New Here and need advice :)

[DCgiggles]

Hello everyone, I'm new here so I hope I am posting this in the right place!
Here's my question. How does everyone handle parents who bring their children when they are not working???

For me personally, this is something I feel strongly about and have it addressed in my contract. The parents sign off on it and everything, but of course that doesn't mean they actually follow the rule! In my opinion bringing your child to daycare when you are not working, compromises the care we provide. Obviously once in a while I don't mind, and especially for the tried and true families who have been here a long time. The families who drop their kids off to play golf, have lunch with friends, go to the gym, and run errands, really get under my skin.

I have a new-er family and almost every other day since they have started, mom TELLS me, "oh I'm off at noon today, so I might pick up early!" Then of course she never does. Yesterday (A Friday!) she told me she was off at noon and was the LAST parent to pick up right at my closing time. I felt taken advantage of. Yes, she pays me. Blah blah blah. They are a very sweet family and the kids are great, but this is getting excessive.

Looking for advice, tips, help, suggestions, ideas, similar situations? I guess just help for how you guys have handled this? Or am I the only one that this bothers??? Thanks for any input, I'm looking forward to being a part of this site!! happyface

[Blackcat31]

Welcome to the forum!

As a veteran provider, all I can advise in this situation is to remember you are a provider who offers a service. Parents buy this service.

You can't dictate how they use this service. (other than hours/days)

It would be similar to Target allowing you to buy a pair of pants and then telling you where and when you can and can't wear them.

If it bothers you, you can share your beliefs with clients but you will lose a lot of them if they don't agree and you will limit the clients you do get or have clients who lie to you if you try to make it a rule or policy.

So my advice....vent and complain about it to fellow providers but find a way to let it roll off your back because you aren't going to change the way parents parent THIER children.

[Heidi]

I agree with BC, although it has frustrated me a time or two as well.

One thing many of us do here is contracted hours. Say you are available 7-5, but your families don't all need you those hours. My limit is 9.5 hours per day, for instance. The weekly tuition rate covers that only. Some providers here even do a tiered tuition based on what time the child is done. 3:30 is one rate, 4:30 another, etc.

This way, I don't have people coming at the last minute just because I'm open. It's also an opportunity to stress to prospective families that being with their children as much as possible offers the best outcomes for their children.

With the mom that says "maybe", tell her she needs to let you know either way, because it's not fair to get her kiddo all excited that mom's coming early and then not showing. Maybe a compromise "Hey, I know you want some time alone, who can blame you, but can we make a deal and just have you come right after nap and snack at 3:30?

You can also say something like "great! I'm so glad I'll be done at 3:30 then today (when the other's leave). Maybe she doesn't KNOW she's keeping you and extra 1 1/2 hours just for her children. Maybe she won't care, but at least then she knows.

But, in the long run, unless you charge hourly, you can't really dictate where they are while their kids are with you.

[NightOwl]

This is a big can of worms for some. Have you searched the forum for this topic? There are other threads addressing this issue. Here's one, but there are lots of them.

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?p=398215#post398215

I agree with op that it really gets under my skin also, especially for the ones who do it weekly and then say how much they miss their child. I don't have any advice to offer, but just know that I feel your agitation on this subject and totally sympathize.

[DCgiggles]

Thanks

Thanks for your replies. I love all of those ideas. I guess I've always shied away from contracted hours, because it seems confusing at first glance. Too much to keep track of. :/

My main frustration is that this IS a portion of my contract. I discuss this with parents, the how and the why of this policy, so they are aware of it. And of course during the interview, the parents are totally on board, and agree with it. So when they blatantly break the rule. That's my frustration. I run a tight ship some would say And yes DCK was SO excited and then SO sad when he had to wait and wait.

The tiered rates interests me. Does any one have any more advice or info on that? That seems it would encourage parents to pick up "on time" instead of lingering in the aisles of Target... I digress... Do most people do: 3:30, 4:30 & 5:30??? I would love some more insight on this. It's interesting and helpful to see how others do it!

I have three kids of my own, so my "after hours" time is precious, I guess you just hope it's that way for your clients. Not to mention, for me as a mom, I WANT to be with my kids when I can be, but call me crazy!

[DCgiggles]

Thanks, at least its not just me!!!

[Heidi]

How about just changing your closing time to 4 or 4:30 on Fridays? It may require some parents to change who does pick-up, but can they do it?

I do contracted hours. It's not too hard to keep track of, but I only have 4 families. Doesn't matter, though. I am open 7-5, but my families are

7-3:45 5 days (Changed recently from 7:30-5:15 M-Th and 7:30-12:15 F) $140
7-4:30 5 days $140
7:45-4:30 4 days $115 ( I didn't raise their rate in 2014 since he's often 3 days)
and 8:00-4:30. 4 days $120

New kiddo who starts in November will be 7:15-4:45. $140

[Thriftylady]

I am in the group of they are paying for it, so you can't say much. I do believe in contracted hours. My weekly rate is for up to 50 hours and if you go over that, I feel you should pay more. It does sadden me that some parents never seem to want to spend time with their children, but maybe in that case those children are better off with us. I mean do you really want to hang out with someone who doesn't want to be with you? Not saying it is right but some parents just don't enjoy parenting. I also encourage parents to have a little time off without their kids. I mean we all have to care for our marriage and such, but some go way overboard. I think it is just the nature of the business though. The one way around it for a provider is to charge by the hour, people would pick up their kids right after work most days I bet if you did that. I don't do it that way however it is your business to run as you wish!

[Blackcat31]

Thanks for your replies. I love all of those ideas. I guess I've always shied away from contracted hours, because it seems confusing at first glance. Too much to keep track of. :/

My main frustration is that this IS a portion of my contract. I discuss this with parents, the how and the why of this policy, so they are aware of it. And of course during the interview, the parents are totally on board, and agree with it. So when they blatantly break the rule. That's my frustration. I run a tight ship some would say And yes DCK was SO excited and then SO sad when he had to wait and wait.

The tiered rates interests me. Does any one have any more advice or info on that? That seems it would encourage parents to pick up "on time" instead of lingering in the aisles of Target... I digress... Do most people do: 3:30, 4:30 & 5:30??? I would love some more insight on this. It's interesting and helpful to see how others do it!

I have three kids of my own, so my "after hours" time is precious, I guess you just hope it's that way for your clients. Not to mention, for me as a mom, I WANT to be with my kids when I can be, but call me crazy!

I do contracted hours and a simple rate tier. I will PM them to you this afternoon when I am back home.

[DCgiggles]

That would be awesome, Thank you!!!

[Thriftylady]

I do contracted hours and a simple rate tier. I will PM them to you this afternoon when I am back home.

What is a simple rate tier? Never heard of it.