Really? Am I That Terrible?

[Kabob]

So new dcm again...asked me the night before to change drop off time to 2.5 hours earlier than normal since I'm "open" during that time and she isn't using a full 9 hour day. I agreed but reminded her that I need a week's notice otherwise I may not approve the request as I operate on contracted hours.

Fast forward to now and I get an email from her saying she wants to start 1.5 hours earlier (during breakfast) and says she didn't think it would be a big deal since she noticed that I have other kids that start earlier. Really? I'm not being mean just following my policy. It's there because when I didn't have contracted hours it was chaos and I was forever trying to accommodate random drop offs and pick ups. I realize she's not using all 9 hours but that's not my fault. She likes sleeping in.

I responded with a brief email saying that I can accept the last minute change but it can't be during breakfast and also I need specific times scheduled in advance in order to plan the day. She hasn't responded. I feel like I somehow should have worded that better...

[daycarediva]

To plan meals for a group of children, it helps to know WHO WILL BE THERE IN ADVANCE. DUH! If she wants to change her contracted times permanently, I would let her.

[Unregistered]

Fast forward to now and I get an email from her saying she wants to start 1.5 hours earlier (during breakfast) and says she didn't think it would be a big deal since she noticed that I have other kids that start earlier. Really?

I will never understand that concept.
What does otherpeople's schedules have to do with hers?

It's not a big deal be ause you are already busy with other kids?!?!

She just showed you that she has NO idea what it means to provide group care. :eyeroll:

[My3cents]

I will never understand that concept.
What does otherpeople's schedules have to do with hers?

It's not a big deal be ause you are already busy with other kids?!?!

She just showed you that she has NO idea what it means to provide group care. :eyeroll:

why would she. She is not directly doing daycare all day as a provider is. Parents don't know this-

If you do contracted hours you should decide if you want to take the child earlier or not. If not just tell her sorry I can not accommodate that.

She is not thinking of others schedules but of only her needs and what she wants- We provide a service, so we are viewed that way- You can go over your policies until your blue in the face, but after comfortable sets in they will be challenged-

[Hunni Bee]

What I will never understand is how people can take it upon themselves to decide what is and what's not a big deal for other people.

Your contracted times may be staggered in such a way as to uphold ratios (in the case of SAs leaving for school etc). If she just randomly started dropping her kids off earlier, she could throw you out of ratio, which is a big deal but not something she would be able to pick up on.

Just follow the @#$% policy already, dcm!

[Play Care]

What I will never understand is how people can take it upon themselves to decide what is and what's not a big deal for other people.

Your contracted times may be staggered in such a way as to uphold ratios (in the case of SAs leaving for school etc). If she just randomly started dropping her kids off earlier, she could throw you out of ratio, which is a big deal but not something she would be able to pick up on.

Just follow the @#$% policy already, dcm!

[Mom of 4]

I would find out if the ONLY reason she wants to d/o her child is BECAUSE you have other kids and for no other real reason first.

If that's her only reason, I might not be as inclined to bend over backward, because then she'll expect other things to be done down the line.

If she is going to work or start going to school or has appointments or other important reason, then sure.

Contracted hours are just that: contracted hours and her reasoning being that you have other kids earlier, it's not good enough to change your rules for, and I'd tell her that especially if she's trying to change it up where it'll disrupt your day (like during breakfast) with the OTHER kids (she's not the only DCM). It sounds like she's trying to milk 9 hours even though she really doesn't need to. Most FT daycares consider 5+ hours is a FULL day of child care so she IS getting what she's paying for. I just find it VERY sad and messed up she values the almighty dollar more than that extra 1.5 hrs with her kid.

[Mister Sir Husband]

For all she knows, you'd contracted hours may be in place because you won't be home. In my case for example, I have the option of taking kids early and transporting them to school. So if your contract says you drop off at 845 am, and you show up a half hour early "cause I already have kids anyways".. well I may not actually be here.

[spud912]

I think if you just say no a few times in a row she might stop asking . Another option is to have her change her contracted times and put it in policy that if child doesn't get dropped off within 30 minutes of the contracted time (without notice) then you will consider it a no call, no show. Three no shows and you will put them on probation or terminate.

[Kabob]

Well she said it was due to work. Since the kids behave way better when they come earlier, and I'll get done sooner, I accepted. I just didn't appreciate the rude comment and told her so yesterday.

I told her if she needs to do this more often then she needs to change her hours.

Hoping I didn't make a mistake but really the day is going so much better. Routine seems to be a kid's best friend.

[DaisyMamma]

Sounds to me like she is trying to take advantage. She knows your open and wants that time for herself without paying more.
I would tell her yes but she needs to make it either 1 hour earlier, after breakfast or 2 hours earlier, before breakfast and then let her know what her extra fee will be for each choice.

[Kabob]

Sounds to me like she is trying to take advantage. She knows your open and wants that time for herself without paying more.
I would tell her yes but she needs to make it either 1 hour earlier, after breakfast or 2 hours earlier, before breakfast and then let her know what her extra fee will be for each choice.

That's what I did. She came exactly on time before breakfast. Her time slot is not guaranteed unless she schedules in advance....I'm not always available if the schedule changes the night before due to appointments, etc that I make under the assumption that there won't be certain daycare kids here...