What Is Your Policy On Schedule Changes?

[wahmof3]

Just curious as to what your policy on schedule changes is.

How flexible are u?

I have a dcf that I really like, dck is great but their constant schedule changing is driving me bonkers. Its nothing for them here lately to text the night b4 or morning of an ask if its ok come or come late.

[Crazy8]

I think of myself as pretty flexible but I run on contracted hours and if you are going to be late dropping off or early picking up you need to text me and let me know. There is no early dropping off or late picking up... I just don't do that. If a family needed a change in their days/hours there would be a rate change and it would be a permanent change.

[icaredaycare]

everything has to be in writing. I have 2 groups. I have a full time, and part time group. My full time parents come everyday at the same time, and pick up is at the same time. if they will be absent, I must be notified via text or phone call.

As for my part timers, i am a little more flexible. They are allowed to do drop ins whenever they need me. Must be a minimum of 2 times a week. I must get a phone call, before coming in, no text messages. To compensate for the flexibility, my rates are a little higher.

Edit* i re read ur question, and realized it was more about time. As long as they're within ur open and close time - i'm usually very flexible.

[Country Kids]

I have it in my contract/policy book that they need to give me a two week notice so that I can see if I can accomodate them. I do have one family that has had work change schedules at the last minute depending on production so I don't require a two week notice from them. It is more about earlier pick up times than anything.

[wdmmom]

Changes must be made in writing 2 weeks prior to you wanting them to take effect. Daycare will then approve or deny the request within that time.

[Blackcat31]

Most my parents schedule on Friday for the upcoming week with full timers having priority over the spaces available. If anyone wants to change what they already schedule, they need to call and ask me. If I can accommodate, I will. If I can't, then I will decline.

For parents who have a variable schedule they have two choices....
1) Pay for the whole space and use what they want/need or
2) Call and ask about what I have available for the week and they can have whatever space I have availble.

If you are referring to a family who schedules and then just keeps changing their times, I would just have a talk with them and say, "Hey, all this indecisiveness is killing me. Can we find a happy medium?" and try to build from there.

Some people live their entire lives spur of the moment. I just am not one of those.

[TBird]

I never say "yes" to any schedule changes on the spot. It's always a "Can I get back to you after I've had a chance to review my schedule?" Even then, I always give a look like it may not work.

I have found that the more flexible you are (with certain people) they will eventually try to take advantage of you & you'll start losing respect for them. I try not to let that happen. Sorry to say that most people will inconvenience you before they try to make the necessary changes on their end. You'll be amazed to see that if you say "no" people will miraculously work things out on their own. Not saying that you can never be flexible....just saying that you have to be verrrrrry, verrrrrrrry careful!

[littlemissmuffet]

Changes must be made in writing 2 weeks prior to you wanting them to take effect. Daycare will then approve or deny the request within that time.

Same here - except I only require 1 week.

[wahmof3]

I am a very scheduled person. I do understand that some things come up but when the changes are EVERYDAY it stresses me out.

So if a dcf says on Friday:

"DCK will only be here M-TH next week" and then last minute ( if I had not asked about my check today I believe they would've just showed up tomorrow) says "Can DCK come tomorrow, I completely forgot to ask??"

Am I wrong to say:

"Yes dck can come tomorrow, but please per my policy, I need to know any schedule changes the Fri before"

Problem is: DCD is not working & we have had these scheduling issues since he quit his job. I really like this family & the dck is a pleasure to have. I just need to stay sane! I can't wait until he starts his new job & we get back on a normal schedule!

[Blackcat31]

I am a very scheduled person. I do understand that some things come up but when the changes are EVERYDAY it stresses me out.

So if a dcf says on Friday:

"DCK will only be here M-TH next week" and then last minute ( if I had not asked about my check today I believe they would've just showed up tomorrow) says "Can DCK come tomorrow, I completely forgot to ask??"

Am I wrong to say:

"Yes dck can come tomorrow, but please per my policy, I need to know any schedule changes the Fri before"

Problem is: DCD is not working & we have had these scheduling issues since he quit his job. I really like this family & the dck is a pleasure to have. I just need to stay sane! I can't wait until he starts his new job & we get back on a normal schedule!

"I'm sorry DCD, I plan my meals and activities according to the weekly schedule eveyone submits at the beginning of the week. If you will be needing Fridays (or 5 days per week) please let me know when your weekly scheduled is turned in. See you Monday!"

If necessary, you can exlain that it is impossible for you to maintain any sense of order when the schedule or requests are last minute. If you continue to allow him to do this, it WILL drive you crazy so in your situation, I would tell the family that they need to figure out what days/hours they need each week and stick to it.

Normally, I do try to accommodate changes if I am able but if I had a family that was so chaotic, I would absolutely not hesitate to put a stop to it.