I Made A Big Mistake!

[Unregistered]

I interviewed a family in the middle of September for a position beginning in October. They left the interview and an hour later called and said they wanted the position. In the emails, they stated they needed 3-4 days per week and rarely would they need 5 days. Including the occasional late pick up. I close technically close at 5:30 but all my kids are usually gone at 4:30. So I replied that they would still need to pay full time rate for a potty trained 2 year old, $100/week. My normal rates lower once a child is FULLY potty trained. I stated that I would be willing to stay open on very rare occasions until 6:15. I confirmed the days/times in the interview and sent them home with my welcome folder which I do for everyone.

They have now been here for 2.5 month. The child has been here Mon-Fri every week and have 1-2 nights per week that they pick up late. They days are a little disappointing because I was looking forward to 1 less child 1-2 days a week. That isn't a deal breaker for me. It's the pick ups. I talked to the mom about the late pick ups and she said but it is before 6:15 so doesn't fall into the category of the rare late pick ups. The pick up usually happens between 5:45-5:55. Still over an hour after everyone else is gone. Also almost every Friday too! She is right! It does say rare pick up time of 6:15. So I can't hold to my contract! I'm pretty much stuck! The other days the child is picked up between 3:30 and 4.

If I change the contract in the new year I will loose them. One parent works retail while the other one works until 5:30 or 6:00. I have never raised rates on an existing family. Is that ok to do? Would you do it in this situation!

[TheGoodLife]

I would tell them "late" means past your closing time of 5:30 and that you will need to raise rate to reflect those extra hours.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I guess to me the definition of "rare" would be the sticky wicket. To me in my mind rare would be once or twice a month not week! Is it worse right now because retail and the holidays? Will it settle down? I would have an honest conversation with them. You know Cindy when I said rare late pick up I was thinking a couple of times a month, not a couple of times a week and I gave you a lower price based on that. Do you think that after the holiday rush is over that it will settle down to that or is this the way the schedule is going to be? If it stays this way I don't know if I can stay at the discounted rate I gave you.

[daycarediva]

I guess to me the definition of "rare" would be the sticky wicket. To me in my mind rare would be once or twice a month not week! Is it worse right now because retail and the holidays? Will it settle down? I would have an honest conversation with them. You know Cindy when I said rare late pick up I was thinking a couple of times a month, not a couple of times a week and I gave you a lower price based on that. Do you think that after the holiday rush is over that it will settle down to that or is this the way the schedule is going to be? If it stays this way I don't know if I can stay at the discounted rate I gave you.

be prepared to lose them, but this is obviously a big issue for you (and would be for me as well, that hour has to DRAG!)

[Great Beginnings]

If you close at 5:30 than anything late means starting at 5:31 in my opinion. If your willing to stay open later I would change the contract and let them know since you are consistantly accomodating their late pickups you need to be compensated for them.

[GKJNIGMN]

I was in a similar situation and I termed. I will never again say that I will rarely or occasionally do something. There is now an absolute line drawn or an "assume no but you can ask me ahead of time and I will make the decision".

I completely understand you not wanting to stay open later. I don't mind staying open a little later but not for just one kid. I already made a New Year's resolution not to take on any more kids that needed care after 5:30PM. I was going to keep my one that gets picked up at 6:15 even though all my other kids were picked up by 4-4:30pm at the latest but he hasn't shown up since last week so I won't be accepting him into care if they try to show back up after the holidays.

[Unregistered]

Op-

It is a new retail job so the parent gets the worst hours out of everyone else. I will definitely ask thou! I asked during the interview why they were looking for care and the last daycare they had closed. After turning in the paperwork, I ask the same question. They stated that the last 2 daycares they had closed. Seemed a little odd.

I'm going to raise the rates for the new year. I have a feeling they will leave.

[cheerfuldom]

now you know, always clarify everything in your contract! don't say "rare" just say business hours are X to Y and EVERY time you are late, Z will be charged. never leave wiggle room.

[spinnymarie]

I say if regular pick up time is 3:30 - 4:00 than anything past that is LATE - you specified the lateST time would be 6:15, not that it isn't a late pick up if it's not quite 6:15.
I would tell her that, like others said, 2x/wk is not rare, and if that's going to be consistant you will need to charge her accordingly.