Sick of Parent Nickle and Dime-ing Me!

[Crazy Baby]

Do you all have issues with parents trying to get you to take money off of their bills for every little thing?

Also, it's not crazy to make the parents pay a set rate every two weeks that includes holidays, right?

[AmyKidsCo]

What are they trying to get discounts on? Most DC charge a set amount per day or week, whether the child is there or not.

[Kimskiddos]

Sorry they do that to you, that can't be fun! Maybe I am just lucky, or it could be my experience (been doing this a long time) but my families do not do this! They are paying for a spot in my child care and that rate does not change. I even have 2 kiddos that don't even use all the days in a week but still pay my full time rate.

I am paid monthly and that includes holidays and personal/sick days. My 2 weeks of vacation are technically unpaid, but it's averaged in throughout the whole year. So I get paid the same regardless.

[Crazy Baby]

It's mostly parent wanting to make me feel bad about making them pay for days that they do not come. They are "giving me a break.". Wrote me out an itemized list of what days will be paid for and what days not. I had to remind parent that holidays are still payed for but I know parent is going to give me grief about it. I'm safe because it is in my contract, it's just annoying to have to have these conversations.

[Blackcat31]

It's mostly parent wanting to make me feel bad about making them pay for days that they do not come. They are "giving me a break.". Wrote me out an itemized list of what days will be paid for and what days not. I had to remind parent that holidays are still payed for but I know parent is going to give me grief about it. I'm safe because it is in my contract, it's just annoying to have to have these conversations.

That would have gotten them an immediate termination. They don't get to tell YOU how to run YOUR business. Especially after THEY signed a contract agreeing to these policies.

If they try to give you a hard time, practice the same response over and over...."If you are unhappy with my services, please submit your notice of withdrawal no later than xx 2015."

[Crazy Baby]

So what is a good argument for why we still charge for holidays? I know that it's our paid vacation but why does the parent have to pay for our vacation?

I'm not against it by any means, I am playing devil's advocate here.

[Rockgirl]

I'd hand them back their list, along with a highlighted page from your contract that explains paid days. I wouldn't have the conversation with them anymore.

[Blackcat31]

So what is a good argument for why we still charge for holidays? I know that it's our paid vacation but why does the parent have to pay for our vacation?

I'm not against it by any means, I am playing devil's advocate here.

"Rates are based on enrollment NOT on attendance or number of days used."

If a family enrolls at 5 days a week, they pay for 5 days a week. Even if I am only open 4.

[Unregistered]

So what is a good argument for why we still charge for holidays? I know that it's our paid vacation but why does the parent have to pay for our vacation?

I'm not against it by any means, I am playing devil's advocate here.

The same reason why parents get paid holidays/vacation time at their work.

[AmyKidsCo]

That would have gotten them an immediate termination. They don't get to tell YOU how to run YOUR business. Especially after THEY signed a contract agreeing to these policies.
[/I]

My thought was "HELLO? Since when do parents decide which days they pay for and which they don't?" If that want that kind of control they need to hire a nanny, not contract for child care services.

The same reason why parents get paid holidays/vacation time at their work.

Ditto. Professionals get paid vacation. It's as simple as that.

[NightOwl]

The same reason why parents get paid holidays/vacation time at their work.

Preach

[MarinaVanessa]

So what is a good argument for why we still charge for holidays? I know that it's our paid vacation but why does the parent have to pay for our vacation?

I'm not against it by any means, I am playing devil's advocate here.

I wouldn't even justify it. Honestly my response would be ...

"You were well aware of my payment policy before signing my contract. I understand if the way I run my business is not a good fit for you however you still made the decision to enroll here. If you have changed your mind and have decided to find alternative child care arrangements that's ok. No hard feelings."

Honestly, people act like we duped them into signing the contract when they could have saved themselves a lot of grief by simply reading the contract before they signed it.

[Thriftylady]

My mom that just left because she "couldn't afford my rates" even though she had before and after school for two kids at $40 a week. She told me I was overcharging her for the hours she was using and should have asked for a new contract. She also told me (after telling me she was leaving since she could lie to the state and pay $11 a week for full time this summer), that the only difference between her firing me and her getting fired from her job was I get paid the last two weeks regardless. UM you didn't fire me, you are lying to the state about your ex husband living with you and, you signed the contract. She really only left early because I was requiring my late payment fees of $10 per day. Whatever they act like we cheat them at every turn it seems.

[DaveA]

I wouldn't even justify it. Honestly my response would be ...

"You were well aware of my payment policy before signing my contract. I understand if the way I run my business is not a good fit for you however you still made the decision to enroll here. If you have changed your mind and have decided to find alternative child care arrangements that's ok. No hard feelings."

Honestly, people act like we duped them into signing the contract when they could have saved themselves a lot of grief by simply reading the contract before they signed it.

This was my thought. I'm very up front with parents that I run MY (not theirs) business in a matter that puts my family's needs and interests first. You knew what my policies are and you signed the contract. If you have decided that it isn't a good fit with me anymore, no hard feelings & good luck with the new provider.

[Unregistered]

So what is a good argument for why we still charge for holidays? I know that it's our paid vacation but why does the parent have to pay for our vacation?

I'm not against it by any means, I am playing devil's advocate here.

Because that's how YOU run YOUR business. If they don't like it they don't have to come. Their choice.