Wwyd?

[Josiegirl]

I have a dcg who's on state subsidy and only comes PT, her schedule is different every week. But I believe the state pays for the full week.
Right now I've taken a former dcf of 3 who needs care, possibly for awhile. I can only take them when this part-time girl isn't here or I'm down in numbers because of somebody else(this week 2 others are away). In other words, if I have all my usual crew plus these 3 extra, I've over by one.
I guess my question is...this part-time dcm says her dd would like to come other times too, even if she isn't working. It's fine either way with dcm and truthfully it is with me too. But this other dcf really needs care and it would also be nice to pinpoint exactly which days her dd will be here so I can also help the family of 3 out. Is it okay for me to say which days is your dd coming or should she expect the whole week's slot to be hers regardless?
Did I explain all that okay or just confuse everybody?

[My3cents]

I have a dcg who's on state subsidy and only comes PT, her schedule is different every week. But I believe the state pays for the full week.
Right now I've taken a former dcf of 3 who needs care, possibly for awhile. I can only take them when this part-time girl isn't here or I'm down in numbers because of somebody else(this week 2 others are away). In other words, if I have all my usual crew plus these 3 extra, I've over by one.
I guess my question is...this part-time dcm says her dd would like to come other times too, even if she isn't working. It's fine either way with dcm and truthfully it is with me too. But this other dcf really needs care and it would also be nice to pinpoint exactly which days her dd will be here so I can also help the family of 3 out. Is it okay for me to say which days is your dd coming or should she expect the whole week's slot to be hers regardless?
Did I explain all that okay or just confuse everybody?

Often state paid clients the state will only pay for the time that the child is in care.

I have it in my contract that if your not working or going to school your child should be with you. I am not a babysitter. I am a childcare provider. I have this in there for the parents that abuse me with not wanting to parent their own child.

I allow for a quick stop at the grocery store, time for themselves-mental health day. I just ask to know where the parent is going to be ahead of time if not at work.

You get to know who is abusing and who is not real fast. If you just want to dump your child on me for 10 or more hours a day I am not the right fit for your needs. If you need me for work or school and occasionally a few minutes here and there I am the right fit.

All my parents work very hard so if they need down time and I am able to help out with that I am more then willing. I am not willing to have you go home and sleep all afternoon set your alarm and pick up two minutes before closing.

I do have one set of parents that are teachers and they do a few summer classes and they are regular on pick up and drop off times. They do a lot of work at home and they do want the break from the child, but when they are with the child it is all about the child. They are not picking the child up and sending the child off to other relatives, babysitters etc.... or not wanting to parent. They feel this is best for the child the consistency.

You get to decide how you want to handle this family. If it put me over in my numbers I would have to say no. If she is not working or going to school she should be with the child. I would tell her if it was me, that I am paid by the weekly slot but if your not in school or working you need to be with your child. You just get to know who you want to be lenient with and who you don't after looking at the whole picture. Everyone does things different-

[Cradle2crayons]

I would only offer the parent the days and times at are available. I would get with her and discuss when you can and can't provide care.

[Laurel]

I have a dcg who's on state subsidy and only comes PT, her schedule is different every week. But I believe the state pays for the full week.
Right now I've taken a former dcf of 3 who needs care, possibly for awhile. I can only take them when this part-time girl isn't here or I'm down in numbers because of somebody else(this week 2 others are away). In other words, if I have all my usual crew plus these 3 extra, I've over by one.
I guess my question is...this part-time dcm says her dd would like to come other times too, even if she isn't working. It's fine either way with dcm and truthfully it is with me too. But this other dcf really needs care and it would also be nice to pinpoint exactly which days her dd will be here so I can also help the family of 3 out. Is it okay for me to say which days is your dd coming or should she expect the whole week's slot to be hers regardless?
Did I explain all that okay or just confuse everybody?

I'm confused. Are you getting full time payment for the part time child? If so, and she was there first, I'd say it would be her slot. Of course, you could always tell the part timer's mom about the situation and I don't think it would be unreasonable to ask her schedule in any case. I'd want to know the schedule anyway. I'd say if the state is paying you part time and the part time mom is ALWAYS paying for the rest of the week then the slot would be theirs. If she only pays you for extra days here and there then it is more tricky. Then I'd have to say that you absolutely need her schedule so you can fill the days she doesn't need.

Laurel

[Josiegirl]

For some reason, the state is paying for this subsidized child for over 30 hours, which is considered fulltime. But because of her mom's crazy work hours, she ends up not being here 1-2 days a week. Even though I've had lots of cases where the parent wants to simply dump her child off at dc so she doesn't have to deal with them, this isn't one of them. It seems like so many of my dcfs have become good friends or were good friends before they came(got all my referrals this way). Consequently their kids want to be together when they can. It doesn't happen all the time but I was just wondering if it'd be wrong of me to plan on using her scheduled days off to take this family of 3. All these kids have been with me for many years. The family of 3 started coming 7 years ago but I couldn't give them summertime spots 2 summers ago, due to my own financial situation. I guess after awhile they start to all feel like family(well, some of them anyways!) and I want to do what's right.

[Laurel]

Hmmm, that is tough but the part timer pays for the full time slot so I'd have to say it is theirs.

I think that the part timer parent should provide you with a schedule so you can fill in the days she doesn't use though. One time I had a parent who paid me full time but her children were absent one day...only one day. I filled in with another parent and original parent was upset that I still charged her as it was her spot. I kind of agreed. I felt a little bad and she got over it and paid like usual. I probably shouldn't have charged her as I filled it with someone else just for the day. The other parent was in a bind so I wanted to help out but I now kind of agree with the parent who felt cheated. Now I'm careful about that kind of thing.

I do understand your dilemma though. It's hard.

Laurel

[mrsnj]

IMO if the part timer paid full time she has the slot and can alter her schedule. I couldn't take money for a full time n then turn around and say they have to tie into a schedule. It stinks. I understand what and why your doing it but the part timer "wins" the spot in my book. Why can't you adjust the part timers payment and tie her in thereby opening spots? If she doesn't need full time I don't understand why the state would be paying for full time.

[Heidi]

For some reason, the state is paying for this subsidized child for over 30 hours, which is considered fulltime. But because of her mom's crazy work hours, she ends up not being here 1-2 days a week. Even though I've had lots of cases where the parent wants to simply dump her child off at dc so she doesn't have to deal with them, this isn't one of them. It seems like so many of my dcfs have become good friends or were good friends before they came(got all my referrals this way). Consequently their kids want to be together when they can. It doesn't happen all the time but I was just wondering if it'd be wrong of me to plan on using her scheduled days off to take this family of 3. All these kids have been with me for many years. The family of 3 started coming 7 years ago but I couldn't give them summertime spots 2 summers ago, due to my own financial situation. I guess after awhile they start to all feel like family(well, some of them anyways!) and I want to do what's right.

I would say that if the cut-off is 30 hours, you need to be available to provide at least 30 hours of care per week to that child (exceptions made for sick or vacation time per your contract). That's easy, though, if the child is there 4 days a week, 9.5 hours on those days, you've already hit 30 hours.

Are there any guidelines to the parents as to when they can use their time? In WI, it is only for "approved activities". So, even if the parent is home puking their guts out, they are expected to keep their kiddo.

Also: You have to be VERY careful about dealing with subsidy and treating those clients the same way you would any other. That is the most important part of dealing with the state. So, what ever your policy is for PP, do the same for subsidy.

Wisconsin did a massive audit a few years ago and found a lot of fraud. They also nailed a lot of providers who made honest errors, and lumped them in with the frauds.

Are you required to report hours of attendance in your billing process, or do you just get paid automatically if you are the listed provider?