How To Handle Children Who's Parents Work In The School System?

[CedarCreek]

I completely understand charging anyway through out the summer.

But..

No one around here does that. I would lose 4 of my kids if I did. There are a ton of other providers for them to go to where they either won't be charged or will be half charged.

If I could,I would though.

[Meeko]

I completely understand charging anyway through out the summer.

But..

No one around here does that. I would lose 4 of my kids if I did. There are a ton of other providers for them to go to where they either won't be charged or will be half charged.

If I could,I would though.

I understand it must be tough.

I'm afraid I see it as teachers bullying daycare providers. "Give me special or I go elsewhere"

If they want the place, they should have to pay for it. Do these same teachers refuse to pay their rent or mortgage when they go on vacation? I'm guessing not. Yet they don't think they should pay you even though they want the place kept open for them.

I have been asked for discounts/free spots from teachers before. Nope!

[Crazy8]

I completely understand charging anyway through out the summer.

But..

No one around here does that. I would lose 4 of my kids if I did. There are a ton of other providers for them to go to where they either won't be charged or will be half charged.

If I could,I would though.

It is the same here, no one charges full rate for kids who take the summers off so if you did people wouldn't choose you for their childcare needs.

I have tried different methods over the years. I prefer to have them come part time over the summer but they can pay a small fee in place of that if they wish. Its all based on where I am in my life - I used to NEED the income over the summer so would charge a hefty (50%) fee to hold the spot for the summer if they weren't coming but now I WANT the time off in the summers so I encourage just 1-2 days a week attendance and my fee for taking the summer off is lower. I used to avoid teachers because I needed year round income, now I seek out teachers because I want the summers off. The best answer is to do what works for YOU!

[Unregistered]

I charge teachers full time through the school year. They pay the first week back up front each year at the beginning of summer, that guarentees their spot in the fall.

I do have kids in the summer, but prefer to have a smaller number with mine home, gives me a little more time with my own kids!

[Blackcat31]

I completely understand charging anyway through out the summer.

But..

No one around here does that. I would lose 4 of my kids if I did. There are a ton of other providers for them to go to where they either won't be charged or will be half charged.

If I could,I would though.

It is the same here, no one charges full rate for kids
who take the summers off so if you did people wouldn't choose you for their childcare needs.

I think you are both underestimating yourselves......

There are maybe 2 child cares in my county that charge families year round no matter what they do for a living and I am one of them.

I honestly don't think what other child care's do or don't do has a lot of influence on whether a family chooses you or not for care.

Providers in my area vary so much that there are several who still do allow payment AFTER services or don't charge for any absent days or the providers don't charge late fees, take vacations or do any of the other things we find "normal" on this board.

I think each provider needs to do what works for her and her family and not put so much emphasis on what other providers do or don't do. If a family really connects with you and likes your program, they will find a way to make your rules/policies work for them.

[wahmof3]

I think you are both underestimating yourselves......

There are maybe 2 child cares in my county that charge families year round no matter what they do for a living and I am one of them.

I honestly don't think what other child care's do or don't do has a lot of influence on whether a family chooses you or not for care.

Providers in my area vary so much that there are several who still do allow payment AFTER services or don't charge for any absent days or the providers don't charge late fees, take vacations or do any of the other things we find "normal" on this board.

I think each provider needs to do what works for her and her family and not put so much emphasis on what other providers do or don't do. If a family really connects with you and likes your program, they will find a way to make your rules/policies work for them.

This really hits home with me.... on so many different levels!!! I am the same way- its not the normal in my area to charge for summer and I have mostly teachers kids. But I am one who constantly worries about what everyone else is doing and what my DCParents will think of me. For instance I recently purchased new furniture for my play/living room and a new vehicle. I haven't told my DCP and have "hid" my new vehicle. I am so worried that they will talk about me and the things I have earned (and worked very hard for) behind my back. Why can't I just enjoy my earnings??? Thanks for this-- (sorry to hijack )

[mamac]

I'm with BlackCat. I have a certain amount of places at a certain price. I couldn't care less what the parents do for a living. My set up either works for them or is doesn't, but I don't change the way I run things for anyone.

To tell the truth, I have never understood why teachers expect special treatment anyway. They get paid year round and pay their other bills year round. All other parents are expected to pay whether they are there or not. Why do teachers get special?

What about the dad's who don't work much during the winter because they are construction workers? Or nurses who work rotation shifts?

My personal opinion is that special should be given to everyone according to their work schedule...or nobody.

I just had a conversation with my husband on what I would do if I got a teacher client. It never occurred to me to think of it this way, which is really funny because I actually worked in the construction field before I decided to open a DC. I ended up pulling my child from DC from Nov thru April rather than keep him in because when I did work I never got to see him so I cherished those winter months with him. My DCs policies were half tuition for a guaranteed spot but I never paid only because I never knew how long I would be out of work and it didn't make sense financially. I did, however, pay for many weeks during DC without actually sending him. I think I had the worst job schedule on the planet! It was actually the main reason I chose to leave my job.

Thanks for explaining your reason to charge no matter what. I feel much better about my decision to charge a full 52 weeks/year. lovethis

[mamac]

Question for MEEKO and BLACKCAT: (and anyone else who charges teachers during the summer)

You both say you charge teachers during the summer but how do you handle their attendance if the parents don't want to bring them ALL the time? Obviously, if they are paying for full time, they have the right to send the kids but what happens if they want to sleep in late or just send them on random days? Do you allow them a flexible schedule?

[Blackcat31]

This really hits home with me.... on so many different levels!!! I am the same way- its not the normal in my area to charge for summer and I have mostly teachers kids. But I am one who constantly worries about what everyone else is doing and what my DCParents will think of me. For instance I recently purchased new furniture for my play/living room and a new vehicle. I haven't told my DCP and have "hid" my new vehicle. I am so worried that they will talk about me and the things I have earned (and worked very hard for) behind my back. Why can't I just enjoy my earnings??? Thanks for this-- (sorry to hijack )

NEVER allow someone else's opinion to define who and what you are!!!

[Blackcat31]

Question for MEEKO and BLACKCAT: (and anyone else who charges teachers during the summer)

You both say you charge teachers during the summer but how do you handle their attendance if the parents don't want to bring them ALL the time? Obviously, if they are paying for full time, they have the right to send the kids but what happens if they want to sleep in late or just send them on random days? Do you allow them a flexible schedule?

ALL families must submit a written schedule by Friday for the upcoming week.

Some of my teacher families value lots of face time with their kid so I have them on a limited schedule throughout the summer

Other families value the consistency and routine their child has while in care so I have their child as I would regularly have them throughout the school year.

Some families alternate a full week with a partial week. Either way, their schedule must be turned in on Friday before the upcoming week so I can plan meals and activities accordingly. I don't allow additions to the week if it impacts my plans (my parents know AND understand this reasoning...I think because they ARE teachers)

......if I can work it, I will allow it.

I don't mind having a lighter load now and then and I also don't mind having the same kids the same days all year long.

Either way, my paycheck is still the same

[Country Kids]

I don't charge to hold a spot or require attendance through the summer.

Reason why-I like the break and love the extra time with my kids. My van only holds 7 so if I had a full house over the summer we could do nothing but just sit here all day long.

Yes, it gets a little tight but I like to have just down time in the summer!

[snbauser]

For me it has always varied. But now that I am revamping my program I am focusing on teachers kids because after 11 years I decided if I want to keep going that I need to have more time to re-energize and more time to focus on my kids when they aren't in school. So starting this year I will only be open Mon-Tues-Wed during the summer in addition to being closed on all school holidays. I will require parents to pay for the 3 days in the summer if they want to hold their full time spot for the fall. They can attend all 3 days or as few as they want but they have to pay for the 3. That gives me some income - although reduced - to make it through the summer, saves them some money, and gives me some extra time with my kids. If they don't want to pay for the 3 days, they can pull their kids and take the risk that they won't have a spot for the fall. My kids are growing way too fast and there are way too many things I still want to do with them before there isn't any more time to do them so this is what I have decided works for me.

edited to add that I decided to pick the 3 days that I would be open instead of allowing them to choose the 3 days for the summer. I would rather have them all on the same days so they have playmates and so that I can count/plan on my 2 days off to schedule things.

[CedarCreek]

I think you are both underestimating yourselves......

There are maybe 2 child cares in my county that charge families year round no matter what they do for a living and I am one of them.

I honestly don't think what other child care's do or don't do has a lot of influence on whether a family chooses you or not for care.

Providers in my area vary so much that there are several who still do allow payment AFTER services or don't charge for any absent days or the providers don't charge late fees, take vacations or do any of the other things we find "normal" on this board.

I think each provider needs to do what works for her and her family and not put so much emphasis on what other providers do or don't do. If a family really connects with you and likes your program, they will find a way to make your rules/policies work for them.

Thanks, Blackcat. Maybe after these teachers kids either age out or leave, I can adjust my policies and see what happens.

[Meeko]

ALL families must submit a written schedule by Friday for the upcoming week.

Some of my teacher families value lots of face time with their kid so I have them on a limited schedule throughout the summer

Other families value the consistency and routine their child has while in care so I have their child as I would regularly have them throughout the school year.

Some families alternate a full week with a partial week. Either way, their schedule must be turned in on Friday before the upcoming week so I can plan meals and activities accordingly. I don't allow additions to the week if it impacts my plans (my parents know AND understand this reasoning...I think because they ARE teachers)

......if I can work it, I will allow it.

I don't mind having a lighter load now and then and I also don't mind having the same kids the same days all year long.

Either way, my paycheck is still the same

Pretty much a ditto. I am open 6-6 and parents may use any of those hours if they wish. But I must know in advance.

[mamac]

For me it has always varied. But now that I am revamping my program I am focusing on teachers kids because after 11 years I decided if I want to keep going that I need to have more time to re-energize and more time to focus on my kids when they aren't in school. So starting this year I will only be open Mon-Tues-Wed during the summer in addition to being closed on all school holidays. I will require parents to pay for the 3 days in the summer if they want to hold their full time spot for the fall. They can attend all 3 days or as few as they want but they have to pay for the 3. That gives me some income - although reduced - to make it through the summer, saves them some money, and gives me some extra time with my kids. If they don't want to pay for the 3 days, they can pull their kids and take the risk that they won't have a spot for the fall. My kids are growing way too fast and there are way too many things I still want to do with them before there isn't any more time to do them so this is what I have decided works for me.

edited to add that I decided to pick the 3 days that I would be open instead of allowing them to choose the 3 days for the summer. I would rather have them all on the same days so they have playmates and so that I can count/plan on my 2 days off to schedule things.

lovethis Oooh! I hadn't thought about doing that! I would love, love, love to have some free time during the summer to spend with my kids. I am used to living on a temporary smaller income as I have had to do that every winter while on unemployment. What a great idea. Since my boys were born I have had to work crazy long hours all spring, summer and fall. I never had any time with them while the weather was nice. I am going to talk to my dh about this tonight!! You are absolutely right about kids growing up way too fast! I want to spend as much time with them as possible.

Btw, do you have only teachers as clients? How does this schedule work for the rest of your clients? Also, how do you charge? Do you just go down to your part time rate for the summer?