What Are Your Hours Of Operation?

[delferka]

Last year one of my parents wanted to bring their boy here at 7:30 because he had to get to work. I bring my kids to school at 7:45, so he would have to ride with me. He NEVER got here in time. I was usually pulling out of the garage when he got here. (All of my other kids come after 8.) Then summer came and my kids didn't have school. He was supposed to be here at 7:30 but never got here until 8 or 9. I could have slept in had I known!!!!!! I finally said that I have too much to do in the morning so 8 and after it is. Now he's asking me again about the summer. I told him after 7:30 and if they were going to be later to let me know the day before. What do you think? Disrespect!

[Blackcat31]

I require a WRITTEN weekly schedule from ALL families

If they are not here when they say they are going to be, I go about my day as usual. I don't wait for anyone.

If a family consistently scheduled a 7:30 arrival time and was late on 3 or more occassions, I would probably require them to modify their schedule and I certainly would not allow them to schedule for 7:30 drop off any more.

Families are charge $1 per minute late fee for late pick ups.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

My hours are 8:00-5:00.

I used to allow early drop offs, but like your experience they would never arrive when they said they were going to. They ran between 5-35 minutes late.
Eventually, I said you had to arrive between 7:00-7:25am. I stated that I would not open the door after 7:25am and I didn't! I once received very ugly text messages due to a parent arriving at 7:28am (at the curb, then walking up, ringing the bell several times, etc.). She lived 1 street away. She was never late again.
Then, I decided I didn't want to do it anymore so I don't. I was not charging extra for the parents to drop off early. Should I do it again in the future, I will charge $4 per day or more.

For that family? I wouldn't do it. The best predictor of future behavior is their past behavior.

[Unregistered]

Right now, I open at 8:00. I am not a morning person at all, but I would consider opening at 7:30 for an extra fee for the right family - payable whether or not the child actually showed up early.

I've also heard about providers opening early who charge no fee IF the parent shows up at the scheduled early time. However, if the parent doesn't show up at the scheduled early time they are then charged a fee for inconveniencing the provider.

I guess for this family you'd have to decide if your money or your time is more important to you.

[melilley]

I am open 6-6. My families don't come until 7:30 which is nice! For that family, I would stick to my hours and not open early for them. They were late all the time once, they will probably do it again!

[SquirrellyMama]

My hours are 7:30a-5:30p. I've never had a family that actually worked here in town so there is commuting time. They can have up to a 30min commute each way and still work an 8a-5p day.

K

[Scout]

5:30 am to 6 pm I am available.

Currently I have 2 familes that arrive 6:45-7am and kids are picked up at 4:15 at the latest
In a month I have one that will come at 5:30am and leave at 3 so my day isn't as long as that though!

[MissK]

Right now I'm 7-5, but have a family starting in May that will be here at 6:30 - totally fine with it. I too would be irritated with late or early arrivals! I have one girl who comes at 10:30 - sometimes 10:45. I typically start getting lunch ready at about 11 and sometimes she'll miss certain games or crafts and I have problems with her and her mom getting upset because she doesn't come home with a certain craft. I refuse to feel bad that I can't do the same things or offer the same things to her that we do between the hours of 7-10:30. Whole different vent there...

[LK5kids]

My license will be 6:00 to 6:00 in case I have to extend hours for some dire reason (will be licensed in about 2 mo.) I can't operate beyond my what my license will say. I now work 7:30-5:00 and LOVE it.

When I did fcc in my former life years ago I ran 5:30-5:30 and it didn't bother me a bit! I now want to keep my hours 7:00-5:00 if at all possible!

[MNMum]

Mostly 7:45-4:30. I have one contracted 7-4. They routinely arrive at 7:20-7:30. On one had it is very annoying, on the other, I have 20 unexpected child free minutes, so I haven't made them change their hours yet. Both parents have flexible work hours, so they would probably stay, even if I told them they couldn't arrive until 7:30. When I go on maternity leave I will probably amend my hours and only be open 7:45-4:30. I would be paying my assistant an extra 45 minutes for only one family, not worth it...

[jenn]

I am open from 7:15-6:00. Right now though, my earliest arrives around 7:30 and everyone is gone by 5:30.

[momofboys]

7-4:45, but no arrivals before 7:30 right now, all picked up between 4:30/4:45

[Msdunny]

I am in the process of revamping my hours. Beginning soon, they will be 7:30 to 4:30. 45 hours a week is enough for me!

[mrsnj]

I am open 7:30-5:30 but I have two children who arrive at 7:00. And one parent who is late almost everyday which is a whole other post! I don't mind early drop offs. I have taken at 5:30am due to parent surgeries. I am a morning person but you better be here by 5:30pm for pick up or I am one majorly mad provider.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

6:30-6:30 but, I am only ready at 6:30 if a child is scheduled that for the day. I get a schedule ahead and plan my life around that. I have one family that runs the whole 12 hours a couple of days. I do this happyface when I realize I will be one by 5 - 5:30.