Switching to contracted Hours

[Oneluckymom]

I was just wondering if anyone has switched from open hours to contracted hours and how you did it.

I have my first arrival come at about 7:30am and my last one leaves at 5-5:30.

I would like to have contracted hours, but I'm not sure how to make this change or if I should.

[Blackcat31]

I was open 6-6 for the first 10 years. Then I was open from 7:00-5:30 up until a few years ago. I now have contracted hours.

I open when the first child is scheduled to arrive and close when the last child is scheduled to be picked up.

I make more money now and work less hours. Hmm, go figure. :confused: ::

Wish I would have made the move to contracted hours years ago.

[Oneluckymom]

My hours are not that bad...however, I have had parents show up at 7 without notice only because they think I'm "open".

[Blackcat31]

My hours are not that bad...however, I have had parents show up at 7 without notice only because they think I'm "open".

Ugh, yeah that is hard.

I can help you draft a letter to parents if you want to charge for early or late drop offs.

Here is what my contract/handbook says about times. You are welcome to use any or all of it if you think it will help your clients understand what time they should be picking up and/or dropping off.

HOURS OF OPERATION

I do not have standard operating hours. I work on contracted hours and provide care on week days only. I open for business when the first child is scheduled to arrive and close when the last child is scheduled for picked up.

ALL parents are required to submit a schedule with payment for the upcoming week.

ALL parents are expected to observe the times they have "reserved". Any pickups after your scheduled time will be considered late and the normal late fees will be applied.

For example; if you are scheduled to pick up your child at 4:00 and do not arrive until 4:15, you will be considered late and billed the appropriate late fee.

I do schedule things outside of my job so it is important that you abide by the times that you schedule for your child.

(For example; if you schedule pick up at 4:00 you will be considered late if you pick up at 4:15 and an appropriate fee will be applied)

[Oneluckymom]

Ugh, yeah that is hard.

I can help you draft a letter to parents if you want to charge for early or late drop offs.

Here is what my contract/handbook says about times. You are welcome to use any or all of it if you think it will help your clients understand what time they should be picking up and/or dropping off.

HOURS OF OPERATION

I do not have standard operating hours. I work on contracted hours and provide care on week days only. I open for business when the first child is scheduled to arrive and close when the last child is scheduled for picked up.

ALL parents are required to submit a schedule with payment for the upcoming week.

ALL parents are expected to observe the times they have "reserved". Any pickups after your scheduled time will be considered late and the normal late fees will be applied.

For example; if you are scheduled to pick up your child at 4:00 and do not arrive until 4:15, you will be considered late and billed the appropriate late fee.

I do schedule things outside of my job so it is important that you abide by the times that you schedule for your child.

(For example; if you schedule pick up at 4:00 you will be considered late if you pick up at 4:15 and an appropriate fee will be applied)

So the week prior the parent brings in the schedule for the upcoming week? So their hours for each week may vary? Do you still charge the same rate if they need fewer hours that week?

[NeedaVaca]

I do contracted hours. Most of my parents hours are the same week to week but I have one family that can vary. As long as I know their schedule in advance I'm ok with that and the fee is the same each week.

[Blackcat31]

So the week prior the parent brings in the schedule for the upcoming week? So their hours for each week may vary? Do you still charge the same rate if they need fewer hours that week?

Most my families work the same schedule every week.

The only exception is my part timers but I charge one flat weekly rate for 3 days or less of care but I still make them stick to the hours they provide me with on their schedule.

I also do not provide care for more than 9 hours per day without charging extra. So for families who work 3 days, they pay the flat weekly rate and anything additional for days they may need more than 9 hours of care.

Hope that makes sense.

[Oneluckymom]

ok, I get it. Im a little worried the change may upset some parents...especially when pick up time is concerned. I know some of them commute from 45 minutes away at times.