Is This a Good Solution to Part Time Drama?

[Sugar Magnolia]

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.

That's my policy too, I am just too nice I guess. I want to help, but some have been abusing my niceness.

[daycare]

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!

I am thinking about doing this...... if you have a change in your schedule that is temp. You need to report any request for changes the Friday before the following week. you will be notified on monday if your changes are able to be met or not . I don't allow for any changes on monday day at all because this day is just NUTS....................

[Zoe]

I have a current family where the mom is a nursing student and her schedule changes CONSTANTLY! Originally it wasn't a problem because she always needed afternoons so I filled the morning slot with another child. Well then when her schedule changed to needing mornings too I was lucky enough to get a variance until one of the kids aged into another category so I wasn't above my ratios. After this happened I just asked her to pay for a full-time slot so that I don't have to fill it with another part-timer. This way she has access to all five days for whatever hours she needs within my operating hours. Granted, I feel badly when she only needs a couple hours a week, but boy it takes the hassle away from all the schedule changes! She gets it, so there's really no drama on her end of it.

I agree with what some of the PP's said about charging for changes if you're going to keep all the part-timers. Otherwise I'd just make some of them pay for a full-time spot regardless of attendance and end the drama period.

[kathiemarie]

Couldn't you ask the parents if they are ok with giving out thier number to the other part time parents? Tell them what the list would be for and then the prents that are ok with being asked about switching can have thier name go on the list the ones that don't want be asked can stay off it. You should not have to call around to find out if someone can switch for someone else.

[Blackcat31]

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!

How about something like this:

Dear DCP

Here is our part time roster. As you can see it is full. If you would like to switch days, please make the request as much advance as possible and if I am able to accommodate the request I will let you know.

Please note, that my "to-do list" is already pretty busy and there will be more times than not that your request for a switch will not be accommodated.

If your job makes it a regular occurance to switch up your days, you might want to consider inquiring about a full time space. This will ensure availability at ALL times for whatever changes you need to make.

Thank you

"Tired-of-trying-to-please-everyone-all -the-time" Provider

[Sugar Magnolia]

Excellent letter BC!!! LOVE IT! Sold.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Couldn't you ask the parents if they are ok with giving out thier number to the other part time parents? Tell them what the list would be for and then the prents that are ok with being asked about switching can have thier name go on the list the ones that don't want be asked can stay off it. You should not have to call around to find out if someone can switch for someone else.

Hmmm..... I could see that working too. Ask them if they would like to provide their number...get permission. Might work! But then there is the annoyance factor that Play Care mentioned..

[daycare]

How about something like this:

Dear DCP

Here is our part time roster. As you can see it is full. If you would like to switch days, please make the request as much advance as possible and if I am able to accommodate the request I will let you know.

Please note, that my "to-do list" is already pretty busy and there will be more times than not that your request for a switch will not be accommodated.

If your job makes it a regular occurance to switch up your days, you might want to consider inquiring about a full time space. This will ensure availability at ALL times for whatever changes you need to make.

Thank you

"Tired-of-trying-to-please-everyone-all -the-time" Provider

I think that I am going to steal this as well.......love it!! BC you really need to have your own site of DCK letters....sell them a $1.00 each.... you will be retired by the end of the week......

[Blackcat31]

I think that I am going to steal this as well.......love it!! BC you really need to have your own site of DCK letters....sell them a $1.00 each.... you will be retired by the end of the week......

I wish! Most the time, I just type them with whatever comes out of my head.....

I am glad God gave me a talent but I sure wish it was "being lucky at picking lottery numbers" or something useful ::

[daycare]

hey you are useful......... I don't know what I would do without you and I knowmany others could say the same

[Abigail]

LOL I like the letter as well, but I don't see the point in posting a roster just simply saying "it's full" should be enough. I also wouldn't want to continue asking even though you want to help. You are offering to help by offering a full time position. Honestly, I like the idea that you are contracted for these days and when you need to switch you pay for the additional day or have a convenience fee. If you're at max capacity it wouldn't work, but charging a fee for each switch until you did get full time spots filled would be a good extra perk.

[My3cents]

LOL I like the letter as well, but I don't see the point in posting a roster just simply saying "it's full" should be enough. I also wouldn't want to continue asking even though you want to help. You are offering to help by offering a full time position. Honestly, I like the idea that you are contracted for these days and when you need to switch you pay for the additional day or have a convenience fee. If you're at max capacity it wouldn't work, but charging a fee for each switch until you did get full time spots filled would be a good extra perk.

only if the fee covered the help you would have to bring in to accommodate. I would help by offering them a full time spot and not this week to week stuff. It is one thing to help (I too love to help) but it is another to always be wondering what your week is going to look like as far as kids coming when and keeping everyone's schedule together and having your help come in to work. I prefer the idea of moving the part timers up to a full time slot to accommodate rotation and asking for parents schedule the friday before the week starts.

[Meeko]

I'm exhausted just reading all this! ::

I don't care about FT/PT/shifts etc. I have 16 places in my daycare. They are a certain price per week. Take it or leave it. That way everyone "owns" their place and can use it however they wish. No switching, no asking if they can come early or late. As long as they don't drop off before 6AM or pick up after 6PM...I'm a happy camper.

I would go completely nuts (well...MORE nuts) if I had to try and juggle everyone.

I do have a few kids on a drop-in basis. Their parents call to see if I have room. If another child is on vacation or out sick, then I take the drop-in.....but that's all.

I would just let the parents be grown-ups and arrange their own schedules. You're busy enough already!

[cheerfuldom]

I would never encourage parents to talk to each other by providing phone numbers, LOL

I have nothing to hide, just heard to many bad stories about providera making sure their DCPs have access to each other....they seem to become friends and then band against the provider more often than not