Closing Time Issue

[Blackcat31]

I know how you feel when it comes to not wanting to create an awkward situation with friends. However, if they really are friends, they will respect you and your policies.

This is so true!

Well, dcm had others do the pickup this week so we never talked in person like I hoped. Instead she sent me an email yesterday saying they simply wouldn't be able to pick up at 5 ever and that she would "do her best" to get there by 5:30 each day. Oh geez. I drafted about 5 emails back to her, all of which I had to delete because they were so unprofessional. Totally letting my emotions get in the way here! I finally came up with one I liked this morning that told her I decided I could stay open late for her mon - Thurs, but I was still closing at 5 on Fridays, so they would have to make arrangements for that. And I added that she absolutely could not be late at all or I wouldn't be able to provide care anymore. I'm so nervous! These are friends of my husband's and I hate making the relationship rocky because I have to be firm, but I can't let them dictate when I will be done anymore! They are the only family that gives me any trouble. Please tell me it will all be ok! And yes, I learned my lesson! No more daycare for friends!!

Eta: I did consider all of your responses to simply not do it and to charge them extra. However they were my very first family and I didn't even have a contract back then. They were basically allowed to set their own hours because they were my only family for a while, so I felt like I needed to break the news to them in stages that they were no longer allowed to dictate their hours. I did tell them in the email that this arrangement only lasts until the fall, and then my rate for the late hours will go up. I have a contact now and will update it for them to reflect that. Thanks for all your help!!

If he had someone else pick up every day this week, it sounds to me like she DOES have other people that can help her out and pick up by 5.

If you are staying open later just for her, are you atleast charging her for it?

I would charge a premium for ANY time beyond my normal closing time.

I would also have her sign a contract and/or agreement about how she can NOT be lateer than 5:30 or the option will no longer be available and no longer available immediately...not two weeks later...kwim?

[LindseyA]

I completely agree with charging a fee, and a big one... Much more than $5! I love how someone earlier stated the daycare families together pay your salary. By staying late for one family, that one family should pay your total salary that you would make for a half hour or however long they are late. My own children are 8 and 5 years old. My nights with them are so precious everyday, I personally wouldn't want anything to interrupt that.

[Indoorvoice]

If he had someone else pick up every day this week, it sounds to me like she DOES have other people that can help her out and pick up by 5.
Yes, I strongly agree! I think they are asking for a later time so they have it on reserve in case something more fun comes along and they need someone to watch dcg. I also think it is partly a control issue and the fact that I have allowed them to dictate their schedule in the past. Plus, since DH and them are friends, I think they see at as "no big deal" and that I should do this as a favor.

If you are staying open later just for her, are you atleast charging her for it?
I decided that I'm not going to charge for it until the fall. The thing I'm struggling with and keep going back and forth on is that I actually have no problem staying open that late for families who need it for work, but this isn't often the case for them. I often find out that dcd has been playing all day while I stay open late just for them. All of my other families do not need me that late right now, so my closing time is earlier, but I'm willing to be flexible if another family came around who needed that 5:30 time for work, if that makes sense. I figure I'll give them until fall since I haven't ever enforced this rule with them before, and then I will be charging. I'll write it up in their contract for them so their is no confusion. I know I can't make them tell me the truth when they are going to be done with work or not, so I'm allowing the 5:30 time for now, but I wanted them to be clear that I was making the decision, and not them.

I would charge a premium for ANY time beyond my normal closing time. Yes, I agree too.

I would also have her sign a contract and/or agreement about how she can NOT be lateer than 5:30 or the option will no longer be available and no longer available immediately...not two weeks later...kwim? Yes, I'm writing up the new contract right now and will be adding that in! Thank you!

I know I should have enforced a more set schedule with them from the beginning, but since they were my only family then and their hours of 10:30ish-5:30ish didn't seem that bad, I decided to go with it. Now that I have more families and my day starts at 6:30 or earlier, this isn't working anymore. They have come to think that I'll just be available whenever they need me, and I did that to myself. So I'm trying to be understanding of the fact that I made the mistake and enforcing this time on them gradually. I know it's terrible business, but I'm trying to balance being fair with being firm. So hard!

[Indoorvoice]

I should also add, that before this issue came up, I was already staying open until 5:30 for them 2 days a week. I only asked for the 5:00 time the other 2 days a week when I knew dad wasn't working those days. Now apparently he is working those days, and they wanted 5:30 every day instead of just the 2 days a week. So they are probably figuring I already stayed open until 5:30 2 days a week, what is the big deal about another 2? But I highly suspect he is NOT working those days, they just want the extra time, which is why I'm being such a jerk about it.

[daycare]

I should also add, that before this issue came up, I was already staying open until 5:30 for them 2 days a week. I only asked for the 5:00 time the other 2 days a week when I knew dad wasn't working those days. Now apparently he is working those days, and they wanted 5:30 every day instead of just the 2 days a week. So they are probably figuring I already stayed open until 5:30 2 days a week, what is the big deal about another 2? But I highly suspect he is NOT working those days, they just want the extra time, which is why I'm being such a jerk about it.

I dont think your being a jerk about it at all. if anything I think you are cutting yourself short...

[daycare]

I dont think your being a jerk about it at all. if anything I think you are cutting yourself short...

the other day I ran my time clock reports and was able to see all the over time families get for free each month. every day 10 min for drop off 10 min late for pick up, some days 15 min early drop off and etc. By the end of the month I calculated that I was giving almost each family 5 to 6 hours of free childcare each month. That is about $325.00 per month that am working and not getting paid. That is a lot of money, almost $4,000.00 per year.

[Annalee]

I should also add, that before this issue came up, I was already staying open until 5:30 for them 2 days a week. I only asked for the 5:00 time the other 2 days a week when I knew dad wasn't working those days. Now apparently he is working those days, and they wanted 5:30 every day instead of just the 2 days a week. So they are probably figuring I already stayed open until 5:30 2 days a week, what is the big deal about another 2? But I highly suspect he is NOT working those days, they just want the extra time, which is why I'm being such a jerk about it.

You are NOT being a jerk. Set your time and make them abide by it. If they don't, the can find other care! This is simply a power-struggle and they are winning! Hold your ground! They will either comply or find other care....either way, YOU WIN!!!!

[Unregistered]

Who cares what they do when the child is at daycare?? Your getting paid right? Just set a closing time and stick to it. Tell them you have things to do. It doesn't matter what you do! Sit on the couch for hours! It's none of their business.

[Rockgirl]

Who cares what they do when the child is at daycare?? Your getting paid right? Just set a closing time and stick to it. Tell them you have things to do. It doesn't matter what you do! Sit on the couch for hours! It's none of their business.

I didn't take it to mean she cares whether they are working or not during dc hours. The parents are claiming they need a later pickup time due to work. If dad isn't working, a later time shouldn't be needed.

[daycare]

here's the plan....Just give them BC's phone number let her give them a professional A$$ kicking and call it a day...

I am totally joking.

You can do it, don't feel like because they are friends you can't stand up to them or enforce your rules.

Look at it from this point. If your other clients get wind of this, are you going to do it for them at the same price that you are doing it for this client?? Because if you don't they may be able to come after you for discrimination charges. Keep things fair to all, don't do it for one person if you are not going to offer it to all.

In good old Cali my good friend ran into a law suit about 8 years ago with a very similar situation where she provided special services for a family, but refused to do it for another. the family that she denied took her to court and won claiming discrimination.

Just to error on the side of caution

[Unregistered]

the other day I ran my time clock reports and was able to see all the over time families get for free each month. every day 10 min for drop off 10 min late for pick up, some days 15 min early drop off and etc. By the end of the month I calculated that I was giving almost each family 5 to 6 hours of free childcare each month. That is about $325.00 per month that am working and not getting paid. That is a lot of money, almost $4,000.00 per year.

I add all those extra times up and bill at the end of the month for overages. It definitely adds up!