If you offer part time, how do you handle this scenario?

[Hartingirl]

Thanks so much, everyone! This was very insightful.

[e.j.]

the dcf's think I'm amazing for allowing them the benefit of switching days for free. More free advertising for me when they talk me up to their friends .

This is exactly why I do it, too. Most parents appreciate it if you can be flexible for them and most don't abuse it. If I feel they are starting to abuse my willingness to help them out, I just tell them I don't have an opening the next time a holiday comes up.

Before I opened my day care business, I worked in customer service. We used to hear this or some version of this all the time: Americans tell an average of 9 people about good experiences, and tell 16 (nearly two times more) people about poor experiences. The way I look at it, when parents are happy with their child care provider, they do tend to spread the word to their friends and acquaintances. When they're unhappy with their provider, they tend to work even harder to spread the word! Just my take on it.

[midaycare]

This is exactly why I do it, too. Most parents appreciate it if you can be flexible for them and most don't abuse it. If I feel they are starting to abuse my willingness to help them out, I just tell them I don't have an opening the next time a holiday comes up.

Before I opened my day care business, I worked in customer service. We used to hear this or some version of this all the time: Americans tell an average of 9 people about good experiences, and tell 16 (nearly two times more) people about poor experiences. The way I look at it, when parents are happy with their child care provider, they do tend to spread the word to their friends and acquaintances. When they're unhappy with their provider, they tend to work even harder to spread the word! Just my take on it.

You are exactly right. I have a great example of this. Dcf #1 started at dc 2 months ago. Thurs & Fri. She loved my policies and willingness to work with her so she told dcf #2 about me, who is now here also 2 days per week. Dcf #2 just told dcf #3 about me and I soon will fill up my last 2 available part time slots with that family - and they are all great families.

Sure, they are only part time slots, but one is moving to full time in January, so I really getting almost 2 full time slots from one dcf.

[Blackcat31]

This is exactly why I do it, too. Most parents appreciate it if you can be flexible for them and most don't abuse it. If I feel they are starting to abuse my willingness to help them out, I just tell them I don't have an opening the next time a holiday comes up.

Before I opened my day care business, I worked in customer service. We used to hear this or some version of this all the time: Americans tell an average of 9 people about good experiences, and tell 16 (nearly two times more) people about poor experiences. The way I look at it, when parents are happy with their child care provider, they do tend to spread the word to their friends and acquaintances. When they're unhappy with their provider, they tend to work even harder to spread the word! Just my take on it.

I get what you are saying but it also kind of comes across as if you are saying that those providers who don't allow switching have families that are unhappy.

It may be that YOUR families or families in your area are happy that you allow such flexibility but not all providers are in the position to allow that kind of schedule swapping...kwim?

I am assuming that since you are in the position to allow swapping of days that you have open/available spaces? Would those same "happy" families still be as happy if your availability changed or do you purposely keep a set number of spaces open for those families that want that kind of flexibility?

[SignMeUp]

I think my families are actually happy with my policy. It seems like some of them are on the lookout for 'unfair' and the way I do it, it's always fair

I don't think any of them bad-mouth me for poor customer service over this. They accept it, consider it fair, and love the ways that I provide excellent service by the ways that I take care of their children.

Not saying that it isn't nice for those for whom it's working, to maintain that flexibility though I suppose we each have our own demographic. Editing to add this: By this I mean, in my group of families, most of them have all of my holidays off and more. And more vacation time than I take. So I don't feel a lot of value is added for them, for me to not have a holiday off and paid, without making it up elsewhere. Several of them have told me that they are glad I take time off for 'me' ::

[midaycare]

I get what you are saying but it also kind of comes across as if you are saying that those providers who don't allow switching have families that are unhappy. i know that I wasn't saying that.

It may be that YOUR families or families in your area are happy that you allow such flexibility but not all providers are in the position to allow that kind of schedule swapping...kwim? i totally get this

I am assuming that since you are in the position to allow swapping of days that you have open/available spaces? Would those same "happy" families still be as happy if your availability changed or do you purposely keep a set number of spaces open for those families that want that kind of flexibility?

During the holidays I typically have an open space or two on open days because parents travel or keep their kids home if they can. This gives me extra space. I turn people down for switching all the time during holidays, as they know it is on a first come, first serve basis. No one is unhappy. It works for me!

The OP wanted to know how part timers and holidays were handled. How I do it works really well for me, so I wanted to put it out there. The best part of owning your own business - you get to make the decisions!

[e.j.]

I get what you are saying but it also kind of comes across as if you are saying that those providers who don't allow switching have families that are unhappy.

If my reply came across that way, I apologize. I think each provider has to develop policies that work for her/him. My intention was to answer the OP's question by stating what works for me and the reason behind my policy. I was also just agreeing with Midaycare when she said, "It's a win/win for me. I enjoy having more dck's (my days just go smoother) and the dcf's think I'm amazing for allowing them the benefit of switching days for free. More free advertising for me when they talk me up to their friends."

It may be that YOUR families or families in your area are happy that you allow such flexibility but not all providers are in the position to allow that kind of schedule swapping...kwim?

That's very true. I would think that most, if not all, families everywhere would appreciate some flexibility (even if they don't require it) but you're right....not all providers are in the position to allow schedule swapping. Some may just choose not to offer flexibility. That's okay; there's nothing wrong with that. Everyone needs to figure out what works best for them and their business.

I am assuming that since you are in the position to allow swapping of days that you have open/available spaces? Would those same "happy" families still be as happy if your availability changed or do you purposely keep a set number of spaces open for those families that want that kind of flexibility?

I don't keep spaces open and available just in case a family wants to switch. As a result, I can't always agree to a switch in schedule but when I can, I do allow it. I've been very lucky in that most of my dc parents have been pretty reasonable people. They appreciate it when I allow a switch in their schedule but understand when I can't - because they know I would if I could.

I've been in business for a little over 18 years and have never had to advertise. Most of my clients come to me through word of mouth and I think it's the result of the "customer service" I provide. Being flexible when I can be is part of that. It's worked for me. It may or may not work for others. I hope anyone reading my response does so with the understanding that I'm not offering advice or putting down anyone who doesn't do it my way; just stating what has worked for me.

[Heidi]

I allow them to switch days without extra cost - if I have the room. I have mostly part time kids. I feel like dcf's are paying for 2 days (or 3, or 4), and if I can have them come another day with no stress to me except an extra person and I still get my day(s) off, I'm good with that.

I'm unusual with my policy about that, though. Most dcp's and centers charge more if they can.

I have one LO that's 4 days; M, W, TH, and Friday

I get 5 paid days off per year, plus the typical holidays. If I've used up my 5 days, I'd let them switch for a day I'm closed unpaid. For a paid holiday, I would not do this.

Mom has also been good at switching for ME once in a while when I was juggling kids (so that I could avoid paying an assistant).

[Blackcat31]

If my reply came across that way, I apologize. I think each provider has to develop policies that work for her/him. My intention was to answer the OP's question by stating what works for me and the reason behind my policy. I was also just agreeing with Midaycare when she said, "It's a win/win for me. I enjoy having more dck's (my days just go smoother) and the dcf's think I'm amazing for allowing them the benefit of switching days for free. More free advertising for me when they talk me up to their friends."



That's very true. I would think that most, if not all, families everywhere would appreciate some flexibility (even if they don't require it) but you're right....not all providers are in the position to allow schedule swapping. Some may just choose not to offer flexibility. That's okay; there's nothing wrong with that. Everyone needs to figure out what works best for them and their business.


I don't keep spaces open and available just in case a family wants to switch. As a result, I can't always agree to a switch in schedule but when I can, I do allow it. I've been very lucky in that most of my dc parents have been pretty reasonable people. They appreciate it when I allow a switch in their schedule but understand when I can't - because they know I would if I could.

I've been in business for a little over 18 years and have never had to advertise. Most of my clients come to me through word of mouth and I think it's the result of the "customer service" I provide. Being flexible when I can be is part of that. It's worked for me. It may or may not work for others. I hope anyone reading my response does so with the understanding that I'm not offering advice or putting down anyone who doesn't do it my way; just stating what has worked for me.

Thanks for clarifying... I didn't think you meant it in the manner I suggested....I just wanted to point out a different perspective or how someone else could read it/take it.....

I didn't want any new or "just starting out" provider to feel as though they HAD to allow clients to swap days in order to keep them happy...kwim?

It DOES have everything to do with your availability as well as your area and it's client's needs.

I'm glad it works for some though....there are definitely families that need that flexibility.

If I could, I would probably be a lot more flexible as my intent is never to be rigid... I just need to stay within my ratios and my regulations at all times and since I just don't have an open space on most days to accommodate any swapping....I don't.

My families are happy too even though that flexibility isn't there as much as it may be with another provider but I suppose for my families, the flexibility isn't something that is important to them. If it were, they probably wouldn't have signed on with me.

Anyways... like I said, I knew you didn't mean it the way it came across....I just wanted to make sure we covered the 'other side' of this too so no one felt as if they were wrong to not offer flexibility.