Am I Open Too Long? What Are Your Hours?

[NightOwl]

My hours are 6am to 6pm. Parents can pick up and drop off within that time frame except between 11am and 2:30pm when the kids are eating/napping. If children are present more than 50 hours per week, their rate increases by $25, from $125 to $150.

But I've been reading lots of other posts on the forum where most of you have contracted hours, or much shorter operating hours like 7 to 5pm. How does it work with contracted hours? What if the parent has a dr appt they planned to go to after work? What do you charge for contracted hours, late fees, et? And if you suggest that I switch to contracted hours, what would be your advice on how to explain it to the dcfs?

Because i'm thinking, right now, they've got a pretty sweet deal going on and i may be getting duped. ::

[Blackcat31]

I am willing to provide care between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Parents are required to contract for the care hours they need within that time frame.

Anyone choosing to use ALL of the hours I am open pays a hefty penny for that option so most don't go that route.


I require parents to schedule the Friday prior to the up coming week. The parents choose the LATEST pick up time they need for the upcoming week and that is the rate they are billed. If a parent needs to run an errand after work then, they need to account for that when scheduling.

When I moved to contracted hours, I presented it to my parents as a benefit to them as THEY themselves could have more control over their child care costs since the number one complaint about child care is the price.

I basically give them the option of having shorter days (with smaller billings) or longer days for more money.

IMPO, it's all in how you present it to parents. You have to make them think they are getting a great deal and that they are the ones in control. That way, they can't negotiate costs with me as it truly IS up to them.

[melilley]

I was open 6-6. I never had anyone come that early, with the exception of a couple of times, but it was preapproved.
But after I thought it over I decided to that I didn't want to get up that early so I am now open 7-6.

I do have contracted hours and parents can't have more than 10 hours. I do allow drop off and pickups whenever, but I don't do any transporting so I am always here and if someone were to pick up during nap, the parents let me know so I can keep that child out of the nap room.

As for parents going to dr. appts, or anything after work, I don't mind as long as they are here by their p/u time.
My late fee is $1 per minute after their contracted time. I have pretty good parents and only one family has been late.

[melilley]

When I moved to contracted hours, I presented it to my parents as a benefit to them as THEY themselves could have more control over their child care costs since the number one complaint about child care is the price.

I basically give them the option of having shorter days (with smaller billings) or longer days for more money.

IMPO, it's all in how you present it to parents. You have to make them think they are getting a great deal and that they are the ones in control. That way, they can't negotiate costs with me as it truly IS up to them.

lovethis. Smart idea!

[josie2014]

I was working 8 to 6.Somedays 8 to 8.Now I was supposed to work 8 to 6,but one dcm asked if could bring her daughter 7:30 I said ok...I shouldn't said that.Somedays she's knocked in my door 7:10.
I think best hours would be 7 to 5.You won't get overtired,especially in winter when gets dark early...I now definitely won't watch kids pass 5:30,just if the parent ask me too.

[llpa]

I have contracted hrs. My overall hrs are 7am to 6 pm. Parents can contract for up to 9 1/2 hrs within that time frame. They still pay a weekly fee and they pay 52 weeks a yr whether they are there or not. So for ex one dcf comes from 7-330 and another comes from 830-5. They just both happen to use 8 1/2 hr days. I like BlackCat's way of charging by pickup time. I thought there was another thread re this today?

[katzan]

I have a lot of single moms and parents that work in nursing and retail hours. I'm open "7am to 7:30pm". I only have one kid that is ever here until 7:30 and it's only once or twice a week, However, they aren't here from the full 7am to 7:30pm. I'm pretty lenient. I also babysit on Saturdays all day long - a 5mo old for a single mom in the mornings and in the evenings a 7yr old girl for a single mom. I'm not too strict yet, but will be when we are no longer renting.

[BrooklynM]

My hours are from 6:15am-5:30pm, but most pick up before 5pm, except Tues/Thurs then I have one that stays until 5:45 that I made an exception for. My rate is a flat $55 a day.

[jenboo]

My hours are 7-530. They can drop off-pick up any time within those hours but the kids cannot be here for more than 10 hours a day. The rate is the same regardless how many hours you use.

[Annalee]

6:00 to 4:30 for me but parents may not stay over 9 1/2 hrs a day.

[TwinKristi]

I'm also 7-5:30 but currently most kids are gone by 5. I have one starting next week who will be here til just after 5:30 because her mom gets off at 5:30 but she's very close to my house so it shouldn't be more than 5-10 mins.

In June I have one mom who's wanting to change her hours. Her mom currently picks up her son on W-Th-Fr because she doesn't get off til 8 and works an hour away. But she's moving out so she wants me to do 9am to 9pm on those days now and will pay extra so she can keep her mom out of the pickup equation. I'm not sure... he's been at my daycare the longest but do I REALLY want to give that time up with my kids 3 days a week?? :confused:

[Tdhmom]

My hours right now are 7:30-4:50 but as soon as school is out that early and late family are gone happyface so I get to go back to 8-4 and I can't flipping wait!!!!!

[preschoolteacher]

I'm open 7-5:30, but my preferred schedule would be 7:30-5.

If a parent has an appointment after work, it's not my concern. They can take it during the day or find other care. Don't want to sound heartless , but it's just how it is!

[TaylorTots]

I am 7-5 and they can drop off/pickup anytime within their contracted hours that are within that time frame. Although I do contracted hours, I will likely be switching to flat rate this fall when I switch over to teacher only families/school schedule. Taking only teacher families means I will keep most of my current DCFs and though I will remain 7-5 I will have kids 7:15-4:15 most days which is much more desirable.

I do 45-50 hours a week and then the normal cleaning and paperwork and shopping/planning.. I could never do 60 hours of work and all the other things too.

[drseuss]

I am licensed to operate 6-6, but my advertised hours are 6:45-4:30. I have BTDT with the long days, twelve hours, and I cannot and will not do it any longer. Unless I absolutely had to, I would not go past 4:30 again. I've got some physical limitations and plus I have two busy/active teenagers who need a mom. It was different when they were little, because everything I did within the daycare I was doing for them, too. Now, it's two totally separate sets of needs to meet. My current 9 1/2 hour days are pleeeenty long. It's like 5 pm here and I'm ready for bed! Literally, I could go to bed right now and be happy. haha