Only Allowing Children while Parents are at Work/School

[LaLa1923]

It worked great for me when I didn't have waitresses too.

Of course I never said this would work for everyone or for every situation. I said it works for ME. I've had parents from every walk of life in every profession. It's always worked for me. Of course, when I have nurses, they give me their monthly schedule. Around here if they are scheduled 11-7 they don't get cut. They are there until the shift is over. Works great for teachers too.

But I can totally see how it wouldn't work for everyone.

But I also do a lot of things different from most here. I work different hours. I have a few weird policies.

It's one of the wonderful things about this place.

Nobody does everything exactly like another. We read posts, get new ideas, and decide if we want to or can implement policies we would like to try.

OH now I'm very curious!!! What do you consider a weird policy??

[Cradle2crayons]

OH now I'm very curious!!! What do you consider a weird policy??

Lol I guess it depends on what one would call weird. Let's just say "different". According to some, my policies on computer generated manager signed schedules are weird .

[Maria2013]

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.

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

Just today I was hoping that my dcp's New Year's Resolution was to make as much family time as possible. Alas, that did not come to fruitition!

I feel the same way as Crafty, but would never say anything to my dcp's. I wouldn't keep any clients if they were made to feel guilty dumping their kids at daycare. It's the parenting (or lack there of!) norm of today, sadly. I had said in a previous thread that I have made my peace with this piece of parenting nonsense and am much happier for it.

I wouldn't bother with contracted hours. I don't care if I have one kid or eight kids, I'm still working and my time is not my own if ANY of them are still here. I would rather make the "boucoup bucks" since I'm working the 10-hour days no matter what. Even if 1 or 2 of the hours is lighter by a few kids, I'm still tied down.

If I tried to implement a "no work, no daycare" policy, I know my dcp's would just lie about their schedule. I would never ask for a work schedule signed by their supervisor. I'd likely get ripped a new one!:: No way am I interested in micromanaging grown adults, anyway.

I just have fun with the dck's, don't let their silly parents stress me out, and make a big deal about all the cute things their little darling said or did that they chose to miss out on.

[TwinKristi]

Just today I was hoping that my dcp's New Year's Resolution was to make as much family time as possible. Alas, that did not come to fruitition!

I feel the same way as Crafty, but would never say anything to my dcp's. I wouldn't keep any clients if they were made to feel guilty dumping their kids at daycare. It's the parenting (or lack there of!) norm of today, sadly. I had said in a previous thread that I have made my peace with this piece of parenting nonsense and am much happier for it.

I wouldn't bother with contracted hours. I don't care if I have one kid or eight kids, I'm still working and my time is not my own if ANY of them are still here. I would rather make the "boucoup bucks" since I'm working the 10-hour days no matter what. Even if 1 or 2 of the hours is lighter by a few kids, I'm still tied down.

If I tried to implement a "no work, no daycare" policy, I know my dcp's would just lie about their schedule. I would never ask for a work schedule signed by their supervisor. I'd likely get ripped a new one!:: No way am I interested in micromanaging grown adults, anyway.

I just have fun with the dck's, don't let their silly parents stress me out, and make a big deal about all the cute things their little darling said or did that they chose to miss out on.

This was all I was trying to say... It seemed like micromanagement to have someone provide "proof" that they work and we all appreciate and value trust when caring for their children and offer the same trust that the parents are doing what's necessary when they bring their kids. Mom picked up today with no makeup and a messy bun hair so I know she didn't go to work but brought him at 7:30?? LOL I was glad to be done by 4!

[Blackcat31]

I wouldn't bother with contracted hours. I don't care if I have one kid or eight kids, I'm still working and my time is not my own if ANY of them are still here. I would rather make the "boucoup bucks" since I'm working the 10-hour days no matter what. Even if 1 or 2 of the hours is lighter by a few kids, I'm still tied down.

If I tried to implement a "no work, no daycare" policy, I know my dcp's would just lie about their schedule. I would never ask for a work schedule signed by their supervisor. I'd likely get ripped a new one!:: No way am I interested in micromanaging grown adults, anyway.

My DCP know how I personally feel about over-use of services if they are not working but I do not require proof, nor do I ask them where they are as I don't really care.

However, using contracted hours is not micromanaging.

Contracted hours allows parents to pay for only the time used.

Contracted hours allow me to know EXACTLY when I need to be at work and when I will be done. Which allows me to NOT have to always work 10 hour days yet NOT lose out on pay.

Contracted hours allows me (as well as parents) to budget finances as well as my time in a better manner so that I am NOT tied down for only one or two kids with NO idea what time (other than before closing) that they will be picked up.

Like you said, if parents choose to miss out or undervalue their children, then that's on them not me.

I also agree that the less you stress about what parents do or don't do, the less stressful this job is but I don't write off contracted hours as "micro-managing".

I consider it a system that is individualized for ALL (families and providers)and the rates are conducive to actual time used. For families that don't use ALL day, EVERY day, they appreciate the payment options.

[Annalee]

Contracted hours allows parents to pay for only the time used.

Contracted hours allow me to know EXACTLY when I need to be at work and when I will be done. Which allows me to NOT have to always work 10 hour days yet NOT lose out on pay.

Contracted hours allows me (as well as parents) to budget finances as well as my time in a better manner so that I am NOT tied down for only one or two kids with NO idea what time (other than before closing) that they will be picked up.

[Cradle2crayons]

My DCP know how I personally feel about over-use of services if they are not working but I do not require proof, nor do I ask them where they are as I don't really care.

However, using contracted hours is not micromanaging.

Contracted hours allows parents to pay for only the time used.

Contracted hours allow me to know EXACTLY when I need to be at work and when I will be done. Which allows me to NOT have to always work 10 hour days yet NOT lose out on pay.

Contracted hours allows me (as well as parents) to budget finances as well as my time in a better manner so that I am NOT tied down for only one or two kids with NO idea what time (other than before closing) that they will be picked up.

Like you said, if parents choose to miss out or undervalue their children, then that's on them not me.

I also agree that the less you stress about what parents do or don't do, the less stressful this job is but I don't write off contracted hours as "micro-managing".

I consider it a system that is individualized for ALL (families and providers)and the rates are conducive to actual time used. For families that don't use ALL day, EVERY day, they appreciate the payment options.

the main reason I do contracted is because my hours change every single day and week. For instance. Today, I will get 3 sibling set at 4:00 pm (mom has to be at work at 5:00pm). It's Friday so that means the restaurant closes at midnight but if it isn't busy, mom may or may not get off at 10:00 pm. Which puts her here around 11:00 without traffic. But I had issues with her saying she didn't leave until 12:00 midnight, putting her here at 1:00 am instead of 11:00 pm. That's two hours. That's why I require her clock out slip.

Tomorrow, she has to be at work at noon, dropping off at 11:00 am. Sunday she has to be at work at 5:00 pm with a 4:00 drop off. And two sibling set will be here at 3:30 for a shift start of 4:30 pm. She doesn't leave work until closing and then her side work is done. I don't require a clock out receipt from her because she rushes here to get her kids and never lies to me.

My point is, my hours change almost every day and every week, depending on their schedules. Some days I get two sibling set here at. 9:30 am if mom is working a double. She also picks up extra shifts and asks 24 hours in advance.

An open and closing time will NOT work with these families. It's impossible. If I had open and close times it would have to be 9:00 am until 2:00 am he next day to accomodate he hours needed.

[AngiesCareXYZ]

This is such a long post... I doubt my post will be read... I stopped reading about half way down. So I hope that what I said has not been typed out a bunch already...
When I was a little girl, my mom could not afford childcare. So I stayed home with my big brother. "He was not a very nice brother". Many times I remember not having electricity or running water. I would not see my mom accept when I would peek in on her passed out on the bed just before I would leave for school. I remembered one daycare lady that took care of my siblings and I for a while. If it weren't for her, we would not have eaten breakfast or dinner. (we ate lunch at school).
Today, and for the past 2 years, I have had a dck that has parents that are absorbed in their own lives. They just don't have a lot of emotional room for their child. So when dck comes to my home, I treat that child as my own. She is loved and disciplined and tickled and chased with mama fingers till she screams with delight.
I know that her parents love her. They are just wrapped up in their own lives right now.
YES!!! I get so frustrated sometimes. I get angry because this lil girl wants nothing more than to be with mommy and daddy. My husband has told me to term the family many times. But that little girl inside me says wait! Where will dcg go and will she get the same love that you have given to her for the past 2 years? I feel that I would be abandoning her if I termed them.
***The parents are not like my mom. DCG comes clean and fed. She is not neglected at home. Her parents just don't have the emotional ...(strength?) to love their daughter 100% of the time.

Just something to chew on I guess.