Stop With All the Schedule Changes

[daycare]

I have had about 8 schedule change request in the last 2 months. However, in months before, I have been having the same issue.

Some of these request are from the same family and I am getting really really sick of it. When they request a schedule change, I have to re-schedule my employees and I have to sometimes ask part time kids to move days.

In my PHB it says that all schedule changes must be submitted in writing and submitted 14 days in advance.

I know sometimes things happen out of our control, but this is just getting crazy. Just when I think we have it figured out with all my schedules, someone comes and asks for a schedule change.

How could I stop this or what could I do to detour this from continuing.

1 family alone has me pretty upset. in the last 3 months they have

1. changed drop off 1 hour earlier no biggie I was already open
2. changed pick up
3. gave notice that child was going to preschool, changed mind in 4 days
4. change pick up time again
5.asked to go from FT to PT to start in oct
6. Chnage drop off back to original schedule
7. requesting Ft to PT to start in Sept

UGHhhhhhhh... I was figuring if I could attach a fee to this somehow to get it to stop.

any ideas?

[Blackcat31]

yea...

Each family must submit a written schedule to you.

ALL changes need to be REQUESTED a minimum of 2 weeks in advance.

Each family is allowed 2 schedule changes in a 6 month period. Any more than that will result in a review of their contractual needs.

Just because they are submitting the change doesn't mean you always HAVE to honor it...they are requesting it, asking...if it's not ok or it's too hard to reschedule all your other kids and employees....JUST SAY NO

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

yea...

Each family must submit a written schedule to you.

ALL changes need to be REQUESTED a minimum of 2 weeks in advance.

Each family is allowed 2 schedule changes in a 6 month period. Any more than that will result in a review of their contractual needs.

Just because they are submitting the change doesn't mean you always HAVE to honor it...they are requesting it, asking...if it's not ok or it's too hard to reschedule all your other kids and employees....JUST SAY NO

Exactly. I make it clear that I only have a certain number of spots for certain days. While I may have 1 full-time spot that they are occupying, I might NOT have a part-time spot if they want to go down on days. This has happened before and they choose to keep their schedule the same (or, at least pay the same amount they were).
I do not have many schedule changes here.

[daycare]

Exactly. I make it clear that I only have a certain number of spots for certain days. While I may have 1 full-time spot that they are occupying, I might NOT have a part-time spot if they want to go down on days. This has happened before and they choose to keep their schedule the same (or, at least pay the same amount they were).
I do not have many schedule changes here.

my issue is that I have to jump through hoops to keep my families. I am the only one that is working right now and I can't afford to lose money. In my area alone there are a ton of preschools, centers, and In-home daycares, so I have to be flexible and competitive to keep my families...

I am just really frustrated.

So what should I do after the 2 schedule changes have been requested and made? Charge a fee?

[Blackcat31]

my issue is that I have to jump through hoops to keep my families. I am the only one that is working right now and I can't afford to lose money. In my area alone there are a ton of preschools, centers, and In-home daycares, so I have to be flexible and competitive to keep my families...

I am just really frustrated.

So what should I do after the 2 schedule changes have been requested and made? Charge a fee?

I would. I would charge a fee and make it VERY clear to your families the amount of work YOU have to do to accommodate their changes...with staff, part timers etc...

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

my issue is that I have to jump through hoops to keep my families. I am the only one that is working right now and I can't afford to lose money. In my area alone there are a ton of preschools, centers, and In-home daycares, so I have to be flexible and competitive to keep my families...

I am just really frustrated.

So what should I do after the 2 schedule changes have been requested and made? Charge a fee?

It is always so tough when we feel like we are pinned against a wall because we NEED the income even though the family is being a complete pain in the neck.

Hmmmm. I would word it really nicely and say that you would love to be able to always accommodate schedule changes (roll your eyes inside your head here LOL), but unfortunately you aren't always able to. BUT, should you be able to there will be a charge of $x.xx after two times in a 6 month period due to the amount of work it requires to restructure your program.

[AmyKidsCo]

yea...

Each family must submit a written schedule to you.

ALL changes need to be REQUESTED a minimum of 2 weeks in advance.

Each family is allowed 2 schedule changes in a 6 month period. Any more than that will result in a review of their contractual needs.

Just because they are submitting the change doesn't mean you always HAVE to honor it...they are requesting it, asking...if it's not ok or it's too hard to reschedule all your other kids and employees....JUST SAY NO

Yup!

And you could tack a fee on if they request more than 2 changes in 6 mos. A BIG fee.