Only Allowing Children while Parents are at Work/School

[craftymissbeth]

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

I set my lowest rate at what is enough for us financially. I would never have a rate that was lower than what we need to make ends meet plus some.

The reason I don't want to just stay that extra 2 hours since they're here anyway is that that's 2 hours less per day that I can spend quality time with my family... 10 less hours per week. Even if I did have only one child here until 5 that's still much less work than having all of the children here until 5, kwim? Plus, I didn't start my business to make buco bucks... I did it specifically to take better care of my family by being home.

I WANT every last one of my families (I only have 2, but if I had 12 it would be the same thing) to choose a 3:00 pm pick-up time. I personally believe that children belong at home. If a parent must work then I'm here for them, but they should spend as much awake time as possible with their family. If I have to lose a bit of income to make that happen so be it.

[Patches]

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

I set my lowest rate at what is enough for us financially. I would never have a rate that was lower than what we need to make ends meet plus some.

The reason I don't want to just stay that extra 2 hours since they're here anyway is that that's 2 hours less per day that I can spend quality time with my family... 10 less hours per week. Even if I did have only one child here until 5 that's still much less work than having all of the children here until 5, kwim? Plus, I didn't start my business to make buco bucks... I did it specifically to take better care of my family by being home.

I WANT every last one of my families (I only have 2, but if I had 12 it would be the same thing) to choose a 3:00 pm pick-up time. I personally believe that children belong at home. If a parent must work then I'm here for them, but they should spend as much awake time as possible with their family. If I have to lose a bit of income to make that happen so be it.

I started doing contracted hours about 6 months ago and I love it. My pick up times start at 3:30 and end at 6:00. I would love have all my dcks picked up by 3:30! That $25 per kid would be totally worth it. Most of mine have a 4:30 pick up right now though, which is nice.

ETA: About your original question. I don't require parents to be at work for kids to be here, because I don't think I could make it work. I didn't have any advice for you about how to do it, because I don't know. But if you think you can do it, go for it!

[Hunni Bee]

I don't agree with "its not our business". It IS our "business" when it directly affects the kind of child we have in care (and it does), and its the providers business and her prerogative to implement any policies he/she deems necessary, as long as they are within the scope of the law and licensing. (totally not snarky, kinda sounds like it).

I think its good policy. Hard to implement, but good. I'd just approach it in a no-nonsense way like Cradle2crayons does, explain why your logic behind it, and possibly include your idea about allowing them to pay extra for errands. Just like on software agreements, it says "you agree not to use this software to do x, y and z" when they sign up with your daycare, they agree not to use your services for activities other than work or school.

[Rachel]

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.....

But there is a difference between opening and closing times, and making a parent pay for the spot but now allowing her to use it. Do you give different rates for parents who are contracted less time? Why should I pay $120 for 6 hours a day of the kid there is paying $120 for 9.5 hours? (Yes, I get the concept of you are paying for a spot, but that spot should then be available to me for when I want it within opening and closing hours). What about a parent who has a day off once a week, or gets off early? What if you are in area A, and she works in area B 30 minutes away. If she gets off early one day, she should come to you, pick up her child, drive back to area B to go shopping, and then drive back home to area A where she lives? Makes no sense. Again, I'm talking about within opening hours, not parents coming late or leaving early. I'm also not talking about people who are opened for 12 hours, but allow everyone to contract for 8, 9, or 10.

[ColorfulSunburst]

I don't agree with "its not our business".

There is a very simple way to stop "worry" about that question. As soon as providers stop to request payment for these days most parents will keep their children at home when they have day off.

[Annalee]

But there is a difference between opening and closing times, and making a parent pay for the spot but now allowing her to use it. Do you give different rates for parents who are contracted less time? Why should I pay $120 for 6 hours a day of the kid there is paying $120 for 9.5 hours? (Yes, I get the concept of you are paying for a spot, but that spot should then be available to me for when I want it within opening and closing hours). What about a parent who has a day off once a week, or gets off early? What if you are in area A, and she works in area B 30 minutes away. If she gets off early one day, she should come to you, pick up her child, drive back to area B to go shopping, and then drive back home to area A where she lives? Makes no sense. Again, I'm talking about within opening hours, not parents coming late or leaving early. I'm also not talking about people who are opened for 12 hours, but allow everyone to contract for 8, 9, or 10.

I have 6 of 12 kids that only work two or three days a week and it is protocol for them to ask before coming the other days off..Rarely do they ask....My clients pay 52 weeks a year regardless of days. When I do the interview I explain this....

[nannyde]

There is a very simple way to stop "worry" about that question. As soon as providers stop to request payment for these days most parents will keep their children at home when they have day off.

No they won't. They will use the "no payment due" for absent days for sick days when they aren't allowed to bring the kid or days when they can get free care.

[TwinKristi]

I think a lot of this has to do with supply and demand. No way would that fly here. There are so many providers out there willing to take peanuts for their work and do whatever you want whenever you want, 6-7 days a week, 24hrs a day! I'm glad some of you are able to structure your business is such a way but it's so slow here. My neighbor has been doing DC for over 10yrs and said its unreasonably slow lately. She & I are both down to 50% capacity, but my 50% includes 3 of my own kids. Luckily 2 of her moms just had babies so in the next 3-4mos she'll be getting 2 infants but that still leaves room for more. Last year she was over capacity a few hours a day most days and there were times I was at capacity last year only to be down low again. I've been advertising like crazy and had 3 infant interviews that didn't work out. I'm super bummed.
Anyway, I personally don't care where parents are unless it's like an all the time thing. If I found out that once a week they were off and every week they still brought their child I might get annoyed. But if I have 4+ other kids here anyway what does it matter? I can't schedule an appt or do something for myself anyway. I know a parent figures they're paying you either way so might as well use the time productively. I realize looking back that one mom probably brought her baby a few times when she wasn't working. She would show up with her sister and mom and when she dropped off she wasn't in makeup and nice work clothes. I can always text or whatever to get ahold of them so it doesn't really effect anything if do.
And the whole bring me your schedule and manager sign off and calling work and such... No thank you! It just seems like an awful lot of extra work and a bit micro-managing to me. My last 2 jobs didn't have anythjng like this (weekly schedule generated by a computer, etc) and I think I would be embarrassed to have special requests made to "prove" I'm working.

[sharlan]

Personally, I don't care where my parents are while I have the child. I care that they are available in case of an emergency and that they pick up on time.

[Annalee]

I think a lot of this has to do with supply and demand. No way would that fly here. There are so many providers out there willing to take peanuts for their work and do whatever you want whenever you want, 6-7 days a week, 24hrs a day! I'm glad some of you are able to structure your business is such a way but it's so slow here. My neighbor has been doing DC for over 10yrs and said its unreasonably slow lately. She & I are both down to 50% capacity, but my 50% includes 3 of my own kids. Luckily 2 of her moms just had babies so in the next 3-4mos she'll be getting 2 infants but that still leaves room for more. Last year she was over capacity a few hours a day most days and there were times I was at capacity last year only to be down low again. I've been advertising like crazy and had 3 infant interviews that didn't work out. I'm super bummed.
Anyway, I personally don't care where parents are unless it's like an all the time thing. If I found out that once a week they were off and every week they still brought their child I might get annoyed. But if I have 4+ other kids here anyway what does it matter? I can't schedule an appt or do something for myself anyway. I know a parent figures they're paying you either way so might as well use the time productively. I realize looking back that one mom probably brought her baby a few times when she wasn't working. She would show up with her sister and mom and when she dropped off she wasn't in makeup and nice work clothes. I can always text or whatever to get ahold of them so it doesn't really effect anything if do.
And the whole bring me your schedule and manager sign off and calling work and such... No thank you! It just seems like an awful lot of extra work and a bit micro-managing to me. My last 2 jobs didn't have anythjng like this (weekly schedule generated by a computer, etc) and I think I would be embarrassed to have special requests made to "prove" I'm working.

I agree,..times are changing economically....and day care providers have to do what they feel comfortable doing. However, I think I would rather have less kids knowing I would get paid and when they would be here than to be at full capacity and have to fight for my money and for daycare parents to follow my contract rules.

[Cradle2crayons]

I don't agree with "its not our business". It IS our "business" when it directly affects the kind of child we have in care (and it does), and its the providers business and her prerogative to implement any policies he/she deems necessary, as long as they are within the scope of the law and licensing. (totally not snarky, kinda sounds like it).

I think its good policy. Hard to implement, but good. I'd just approach it in a no-nonsense way like Cradle2crayons does, explain why your logic behind it, and possibly include your idea about allowing them to pay extra for errands. Just like on software agreements, it says "you agree not to use this software to do x, y and z" when they sign up with your daycare, they agree not to use your services for activities other than work or school.

Great example lovethis

[Cradle2crayons]

I think a lot of this has to do with supply and demand. No way would that fly here. There are so many providers out there willing to take peanuts for their work and do whatever you want whenever you want, 6-7 days a week, 24hrs a day! I'm glad some of you are able to structure your business is such a way but it's so slow here. My neighbor has been doing DC for over 10yrs and said its unreasonably slow lately. She & I are both down to 50% capacity, but my 50% includes 3 of my own kids. Luckily 2 of her moms just had babies so in the next 3-4mos she'll be getting 2 infants but that still leaves room for more. Last year she was over capacity a few hours a day most days and there were times I was at capacity last year only to be down low again. I've been advertising like crazy and had 3 infant interviews that didn't work out. I'm super bummed.
Anyway, I personally don't care where parents are unless it's like an all the time thing. If I found out that once a week they were off and every week they still brought their child I might get annoyed. But if I have 4+ other kids here anyway what does it matter? I can't schedule an appt or do something for myself anyway. I know a parent figures they're paying you either way so might as well use the time productively. I realize looking back that one mom probably brought her baby a few times when she wasn't working. She would show up with her sister and mom and when she dropped off she wasn't in makeup and nice work clothes. I can always text or whatever to get ahold of them so it doesn't really effect anything if do.
And the whole bring me your schedule and manager sign off and calling work and such... No thank you! It just seems like an awful lot of extra work and a bit micro-managing to me. My last 2 jobs didn't have anythjng like this (weekly schedule generated by a computer, etc) and I think I would be embarrassed to have special requests made to "prove" I'm working.

No extra work at all for me. THEY get heir schedule. THEY get their manager to sign off on it.

My clientele are all waitresses. Maybe twice in two years I've called and the parents never knew. Two minutes in two years of my time doesn't seem wasteful. Other than that, my parents know I WILL call. And they know I CAN call. That's all they need to know. As far as extra work. Nope. It actually makes my life and my family's life a lot easier to do things this way. Especially considering I am open seven days a week which includes afternoons and nights.

[TwinKristi]

No extra work at all for me. THEY get heir schedule. THEY get their manager to sign off on it.

My clientele are all waitresses. Maybe twice in two years I've called and the parents never knew. Two minutes in two years of my time doesn't seem wasteful. Other than that, my parents know I WILL call. And they know I CAN call. That's all they need to know. As far as extra work. Nope. It actually makes my life and my family's life a lot easier to do things this way. Especially considering I am open seven days a week which includes afternoons and nights.

Right... This may work for waitresses but for people who work in other industries it's a little different and to recommend this as a solution isn't really realistic for everyone. I can promise you if I requested my parents do this for me they'd look at me like I had 2 heads.

[daycare]

I request this in my PHB,but I realize that parents are going to do what they want. I really don't care what they are doing while their child is here with me.

what i do care about is that their child is cared for to the best of their ability, the parents are dropping off/picking up on time, paying on time and respecting the rest of my policies. AND no matter where the parents are, I am able to get in to contact with them.

If I didn't want children here on a certain day, then I would just close that day.

I used to feel so sad for the children that their parents brought them on their days off, but then I realized that some parents truly can't handle their children. NOt saying it in a bad way or that it is a bad thing, some parents jobs keep them more stressed out than others, or the way that they are able to cope is different than I (providers). Most of the kids really don't realize that they are at care while mommy and daddy are off having fun and they stay in a consistent routine.

I feel that where there are happy parents there will be happy children. Parents who are less stressed will be able to better care for their children. We can ask that they use our services so that they can work/school, but some will just lie to you about their intended activities for that day, while others will abide.

I didn't get to read all of the responses, hope I didn't repeat what others may have said....

[countrymom]

ok, this is what works for me (and this is what many do in my area)

I work on contract hours. I also tell parents that I need to know where they are incase of emergency.

second, my parents don't pay weeklly, they pay for only the spots that they use. Not only does this cut down on dumping kids when they are not at work but also I rarley get a sick kid that comes to my house.

do I lose income for the week, no I don't because my parents are honest and they know that if they mess around that they will be termed.

also for holidays, I tell them in advance that they have till such and such a date to let me know if they need me, if no one responds then I'm closing. I also don't open for one child, totally waste of my time.

I've been at this for a long time, and I found that if I didn't want to be walked all over I took care of the situation before it got ugly.

but contract work is the best, this way I know when a child is coming and going no more guessing.