I Feel Bad.......WWYD??

[LaLa1923]

I have a DCB I got from my provider friend across the street. My provider friend said something about him going back to her when he turns 2. Mom has never mentioned this to me. It was always the expectation that he was just coming to me and that's it. Well, mom asked if my payment is the same as previous provider and I said yes. (Which is true) However, she pays the max amount per week. A rate I would charge a newborn, he's 20 months old. On top of this mom also pays the overtime rate of $10 per hour, which is in hour increments. I got $40 for 2 hours and 30 min of overtime for 2 days. (1 hour and 15 min each day) I feel really bad that she's paying the highest amount AND the overtime.

I do contracted hours and FT is based on 50 hours max. DCM is paying the max for 45 hours a week.

WWYD? I understand he's still taking an infant spot so there probably shouldn't be a decrease in the weekly amount. However, I am thinking about giving her an extra hour each day to bring her to 50 hours. Her weekly schedule is 6:30-3:30 and she does put in overtime at work. (which she pays for)

***Her overtime hours are also NOT prearranged and she never asks, just says she has to stay late today. This is my fault, she's used to previous provider. It's never a big deal for me anyway because my last DCK doesn't leave until well after 5, and she's always here before then.

Would you keep it how it is and charge her for the extra hours? OR would you give her 50 hours a week??

[cheerfuldom]

why would you decrease her rate if she is willing to pay the current rate? are you trying to undercut the other provider so this family stays with you?

[LaLa1923]

why would you decrease her rate if she is willing to pay the current rate? are you trying to undercut the other provider so this family stays with you?

NO, not at all. I don't want to decrease the rate just perhaps give her 50 hours a week instead of 45. Did you read what I wrote??

[cheerfuldom]

NO, not at all. I don't want to decrease the rate just perhaps give her 50 hours a week instead of 45. Did you read what I wrote??

yes I read what you wrote but was confused since you mentioned confusion about whether this kid was permanent or not.

I still dont understand the reasoning behind offering more hours for the same rate. Why rock the boat if she is fine with the current setup? You dont have to feel bad for being paid a fair rate. It may even be a bit higher than that other provider but if the mom doesnt care, whats the problem? why work more for less pay?
if she is taking an infant spot, then she is paying the infant rate, makes sense. and if she needs extra time and you have a rate worked out for overtime care then why change things now?

as for the original question, I would keep things as is and get paid a higher amount.

[Little Star75]

I'm a bit confused :confused: why can't you give her the FT max 50 hrs rate? If I'm reading it right and if you feel bad about her paying extra all the time. If she doesn't have a problem why even bother, Kwim

[mamac]

I would say if your ft rate is up to 50 hours per week and she is using less than that, even though she is only "contracted" for 45 hours per week, I would not charge her the overtime fees for those 2 1/2 hours.

If you were going to do that and want the income of some extra overtime charge, I would lower my maximum full time hours to 45, and then charge ot rates from there.

(That is how my ft rates are set up. A flat rate for up to 45 hours per week and hourly for anything over 45.)

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would say if your ft rate is up to 50 hours per week and she is using less than that, even though she is only "contracted" for 45 hours per week, I would not charge her the overtime fees for those 2 1/2 hours.

If you were going to do that and want the income of some extra overtime charge, I would lower my maximum full time hours to 45, and then charge ot rates from there.

(That is how my ft rates are set up. A flat rate for up to 45 hours per week and hourly for anything over 45.)

[AmyKidsCo]

I don't understand either, do you charge hourly? My FT parents are entitled to bring their children 7-5 M-F and pay the same whether they use 50 hours per week or less. I also charge overtime fees for before-7 and after-5 care.

I also don't understand the part about being 20 mo old and paying the infant rate. Do you charge different rates for infants and 20 mo olds? If so, why is he paying the infant rate? Since our ratios split between Under-Two and Over-Two I charge the same rate for all Under-Two.

Not knowing your rate schedule or scheduling policies I don't know what to say, except if the child were with me they'd pay for Full Time at the Under-Two rate, which would entitle them to 50 hours of care per week.

[LaLa1923]

I don't understand either, do you charge hourly? My FT parents are entitled to bring their children 7-5 M-F and pay the same whether they use 50 hours per week or less. I also charge overtime fees for before-7 and after-5 care.

I also don't understand the part about being 20 mo old and paying the infant rate. Do you charge different rates for infants and 20 mo olds? If so, why is he paying the infant rate? Since our ratios split between Under-Two and Over-Two I charge the same rate for all Under-Two.

Not knowing your rate schedule or scheduling policies I don't know what to say, except if the child were with me they'd pay for Full Time at the Under-Two rate, which would entitle them to 50 hours of care per week.

I do charge $225 for infants that are under two years old. However, I probably would've only charged her $200 for him since he will be two soon. It would've prevented a rate decrease in 4 months. I charge how you charge, one flat rate for 1-50 hours of care. All I'm saying is that she has been paying $225 for 45 hours of care NOT the 50. I only realized this AFTER I got my overtime check. YES, we have a contract and we did go over the contract, but she obviously didn't hear what I was saying when we signed the contract.

Now, after I wrote this post she wants to look at other places with longer hours bc she cannot afford the overtime of $10 an hour. So, I will offer her the hours she wants for the rate of $225. I will not give her a decrease in her rate. BUT, she will be allowed to bring him from 6:30am - 5:30 pm. I'm open those hours anyway and if she wants to continue paying a higher rate she can. Thank you all!!

[jenn]

I would charge her what you charge the others in your care. Even though she is apparently fine with paying more, I like to keep all my families on the same plan.

[LaLa1923]

I would charge her what you charge the others in your care. Even though she is apparently fine with paying more, I like to keep all my families on the same plan.

Correct, BUT she now wants 11-12 hours a day in case she needs to work overtime.

[jenn]

I didn't read your last post before writing last time. Oops! I do a fixed rate of 1-50 hours also. I'm not sure what I would do with someone that wanted more than 50 hours. I would either charge them more (and not feel bad about it-that's a long day) or most likely tell them I can't do it. I'm open 7:15am-6:00pm and not really interest in being open more than that! Good luck!

[wdmmom]

I wouldn't charge her an overtime rate unless she is dropping off before your opening time or staying after your closing time.

If he's attending 11 hours per day, 5 days per week, she would be required to pay additional time.

If she's interested in looking into other avenues, tell her he can attend 50 hours per week for the flat rate. See if that's incentive enough for her to stay.