Contracted Hours In A Center

[Bookworm]

I hope this isn't too long or confusing. For the past 4 months, we have noticed an increase in behaviorl issues with certain DCKs. After researching the issue we've noticed that this particular set of DCKs are there from opening to close (7am-630pm). It's led us to a discussion about contracted hours.

My questions are,can this be implemented in a center w/o changing the rate? Would modeling it similar to Blackcat's way make more sense? We don't accept part-timers so that won't be a factor. How could we approach the parents with this new policy w/o sounding judgmental? Do you factor in commute time? If the DCP is off from work, do the contracted hours still apply?

[cheerfuldom]

you could set a daily limit of hours needed but not change rates. So the business hours are X to Y with each enrolled student limited to 10 hours per day in care. Have them commit to a pickup and drop off time that is 10 hours a day or less. so the rate is the same, 10 hours of care at most, but you can still be open your old business hours. Once they commit to a time frame, early and late dropoffs are charged a high fee to discourage that and repeat offenders will have care terminated.

[Bookworm]

you could set a daily limit of hours needed but not change rates. So the business hours are X to Y with each enrolled student limited to 10 hours per day in care. Have them commit to a pickup and drop off time that is 10 hours a day or less. so the rate is the same, 10 hours of care at most, but you can still be open your old business hours. Once they commit to a time frame, early and late dropoffs are charged a high fee to discourage that and repeat offenders will have care terminated.

Got it. I will pass this info on. Thanks.

[pandamom]

ITA with cheerfuldom. The center I work at used to have a limit of 10 hours a day. I think contracted hours for each child would be too difficult to track in a center. Each minute after 10 hours would be $1/minute.

Unfortunately our centers had to drop the 10 hours since it's the base childcare centers and we had to start accomodating longer military workdays.

The children that act up the most at our center are the ones that are there from open to close as well. There are some preschoolers that know that mom gets off at 3 pm yet they are there until 6 pm

[Bookworm]

ITA with cheerfuldom. The center I work at used to have a limit of 10 hours a day. I think contracted hours for each child would be too difficult to track in a center. Each minute after 10 hours would be $1/minute.

Unfortunately our centers had to drop the 10 hours since it's the base childcare centers and we had to start accomodating longer military workdays.

The children that act up the most at our center are the ones that are there from open to close as well. There are some preschoolers that know that mom gets off at 3 pm yet they are there until 6 pm

I don't think keeping track of the hours would be that hard for my center. We know the work hours of about 80% of the parents. These are the ones who pretty much drop off/pick up at the same times. The problem would come from the parents that work retail or restaurant jobs because their schedules vary week to week and at times have no backup contacts. For those parents, would it be possible to do scheduled hours on a weekly basis?

I totally agree with you about the DCKs knowing mom/dad gets off at 3 but won't pickup until 6:30. You can predict the time the bad behavior will start because they know mom/dad is home and they are stuck at daycare. It's really hard to be upset with the kids because all they want is mom but can't really express it.

[Cat Herder]

You can also spin it as *New, budget friendly, time adjusted rates*.

Then show them *how easy it is to save a few bucks each and every week*.

*It all adds up to a huge savings over the year, ya know.

Drop rates a bit, each hour, for earlier pick-up.

[AmyKidsCo]

I totally agree with you about the DCKs knowing mom/dad gets off at 3 but won't pickup until 6:30. You can predict the time the bad behavior will start because they know mom/dad is home and they are stuck at daycare. It's really hard to be upset with the kids because all they want is mom but can't really express it.

My friend cares for a child whose house can be seen from my friend's windows. The child's parents drop her off at daycare then go home and PARK THEIR CAR IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE! Then they wonder why their 4 yr old doesn't like daycare.

You can also spin it as *New, budget friendly, time adjusted rates*.

Then show them *how easy it is to save a few bucks each and every week*.

*It all adds up to a huge savings over the year, ya know.

Drop rates a bit, each hour, for earlier pick-up.

Fantastic idea! I'll have to keep that in mind if I adopt BC's rate structure.

[Bookworm]

Amy, while we don't have that particular issue we do have the issue of the parent dropping off in PJs when DCK knows what DCPs work clothes looks like.

Catherder, this sounds good especially combined with BC's plan. Thanks ladies.

[nannyde]

I'm in my phone so I don't know how to link it but I have two articles on the Daycare Whisperer blog here called “Quality Time vs Quantity Time" and How to set child care rates" that will help you out. The rates article has an example of my sliding scale based on nine hour days max and departure times. Black uses a different scale based on different increments. Mine is based on 15 minute increments.