Is This a Good Solution to Part Time Drama?

[Sugar Magnolia]

I have 6 children that attend part time, filling 3 spots. Seems like every week, one of them is asking to switch days. I try to help by calling other parents to see if they can switch, but then if they can't, the switch requester is acting put out if the requestee can't accommodate. I have made up a chart showing who comes on what days, and attached a note:
"Parents, this is the part-time roster. As you can see, it is full. If you need to switch a day, I can assist you only by providing the other parents phone number to you,. Outside of that, I cannot serve as the "middle man" and arrange for schedule changes. Please remember, this is a REQUEST, and the other parents are in no way obligated to switch days with you. Thank you for your cooperation."
That sounds fair, doesn't it? I need to end the switch-a-roo hassle and drama . Other suggestions?

[daycare]

I have the same thing going on here too. except I do have open space for the PT its just that if I switch them, they could be putting me over my capactiy which would mean the only way to let them switch is to have my assistant come in on that day. Which then means money out of my pocket to pay them.

YOur situation sounds a little harder in which I would have to say I am sorry, but I can not accommodate schedule changes at this time.

[Play Care]

I know you are trying to accomodate your clients, but as a parent I would be annoyed if I was getting phone calls to switch days all the time (or even once in a while) and I would feel put on the spot when asked.
I don't allow switching, ever. They sign up for certain days and those are what they pay for/use.

[Blackcat31]

I have 6 children that attend part time, filling 3 spots. Seems like every week, one of them is asking to switch days. I try to help by calling other parents to see if they can switch, but then if they can't, the switch requester is acting put out if the requestee can't accommodate. I have made up a chart showing who comes on what days, and attached a note:
"Parents, this is the part-time roster. As you can see, it is full. If you need to switch a day, I can assist you only by providing the other parents phone number to you,. Outside of that, I cannot serve as the "middle man" and arrange for schedule changes. Please remember, this is a REQUEST, and the other parents are in no way obligated to switch days with you. Thank you for your cooperation."
That sounds fair, doesn't it? I need to end the switch-a-roo hassle and drama . Other suggestions?

I wouldn't feel comfortable providing other parents contact info to parents.

I would suggest offering part time care in blocks

I offer M,W,F or T/Th options only.

If they need to have a varying schedule or one that is changeable from week to week, they need to pay for a full time space.

Easy peasy fix---give it to the parents to figure it out. Just like a convenience store...you pay more for convenience/availability.

I don't mess with the merry-go-round of needing this one day and something different the next.

I am too old to deal with that much flexibility.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I know you are trying to accomodate your clients, but as a parent I would be annoyed if I was getting phone calls to switch days all the time (or even once in a while) and I would feel put on the spot when asked.
I don't allow switching, ever. They sign up for certain days and those are what they pay for/use.

Excellent point! I didn't think of the annoyance factor. Thank you.

[daycare]

I wouldn't feel comfortable providing other parents contact info to parents.

I would suggest offering part time care in blocks

I offer M,W,F or T/Th options only.

If they need to have a varying schedule or one that is changeable from week to week, they need to pay for a full time space.

Easy peasy fix---give it to the parents to figure it out. Just like a convenience store...you pay more for convenience/availability.

I don't mess with the merry-go-round of needing this one day and something different the next.

I am too old to deal with that much flexibility.

I thought this too. I NEVER give out any information of DCP to one another. In fact, I am not allowed to.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I wouldn't feel comfortable providing other parents contact info to parents.

I would suggest offering part time care in blocks

I offer M,W,F or T/Th options only.

If they need to have a varying schedule or one that is changeable from week to week, they need to pay for a full time space.

Easy peasy fix---give it to the parents to figure it out. Just like a convenience store...you pay more for convenience/availability.

I don't mess with the merry-go-round of needing this one day and something different the next.

I am too old to deal with that much flexibility.

Another good point, about the phone numbers. They do all know that their days are set days, and that I absolutely don't do drop-in care. It's really only 2 families out of the six that ask for switches a lot. Ugh. Sticky.

[Blackcat31]

Another good point, about the phone numbers. They do all know that their days are set days, and that I absolutely don't do drop-in care. It's really only 2 families out of the six that ask for switches a lot. Ugh. Sticky.

Maybe with those two families you could tell them that any schedule changes will cost them $20 per request? Bet they would think twice then about really needing that change....

What do these parents do that requires them to need such last minute switcheroo's?

THAT would weigh heavily into my willingness to accommodate.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I have the same thing going on here too. except I do have open space for the PT its just that if I switch them, they could be putting me over my capactiy which would mean the only way to let them switch is to have my assistant come in on that day. Which then means money out of my pocket to pay them.

YOur situation sounds a little harder in which I would have to say I am sorry, but I can not accommodate schedule changes at this time.

Kind of a similar situation! My capacity is 15, and I have 10 full timers. I prefer to enroll 13, but if I filled the two remaining spots, I could make my other.assistant a full time employee, but I don't want to do that just to accommodate part time switchers. Would rather enroll solid full timers if I'm going to do that. Kwim?

[Sugar Magnolia]

Maybe with those two families you could tell them that any schedule changes will cost them $20 per request? Bet they would think twice then about really needing that change....

What do these parents do that requires them to need such last minute switcheroo's?

THAT would weigh heavily into my willingness to accommodate.

Work. Waitress jobs.
Good idea about the convenience charge!

[countrymom]

I also do first come first serve. So if I don't get your schedual by sunday then you get whats left. Also, why is it that you have to juggle the schedual, parents can juggle their schedual too. I worked part time for years, if I couldn't work on a certain day then I would go and see if I can switch, so they can do it too.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I also do first come first serve. So if I don't get your schedual by sunday then you get whats left. Also, why is it that you have to juggle the schedual, parents can juggle their schedual too. I worked part time for years, if I couldn't work on a certain day then I would go and see if I can switch, so they can do it too.

I don't HAVE to, I just want to help. Just tired of it.

[daycare]

like you I also like to help...LOve it when I can for those that are good with my rules and policies.

I have set days for my PTers. If they need to switch a day they have to pay for it. I actually don't call it switching. I call it additional days.

So if johnny comes tue and thurs and mom asks if johnny can come on friday, instead of thursday my response would be sure no problem. I will add friday to your invoice. He is still welcome to come on thursday, please let me know if he will be here on thursday or not as soon as possible.

and I leave it at that.... It is way too hard to juggle so many schedule and the type of program I have and then my asst.

Like you said, you would have to have your asst there FT, which I am sure would mean more money out of your pocket...

[itlw8]

I would not give out any numbers without the parents agreeing to do so.
If they want to do so they need to talk to each other about exchanging numbers.

My parents sign up for the p/t days they need. If they need other days they need a f/t opening and pay even when they do not come.

[Sugar Magnolia]

After all your replies, maybe change it to this.
"Parents, this is our part-time roster. As you can see, it is full. If you would like to switch any days, I can assist you only by asking another parent if they can accommodate a switch. Please limit requests for changes, emergencies only please. "
But then I am back to being the middle man!? Usually, another parent CAN switch, most are flexible, I'm just sick of arranging it.
Giving out phone numbers is not a good idea, I can see that now. Thanks ladies!