Changing Schedules

[mamamanda]

I got a call from a parent looking for childcare & I knew it wasn't going to work out from the first sentence as she said "hello" & then proceeded to yell at her child in my ear before returning her attention to me. She works in fast food & said her schedule would be changing weekly, sometimes mornings, afternoons, or even evenings. I just wondered if anyone takes kids with a changing schedule like that. Seems like they would never get into routine, but I'm sure they need quality care too. The whole thing was a big no for me. Mom was complaining about work on the phone to me & sharing family struggles & I've only met her once (friend of a family member.) at the same time I wondered if the parents were a good fit, would you take a kid with varying schedules? I am redoing my handbook & didn't know if I should address this in my policies.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

I know some people who do, but I personally do not. I want a fixed schedule so I can plan my own family stuff and I don't think it is fair to my own kids and husband to have daycare available to others whenever they need it.

[Second Home]

With a schedule like that I would only take the child if I was paid for the full week rate . You will never be able to fill in the open spaces around that child's schedule .

Unless you have multiple openings and are having a hard time filling the spaces. Then it may be worth it as long as they know they will be the first one out if you need the full time spot . You could just charge by the day for the # of days the child would be present ( pre paid of course) .

Sorry just re-read that they need evenings . No way will I ever do evenings .

[AmyKidsCo]

With a schedule like that I would only take the child if I was paid for the full week rate . You will never be able to fill in the open spaces around that child's schedule .

Unless you have multiple openings and are having a hard time filling the spaces. Then it may be worth it as long as they know they will be the first one out if you need the full time spot . You could just charge by the day for the # of days the child would be present ( pre paid of course) .

Sorry just re-read that they need evenings . No way will I ever do evenings .

Ditto all around. If I were being paid full time, but no evenings. I might consider evenings if I could take the child with me and was being paid double my day rate. But probably not even then.

[Jujube835]

I agree with all of the above ^^^ I'll take the alternating schedule if they pay full-time rate, and I would not do evenings unless I was being compensated hugely... And even then, Id probably really have to think about it. Plus, as a fast food worker, she wouldn't be able to afford paying double my rate for the evening care.

Overall, it'd be a no from me.