Do I Need To Watch Him Tomorrow?

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  • Unregistered

    Do I Need To Watch Him Tomorrow?

    Backstory: 3.5 DCB I've been watching for 1.5 years. Originally, family stated care was needed 2-3 days a week, but they require all 5 days open since mom works shifts. Care gradually decreased to 1-2 days a week since they put him in preschool (without telling me, schedule just changed not to include these days). Family also takes a LOT of vacation. I finally got them to pay for two days regardless of attendance.

    On weeks where he is scheduled only one day, they've been adding an extra day, which us fine, they are paying for it. But it's always last minute. One time they just showed up at my door in the morning, and he ran in. I only have 5 kids, so if he's not here, I always have room. She just texted me and asked me to bring him tomorrow.

    Since they paid for it, do I have to say yes? I have always accommodated their many many schedule changes, 100% of the time. They ask for him to stay late so dcd can take his other two to their lessons without him, I say yes. Technically, I have the room. But it means going to the store and buying something additional for lunch since I have just enough. I have no good reason not to, other than I've had a hard week, I've been dealing with some very minor, but annoying health issues, and I just don't want to.

    I should mention thT they just live across the street, so there's thT as well.
  • Blackcat31
    • Oct 2010
    • 36124

    #2
    My daycare families pay according to enrollment NOT attendance.

    They are ALL required to give me a weekly schedule IN ADVANCE for the up coming week.

    ANY requests for care after the schedule has been submitted may or may not be accommodated. (depends on my day/plans etc)

    I think whether you HAVE to watch him or not depends on your contract. Are they coming from a place that you are guaranteeing them 2 days per week or just that they have to pay for 2 days minimum?

    Also, you are the owner of your business. You really don't HAVE to watch anyone you don't want to....

    Comment

    • Unregistered

      #3
      I don't have a contract (I know. They are my only family that doesn't.). They give me their schedule a few months in advance. I've been thinking of emailing them their schedule back to them a week in advance so they can tell me of all the changes that they forgot to mention, but I don't want them to feel like I'm treating them like a child.

      If I do say no, I feel like my only way out is to tel them I'm full (they don't know how many kids I have), but that means we can't go to the park because we go right by their house and they'll see that I'm not full.

      Comment

      • Second Home
        Daycare.com Member
        • Jan 2014
        • 1567

        #4
        I would have them give you a list of days he will be there on the Friday before the next week . That way you can plan and have enough food , planned activities etc.. there is no way I would be happy with never knowing when he was going to show up .

        Comment

        • EntropyControlSpecialist
          Embracing the chaos.
          • Mar 2012
          • 7466

          #5
          "I am sorry, Sue. You didn't let me know he would be coming so i did not purchase enough supplies for an additional child."

          Comment

          • Blackcat31
            • Oct 2010
            • 36124

            #6
            Originally posted by Unregistered
            I don't have a contract (I know. They are my only family that doesn't.). They give me their schedule a few months in advance. I've been thinking of emailing them their schedule back to them a week in advance so they can tell me of all the changes that they forgot to mention, but I don't want them to feel like I'm treating them like a child.

            If I do say no, I feel like my only way out is to tel them I'm full (they don't know how many kids I have), but that means we can't go to the park because we go right by their house and they'll see that I'm not full.
            I'd just be vague then and say something like "I'm sorry but I won't be able to accommodate you on such short notice."

            Don't say WHY. Just that you can't. If they do press for a reason, just continue to say it is too short of notice. If they try and say you've always been accommodating in the past, tell them you know that but this time it just won't work.

            If they see you walking by to the park....whatever...because you didn't say WHY you couldn't accommodate them just that you can't.

            Plus by saying that you can't on "such short notice" might be a good ice breaker for you to let them know that you need to know their plans farther in advance than just the night before.

            Just because you've "always" done something doesn't mean you can't change know what I mean?

            Comment

            • nannyde
              All powerful, all knowing daycare whisperer
              • Mar 2010
              • 7320

              #7
              You have fallen into the trap of giving a drop in service for the price of two days a week of regular pay. They can call within 24 hours to ask if a day is available and they MUST pay regardless of attendance. With each request you can say NO. They can't have the security of having access to all five days and only pay for two. That costs a ton of money and they are getting it for free. When you give a service for free it has ZERO value to the recipient.

              Increase your daily rate to reflect drop in or require them to have scheduled days paid in advance with NO schedule changes without incurring additional fees. The additional fees is they pay for the day they are using in addition to what they are scheduled.

              BTDT and it is SO much conflict. Even with tightening down and REQUIRING a two week schedule in advance I had problems getting them to not ASK for a switch. I won't offer it again because it is not worth the parent conflict.
              http://www.amazon.com/Daycare-Whispe...=doing+daycare

              Comment

              • cheerfuldom
                Advanced Daycare.com Member
                • Dec 2010
                • 7413

                #8
                I would require a firm schedule on the Friday before that week. No last minute changes will be allowed. If they don't use their two days that week, they still pay for it and the days are not credited to the next week. Use it or lose it. Type of a contract today and insist on signature and next weeks schedule by tomorrow otherwise do not continue care.

                Comment

                • Cradle2crayons
                  Daycare.com Member
                  • Apr 2013
                  • 3642

                  #9
                  You really can't blame he parents in this case. you have ALLOWED them to run he show. It's YOUR business. Make the rules and require they follow them. It's not treating them like a child, it's treating them like an adult.

                  You need to provide them in writing,,,,

                  "Due to recent scheduling conflicts, schedules must be submitted and approved one week prior to care being provided. Last minute schedule changes will no longer be allowed. I strive to provide the best possible care to all children and last minute arrivals affect everyone.

                  You are schedule for two days per week. While this is no problem, I need to know which two days the week ahead of time. If a last minute schedule change occurs, I am unable to guarantee availability without ADVANCE notice. In the case I have to refuse care due to last minute schedule changes, no refunds will be given and days will not be made up in following weeks.

                  Thanks for your understanding in this matter

                  Sincerely,
                  Daycare provider"

                  Comment

                  • Annalee
                    Daycare.com Member
                    • Jul 2012
                    • 5864

                    #10
                    Originally posted by Unregistered
                    Backstory: 3.5 DCB I've been watching for 1.5 years. Originally, family stated care was needed 2-3 days a week, but they require all 5 days open since mom works shifts. Care gradually decreased to 1-2 days a week since they put him in preschool (without telling me, schedule just changed not to include these days). Family also takes a LOT of vacation. I finally got them to pay for two days regardless of attendance.

                    On weeks where he is scheduled only one day, they've been adding an extra day, which us fine, they are paying for it. But it's always last minute. One time they just showed up at my door in the morning, and he ran in. I only have 5 kids, so if he's not here, I always have room. She just texted me and asked me to bring him tomorrow.

                    Since they paid for it, do I have to say yes? I have always accommodated their many many schedule changes, 100% of the time. They ask for him to stay late so dcd can take his other two to their lessons without him, I say yes. Technically, I have the room. But it means going to the store and buying something additional for lunch since I have just enough. I have no good reason not to, other than I've had a hard week, I've been dealing with some very minor, but annoying health issues, and I just don't want to.

                    I should mention thT they just live across the street, so there's thT as well.
                    I think parents are like kids sometimes needing boundaries. I have a parent whom comes 3 days a week.....I do charge one flat rate and explained in the interview (4 years ago) that IF she needed to use the other 2 days of the week I expected a courtesy call well in advance. After 4 years and 2 kids, she still will text me at 11 PM the night before to say "i need to bring my kids tommorrow".....to which I FINALLY learned to reply "NO". I had let it slide a couple times in the beginning, but then I realized that is not fair. I make my own plans based on ratio/provider each day and I should NOT have to revamp my schedule because parents aren't courteous/respectful. Sure, this parent has been angry and we all know kids can be hard to come by, but for my own sanity, I STOOD UP FOR MYSELF! When I found out how manipulative this parent was to her own mom (she would take them to her on Fri and call to say she would again pick them up on Sun evening taking advantage of her) I realized she is a high-maintenance mom that wants it HER way! I guess, in a sense, some parents are worse than kids when it comes to needing boundaries! ::

                    Comment

                    • TwinKristi
                      Family Childcare Provider
                      • Aug 2013
                      • 2390

                      #11
                      Yeah you really just need to take back control. Maybe type up a contract and explain it's for everyone's benefit. Their two days a week need to be pre-determined and scheduled in advance. You have no problem with them utilizing the 2 days but you need to be able to plan for that. Craft supplies, food, activities, etc.
                      I had a family who's schedule was always changing! Grandma watched him if she was home but occasionally would bring him here on her 2 days and pay me directly because she had to work or get something done. Well they would text me at like 7:30 and I had no problem taking him, but then they wouldn't show up! So I'm out the money (since these extra days were considered drop in care) and I've scheduled, planned, etc for him to be here. Some days he was going to be the only one here during the morning so I could have done something else if he wasn't coming. It started pissing me off so I finally told mom she needs to commit to 5 days or I can't accommodate their drop-ins without advanced notice and actually showing UP! I offered them a discount to pay all at once for the 5 days a week (every 2wks she pays, I was getting 2 checks a week from her mom plus twice a month from her so dealing with 10 checks!! Ugh!) and it has really improved! Their schedule is still wonky but at least I know he's coming and if he isn't I'm still being paid for the spot.

                      Comment

                      • Crazy8
                        Daycare.com Member
                        • Jun 2011
                        • 2769

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Cradle2crayons
                        You really can't blame he parents in this case. you have ALLOWED them to run he show. It's YOUR business. Make the rules and require they follow them. It's not treating them like a child, it's treating them like an adult.

                        You need to provide them in writing,,,,

                        "Due to recent scheduling conflicts, schedules must be submitted and approved one week prior to care being provided. Last minute schedule changes will no longer be allowed. I strive to provide the best possible care to all children and last minute arrivals affect everyone.

                        You are schedule for two days per week. While this is no problem, I need to know which two days the week ahead of time. If a last minute schedule change occurs, I am unable to guarantee availability without ADVANCE notice. In the case I have to refuse care due to last minute schedule changes, no refunds will be given and days will not be made up in following weeks.

                        Thanks for your understanding in this matter

                        Sincerely,
                        Daycare provider"
                        I agree, for tomorrow I would say yes, you should take him. You've allowed them to just show up before and they have paid for 2 days this week and tomorrow will be their 2nd day (and last day of the week). You have given no indication that this behavior is not ok.

                        BUT let tomorrow be the last day you do this and tomorrow you need to have something written up based on how YOU want this to work in the future.

                        Comment

                        • misslori50
                          Daycare.com Member
                          • Aug 2013
                          • 215

                          #13
                          Originally posted by Unregistered
                          Backstory: 3.5 DCB I've been watching for 1.5 years. Originally, family stated care was needed 2-3 days a week, but they require all 5 days open since mom works shifts. Care gradually decreased to 1-2 days a week since they put him in preschool (without telling me, schedule just changed not to include these days). Family also takes a LOT of vacation. I finally got them to pay for two days regardless of attendance.

                          On weeks where he is scheduled only one day, they've been adding an extra day, which us fine, they are paying for it. But it's always last minute. One time they just showed up at my door in the morning, and he ran in. I only have 5 kids, so if he's not here, I always have room. She just texted me and asked me to bring him tomorrow.

                          Since they paid for it, do I have to say yes? I have always accommodated their many many schedule changes, 100% of the time. They ask for him to stay late so dcd can take his other two to their lessons without him, I say yes. Technically, I have the room. But it means going to the store and buying something additional for lunch since I have just enough. I have no good reason not to, other than I've had a hard week, I've been dealing with some very minor, but annoying health issues, and I just don't want to.

                          I should mention thT they just live across the street, so there's thT as well.
                          you have to tell them this is the last time. they need to tell you a week in advance unless they are willing to pay for the whole week.

                          Comment

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