nervous about policy changes

[mamamanda]

I've done childcare for one family for several years, but when I started doing childcare for multiple families most of them were family friends and I was trying to give them a good deal to help them out. Unfortunately, it's become very stressful for our family. I have a couple families that pay me hourly and only send their child 5-6 hours a day. They theoretically come either 3 or 4 days a week depending on the family, but sometimes they text me last minute to say grandma is keeping them, change in plans, etc & I only end up keeping them a couple days a week. Not at all conducive to paying the bills since they're only paying me for the hours they are here. Also, they sometimes come an hour later than their scheduled time so I'm losing money there as well. I recently hired an assistant to help me and I need to know I have a set amount of money coming in both to pay her and make money myself. All that to say, it's time to make some changes. I'm going to implement them this fall to give all of my families plenty of notice, but I'm so nervous about how they will react. I know it is best for our family, but I hate making it harder for them, especially since they are friends. I'm going to charge a full day rate and a half day rate and they can choose which they want to go with, but they will need to stick with it or pay an additional fee. I'd really like to switch to only full time kids, but for the families I already have, I think I will continue to honor the days they need, but require them to pay for those said days even if the kids aren't here. That way I can at least budget accordingly. I guess I'm just hoping for some reassurance that this is in fact ok and that I'm not being unfair. I feel like it would be fair to implement these policies, but I worry about changing it since my current families are all relying on the current method of paying which is great for them, but not for me. Ugg...plus I hate confrontation. ::

[rosieteddy]

You are giving plenty of notice.I would state that do to changes (assistant)you are going to a weekly fee,I charged for 3,4,or5 days.Half days are tough because you usually can not fill around them. There was a break for 5 days but 3&4 days were more money .All tuition due regardless of attendance.I had paid holidays and 2 weeks paid vacation . If you value yourself the clients will to .You are worth it and they can budjet for the increase.Good luck.

[Controlled Chaos]

I started exactly the same way :hug:

I went from baby sitting on friends little boy 4 days a week (hourly paid after care was provided) to juggling 5 families' part time schedules (can legally watch 4 unrelated at one time in my state) all within 3 months.

I printed out a letter to the families explaining the changes in payment (moved to paying for the contracted day) and that if anyone payed late again the would be required to pay in advance. All new dcf paid in advance from the beginning, but I didn't feel it was fair to ask parents to "double pay" since the would owe the previous month and the next month (I did monthly not weekly.) When I gave the parents the letter for them to sign and return, I said "I had to make the choice to make these changes or I can't afford to provide childcare anymore. I know you understand, I have to provide for my family." It was super hard, I felt awful and awkward BUT the parent were great. The least supportive said "ok" and shrugged. The most supportive, said they were surprised it took me this long, and they had felt bad that they had been taking advantage before.

My income nearly doubled after this. It was awesome! I was less stressed. And some kids came more consistently allowing us to get in more of a routine, which I liked.

Good luck!

[MarinaVanessa]

Do you have any openings now? Can you try filling these openings with "new" policies already in effect first then one by one start giving your current families notice of your policy changes?

I think if you did it this way and started to give notice now one by one it may be easier and less stressful for you. I would start with the family that has less hours with you and provides you with less income, this way if they leave because of the new changes it doesn't impact you as much.

[mamamanda]

Do you have any openings now? Can you try filling these openings with "new" policies already in effect first then one by one start giving your current families notice of your policy changes?

I think if you did it this way and started to give notice now one by one it may be easier and less stressful for you. I would start with the family that has less hours with you and provides you with less income, this way if they leave because of the new changes it doesn't impact you as much.

I am currently full, but I have one family that constantly changes their days so I could start with them.

[daycarediva]

GOOD FOR YOU!!!

I started out the same way. Glorified drop in. I lasted 2-ish months. Notified current families of their available options FT/PT/set days. No half days even. My families went to FT except one who went PT.

[AmyKidsCo]

Remind yourself that: 1. They'll be more inconvenienced if you have to quit and get a different job to pay the bills. 2. If they were in a group center they'd be paying more overall and would have to commit to paying a minimum amount each week. 3. You're worth it. They wouldn't want their jobs to treat them the way they're treating you and would probably find new jobs.