Changing Contract to Incl. Only Working Hours

[Mom&Provider]

When needed, I get that every parent needs (even deserves) to go shopping or get their hair done in peace (you know like we can on weekends! ), but one of my DCF's has pushed what is fair IMO and is making it a habit to go about their lives while I watch their child and they 'get things done'. I feel taken advantage of really, like I'm just here for their convenience and not really being respected.

My hubby says that I am open, so they have every right to do what they want after drop off, but I want to change this way of thinking. DCM/D have come into my home at pick-up many times since they began here last fall saying things like 'I saw you walking the kids to the school earlier, I went home to nap before coming, I'm just so tired', 'sorry I'm late, I wanted to get dinner started at home first' and 'had a great day at the spa...I was almost bored!'. At first I wasn't bothered, but now it's becoming a normal thing and I'm finding that I'm becoming upset with them, especially when they arrive late when I know they have the day off.

My question is, can anyone share with me how they word in their contract that you are only available to watch their child(ren) while they are at work, not during days off etc? Do you find it works or do parents just then lie about days they have off so they still have a day to themselves? I'm thinking its the way this family is and I can't change it...anyone have any advice?

[daycare]

When needed, I get that every parent needs (even deserves) to go shopping or get their hair done in peace (you know like we can on weekends! ), but one of my DCF's has pushed what is fair IMO and is making it a habit to go about their lives while I watch their child and they 'get things done'. I feel taken advantage of really, like I'm just here for their convenience and not really being respected.

My hubby says that I am open, so they have every right to do what they want after drop off, but I want to change this way of thinking. DCM/D have come into my home at pick-up many times since they began here last fall saying things like 'I saw you walking the kids to the school earlier, I went home to nap before coming, I'm just so tired', 'sorry I'm late, I wanted to get dinner started at home first' and 'had a great day at the spa...I was almost bored!'. At first I wasn't bothered, but now it's becoming a normal thing and I'm finding that I'm becoming upset with them, especially when they arrive late when I know they have the day off.

My question is, can anyone share with me how they word in their contract that you are only available to watch their child(ren) while they are at work, not during days off etc? Do you find it works or do parents just then lie about days they have off so they still have a day to themselves? I'm thinking its the way this family is and I can't change it...anyone have any advice?

well here is my advice, don't worry about what they are doing with their time while you have their kids.

Charge late fees when they show up late to pick up...Maybe you can raise that fee if you are bothered by it that much.

I look at it like this. They pay me on time, maybe late here and there, no biggie. I charge the late fee and it's not happening all too often that I am bothered by it.

I have a DCM that has massive anxiety. she can only handle so much of her son before she can't take it anymore. It's not her fault. I could not care less what she is doing. BUT if it ever got to the point where she was not paying or picking up on time then it would be a issue for me

[hhdc]

I agree with daycare and it will make it easier for you to not worry about what they are doing.

It seems to me if they have contracted hours than they can do what they want/need to do. Yes, I get that is can be frustrating to hear about their leisurely day while you are caring for their children but that is part of the job.

[wdmmom]

When needed, I get that every parent needs (even deserves) to go shopping or get their hair done in peace (you know like we can on weekends! ), but one of my DCF's has pushed what is fair IMO and is making it a habit to go about their lives while I watch their child and they 'get things done'. I feel taken advantage of really, like I'm just here for their convenience and not really being respected.

My hubby says that I am open, so they have every right to do what they want after drop off, but I want to change this way of thinking. DCM/D have come into my home at pick-up many times since they began here last fall saying things like 'I saw you walking the kids to the school earlier, I went home to nap before coming, I'm just so tired', 'sorry I'm late, I wanted to get dinner started at home first' and 'had a great day at the spa...I was almost bored!'. At first I wasn't bothered, but now it's becoming a normal thing and I'm finding that I'm becoming upset with them, especially when they arrive late when I know they have the day off.

My question is, can anyone share with me how they word in their contract that you are only available to watch their child(ren) while they are at work, not during days off etc? Do you find it works or do parents just then lie about days they have off so they still have a day to themselves? I'm thinking its the way this family is and I can't change it...anyone have any advice?

First off, your dh has ZERO right to put his 2 cents worth in your business. My husband knows better than to interfere.

My daycare families contract care with me and know my rules in advance. They don't have to like them but they do have to follow them. If your husband wants to do daycare, than he can sign families up and have his own policies.

I have it specifically worded in my contract that daycare is permitted during work hours only. I do not offer services for haircuts, grocery shopping, etc. I will, however, provide services for a funeral if advance notice is given.

There IS a difference between daycare and babysitting. Daycare is where a child goes while a parent WORKS or goes to school.

Babysitting is care for when a parent naps, gets their nails done, goes to tan, etc.

You need to find out their work hours and tell them. You work 7-4pm, great, your new designated drop off time is 645am and your pick up time is 415pm. Additional time is going to be charged at a rate of $10 for every 15 minutes or $20 per hour or whatever your preference is.

Failure to comply will result in immediate termination.

What it sounds like to me is they want center options (come and go as you please) for home daycare price. Sorry, it just doesn't work that way.

[daycare]

First off, your dh has ZERO right to put his 2 cents worth in your business. My husband knows better than to interfere.

My daycare families contract care with me and know my rules in advance. They don't have to like them but they do have to follow them. If your husband wants to do daycare, than he can sign families up and have his own policies.

I have it specifically worded in my contract that daycare is permitted during work hours only. I do not offer services for haircuts, grocery shopping, etc. I will, however, provide services for a funeral if advance notice is given.

There IS a difference between daycare and babysitting. Daycare is where a child goes while a parent WORKS or goes to school.

Babysitting is care for when a parent naps, gets their nails done, goes to tan, etc.

You need to find out their work hours and tell them. You work 7-4pm, great, your new designated drop off time is 645am and your pick up time is 415pm. Additional time is going to be charged at a rate of $10 for every 15 minutes or $20 per hour or whatever your preference is.

Failure to comply will result in immediate termination.

What it sounds like to me is they want center options (come and go as you please) for home daycare price. Sorry, it just doesn't work that way.

you can have that rule that you have, but do you really think that the parents are 100% honest with you about always being at work.

I find that they will just being to lie to you if you try to enforce a policy like that.. I guess if you have enough of a wait list, you can term the families that you find out that they lied to you. But you do have to find that out first ...

[wdmmom]

you can have that rule that you have, but do you really think that the parents are 100% honest with you about always being at work.

I find that they will just being to lie to you if you try to enforce a policy like that.. I guess if you have enough of a wait list, you can term the families that you find out that they lied to you. But you do have to find that out first ...

Yes, I really do think they tell me the truth! I work for families that enjoy their children and want to spend as much time with them as possible.

I've caught 1 family in a lie and they were termed. (DCM took the day off (called work because she wasn't answering her cell and was late picking up. They told me she hadn't been all day.) She told me she was stuck on a call and was going to be 15 minutes late. (Odd when work was only about 7 minutes away) and I found out through FB that she was out with friends at a bar out of town drinking!

[daycare]

Yes, I really do think they tell me the truth! I work for families that enjoy their children and want to spend as much time with them as possible.

I've caught 1 family in a lie and they were termed. (DCM took the day off (called work because she wasn't answering her cell and was late picking up. They told me she hadn't been all day.) She told me she was stuck on a call and was going to be 15 minutes late. (Odd when work was only about 7 minutes away) and I found out through FB that she was out with friends at a bar out of town drinking!

We you say in one post your family want to spend ever min with their kids but then say in another that they are dropping to you and going out for the day?????

Well not sure I understand.
I would have to say that if you have this policy then you are going to create a lot if unnecessary time chasing down your parents to see if they are telling the truth or not. Once you do, you may be teeming a lot of families

But that is what I think.

[daycare]

We you say in one post your family want to spend ever min with their kids but then say in another that they are dropping to you and going out for the day?????

Well not sure I understand.
I would have to say that if you have this policy then you are going to create a lot if unnecessary time chasing down your parents to see if they are telling the truth or not. Once you do, you may be teeming a lot of families

But that is what I think.

Btw how do you know that the mom was not our at a work related event in another city. When I worked in sales we often celebrated with my boss, clients and co-workers at meetings out of town.

[hgonzalez]

It's hard to to feel taken advantage of when parents do things like that, though. I completely understand that we get paid for so many hours, but how many times have we worked while we were sick, overwhelmed, etc. while a parent was out 'getting things done'.

It is really frustrating, but unfortunately we are stuck in this position.
I have said things like 'so is pickup time going to be different then?', just to let the parents know I am aware and a little frustrated.

Try not to let it bother you, but I know it is difficult.

[Blackcat31]

When needed, I get that every parent needs (even deserves) to go shopping or get their hair done in peace (you know like we can on weekends! ), but one of my DCF's has pushed what is fair IMO and is making it a habit to go about their lives while I watch their child and they 'get things done'. I feel taken advantage of really, like I'm just here for their convenience and not really being respected.

My hubby says that I am open, so they have every right to do what they want after drop off, but I want to change this way of thinking. DCM/D have come into my home at pick-up many times since they began here last fall saying things like 'I saw you walking the kids to the school earlier, I went home to nap before coming, I'm just so tired', 'sorry I'm late, I wanted to get dinner started at home first' and 'had a great day at the spa...I was almost bored!'. At first I wasn't bothered, but now it's becoming a normal thing and I'm finding that I'm becoming upset with them, especially when they arrive late when I know they have the day off.

My question is, can anyone share with me how they word in their contract that you are only available to watch their child(ren) while they are at work, not during days off etc? Do you find it works or do parents just then lie about days they have off so they still have a day to themselves? I'm thinking its the way this family is and I can't change it...anyone have any advice?

First this is a hot button topic for alot of providers because many feel we can't "control" what parents do and many feel that they can. I am not going to argue and I am not going to try and get you to be one way or another.

You feel taken advantage of and that is that. You are asking a specific question and not necessarily for additional reasons why this is not a good idea or why it is...right? I have waivered back and forth about this topic throughout my career and can definitely see both sides.

What I think you should do in your situation is talk with your parents.

It is EXTREMEMLY important for providers and parents to have a trusting and respectful relationship. If you are feeling taken advantage of, then just talk with your parents and let them know that you feel that your services are for parents who are working.

Let them know that when they use you for when they run errands, nap or stand in the neighbor's yard popping the heads of dandelions it makes you feel disrespected and used. Let them know that you prefer that they hire a babysitter to do those things and only use your services for when they need to work.

I understand why some parents do this and whether I agree or disagree, it is YOUR issue to deal with if it bothers you...kwim? So because of that, you might just have to write up a notice telling parents that. I can help you word that letter if you want...just let me know.

Also fwiw, my DH is my sounding board too and because we are married, I feel that his opinion does count and that he has a right to give it since everything daycare effects me, which in turn effects him.

I think men think things are a lot more black and white than we are and since your DH isn't the one feeling disrespected, he isn't really understanding why you are having trouble with this.

[Heidi]

First this is a hot button topic for alot of providers because many feel we can't "control" what parents do and many feel that they can. I am not going to argue and I am not going to try and get you to be one way or another.

You feel taken advantage of and that is that. You are asking a specific question and not necessarily for additional reasons why this is not a good idea or why it is...right? I have waivered back and forth about this topic throughout my career and can definitely see both sides.

What I think you should do in your situation is talk with your parents.

It is EXTREMEMLY important for providers and parents to have a trusting and respectful relationship. If you are feeling taken advantage of, then just talk with your parents and let them know that you feel that your services are for parents who are working.

Let them know that when they use you for when they run errands, nap or stand in the neighbor's yard popping the heads of dandelions it makes you feel disrespected and used. Let them know that you prefer that they hire a babysitter to do those things and only use your services for when they need to work.

I understand why some parents do this and whether I agree or disagree, it is YOUR issue to deal with if it bothers you...kwim? So because of that, you might just have to write up a notice telling parents that. I can help you word that letter if you want...just let me know.

Also fwiw, my DH is my sounding board too and because we are married, I feel that his opinion does count and that he has a right to give it since everything daycare effects me, which in turn effects him.

I think men think things are a lot more black and white than we are and since your DH isn't the one feeling disrespected, he isn't really understanding why you are having trouble with this.

I agree, once again, with BC. I'm in the camp of I-dont-care-what-they're-doing, but I can definately get irritated when someone brings their children from open to close, or worse yet, is late, while they take off day after day, or worse yet, lie to me. The family I terminated last year had children with HUGE behavioral issues, and mom regularly dropped off the kids in her jeans-something that indicated she was not working that day. Or, she'd tell me afterwards that she did x or y that day.

When my children were little, I needed alone time sometimes, too, but I told my provider, and it wasn't constant.

As for hubby, mine is the same way. If he tells me something bad about his work, I empathize. If I tell HIM something, he usually tries to give me "advice". It irritates me, too, but he's got a lot of good qualities, so oh well. I generally say something like "I wasn't asking for a critique, I was just telling you how I feel because you are supposed to be my FRIEND".

[MarinaVanessa]

I have both "Business Hours" (the hours that I am willing to offer childcare) and "Contracted Hours" (the times that I will care for a particular child).

Here's how I have it worded ....

Handbook:
Daycare Hours
The daycare’s regular business hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. however these hours are not necessarily the hours that a client is allotted to bring their child. Unless a client is a drop-in client, hours for care will be discussed and a schedule will be set which includes a fair amount of commuting time and this will become the child’s “scheduled hours”. Care will be provided for children only during their contracted scheduled hours.

Any changes to a child’s full or part-time schedule must be discussed and reassessed and will depend on the ability for the childcare provider to meet the child’s new needs. Each time that changes to a child’s full or part-time schedule are needed a new contract must be signed.

Contract:
1. Business Hours
a. [DAYCARE] normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
b. These hours are available for care of children but are not necessarily the hours that are allotted to the client for child care. The client’s allotted time is listed below.
2. Hours of Care
a. The parties have agreed that care provided for the child will be for:
(choose one option).

[] Full-Time: Full-time care is defined as a minimum of four (4) days a week with a maximum of fifty (50) hours a week and a maximum of ten (10) hours per day.
[] Part-Time: Part-time is defined as three (3) or less days a week, a maximum of 29 hours per week and a maximum of ten (10) hours per day.
b. The parties have agreed to the following schedule of care:
[] Monday Hours __________ [AM/PM] to __________ [AM/PM]
[] Tuesday Hours __________ [AM/PM] to __________ [AM/PM]
[] Wednesday Hours __________ [AM/PM] to __________ [AM/PM]
[] Thursday Hours __________ [AM/PM] to __________ [AM/PM]
[] Friday Hours __________ [AM/PM] to __________ [AM/PM]

[daycare]

I do it the same exact way that you do it MV

I have a lot of non- working mothers or mothers that work from home, so they are often out doing who knows what.....

[melilley]

I have both "Business Hours" (the hours that I am willing to offer childcare) and "Contracted Hours" (the times that I will care for a particular child).

Here's how I have it worded ....

Handbook:
Daycare Hours
The daycare’s regular business hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. however these hours are not necessarily the hours that a client is allotted to bring their child. Unless a client is a drop-in client, hours for care will be discussed and a schedule will be set which includes a fair amount of commuting time and this will become the child’s “scheduled hours”. Care will be provided for children only during their contracted scheduled hours.

Any changes to a child’s full or part-time schedule must be discussed and reassessed and will depend on the ability for the childcare provider to meet the child’s new needs. Each time that changes to a child’s full or part-time schedule are needed a new contract must be signed.

Contract:
1. Business Hours
a. [DAYCARE] normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
b. These hours are available for care of children but are not necessarily the hours that are allotted to the client for child care. The client’s allotted time is listed below.
2. Hours of Care
a. The parties have agreed that care provided for the child will be for:
(choose one option).

[] Full-Time: Full-time care is defined as a minimum of four (4) days a week with a maximum of fifty (50) hours a week and a maximum of ten (10) hours per day.
[] Part-Time: Part-time is defined as three (3) or less days a week, a maximum of 29 hours per week and a maximum of ten (10) hours per day.
b. The parties have agreed to the following schedule of care:
[] Monday Hours __________ [AM/PM] to __________ [AM/PM]
[] Tuesday Hours __________ [AM/PM] to __________ [AM/PM]
[] Wednesday Hours __________ [AM/PM] to __________ [AM/PM]
[] Thursday Hours __________ [AM/PM] to __________ [AM/PM]
[] Friday Hours __________ [AM/PM] to __________ [AM/PM]

I like the way you worded this! This way the parent pays for contracted hours even though you are open more than they contract they know the exact times they can pick up and drop off, it's not a free for all. Now this way I wouldn't have a problem with a parent doing what they want as long as they drop off and pick up per contracted hours!

[wdmmom]

We you say in one post your family want to spend ever min with their kids but then say in another that they are dropping to you and going out for the day?????

Well not sure I understand.
I would have to say that if you have this policy then you are going to create a lot if unnecessary time chasing down your parents to see if they are telling the truth or not. Once you do, you may be teeming a lot of families

But that is what I think.

Where did I say they go out for the day? The families I have now are very nice and very reliable. I have no beef with any of them. A majority of them live farther away and work nearby. I really dont seethem driving to me if theyre not going to work. And, if theyre home sick, they always tell me theyll be home and to contact them if dck shows symptoms. 85% of the time if a parent is sick, the kids stay home with them.

I dont chase families around. I also dont get overly involved. Ive termed ONE family for multiple violations. This happened to be one.

The dcm I termed lied. Lied about being at work, lied about being late (45 minutes beyond closing time and had been at a pub drinking!! She didnt have a sales job and I called work after she didnt answer her cell. They told me she hadnt been in that day.

If families can't be honest with me, I just dont want to work for them. To me its accepting dirty money.