What was your experience moving to tuition based on pick up times?

[Blackcat31]

See, I think this would be my issue. Parents here don't get the whole "just because I have kids doesn't mean your kid can be here" line of thinking. Even if they're not paying for it

I just explain to them that I don't always have kids here though...

LOTS of times by regular 4:00 kid gets picked up earlier so "assuming" I am still here because other kids are just isn't realistic.

I also allow for later pick ups when needed IF and ONLY IF a parent calls/texts asking me if it's okay. I charge a bit more for it but not nearly what the late fee is so in my opinion it's a good and fair compromise.

Ask in advance = get approval and be charged only a minimal fee

Just show up late = get a large late fee and potential loss of future services.

[daycare]

For those of you that I said i would email, I have had one of those days today and just sat down to my computer again.

here is what i have I will see if I cant post the word doc here.



Select a pick up time for each day that your child will attend care using the fee table below on the left. Using the box on the right, enter the amount for the daily rate on the days that your child will attend care each week. It must be a consistent weekly set schedule of days. Varying days from week to week will not be accepted, however, you may choose varying times when creating your set schedule. You are welcome to pick up at any time before 4:30pm, as long as it does not disrupt nap time, however, you will be charged the base rate of a 4:30pm pick up fee. Once completed, using the table on the right, add the amounts from each day together that your child will attend. This will become your flat weekly rate and contracted days/times set for the month. Should you need to change pick up time for any reason a 30-day advance notice will be required. Your payment is due regardless if your child is in attendance or not. There are no credits given for holidays, days absent due to illness, vacation, or otherwise.




Pick up Time: Daily Rate: Daily Rate:
8:00am drop 7:30-8 drop
4:30 50 55
4:45 55 60
5:00 60 65
5:15 65 70


Choose: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
Drop Off Time 8 8 8 8 730
Pick up Time 430 430 430 430 500





Day Amount
Monday $50
Tuesday $50
Wednesday $50
Thursday $50
Friday $65
Total Weekly Rate: $265 week
Total Monthly Rate: $1148


I did it this way because I have to get my own kids ready in the morning too and someone has to take them to school. If I have too many kids in the morning time it makes that happening that much harder and may require an assistant to come in and keep me within state ratios.

i have it in a table format in my contract. it is much easier t read and understand in my contract because when i tried to paste it here it moved all around.

[daycare]

goodness, even when I write it out here, it still all moves over...


so if you drop off between 730 and 8am, you have to add$5.00 more to your daily rate.

[nannyde]

See, I think this would be my issue. Parents here don't get the whole "just because I have kids doesn't mean your kid can be here" line of thinking. Even if they're not paying for it

When they talk about the kids that stay later you say "yes their parents pay dearly for it".

I love making more money. Would you like a later pick up?

[Indoorvoice]

My parents were fine with it because it actually lowered their tuition for most of them. I'm still struggling. I made the mistake of telling them that I wouldn't charge extra if they gave me more than 24 hours notice. Well that has been a giant pain. They are changing their schedules every week to come like 5 minutes before the next pay increase at least one day a week. My one family who is scheduled until noon on Friday is asking every Monday to pick up past 12 on Friday which doesnt increase her tuition because she gave me more than 24 hours notice and they're already paying the 5:00 pick up time tuition for the rest of the days. Ugh. I scheduled a Dr appointment this Friday thinking that infant wouldn't be here and my assistant wouldn't have to deal with him and now she has already asked to pick up late again that day. I don't know what to do.

[nanglgrl]

My parents were fine with it because it actually lowered their tuition for most of them. I'm still struggling. I made the mistake of telling them that I wouldn't charge extra if they gave me more than 24 hours notice. Well that has been a giant pain. They are changing their schedules every week to come like 5 minutes before the next pay increase at least one day a week. My one family who is scheduled until noon on Friday is asking every Monday to pick up past 12 on Friday which doesnt increase her tuition because she gave me more than 24 hours notice and they're already paying the 5:00 pick up time tuition for the rest of the days. Ugh. I scheduled a Dr appointment this Friday thinking that infant wouldn't be here and my assistant wouldn't have to deal with him and now she has already asked to pick up late again that day. I don't know what to do.

Effective immediately: I will no longer allow changing of pick up time with notice. If you arrive to pick up later than your contacted times you will be charged x per x. Please make sure that the pick up time you choose reflects your latest possible pick up time to avoid late pick up fees.

[Blackcat31]

My parents were fine with it because it actually lowered their tuition for most of them. I'm still struggling. I made the mistake of telling them that I wouldn't charge extra if they gave me more than 24 hours notice. Well that has been a giant pain. They are changing their schedules every week to come like 5 minutes before the next pay increase at least one day a week. My one family who is scheduled until noon on Friday is asking every Monday to pick up past 12 on Friday which doesnt increase her tuition because she gave me more than 24 hours notice and they're already paying the 5:00 pick up time tuition for the rest of the days. Ugh. I scheduled a Dr appointment this Friday thinking that infant wouldn't be here and my assistant wouldn't have to deal with him and now she has already asked to pick up late again that day. I don't know what to do.

If you can't do it, then say no.

Just because she asked 24 hours in advance does NOT mean it's okay.

I would say families can change their schedules with advance notice but they shouldn't always assume its okay as I schedule things according to the schedule families give me the previous Friday so 24 hours notice or not....sometimes I just can't accommodate.

I also only allow a schedule change 3xs in a 90 period. After that, we review their schedule/contract and discuss whether a different rate is necessary or not.

[Indoorvoice]

If you can't do it, then say no.

Just because she asked 24 hours in advance does NOT mean it's okay.

I would say families can change their schedules with advance notice but they shouldn't always assume its okay as I schedule things according to the schedule families give me the previous Friday so 24 hours notice or not....sometimes I just can't accommodate.

I also only allow a schedule change 3xs in a 90 period. After that, we review their schedule/contract and discuss whether a different rate is necessary or not.

So this family is 8-5 mon-thurs, 8-12 on Fridays. One week each month (she never knows which week) she needs 7:30-5 every day. She often changes her schedule on Friday to pick up at 3:30 or 5 instead of noon. I've been charging them $150 a week which is the rate for my 5:00 pick up time. How would you charge? I don't care what time she drops off as long as I know when she's coming. I just don't like the Fridays changing all the time. It ****s because she's paying for that 5:00 pick up time so she feels entitled to use it. On one hand I feel like if she's paying for the 5:00 pick up time, I should honor that. On the other hand, I feel like she keeps adding hours to what I'm expecting to work but I'm not getting extra. I don't know what the correct line of thinking should be here.

[daycare]

If you can't do it, then say no.

Just because she asked 24 hours in advance does NOT mean it's okay.

I would say families can change their schedules with advance notice but they shouldn't always assume its okay as I schedule things according to the schedule families give me the previous Friday so 24 hours notice or not....sometimes I just can't accommodate.

I also only allow a schedule change 3xs in a 90 period. After that, we review their schedule/contract and discuss whether a different rate is necessary or not.

same here. I have to forecast my spending and so i require them to keep their schedule for a month. if they need to make any cahnges during that month to reduce pick up, there will be no discount. However, if they add time and pick up later, I will increase their rate. In order for them to add more time, they must let me know 24 hours in advance and then they will get charged just like my table I posted. If they don't notify me of their desire to pick up later with a 24 hour notice then they pay the $1 min late fee.

No one here asks to change their schedules.

[daycare]

So this family is 8-5 mon-thurs, 8-12 on Fridays. One week each month (she never knows which week) she needs 7:30-5 every day. She often changes her schedule on Friday to pick up at 3:30 or 5 instead of noon. I've been charging them $150 a week which is the rate for my 5:00 pick up time. How would you charge? I don't care what time she drops off as long as I know when she's coming. I just don't like the Fridays changing all the time. It ****s because she's paying for that 5:00 pick up time so she feels entitled to use it. On one hand I feel like if she's paying for the 5:00 pick up time, I should honor that. On the other hand, I feel like she keeps adding hours to what I'm expecting to work but I'm not getting extra. I don't know what the correct line of thinking should be here.

what is your daily rate>?

so for example mine is set from 8 to 430 is the lowest daily rate of $50.00

so if you came during that time every day your rate would be $250.00 a week

I don't offer a lower rate than that. unless you are half day. BUT I do not allow them to combine half day with full day schedules. You have to pick one or the other, can't have both.

[daycare]

So this family is 8-5 mon-thurs, 8-12 on Fridays. One week each month (she never knows which week) she needs 7:30-5 every day. She often changes her schedule on Friday to pick up at 3:30 or 5 instead of noon. I've been charging them $150 a week which is the rate for my 5:00 pick up time. How would you charge? I don't care what time she drops off as long as I know when she's coming. I just don't like the Fridays changing all the time. It ****s because she's paying for that 5:00 pick up time so she feels entitled to use it. On one hand I feel like if she's paying for the 5:00 pick up time, I should honor that. On the other hand, I feel like she keeps adding hours to what I'm expecting to work but I'm not getting extra. I don't know what the correct line of thinking should be here.

what is your daily rate>?

so for example mine is set from 8 to 430 is the lowest daily rate of $50.00

so if you came during that time every day your rate would be $250.00 a week

I don't offer a lower rate than that. unless you are half day. BUT I do not allow them to combine half day with full day schedules. You have to pick one or the other, can't have both.

[Blackcat31]

So this family is 8-5 mon-thurs, 8-12 on Fridays. One week each month (she never knows which week) she needs 7:30-5 every day. She often changes her schedule on Friday to pick up at 3:30 or 5 instead of noon. I've been charging them $150 a week which is the rate for my 5:00 pick up time. How would you charge? I don't care what time she drops off as long as I know when she's coming. I just don't like the Fridays changing all the time. It ****s because she's paying for that 5:00 pick up time so she feels entitled to use it. On one hand I feel like if she's paying for the 5:00 pick up time, I should honor that. On the other hand, I feel like she keeps adding hours to what I'm expecting to work but I'm not getting extra. I don't know what the correct line of thinking should be here.

I wouldn't charge her any differently but I wouldn't allow the schedule changes.

If she doesn't know which Friday, then SHE can find back up care for the day that suddenly appears that she needs a later pick up.

I agree that you can honor the 5:00 pick up the other 4 days of the week, but I wouldn't agree to a 5:00 pick up on Friday unless she schedules it in ADVANCE. How far in advance is up to you.

I just tell parents once they write their schedule on paper it becomes the hours I am working and available. If she wrote noon on Friday last week but now (on Tuesday ) is telling me she is going to pick up at 5:00...I would say "Sorry, that wont' work for me. I already have this week's schedule set"

It's HER work schedule that is causing the issue so its HER that has to figure it out. kwim? If you want to accommodate the random last minute Friday go ahead and do so (as I do when I can) but I have NO qualms about saying no if it wont' work and was not scheduled previously.

[Crazy8]

I tried structuring my rates this way last year but it didn't really work for me. I do not want to work beyond 4:30 but will do 5pm as the latest so now my rate is for a day ending at 4:30, if you want to contract for 4:45 or 5pm you pay extra for it.

The problem for me with having the other options of earlier pick up times was I could only adjust the rate a few dollars for each 15-30 min. increment in order to still make what I want to make and the parents in my area seem to have no problem paying for the extra time. So they would have still gone to 5pm if I allowed it. Now I just present it as I close at 4:30. I still have one "grandfathered" in at 5pm and in the future I will do 5pm if I have to but you bet your bottom I am going to pick a 4:30 pick up over a 5pm one if I have the option!

[daycare]

I tried structuring my rates this way last year but it didn't really work for me. I do not want to work beyond 4:30 but will do 5pm as the latest so now my rate is for a day ending at 4:30, if you want to contract for 4:45 or 5pm you pay extra for it.

The problem for me with having the other options of earlier pick up times was I could only adjust the rate a few dollars for each 15-30 min. increment in order to still make what I want to make and the parents in my area seem to have no problem paying for the extra time. So they would have still gone to 5pm if I allowed it. Now I just present it as I close at 4:30. I still have one "grandfathered" in at 5pm and in the future I will do 5pm if I have to but you bet your bottom I am going to pick a 4:30 pick up over a 5pm one if I have the option!

I thought this at first too. But then i just went for it. I raised my rates for existing clients a small amount and for new ones quite a bit. As much as $7 a day.

No one batted an eyelash. Not even new people coming in. Once I realized that I could get new people in at this rate, I waited 6 months and now everyone is at the same rate. I don't give any more discounts and if someone can't afford me, it's ok, they move on and so do I.

I think if you work your way up, you can do it.

[Crazy8]

I thought this at first too. But then i just went for it. I raised my rates for existing clients a small amount and for new ones quite a bit. As much as $7 a day.

No one batted an eyelash. Not even new people coming in. Once I realized that I could get new people in at this rate, I waited 6 months and now everyone is at the same rate. I don't give any more discounts and if someone can't afford me, it's ok, they move on and so do I.

I think if you work your way up, you can do it.

My issue is I don't want to make less just because 1 child goes home at 3:30. I couldn't set the earlier times to the amount I want to make per week because that would put me way more expensive than everyone else in my area for 4, 4:30, 5pm pick ups. I am on the higher side for a 4:30 close (most are similar rate till 5:30-6pm) so I couldn't stay competitive the way I had restructured the rates. My area is already full of SAHM's so getting the working parent is tough enough without being the most expensive daycare in town.