What To Do About The Late Family?

[pandamom]

Well, I work in a daycare center. Many times I am even leaving later than I hoped to.

It may depend on the center. The center I work at will charge late fees for lingering parents. We used to have a DCM who would show up at 1800 (our closing time) and look at his artwork on the wall, have him show her what he did and try to talk to the caregiver about his day. The caregiver would be trying to close her room while the DCB was running around playing with toys that were just put away while DCM was standing around. After about a week of this, front desk talked to DCM- she kept doing it until she started getting charged the late fee of $1/minute. DCM and DCB have been out of the building by 1800 everyday

A big part of enforcing leaving by 1800 is then the center must pay the caregiver overtime if they haven't clocked out yet. So a DCM who lingers everyday costs the center money.

[JoseyJo]

The only thing I wouldn't have added was info about what other families do. Bottom line your pick up time either works for them or doesn't.
I am surprised tho that you expect families to be out the door at your pick up time. I seem pick up time as the latest families can walk through my door- but maybe I am off on this! Def makes me go hmmmm

That is why we are changing our hours to 5:30- we have a few who will randomly p/u (ended up being about x2 a week sometimes 1 family sometimes 3) right at 6 and then want to chat for 15 min. Tried to get them to stop but they keep finding reasons to stay so now they have to p/u by 5:30 or pay a late fee!

[Blackcat31]

Talked to dcd at pick up (he walked in at 5:30 on the dot) and he got very defensive, saying things have been crazy for them and he didn't think the late pick ups were a problem. I told him what I would be doing and he got flustered and it was pretty difficult. So I just sent this message to dcm to make sure she understands as well... think this was ok?

"Hey M*****, I wanted to touch base with you to make sure everyone is on the same page. I talked to T** today about the late pick ups and they really need to stop. Today he was here at 5:30 on the dot, which is better, but the idea is that every one is clocked out and out the door by 5:30. I mentioned to him that I have not had a late pick up in over 3 months and since you guys have started we've already had 4 ranging from 2 minutes to 45. I cannot accept that. I was shocked when he arrived 2 minutes late Thursday after we had the Wednesday issue. 2 minutes may not seem like a lot but its a matter of respect. I am available for 10 hours of the day and I expect to be able to be done by 5:30. So while this is the part of my job that I hate, I have to put my foot down. Since I do understand that some things do come up and I try to be as reasonable as possible, since you have already had 4 late pick ups in your first month of care, I can only allow 3 more. The next time you guys are late the late fees double. The second time, its tripled. And the 3rd is going to be an immediate termination of our contract. I would hate to have that happen after we have waited so long to get you guys back in here, but I can't be disrespected or taken advantage of. Every one needs to make sure they are here with enough time to be clocked out and out the door by 5:30 and it doesn't seem to be a problem for any one else. My couple hours at the end of the night with (DD) are busy and few. And I know you understand how important that time is. So I hate to be the barer of bad news but it shouldn't be a problem if you guys can get here within my hours. Thanks for understanding"

UHG, sometimes having a backbone is so hard!

I'm sorry Brooksie but this literally made me laugh out loud....

Seriously, they have had 4 late pick ups in one month AND you are still going to give them 3 more chances?!?

IMHO, THAT is the issue.

You can't be lax about your own policies and then turn around and try to be "strict" or tough about them because now the behavior is bothersome.

As a parent, I'd be so confused.

Often times, managing daycare parents is like managing the kids; firm rules/boundaries and immediate consequences.

When you make exceptions and then only speak up AFTER it becomes an issue a BIG part of the problem becomes your responsibility...kwim?

I totally understand that you were trying to be understanding but I think that allowing them to still have 3 more chances is going to come back and bite you.

Another aspect of their lateness is the failure to call....why didn't they at least call you and give you advance notice that they were caught up at work or in traffic or whatever PRIOR to actually being late. THAT is an issue as well.

[Brooksie]

I'm sorry Brooksie but this literally made me laugh out loud....

Seriously, they have had 4 late pick ups in one month AND you are still going to give them 3 more chances?!?

IMHO, THAT is the issue.

You can't be lax about your own policies and then turn around and try to be "strict" or tough about them because now the behavior is bothersome.

As a parent, I'd be so confused.

Often times, managing daycare parents is like managing the kids; firm rules/boundaries and immediate consequences.

When you make exceptions and then only speak up AFTER it becomes an issue a BIG part of the problem becomes your responsibility...kwim?

I totally understand that you were trying to be understanding but I think that allowing them to still have 3 more chances is going to come back and bite you.

Another aspect of their lateness is the failure to call....why didn't they at least call you and give you advance notice that they were caught up at work or in traffic or whatever PRIOR to actually being late. THAT is an issue as well.

I discussed it with them the other 4 times they were late. The first time was about 5 minutes, the second was the day after that and I had a talk with dcm about it and she had no idea dcd was late the day before. After that I changed my late fee policy to $1.00/per minute. Two weeks later no one showed up. Dcm didn't answer my text and when I got through to dcd he was sitting at home thinking dcm had picked him up. They were 45 minutes late. I should have termed but I know some things happen. Miscommunication. They were extremely apologetic and assured me it would not happen again and when dcd showed up 2 minutes late the following day and then again right at 5:30 on Friday. I gave them the 3 chance warnings simply because emergencies do happen and I don't want to be taken advantage of but I also don't want to term someone for an emergency, and want to be able to stick to my word. If they can't save those last 2 late options for emergencies then I'm sure they will be gone within a month. Oh well.

[Blackcat31]

I discussed it with them the other 4 times they were late. The first time was about 5 minutes, the second was the day after that and I had a talk with dcm about it and she had no idea dcd was late the day before. After that I changed my late fee policy to $1.00/per minute. Two weeks later no one showed up. Dcm didn't answer my text and when I got through to dcd he was sitting at home thinking dcm had picked him up. They were 45 minutes late. I should have termed but I know some things happen. Miscommunication. They were extremely apologetic and assured me it would not happen again and when dcd showed up 2 minutes late the following day and then again right at 5:30 on Friday. I gave them the 3 chance warnings simply because emergencies do happen and I don't want to be taken advantage of but I also don't want to term someone for an emergency, and want to be able to stick to my word. If they can't save those last 2 late options for emergencies then I'm sure they will be gone within a month. Oh well.

I totally understand where you are coming from but in all honestly I don't think things are going to change with them. You just proved it again (bolded above) or rather they did. They assured you it wouldn't happen again and it did...the VERY next day.

This tells me that yes, there is a communication issue but it certainly isn't yours...it seems to be theirs. Do both parents work right up until your 5:30 closing time? How far do they travel to get to your house?

If they are just cutting things too close or can't guarantee that they can leave work in enough time to get to your house, then they should never have agreed to your policies.

I also don't understand the lack of communication....if they both have a cell, why couldn't they have called and atleast said "hey, I am running a couple mintues late but am on my way."?

It just really appears that they don't respect you at all.

As far as the mom not answering your texts, I would have texted her, waited 15 minutes for a reply and then immediately began calling her back up people.

I support you in the fact that you aren't terming this family but I don't think they deserve 3 more chances. I think you need to be firm now and require them to have plan in place for the times they KNOW they are going to be late.

I would also let them know you will call/text but if you don't receive a reply within xx amount of time, you will call their emergency contacts for pick up. I'd start this process in enough time to have that person at your home and out the door by closing time.

~BC

[Brooksie]

Dcd isn't even working right now, that's the worst part....and they just live on the other side of town. 10 min drive max if you hit all the red lights.

[Unregistered]

Perhaps their scheduled pick up times needs yo be changed to 6 pm daily and charged accordingly if that is something that you would consider doing, that would give them plenty of time to pick up and maybe you wouldn't have to counting the late minutes?

[Unregistered]

Oh sorry, if dad is not working there is no excuse for the late pick up, he needs to be at yoyr door daily by 5:20 no excuses!

[Brooksie]

Perhaps their scheduled pick up times needs yo be changed to 6 pm daily and charged accordingly if that is something that you would consider doing, that would give them plenty of time to pick up and maybe you wouldn't have to counting the late minutes?

I don't extend my pick up time for anyone, especially someone who doesn't already respect my time. I have 2.5 hours after work. Before DD goes to bed, and most of that time is spent running errands, cooking and cleaning. Damned if I'm going to lose more of that time to disrespect. And lord knows if I give them til 6 they'll take it as 6:10...

[Rockgirl]

I don't extend my pick up time for anyone, especially someone who doesn't already respect my time. I have 2.5 hours after work. Before DD goes to bed, and most of that time is spent running errands, cooking and cleaning. Damned if I'm going to lose more of that time to disrespect. And lord knows if I give them til 6 they'll take it as 6:10...

I agree--it's a respect issue, not a scheduling issue. Your day is plenty long! Bottom line.....if your hours don't work for them, they shouldn't have enrolled with you.

[blandino]

I don't extend my pick up time for anyone, especially someone who doesn't already respect my time. I have 2.5 hours after work. Before DD goes to bed, and most of that time is spent running errands, cooking and cleaning. Damned if I'm going to lose more of that time to disrespect. And lord knows if I give them til 6 they'll take it as 6:10...

Like I said earlier, I work a full extra work day compared to most of my parents and even my friends. Yes, I chose my job and the hours- but my hours also allow them to go to their jobs. To be disrespectful of the few hours I have off in a day is the real problem for me.

[lovemykidstoo]

I don't extend my pick up time for anyone, especially someone who doesn't already respect my time. I have 2.5 hours after work. Before DD goes to bed, and most of that time is spent running errands, cooking and cleaning. Damned if I'm going to lose more of that time to disrespect. And lord knows if I give them til 6 they'll take it as 6:10...

Exactly. They don't need extended hours, especially if dad is not working. Totally ridiculous. I do agree also though that 3 more times is way too much. Unfortunately, you already told them that so it's too late, but that is way too much. I don't do late pay. I have only had 1 family the very first week of care that was 10 minutes late and I told dcd when he arrived that it was unexceptable and that it was never to happen again and that was the end of that. I work 10 hours a day and my evenings are precious to me and my kids events are precious to me. I do not ever work over my 10 hours for any reason.

[Josiegirl]

God knows I'm too lenient about p/u times(and everything else lately!) but if dcd isn't even working, wow, would I ever be ticked off!! Good time for you to make sure they stick to the rules of the contract. Gee, you'd think dcd might want to be with his kid once in awhile. :confused: Don't parents think their kids know they're in dc instead of at home hanging with dad or mom? I don't get that kind of thinking. Even paying for daycare so they figure they've got to send the kids anyways. Money is more important than the dad child bond?

[Brooksie]

God knows I'm too lenient about p/u times(and everything else lately!) but if dcd isn't even working, wow, would I ever be ticked off!! Good time for you to make sure they stick to the rules of the contract. Gee, you'd think dcd might want to be with his kid once in awhile. :confused: Don't parents think their kids know they're in dc instead of at home hanging with dad or mom? I don't get that kind of thinking. Even paying for daycare so they figure they've got to send the kids anyways. Money is more important than the dad child bond?

My feelings exactly Poor baby is only 11 mo old and they are my first drop off 5 days a week and latest and last pick up. He's with me 10 hours a day 5 days a week. With dcd not working I expected him to pick up early some days, or at least around 5 maybe... but no. He has to pick up other son (6) at the Y down the street and picks him up AFTER dcb, so you know he's getting there last minute too.