Only Allowing Children while Parents are at Work/School

[craftymissbeth]

For those that only care for children while their parents are at work or school...

How would I go about implementing this policy?

I have one dcg whose mom has 2 days off during the week and dcg has been here Mon-Fri since June... dcm has never spent any of those days off with dcg. Also, I realized today (NYE) that both of my dc families are off yet they both wanted to bring their children. One dcm dropped off hungover and said she's going back to bed to sleep it off and the other texted me at 8:45 am to let me know they'll be here at 10ish, but my drop off cut off is 9... their usual drop off is 6:15 so I woke up much earlier than I needed to waiting for them to show up.

I truly believe that the best place for children is not daycare, but at home with family. IMO, there's no reason for my dck's to be here unless both parents are at school or work.

I would LOVE to implement this policy, but I'm afraid that parents will see it as unreasonable since they're still paying for the spot. I'm getting ready to give parents my updated handbook and contract for the year which includes a new pay rate chart similar to Blackcat's and Nannyde's. This new rate chart gives both families the opportunity to lower their rate if they can pick up earlier (or for my early drop off to start dropping off at 7 instead of 6:15). I feel like giving them the potential to lower their rates gives me the ability to be stricter with my policies.


Anyway, the only here while work/school policy is the only thing I'm struggling with. How would you implement it and is it even enforceable? What are the consequences of violating the policy?

[Cradle2crayons]

For those that only care for children while their parents are at work or school...

How would I go about implementing this policy?

I have one dcg whose mom has 2 days off during the week and dcg has been here Mon-Fri since June... dcm has never spent any of those days off with dcg. Also, I realized today (NYE) that both of my dc families are off yet they both wanted to bring their children. One dcm dropped off hungover and said she's going back to bed to sleep it off and the other texted me at 8:45 am to let me know they'll be here at 10ish, but my drop off cut off is 9... their usual drop off is 6:15 so I woke up much earlier than I needed to waiting for them to show up.

I truly believe that the best place for children is not daycare, but at home with family. IMO, there's no reason for my dck's to be here unless both parents are at school or work.

I would LOVE to implement this policy, but I'm afraid that parents will see it as unreasonable since they're still paying for the spot. I'm getting ready to give parents my updated handbook and contract for the year which includes a new pay rate chart similar to Blackcat's and Nannyde's. This new rate chart gives both families the opportunity to lower their rate if they can pick up earlier (or for my early drop off to start dropping off at 7 instead of 6:15). I feel like giving them the potential to lower their rates gives me the ability to be stricter with my policies.


Anyway, the only here while work/school policy is the only thing I'm struggling with. How would you implement it and is it even enforceable? What are the consequences of violating the policy?

All of my parents are on contracted care only. It works well for me.
Both of my moms with a total of five kids do contracted care. They give me their schedule the week before care and they have a rate plan for either 4 days a week or 5 days a week. If they are scheduled for 4'days next week, they pay their 4 day rate and stick to that schedule. If they end up getting cut due to lack of business, they still pay for the day but don't bring their kids.

All schedules are printed and signed by their supervisor so that I can be sure they are computer generated and accurate instead of hand written. My parents also know I WILL call their job and see if they are there if I suspect dishonesty. I've done it before and I will do it again.

If they violate the policy or I catch them in dishonesty, I have the right in my contract to term them without notice.

All schedule changes must be in advance and signed by a supervisor.

They are allowed to drop off x minutes before their shift starts and they have to pick up x minutes after their shift ends.

I have one mom who works 5 days a week. And one mom who works usually 3 days a week sometimes 4.

[Annalee]

For those that only care for children while their parents are at work or school...

How would I go about implementing this policy?

I have one dcg whose mom has 2 days off during the week and dcg has been here Mon-Fri since June... dcm has never spent any of those days off with dcg. Also, I realized today (NYE) that both of my dc families are off yet they both wanted to bring their children. One dcm dropped off hungover and said she's going back to bed to sleep it off and the other texted me at 8:45 am to let me know they'll be here at 10ish, but my drop off cut off is 9... their usual drop off is 6:15 so I woke up much earlier than I needed to waiting for them to show up.

I truly believe that the best place for children is not daycare, but at home with family. IMO, there's no reason for my dck's to be here unless both parents are at school or work.

I would LOVE to implement this policy, but I'm afraid that parents will see it as unreasonable since they're still paying for the spot. I'm getting ready to give parents my updated handbook and contract for the year which includes a new pay rate chart similar to Blackcat's and Nannyde's. This new rate chart gives both families the opportunity to lower their rate if they can pick up earlier (or for my early drop off to start dropping off at 7 instead of 6:15). I feel like giving them the potential to lower their rates gives me the ability to be stricter with my policies.


Anyway, the only here while work/school policy is the only thing I'm struggling with. How would you implement it and is it even enforceable? What are the consequences of violating the policy?

Some dc here offer individualized contracts specific to days worked, not days for walmart, tanning bed, etc..... I haven't done that yet but do have several that only come two or three days a week due to their work schedule...the spot is theirs and they pay like all parents 52 weeks a year one flat rate...but they have to clear it with me if they need an extra day because I plan appointments for myself and/or my own children based on the number of kids for the day. I have fully explained this to my parents and it seems I always have one parent that just don't get it or just doesn't like following the rules. You make me rethink going to individualized contracts.....might just do that!

[daycarediva]

I WISH I could do this but couldn't get/keep clients if I did.

Two of my dcks are from SAHMs, (one ft one pt) ALL of my dcps were off on NYE and half picked up early. Some keep their kids home every second that they can get, and others get up early on their days off to bring dck at regular time. I figure that they are paying for a service, and just like a gym membership, some use it more than others.

I do stress at interview that I prefer to work with clients who value family time, and put time with their child as top priority. Haven't had ANYONE disagree but their actions do. Who is really going to tell the truth though? "I'd rather drop my kid with you 50 hours a week and have me time than spend it with my child."

[craftymissbeth]

Some dc here offer individualized contracts specific to days worked, not days for walmart, tanning bed, etc..... I haven't done that yet but do have several that only come two or three days a week due to their work schedule...the spot is theirs and they pay like all parents 52 weeks a year one flat rate...but they have to clear it with me if they need an extra day because I plan appointments for myself and/or my own children based on the number of kids for the day. I have fully explained this to my parents and it seems I always have one parent that just don't get it or just doesn't like following the rules. You make me rethink going to individualized contracts.....might just do that!

This is what I currently do also. $100.00 a week and you can send your child as much or as little as you want during my business hours. I realize now that this is where I made my mistake. Duh, if you tell them as much or as little they're going to come every day!

So here's my new rate chart. These are full-time rates. I don't offer part-time:
Open at 7:00 a.m.
Rates based on pick-up times...
3:00 p.m. - $80.00
3:15 p.m. - $85.00
3:30 p.m. - $90.00
3:45 p.m. - $95.00
4:00 p.m. - $100.00
4:15 p.m. - $105.00
4:30 p.m. - $110.00
4:45 p.m. - $115.00
5:00 p.m. - $120.00

$5.00 per hour per child for contracted hours before 7:00 a.m.
$5.00 per hour per child for contracted hours after 5:00 p.m.
(^I need to reword this... I'm trying to say that, for example, if you need care until 6 pm everyday, then there's an additional $25.00 per week. It sounds like I mean only $5 added to the weekly rate. If I have to work more than 10 hours a day then I want to be well compensated for it.)

$7.00 per hour per child for occasional preapproved hours needed before 7:00 a.m.
$7.00 per hour per child for occasional preapproved hours needed after 5:00 p.m.



As I was typing all of that out I had an idea that probably won't work, but I'll put it out there anyway. What if I use my rate chart and say if you want to use this chart then your child may only come while you are working or at school, but if you want to be able to bring your child while you aren't working or at school then there's an additional $25.00 (or something) per week fee.

[craftymissbeth]

I WISH I could do this but couldn't get/keep clients if I did.

Two of my dcks are from SAHMs, (one ft one pt) ALL of my dcps were off on NYE and half picked up early. Some keep their kids home every second that they can get, and others get up early on their days off to bring dck at regular time. I figure that they are paying for a service, and just like a gym membership, some use it more than others.

I do stress at interview that I prefer to work with clients who value family time, and put time with their child as top priority. Haven't had ANYONE disagree but their actions do. Who is really going to tell the truth though? "I'd rather drop my kid with you 50 hours a week and have me time than spend it with my child."

This is what I'm worried about

I know one of my families will have a huge problem with it and will definitely let me know about it. The other family will probably go along with it, but won't let me know if they are ok with it or not.

But if I use my new rate chart it would make my rates potentially lower than most of the other home daycares in my area... would it be reasonable to have this new policy as a stipulation to my new lower rates?


ETA: I also do not charge for any days that I'm closed, including holidays and vacations. So not only will my rates have the possibility of being lower than others in my area, but I also still won't be charging for closed days (most in the area do charge). My whole goal is to not only get kids home with their families, but also to attract older toddlers and preschool ages. I'm getting burned out on infants

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

Only if they are state funded are they only work/ school hours for me. The rest pay for the week and may use it. If they want a day to get things done I understand and then they pick up right after naptime. I do close holidays though and like yesterday I had asked a month ago who was working. I only had the 2 kids that their moms were at work. I just try to be really upfront about my needs. If you guys could pick up early on Tuesday I could be done early that day etc.

[Annalee]

This is what I'm worried about

I know one of my families will have a huge problem with it and will definitely let me know about it. The other family will probably go along with it, but won't let me know if they are ok with it or not.

But if I use my new rate chart it would make my rates potentially lower than most of the other home daycares in my area... would it be reasonable to have this new policy as a stipulation to my new lower rates?

My dad was my biggest supporter when I restructured my contract based on my needs as well, not just parents. He told me to sit down and think about what I REALLY felt the strongest about....when I did that he told me to then be non-negotiable with my clients. I stated in an earlier post that I received some flack and it was difficult for current parents, but becomes much easier as I enrolled new kids... Not going to lie to you, I got "chewed out" up one side and down the other and was a nervous wreck but was very professionally strong to the clients face. I would be very weak when the parents left... My dad is no longer here but he is still my inspiration... He taught me what I needed for business.... Good Luck!

[renodeb]

To be really honest, I don't think its really our business to tell dc parents how to use there dc spot. They are paying for a service and we are there to provide the service. We can encourage them to keep there kids home when there home but in the long run I don't think its really our place.
I have been pretty lucky and most all my dc parents have been really good about keeping the kids home when there off but I have never told them they cant bring them when there off. That rate chart looks good but it seems like a lot to keep track of to me.
If you really think that it will work then try it. You will get a since of how they will react pretty durn quick. Let us know how it goes.
Deb

[Annalee]

To be really honest, I don't think its really our business to tell dc parents how to use there dc spot. They are paying for a service and we are there to provide the service. We can encourage them to keep there kids home when there home but in the long run I don't think its really our place.

I used to feel this way, but not anymore....Granted, I provide services for their child but with limitations....I do not feel time-tables with expectations for clients is bad service...If I choose to close at 4:30, which I do, I only take parents that can meet this demand....Ironically, if the client REALLY wants my services, they will work this out...because it happens regularly....When I went to allowing only 9.5 hours a day not to exceed 4:30, my parents waited till 7 to bring their kids....when they WERE coming at 6:00 and staying till close....clients need boundaries just like kids....accountability/responsibility is important for all.....

[renodeb]

I hear yeah, but couldn't a dc parent still just use the spot for the time limit and still not go to work? I know all providers have there own style and way of doing things and it works for them but for me I choose to not have to keep track of the parents. I'm glad that the time limit works for you. Another factor is travel time to and from for these parents. They must all live close to you?
Deb

[ColorfulSunburst]

To be really honest, I don't think its really our business to tell dc parents how to use there dc spot. They are paying for a service and we are there to provide the service.

I agree.

[Familycare71]

I used to be really angry/resentful when a parent was not working and I had their child. I have since let that go and am much happier for it. It isn't something I am willing to control- I don't want to add that much to my list: having schedules signed by supervisors or some other confirmed schedule, Listening for any inconsistency about what they did with their day, etc... I have one dcb that now comes four to five days per week but reg only needs two-three due to moms work. It is her choice- I get a full time kid and she gets to do whatever... She knows he is safe and loved and even tho I feel sad for him I don't know her story.
It was just too much for me and I am really in the- not borrowing trouble -phase of my life

[craftymissbeth]

I'm thinking that I'm just going to go with my new rate chart so hopefully since there's a dollar sign attached to later pick-ups it will at least get them out of the door earlier. I'm also reworking my calendar of closings since I haven't handed those out yet and I'm making sure to take holidays off. Every stinking holiday that I feel like taking off. I'm scheduling the full 3 weeks (spring break, a week in October, and Christmas week) of vacation time. All of my days off are unpaid and they have plenty of time to figure things out themselves.

The whole reason I started my daycare was so that I could be closer to my family and still provide financially... I guess that's what's weird to me. My whole goal in life is to be available to DH and ds and to spend more time with them yet my clients are the total opposite of me.

Oh well, I can't control them. I can't judge them. I just need to take better care of my needs and I'm hoping I won't feel this way anymore.

[Laurel]

I wouldn't want to keep track of all their hours and whether or not they are at work.

Also, I wouldn't want to be open until say 5:00 for one and have another leave at 3:00 and get paid less per week. Then you'd be making $120 for one and $80 for the other. I'd rather just stay open till 5:00 and make $240 rather than $200 if I was going to stay open for the 5:00 parent anyway. Kwim?

Also we are licensed and have a limited number of children we can take. I'd hate to have all 6 that I can take leave at 3:00 and make less per week. What is another two hours really once you have them all there?

Just something to consider.

Laurel