Talk Me Out of Opening Earlier

[BumbleBee]

A month ago a family left (it was a good thing they did) which resulted in an income drop (down approx 1/3 of my income.) I put the word out to my current families that I have a full time opening and a part time opening. Called my wait list-they've all found other care arrangements that they are happy with.

My current hours are 7am to 6pm. I really like those hours. Not to early, not to late. The 1 call I have received was for a full time child but drop off would be 5:30am (pick up at 2:30pm). I really don't want to open that early-but then I think of my income right now and panic a little.

Talk me out of it....tell me all the reasons I shouldn't do it.

[gracepatiencelove]

Would they just go back to sleep?

[craftymissbeth]

I charge $5 per hour per child to open before 7 am. The dcg I termed recently came at 6:15 M-F so that was an extra $25 for me happyface

If you were able to get an extra $50 a week out of this would it make it easier?

Honestly, the ONLY thing that will get me to open up earlier than 7 is $$$. I simply put a price on what I felt my sleep was worth

But if you want talked out of it..

DON'T DO IT... RUN RUN RUN



ETA: And yes, any child that comes before 7 is required to go back to sleep until 7.

[Crazy8]

I did it for a while and it was exhausting!!! I wouldn't ever do it again. I would hold out for a family with better hours or is there any chance of closing at 5pm??

[drseuss]

I totally understand the temptation because of the income. You want to be talked out of it though, so...

Those hours would be much too long a day. It wouldn't be healthy. Bedtime would be even earlier every night. You'd be pissed off every morning at 4:30 when the alarm went off. Not worth it. To me.

[daycare]

no way..............no one could get me to do that .....that is my gym time and I would not give that up for anything.........

[daycare]

I totally understand the temptation because of the income. You want to be talked out of it though, so...

Those hours would be much too long a day. It wouldn't be healthy. Bedtime would be even earlier every night. You'd be pissed off every morning at 4:30 when the alarm went off. Not worth it. To me.

this.......................you will regret it.....

trust me when I tell you this....especially when you are hating monday morning because you had to go to bed at 815 so you could be up to open before the crack of dawn.

RULE #1 never change your rules, policies, business for one family....

especially before the rooster crows...............

[TaylorTots]

No! RUN! Don't do it!

..........

unless you want to hear a logical reason to try it out since you want the income.... how about try it out for your trial period and if doesn't work you can just relay that to the parent and term.

[daycare]

if you really need money I get it...............but you would need to be very very firm with this family that this will be the only exception of bending of your rules/policies.

I did this once and as then I was being asked to pick up later, can they come sick, can I pay you next week instead.....etc etc.

I did put my foot down and finally grew a backbone to say NO, sorry, I allowed you guys only to stay later to keep your business, it was not an open invite to start asking to change all of my rules. they termed a day later.........

I guess I needed to have a filter back then.....

[TaylorTots]

if you really need money I get it...............but you would need to be very very firm with this family that this will be the only exception of bending of your rules/policies.

I did this once and as then I was being asked to pick up later, can they come sick, can I pay you next week instead.....etc etc.

I did put my foot down and finally grew a backbone to say NO, sorry, I allowed you guys only to stay later to keep your business, it was not an open invite to start asking to change all of my rules. they termed a day later.........

I guess I needed to have a filter back then.....

VERY good points

[rosieteddy]

Don't do it.Ihave a child that I let come earlier -only a half hour but still.I resent it now ,on those three days I have to get up and be ready earlier .Though thats not a big deal ,we can get a lot done in a half hour.Every time I panic and think I won't get anyone it always bites me you know where.The other thing I would not want a pick-up in the middle of nap .No way no how it just would not be worth it .Resist someone else will come ,you are working long enough.

[TwinKristi]

I guess it would depend on how much extra we're talking about here. If you made it worth your while then it could be beneficial. Some people are morning people and some aren't. I personally could NOT get up at 5:15 every day, even just to answer the door. And in my state you're not supposed to sleep when kids are in your care so if you're open at 5:30 you're up at 5-5:15 or whatever (I just get dressed, pull up my hair and spray on some smelly good on at 6:45 and lay on my couch until parents arrive between 7-7:20am.

[Cccdcia]

Hey there, I did the same thing as you my income dropped and I felt so desperate and everyone that would call would be for 5 am drop off so I did it I said yes, almost 2 years later and boy do I regret it!!! 65 hours a week is so hard! I close at 6 pm,I'm currently working on closing earlier on fridays

[Leanna]

I would only do it if I could shave an equal (or near equal) amount of time off the end of the day. Do you have people right up until 6pm?

[Mister Sir Husband]

Cause a 12 1/2 hour day would really ****. :-) (you did say to talk you out of it)