Change In Policy and Help With A Letter

[April]

I have been licensed for a little over 2 years now. I am currently open from 7:00am-5:30pm. However I have been experiencing all of my parents taking advantage of me. On a daily basis my parents will take anywhere from an hour to two hours either before or after work and run errands, go to the gym, get their nails done and so on. I don't mind this on occasion however I do not agree with me having a DCC for 10.5 hours a day when it is not necessary. I feel like these parents are taking advantage of me and I can't imagine how they are ok with not seeing their children but for a few hours a day because they would rather have some "me time." If they are working....I completely understand and do not have a problem with this however I do not feel that it is in the child's best interest to be away from their parents this long. I have decided to change my contract to contracted hours. All of my parents work in town and it takes them 5-7 minutes to get to work aside from one who does commute. (She only works 3 days a week but still brings her children to me on the days that she is off) Is 9 hours a day a fair time frame? I guess I am starting to look at it as they are completely capable of being here within 9 hours and they get overtime for any hours that they work over 9 so may be I should charge over time for anything over 9 hours as well. I'm just really not sure of the best way to approach this and I want to be fair to my parents however I have an obligation to my own family and I feel like their children as well...From speaking with other providers in my area, contracted hours is not common. Most providers allow from open to close so this may potentially cause some issues and upset parents...Suggestions on how to re-write my contract and fairness of time frames for these parents?

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

A sign of the times...

I hate to say this, but I think this is the new parenting norm these days. A decade ago, it was unusual for a parent to have their child at my daycare unless both parents were AT WORK. On the few times it happened, it was usually for a dr's appt or something that a child should not be at, and dcm/dcd was all apologies and the child was only here for a few hours. Fast forward to today, and nearly all the children are here, open to close, every dang day, no matter what mom and dad are doing. It is very sad, I think. The worst is when the family lives in my neighborhood, and we see them drive or even jog by.

I, too, have toyed with the idea of contracted hours to FORCE these parents to spend time with their kids. I don't understand it, and I certainly don't respect it. I'm so thankful every day that this business venture has worked for me for so long so that I am able to be with my kids all the time.

But...I've had several dcp's tell me they've heard of this policy and think it's ridiculous, outrageous, etc. They are very put off by the idea, and know they feel that daycare is so expensive, they paid for it, so we should mind our own business (no pun intended:. So, to stay competitive I just keep my rate for all open hours, and keep my mouth shut. Groan...what is this world coming to?

[TheGoodLife]

I hate to say this, but I think this is the new parenting norm these days. A decade ago, it was unusual for a parent to have their child at my daycare unless both parents were AT WORK. On the few times it happened, it was usually for a dr's appt or something that a child should not be at, and dcm/dcd was all apologies and the child was only here for a few hours. Fast forward to today, and nearly all the children are here, open to close, every dang day, no matter what mom and dad are doing. It is very sad, I think. The worst is when the family lives in my neighborhood, and we see them drive or even jog by.

I, too, have toyed with the idea of contracted hours to FORCE these parents to spend time with their kids. I don't understand it, and I certainly don't respect it. I'm so thankful every day that this business venture has worked for me for so long so that I am able to be with my kids all the time.

But...I've had several dcp's tell me they've heard of this policy and think it's ridiculous, outrageous, etc. They are very put off by the idea, and know they feel that daycare is so expensive, they paid for it, so we should mind our own business (no pun intended:. So, to stay competitive I just keep my rate for all open hours, and keep my mouth shut. Groan...what is this world coming to?

Yep, I have a DCD of my 6 month old who informed me yesterday that he has this week and next week off work- guess how many days he will be keeping his baby? ZERO! I don't mind the occasional day off to do errands, but to keep your child in DC a full day each and every day off you have- that's such bad parenting that it's hard to respect the parents anymore I had days when I would take my girls to DC when I had a day off, but it was usually a short day or maybe just the baby so I cold do something fun with the older one (Kenzie was less than a year and couldn't always enjoy the things my older could- plus she never minded being there w/o her sister)

[butterfly]

I see both sides of this... I've been known to get jealous when parents get a "me" day and I couldn't dream of doing that since I'd be putting out all the parents that use my services.

In my area, a 9 hour day wouldn't be enough for parents to get to and from work when they work 8 hours with a hour lunch break and then add in commute time...

I don't do contracted hours. I do open to close. It does often rub me wrong when the one parent that works the least amount of hours has their child here the longest. (open to close)

I guess I feel as though I am the one offering those hours and setting the rate, so I should be fine with them using it that way. I think doing contracted hours is a great way to get around that issue.

Sorry, I guess I didn't really offer any advice after all that... I'm curious to see how it ends up working out for you though! :hug:

[itlw8]

9 t 10 hours is more than enough, unless you live where it is a long commute. You said it is 7 minutes.

Change your hours Available hours may be 7 to 5:30 but they need to call and ask if they will be later than 30 minutes after they get off work.

or up your rates. For those that want to attend 10.5 hours they need to pay for that extra 5 hours a week at $5 an hour or more.. so their rate will be $25 higher each week than the other people. Those that want to be late on a case by case basis pay $10 for that extra hour.

[Margarete]

I'm in the process of setting my rates/ policies, and I'm seriously considering having a higher daily/ weekly rate, and then not charging for days off (up to a certain number of days a year) to encourage kids to be home with their parents when they have time off. I have friends that send their kids regardless because they pay for it, and because they see it as school (even for their 2 year old) and a positive place for their child.
Some of it is I think our fault as providers... We market ourselves and talk about our qualifications, and what a great place we provide for the kids. Some parents feel 'child care' is the best place for their child to learn and grow. I have a different view, but it seems this is becoming the 'normal' way of thinking.

[kathiemarie]

I have 2 different rates. $175 for a 4:30 pick up and $185 for a 5pm pick up. I open at 7:30. Most of my families pick up by 4:30 because it is cheaper for them. I know if I had just open hours every. single. kid. would be here until 5.

[butterfly]

I have 2 different rates. $175 for a 4:30 pick up and $185 for a 5pm pick up. I open at 7:30. Most of my families pick up by 4:30 because it is cheaper for them. I know if I had just open hours every. single. kid. would be here until 5.

I think this is a wonderful idea! I've gotta remember that!! I might change my contract to that. happyface

[jenboo]

I open in less than two weeks. I am doing a 10 hour limit. Anything over 10 hours is considered late and comes with a hefty fee. The only exception are families who I know for a fact are working the whole time and with the commute cannot make it back in time. So far my sister is the only one this applies to. If she cannot make it back in 10 hours due to work and the commute (I know her schedule) she has to text me and let me know when she is on her way or she will get charged.

When I worked in a center, I had a parent who was a full time student. She didn't take any summer classes, didn't work abs brought her child 9 hours a day, 5 days a week all during summer!!

[April]

Thanks for the input! This is something that I will consider!

I have 2 different rates. $175 for a 4:30 pick up and $185 for a 5pm pick up. I open at 7:30. Most of my families pick up by 4:30 because it is cheaper for them. I know if I had just open hours every. single. kid. would be here until 5.

[Blackcat31]

I don't do textbook style contracted hours but I charge according to the times each child gets picked up. I do it in half hour increments.

I started with an 8 hour day and so a 3:00 pick up would be my base weekly rate. The same rate I charged before. Then I add $5 to each half hour.

That way, parents can make their rate cheaper if they choose to by picking up early.

It's amazing as to how quickly they figure this out and their children are no longer left from open to close...and as a matter of fact, I actually find I am off work earlier sometimes while making MORE money.

If you would like, I can send you my rate sheet that shows how this works. I also have a letter that I sent to parents explaining this change.

[Patches]

I don't do textbook style contracted hours but I charge according to the times each child gets picked up. I do it in half hour increments.

I started with an 8 hour day and so a 3:00 pick up would be my base weekly rate. The same rate I charged before. Then I add $5 to each half hour.

That way, parents can make their rate cheaper if they choose to by picking up early.

It's amazing as to how quickly they figure this out and their children are no longer left from open to close...and as a matter of fact, I actually find I am off work earlier sometimes while making MORE money.

If you would like, I can send you my rate sheet that shows how this works. I also have a letter that I sent to parents explaining this change.

I switched to contracted hours a few months ago and based my system on BlackCat's. (It's almost exactly the same ) I love it! It really works to keep the kids from being there open to close.
I know you said all the parents work really close, but you might consider giving them 9.5 hours. I have a 10 hour max (8 hours work + 1 hour lunch break + 30 minute commute time each way = 10 hours)

[April]

I think this is a great idea! It gives the parents some incentive to spend more time with their children! I would love any help that you are willing to offer! If you don't mind me asking....where are you located? I am located in California and it seems as the rates of providers are all over the place from state to state. I am new to this forum (just registered today) and I wish that I would have found it while in the process of getting licensed.....

I don't do textbook style contracted hours but I charge according to the times each child gets picked up. I do it in half hour increments.

I started with an 8 hour day and so a 3:00 pick up would be my base weekly rate. The same rate I charged before. Then I add $5 to each half hour.

That way, parents can make their rate cheaper if they choose to by picking up early.

It's amazing as to how quickly they figure this out and their children are no longer left from open to close...and as a matter of fact, I actually find I am off work earlier sometimes while making MORE money.

If you would like, I can send you my rate sheet that shows how this works. I also have a letter that I sent to parents explaining this change.

[April]

My parents get 1/2 an hour lunch....Would you still recommend basing it on 9.5 hrs a day? 9.5 hrs did cross my mind....

I switched to contracted hours a few months ago and based my system on BlackCat's. (It's almost exactly the same ) I love it! It really works to keep the kids from being there open to close.
I know you said all the parents work really close, but you might consider giving them 9.5 hours. I have a 10 hour max (8 hours work + 1 hour lunch break + 30 minute commute time each way = 10 hours)