Frustrated/Schedule Changes

[Country Kids]

I had scheduled like many to have Dec. 24/25 off and work the rest of the week (no problem). On Friday-several of my families inform me that I wouldn't have their kids this week and some said I wouldn't have them tomorrow. News to me but will go with the flow. So I loosely schedule some plans for tomorrow with family but have a gnawing feeling about it. Was able to get ahold of my families and one decides they will be here and another one who has been out for two weeks sick and traveling will also now be here.

I'm frustrated as I was told I wouldn't have the one child and the other child I guess I thought was still out of town as I hadn't heard from them to be needing me. So this week I'm going to be putting forms together for every known holiday/time off possible and when they come up parents will be getting them to fill out and return to me if they are needing childcare. If they are filled out with not needing childcare I'm holding them to it.

Yes, I was going to be open but 10 sets of parents don't know what each other is doing. Don't tell me you don't need care and then change your mind as you don't know what other 9 sets of parents have told me.

So I'm not sure if I should have just texted everyone and said since no one needed me I'm closing or not. I guess I'm not sure because if I close I don't charge my parents but that is if I take a day off not if everyone says we don't need you so I dont open. This makes me think if I had closed and then charged there would have been an uproar because they were being charged.

Also, my kids are not happy because they had heard these parents say they didn't need me and now I'm having to work. Also, I'm now needing to clean the house because I was under the impression I wasn't needed tomorrow so it looks like Christmas threw up everywhere. In 3 1/2 hours we have a party to go to and now we can't stay that long as I need to get home so I can get some sleep.

Anyway, any suggestions in case this happens again and would you charge the parents if everyone takest the day off for you?

[cheerfuldom]

you HAVE to have a deadline for holiday plans and after that time, no schedule changes. For instance, I would have insisted that all parents tell me their Christmas plans by the end of the second week in Dec. I will hold them to whatever they have told me (having it in writing is a fantastic idea!). Anyone who does not tell me they ARE coming, I will assume they are NOT coming, they will be charged as normal but can NOT have care.....even at the last minute. They must tell me in writing that care is required! I dont do last minute schedule changes. I dont say "the daycare is closed" but I do tell them that I have their schedule already and cannot accommodate any last minute changes to still come.

[momofboys]

I require schedules in advance, I would have said since I did not receive one I was now unavailable. That stinks that dcf always think we are at their Beck and call.

[Scout]

I know how you feel. I specifically asked a dcf if their child would be here tomorrow on Friday at pickup. I was told they didn't know the other parent's work schedule, to which I replied, "well, let me know as soon as you can."
I had to send a text this afternoon wondering if they were here tomorrow. Didn't get a reply for 4 hours so, of course I got excited thinking I had no kids....WRONG! Text came in at 7 pm....I don't mind them coming. What I did mind is that they didn't have the common courtesy to let me know prior to 7 pm the evening before! Ugh!

[Scout]

forgot to add I was running around like a mad woman cleaning up Christmas also...and not too willingly!

[Country Kids]

forgot to add I was running around like a mad woman cleaning up Christmas also...and not too willingly!

I've decided to clean up in the morning before kids get here. I have to have one day of the year that does not have anything to do with Christmas. My kdis deserve to at least have Christmas without worrying about making a mess because of the daycare.

[MamaBearCanada]

Would you consider closing for the 24-26 either paid or unpaid, but not open under any circumstances? I think it would take some stress off. I am closed dec 24 to jan 4 but I get paid for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day built into my monthly fee. No parents have complained or withdrawn their kids. Also, what about giving a time deadline for holidays. Parents must submit their holiday schedule by 4pm on the ?th. If holiday care is not requested by that time a slot will not be available for your child. Hope you had a great Christmas.

[Scout]

Dck did not come after all...big blizzard of the century on the way so dcf staying home!!happyface

[Hazel]

I have a similar issue.... Well, sort of..
I only have 3 families on Wednesday. One said they wouldn't be here. The second hasn't bothered to say they aren't coming today (and it's almost noon!) and the third sent me a text about 45 mins ago confirming my availability today... What irks the heck outta me is the 3rd family. Dad is in grad school and takes online classes... I KNOW he is on break right now, but he doesn't want his kids! He will bring them no matter what! During hurricane sandy, he text me asking if I was open. Thankfully his wife has common sense and although she still had work, she told him its not safe to drive the 30 mins to bring them here. He also picks up at 5:30 on the dot! But it takes him 15 mins to get his kids out the door! Even when I have them ready to go!
I just don't get why if it's almost noon, he can't just keep them home for the day?! I have an open door policy but I am revising my handbook to say that if a child won't be here by 9 am, I will not expect them that day. I hate sitting around waiting for one family just bc dad is a lousy parent! And of course his kids are a handful. The other 2 are great, but these 2 are attention hogs! Ugh!

[Country Kids]

In 12 hours everyone's schedules have totally changed. How does this happen?

One now only needs afternoon care and know I have one scheduled for Friday (never here that day) because parent will work that day since they didn't work yesterday.

I'm trying so hard to save time off for when its warm and we can travel somewhere. Everytime though I stay open over a holiday or school break, I get frustrated because no one seems to know what they are doing about childcare. I have even in the past had them fill out a form with days needed and it still changes the week of.

[JenNJ]

Two weeks before the holidays I send out an email similar to this:

"As the holidays approach we have many special activities planned. Please fill out the days/hours you will be here during so that I can be sure that the children can participate in all the holiday fun. The yearly holiday party will be planned on a day when ALL children are present, even if that day is much earlier than anticipated. Thank you."

[momofboys]

I wouldn't allow them to change their schedule, I would have said all holiday schedules for the week if Christmas needs to be received by noon on Dec 21. If not received by then I will assume you don't need care and will not allow last-minute changes. Just say NO!!