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Hi everyone. I'm new here. I've been doing child care in my home for about ten years. I have a question about how to word something in my handbook. I would like to find a way to tell parents that I am a provider only for when they are at work. I do not want to be the "sitter" for when they "run errands" on days off, etc. I know a lot of people feel that if the parents are paying me they can do what they'd like with their time. In my case I disagree because I do not take a lot of time off so I feel that when they can be with their own kids they should be so that I can get a break. Is this called "contracted hours"? How would you explain it/change it in your parent policies/handbook? :confused:
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Welcome to the forum!
I use contract hours and write it out in my handbook like this:
"I do not have standard operating hours. I work on contracted hours and provide care on week days only. Available hours are dependent on each individual family's needs.
Care will only be available for your family during your contracted times.
Care hours will not be before 7:00 AM nor after 5:00 PM without prior approval. Additional fees will apply." -
Thank you, Black Cat. Here's the real issue. I have one dcm who will go home and nap, lounge around, etc after getting out of work early and then show up either right on time or even a bit late. I know it probably shouldn't but it totally irks me that she does, especially since I NEVER call out sick and the last time she did this I was sick and she knew it. Is there a way to tell people that you only work while they are working? The way I see it is once you have your kid and are home with them THEN you relax, not leave them with the child care provider and get them later.Comment
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Have them pay by contracted hours only.
If a parent uses 5 days a week 9-3, they pay one rate. If they choose to contract with you for 5 days a week 9-5, they pay MORE than the other family.
Have the family that goes home and naps commit to ONE scheduled pick up time and pay for that time. If she picks up early, great, but no discount.
If she picks up later than her contracted time, charge her $1 per hour.
Just because I am willing to watch kids until 5 doesn't mean ALL families can just leave their kids til 5 and run errands or take a nap.
EACH family has to schedule ONE time frame and that time frame is the ONLY time they can use care.
Does that make sense?
What type of schedule does she work? Is it the same each week or does it vary week to week or even day to day?Comment
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you are right though, if she gets out of work early and goes home, it DOES seem wrong that she doesn't pick up her child but honestly, if she is that kind of mom, there isn't much you will be able to do to change her outlook on parenting.
I don't much like it either but I can't change it. I can tell parents that I only provide care when they are working but that doesn't guarantee they will be honest about it or that they will abide by my preference....kwim?
I guess the way I deal with it is to just cash the checks and not let other people's actions bother me to the point that I can't do my job.
If ALL parents valued the time with their children that most providers do, there would be very little need for child care so I guess we really can't have it both ways.
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Yes, that does make sense. I know her schedule is consistent. She works the same hours three weeks a month then an earlier clock in/out time one week per month. She works in a bank. It took me a little while (duh!) to figure out that she isn't always going to work when she drops off because working in a bank she has lots of federal holidays off. That bothers me because I feel like she was dishonest and I think I should know where she is during the day if in case of emergency I was unable to get a hold of her on cell phone.Comment
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I think this is a tough one to institute and follow. I totally get the frustration, but I'm afraid you will end up having parents lie to you and try to get a day off here and there alone and that will be even more troublesome. I personally don't mind if parents are doing something else aside from working. I've never had a problem getting ahold of parents if they needed to be contacted so it's never come up. Most stay in contact through the day via text anyway. I know tomorrow one dad is off but he's paid for the day anyway so he has a few things to get done and plans on bringing DCG for a little bit. He will bring her a little later than usual but has a 40 min drive each way! That seems like a lot to make sure you're using your $45! I mean, the gas alone there and back twice has to be quite a bit. 80 miles, even at 20mpg that's 4 gallons and almost $4/gal here! I guess maybe he figures he's being paid for the day and would usually drive that once anyway? I don't know... We'll see. He had Fri off the week before and said he'd bring her and didn't.
Anyway, I know it's their issue if they choose to lie, but as long as I can get ahold of you and you're ON TIME I really don't care. Being late would deserve a fee though, regardless of working or not. That should be addressed outside of the working or not.
Some people on here are actually providers for stay at home mom's! Like multiple moms who stay home so they would lose their clientele if they didn't allow them to come when not working. I've done care on weekends for moms who went on a wine tour, I even drove the kids home! I've kept kids overnight (for an extra fee) and such.Comment
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I LOVE BlackCat's contracted hours, but I don't think it would work for me. My DCFs would rather pay the bloated weekly rate for a late-as-possible pick-up. If it was too bloated, they would just find a cheaper daycare.
I won't do the above and beyond like TwinKristi. My time with my DH and 3 DSs is more important than "helping out" any of my DCFs. If it works for someone else, great, but it's where I draw the line for my sake as well as my own family's.
Even though they are paying for the spot for the week, it doesn't mean I understand or respect leaving their kids at daycare from open to close, Monday through Friday. It goes against the very reason I chose this career, just to be able to stay home with my kids, and because I enjoy taking care of mine and theirs.
My advice, do BlackCat's contracted hours if you don't think it will hurt your business or cause you to lose clients. Otherwise, just let it go. Giving myself an "attitude adjustment" saved me awhile ago. I just accepted that parents today are much lazier and far more into themselves than they were a decade ago. But I still love my job and the kids, so I want to keep on keepin' on!Comment
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Now, If only I could take this advice and apply it to how I feel about my FCCERS-R assessment/QRIS/Assessor Wednesday. 
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::confused:
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