2 Different Contracts

[MommyMuffin]

I had a contract/policy book I gave a family a few weeks ago who want to sign up now. In the meantime I had a different family sign up to hold a spot. She wanted me to change my time off in my contact...she thought it was excessive. I wasn't too bothered by it so I changed it for her.
Should I give the other parents the new policy book that I had to make for this other parent.
I don't want to be unfair but it would be nice to have fewer kids on the days I wanted as holidays that the second family thought was excessive...

[Rockgirl]

I wouldn't have changed it. They either sign up, agreeing to my policies as they are written, or don't sign up.

[Play Care]

I had a contract/policy book I gave a family a few weeks ago who want to sign up now. In the meantime I had a different family sign up to hold a spot. She wanted me to change my time off in my contact...she thought it was excessive. I wasn't too bothered by it so I changed it for her.
Should I give the other parents the new policy book that I had to make for this other parent.
I don't want to be unfair but it would be nice to have fewer kids on the days I wanted as holidays that the second family thought was excessive...

YIKES!!!!
I would not change the time off for any other family. They signed on "as is."
And honestly, the one time I had a potential client want me to change my contract I didn't sign her on. I'd be willing to bet this won't be the last time she demands you change something to suit her.

[MissAnn]

How much time off did you have on your first contract? You deserve and need time off! I'm just baffled you let this family cause you to change your contract. I think we sell ourselves short sometimes. I'm sure they have holiday, personal and vacation days off......why shouldn't you? I'm sure you work longer hours than they do too. You need ample days off to rejuvinate. Who needs a burned out caregiver?

[DaveA]

YIKES!!!!
I would not change the time off for any other family. They signed on "as is."
And honestly, the one time I had a potential client want me to change my contract I didn't sign her on. I'd be willing to bet this won't be the last time she demands you change something to suit her.

This is what I was thinking- get ready for a stream of "issues" she'll have. And if the other parents hear she got her way, be prepared for them to have some also. Personally my policies are "take it or leave it" with my DCPs. I'll be respectful and listen, but it's my business so I get to decide how I run it.

[MommyMuffin]

I had it as 5 sick/personal days paid
12 paid holiday (federal)
I can take 1 week paid vacation and 1 - 2 weeks (not consecutive) vacation unpaid.

I took this from another provider I know. I know the vacation is more than usual but I would like to take a Friday off here and there to go on a weekend get away with hubby.

I changed it for the 1 parent to
no sick/personal paid days
10 paid holidays
and 1 week vacation paid
1 week unpaid
and they can take vacation 1 week and not pay...

Not too bad but I don't want to burn out like last time

[Laurel]

I'm just curious how many days you took off and were they with or without pay?

Plus, you want you can always change your mind if you want to. "I'm sorry, after thinking more about it I decided I'd be cheating myself so am going back to my original contract. Let me know if that will work for you."

That said, if you want to do it I'd do it for everyone. Someone is bound to be resentful if they see so and so getting care when they have to find a back up especially if they are paying you for the day you are off.

Laurel

P.S. I see you answered it. I guess we were posting at the same time.

[permanentvacation]

I would not change my contract for everyone just because you made a special arrangement with the one family. I wouldn't say anything about it to the other parents. I make special arrangements on occasion with families. But I don't announce those arrangements to everyone. For example, I expected to close my daycare by 6:30, but one parent asked me to watch their child until 7. I agreed to do so for a little extra fee. But I didn't tell all of my other parents that I'd watch their children until 7. I also have it in my contract that children must arrive by 8:30 am so I don't have kids arriving at all hours of the day and I can get the day rolling with no interruptions. But the child that is here until 7, I allow him to arrive at 9:45. But I didn't tell everyone else that they can roll in as they please up until 9:45. I only allow that one boy to come in late since his mother's work hours are later than typical. By it only being one child that arrives late at a planned time, I can pre-plan for it and it doesn't interrupt our activities.

However, I would NOT make special arrangements on a typical basis. For the most part, I tell parents how I run my daycare and if they like it and can adhere to my ways, they can hire me. If they want to make a little change here and there, I typically tell them they probably need a nanny who will adhere to their schedule and specific wishes for their child.

[rosieteddy]

I to think you should rethink your changes.The parent had no right to ask you to change your contract.As she hasn't started yet I would go back to the original.Other parents will feel slighted when they find out you have differant rules. I had 3 weeks paid vacation.allthe holidays paid including the day after Thanksgiving and Christmas,5 personal days and up to 5 sick days(these were never used)Parents paid and usually chose from those weeks for their vacations.Additional time was paid.

[littletots]

I recently lost a family due to this exact reason. One family negotiate contract. I, like you, was okay with change. I was changing only for 1 family. When other families noticed it caused "fairness " issues. I am required to have families sign in/out. So other families are able to see times. I would either 1) tell family you mis-spoke, apologize and go back to original contract. Or 2) change for all.

The family I lost had been w me over a yr. Dcm was using words like discrimination, fair, equal treatment. Smh. I'm a licensed accredited fcc and I don't like those words. Certainly got my attention.

[midaycare]

Eeks! If you want the new family, then hand out the new contract for everyone. But I would not change the contract for a family. With that said, you did it, so ... Water under the bridge, time to move forward and hold your ground with them from this point on.

Also, wow! Holy vacation time! I'm jealous! I don't think I would get my clients with that much vacation. They would go to the centers here instead. But if you can swing it, good for you!

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

I have found that sometimes the dcf will chat with one another out in the driveway at drop-off and pick-up, get together for "playdates" on occasion, or even just run into each other around town. I would feel nervous if I was charging different rates, or allowing leniency on some policy (usually payment due date or late pick-up/early drop-off) for one dcf but not another, and the dcf getting the short end of the stick would be PO'd! Now I just do everything the same no matter what, and now I feel that when they discuss me or my services, it's only to sing my praises!

Besides, what would happen if one of the more valuable (agreeing to your policies right off the bat) dcfs drove by your house on a "closed-paid holiday" day and saw other dcks there? I'd hate to have to explain that.

Also, I totally get needing to fill a spot, and fast, hence the contract negotiations! Maybe you could whittle down to what the new client wants, but ALSO put "but not limited to" in your contract wording. That way, if you do want to take a day here or there, it's kosher!

[Unregistered]

I recently lost a family due to this exact reason. One family negotiate contract. I, like you, was okay with change. I was changing only for 1 family. When other families noticed it caused "fairness " issues. I would either 1) tell family you mis-spoke, apologize and go back to original contract. Or 2) change for all.

Dcm was using words like discrimination, fair, equal treatment. Smh. I'm a licensed accredited fcc and I don't like those words.

I just went to my food program annual training and went over the non discrimination statement. Have a similar non discrimination statement required by licensing in my parent handbook. My food program representative said one thing about this that stuck in my head: do for all or do for none.

I personally would tell the dcm that you thought more about it and have decided you cannot change your closures. They either figure out an alternate on those days or they find another provider. I am closed on Fridays, a few major holidays, 2 weeks of winter break, and 1 week in spring or summer. I have been asked by interested families if I can open Fridays and I said no sorry, however there are other providers that are. Some families decide they could make it work, and others went some where else. I started Friday closures a few years ago because I was getting burnt out and has helped me keep my sanity and I'm not about to give that up.

[Play Care]

I understand the "do it for all or for none" but honestly, that doesn't always work. And I resent outsiders (epspecially if it's not a regulation) telling us what we should and shouldn't do because of their own personal beliefs. I mean, I had a county employee tell me I charged too much for FT care. Should I have lowered my rates because she said so?

If questioned "their contract is different as they started at x time. I grandfather my clients in the contract they signed when they started. there will always be some differences between payment, avalible care dates, etc."

In my case new families always pay more than old clients, so I might point out that as well. Then I'd suggest that "I'll put you on the same contract but your rates would go up to x a week." I'm pretty sure I know what they'd chose.

[midaycare]

I understand the "do it for all or for none" but honestly, that doesn't always work. And I resent outsiders (epspecially if it's not a regulation) telling us what we should and shouldn't do because of their own personal beliefs. I mean, I had a county employee tell me I charged too much for FT care. Should I have lowered my rates because she said so?

If questioned "their contract is different as they started at x time. I grandfather my clients in the contract they signed when they started. there will always be some differences between payment, avalible care dates, etc."

In my case new families always pay more than old clients, so I might point out that as well. Then I'd suggest that "I'll put you on the same contract but your rates would go up to x a week." I'm pretty sure I know what they'd chose.

I have the same issue re: prices. Almost everyone I have pays a different rate. When I opened I was low, and raised it as each slot filled. Now I am on the mid to high end.

Okay, wait! How does a county worker tell you that you are too expensive in your own business?