00 a.m. If the client doesn't show up, they are billed for the visit anyways, so either way it really should be no skin off their backs or money out of their pockets.

If providers really don't like being up so early, either don't offer to open so early or make sure those few hours before "normal" business hours are charged a bigger fee to compensate for the early open time.

If you really really could have used the extra 45-60 minutes of sleep, then take a day off and spend it catching up on the things you need.

I agree that it is disrespectful for the families in your care to not atleast have good communication with you, but as a professional child care provider, I offer certain hours. I am paid for those hours (I decide what rate) and I am available for those hours....whether a client uses them or not.

It may be an easier concept for me to see since I actually get up and drive 7 miles into work every day. I open at 6:40 as my first client is scheduled to arrive at 7:00 a.m. If they don't show up, I don't go back home. I use the time to clean up, organize, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee and some unexpected PAID quiet time.

I don't care if the client is late or not because it is their money they are wasting not mine They aren't wasting my time because when I cashed their check, I agreed at that point to be up and ready to provide services.

You are right, Cat! happyface I do work contracted hours with this family & get paid whether they are here 8 hrs or 10 hrs. I guess the frustrating part is the lack of respect. Are they really such numbskulls that they don't see their behavior as rude? I would NEVER consider charging them more just wondering if anyone does.

[Blackcat31]

You are right, Cat! happyface I do work contracted hours with this family & get paid whether they are here 8 hrs or 10 hrs. I guess the frustrating part is the lack of respect. Are they really such numbskulls that they don't see their behavior as rude? I would NEVER consider charging them more just wondering if anyone does.

You are also right, it is absolutley disrespectful and I would call them out on it.

I see lots of providers attach fees to things that are an inconvenience and I do think it works at times, but I think it works for the wrong reasons.

I think it is suppose to be a deterrent to the parent for whatever they are doing that is rude, but it isn't teaching them anything. Some parents will go through life paying (monetarily) for their short comings when in reality, someone should have just called them out on it and "helped" them learn how to change the behavior.

For example, if you really want them to change their lateness, tell them you will not accept their child into care if they are more than 30 minutes past their scheduled drop off time. A day of no daycare can influence lots of changes...

If you charge a fee and they simply pay it, then it just seems like a Band-aid with no lesson. If you really want them to "understand" the concept of lateness then give them a natural consequence. (no care)

Like the dentist. If you are scheduled at 8 and don't show up, you can't waltz in and expect to be seen at 10...kwim?

[JenNJ]

I agree with BlackCat. I love when families show up late. Less work and the same amount of money. I am open at 8 am everyone comes before 8:30. I am an early riser so I am not missing any sleep. It just gives me more time with my own family before my day starts. Not a bad thing in my book!!

[MrsB]

okay let me retract

Ok, I am going to completely go against the tone of this thread and say that I think it is wrong for providers to complain about this type of thing.

Here is my reasoning:

If you are open certain hours, then you are simply open those hours and are paid for them. It isn't right, IMOP to complain about needing the few extra hours of sleep and think the "late" family robbed it from you so to speak. If they paid for their time, then it is the providers job to be be available and ready and it is the family's right to use the time or not.

If you work on contracted hours only, then again, if the family paid for the time and chooses not to use it that is up to them....their loss.

It is like the dentist or even the grocery store.....if they open at 6 am and no one comes shopping, they can't really complain because those are the advertised or agreed upon "open" hours.

Or for the dentist who schedules an appt at 8:00 a.m. If the client doesn't show up, they are billed for the visit anyways, so either way it really should be no skin off their backs or money out of their pockets.

If providers really don't like being up so early, either don't offer to open so early or make sure those few hours before "normal" business hours are charged a bigger fee to compensate for the early open time.

If you really really could have used the extra 45-60 minutes of sleep, then take a day off and spend it catching up on the things you need.

I agree that it is disrespectful for the families in your care to not atleast have good communication with you, but as a professional child care provider, I offer certain hours. I am paid for those hours (I decide what rate) and I am available for those hours....whether a client uses them or not.

It may be an easier concept for me to see since I actually get up and drive 7 miles into work every day. I open at 6:40 as my first client is scheduled to arrive at 7:00 a.m. If they don't show up, I don't go back home. I use the time to clean up, organize, or simply enjoy a cup of coffee and some unexpected PAID quiet time.

I don't care if the client is late or not because it is their money they are wasting not mine They aren't wasting my time because when I cashed their check, I agreed at that point to be up and ready to provide services.

You are exactly right! happyface I dont charge a late fee for late drop offs either. From the OP statement I thought that she was asking how to handle this situation as if she was going to start charging a late fee for drop offs. I too think it is very rude for not giving more notice though. My bad for mis interpreting.

I always remind myself, dealing with DCP is like raising children. You have to "pick your battles" Late drop offs is one I choose not to pick. I might say something like hey I wish I would have known last night so I could get some extra sleep, but all well, maybe next time. I do tell parents though, that if they show up after their contracted drop off time, there is no guarantee I will be here. (On occasion I take the school aged kids to school or run a couple errands if I have a small crew)

But in all reality I would much rather parents drop off late and pick up early and I still get paid for the full time!

[renodeb]

I tend to agree with Blackcat. I would never say to a parent that I could of used the extra sleep. Although they should be a little more on top of things like updating you about time changes. Sometimes you just gotta take the lumps when your a home provider.
I would say something to Dad just so he is aware of the fact that he needs to be more on top of it.
I have a teacher client who drops off at 645am. I normally open at 7:00am so not a big deal. Shes just a part time client so I like the days that she doesnt come b/c I dont have to be ready to go until 7:30. I consider it a bonus when I have extra time in the morning. I still have to get my opwn kids up for school so I cant sleep in much more but the extra time w/o dc is nice. I would say imposing a fee is a little over the top.
I know how annoying it is to have plans changed and we are the last to know.
Hand in there!
Debbie

[Meeko]

Sometimes, I get to work at 5:30 AM (I open at 6AM) and nobody shows up until 8AM......but my business is open 6AM to 6PM. It's inconsiderate of my clients to not let me know, but I'm here anyway and I'm open for business.

The only time I have got upset is when I still lived at my day care and a father asked me if he could bring his kids at 5:15AM for a few weeks as his schedule was temporarily changed. I said yes. Day after day he would show up at 7:30-ish with a big grin and say "Oh I just couldn't get out of bed this morning!" Talking to him made no difference as he continued to do it. So I told him that I was going back to regular hours and would open at 6AM. The NEXT day....he arrives at 5:15AM and hammers on the door!!!!!! I didn't answer. When I opened the door at 6AM, he was sitting in his car with the kids... waiting. He never mentioned it and was very friendly. I think he got the message!