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I have a limit of 9.5 hours as a daily limit for children. I don't have a fee for going over this, as no one ever has. A few weeks ago I enrolled a 1 year old whose hours are 6:40am-5:20pm (I am open 6:30-5:30) I didn't think it would be too bad since other children are here during those times, but we've had a couple parents change their schedules, and now all of the children are gone by about 4:30. 1yo DCB is so crabby that last hour from being here so long, ready to eat dinner, and has no peers left to play with...it's really a struggle for me. I did raise his rates for the contract renewal, but now I think that extra $5 per week wasn't really worth it, and I would be better off changing my hours of operation? Or should I reevaluate the contract I just changed last month and charge them more? He is a good baby, but significantly a lot more work that they other 1yo I have here. He pukes after every feeding, and I am half tempted to have his parents by me a carpet cleaner (JK...sorta)
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Have you talked to the parents about alternatives, like one dropping off and one picking up to make his day shorter?
Just tell them what you told us: that it's such a long day for him, and he is so out-fo-sorts once the other kids leave. You don't like that it's so hard on him.
I had a little girl here who was kind of unhappy alot, and one thing that worked for her at the end of the day was just to put her in her chair near me while I was cooking. I'd give her a few toys, maybe a cracker, and just chat with her while I got dinner ready. She seemed very content that way.
Could he need another nap? Maybe once the other kids leave, lay him down for 15-20 minutes. Even if he doesn't sleep, at least he's not crabbin' at you the whole time. I beleive a lot in telling children, even that young, why. "When you whine, that tells me you must be tired. I am going to have you lay in your bed for a little while so that you feel better" or something like that.
Have they figured out WHY he still pukes after every feeding? Most kids outgrow that when they are off formula and on solids. Is there an intolerance that needs to be addressed? A reflux issue? THat would make him crabby... -
That is a tough one. I think I would have a conversation with them and discuss your concerns. That is a very long day for a baby! I would let them know what you are seeing, and explain your honest feelings about it. I would then let them know your new closing time is 5:00 (that extra hour for you must stink...I know I would be staring at the clock the whole time).
Good luck!Comment
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I charge $5/hr or portion thereof after 10 hours. I just recently told a dcm that dcb was quite upset after his other friends left (he was here from 7am-6pm) & most kids are gone by 5. She now has dcd pick up instead of waiting for dcm to get out of work. He is gone at 5 and the ONLY downside is that Dcd lost his 'gym' time.
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That's a hard one and I'm sure it's hard. You would have to know what the work schedules are for the arents. What time do they get out of work? It's easy to say that they should pick up by 5:00, but what if they don't get out of work until 5:00? My longest child (19 months) is here 7:30-5:30 and it is definately a long day. The mom is pregnant, so I will be having him and the new baby 10 hours a day 3 days a week and I'm dreading it. She asked me if I gave a sibling discount and I told her no. I'm thinking not for a 10 hour day I'm not. So can you give us more info like what their start/stop times are for work? How close are they to you from their work site?Comment
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just term this one since you are getting ready to downsize anyway, right?Comment
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