Snow-Do You Allow Earlier Drop Offs?

[Miss Lindsey]

I live in Missouri and we just got a dumping of snow...with more continuing into tomorrow. Well, I happen to not have anyone today, but got a text from one of my moms asking if she could drop her daughter off at 6:30 instead of 7am which is my opening time. She said it took her an hour and a half to get to work today, and the snow is supposed to be continuing through late morning tomorrow, and she wants to drop her daughter off at 6:30 so she can get to work closer to on time.
My thought is, tell your boss your daycare doesn't open until 7...too bad. But wondering if I'm being insensitive here.
What do you do? Do you ever open early due to weather?

[laundrymom]

charge her your drop on rate for that time if you feel like doing it, if not tell her your not licensed for that time, your sorry.

[QualiTcare]

i would do it. it's not like it's an every day thing - u know the weather is bad. i'd feel bad if i said NO and they got into a wreck on the way to work. it's easy to say, "tell your boss you can't be there on time" when you don't have a boss

[mickey2]

From my experience, once you start making exceptions you will be expected to more often.

[Miss Lindsey]

I think the reason it irritates me is because she knows I'm home, and that I could just wake up earlier, etc. But if she was paying the higher rates at a daycare facility that wasn't open at 7...she'd be forced to tell her boss she can't be in on time. But because it's in my home, she figures why not? I feel like if I make the exception, she'll know she can ask again. I don't know what the group daycares hours typically are, but I feel 7 is pretty fair. I guess I'm just wanting to get the point across that I have set hours, and expect them to be respected. I have kids and a husband that are still sleeping at that time, and the kid screams when mom leaves, so it ends up waking the entire family...maybe charging for the early opening is a good idea.

[QualiTcare]

are your hours like 7am - 6pm and the kids can be there at any time between those times, or are they contracted hours depending on what time she works?

i guess i would take that into consideration too. you said you have set hours, so if she's not a parent that takes advantage of the fact you're open until 6 or whatever time that is - i would consider that.

[e.j.]

I have kids and a husband that are still sleeping at that time, and the kid screams when mom leaves, so it ends up waking the entire family...maybe charging for the early opening is a good idea.

If it were me, I'd do it. If I didn't want her to make a habit of it, I'd tell her that ordinarily I don't open early but given the extreme weather, I'd make an exception this one time.

Based on what you said above, though, I can understand why you'd be reluctant to agree to opening earlier. You could tell her that while you wish you could open earlier for her, it really would be a disruption to your family's schedule which isn't fair to them.

[lvt77]

I agree you do it for one you do it for all....you give an inch you take a mile....Its not your fault it snowed......
I am so eating my words, as I would probably just charge them for the extra time..

[kendallina]

I would do it. I think it's a courteous thing to do and the parent (hopefully) will appreciate it and remember that you did it. I would charge her, though. No one gets free care here!

[momma2girls]

From my experience, once you start making exceptions you will be expected to more often.

I have been thru this many, many times as well!!

[momma2girls]

I think the reason it irritates me is because she knows I'm home, and that I could just wake up earlier, etc. But if she was paying the higher rates at a daycare facility that wasn't open at 7...she'd be forced to tell her boss she can't be in on time. But because it's in my home, she figures why not? I feel like if I make the exception, she'll know she can ask again. I don't know what the group daycares hours typically are, but I feel 7 is pretty fair. I guess I'm just wanting to get the point across that I have set hours, and expect them to be respected. I have kids and a husband that are still sleeping at that time, and the kid screams when mom leaves, so it ends up waking the entire family...maybe charging for the early opening is a good idea.

I know the Centers around here, would definately not open any earlier for anyone. If their hrs. are 6:30-5:30 they are not open any earlier or will not stay open longer for them!

[JenNJ]

I allow up to 15 minutes early in the morning when we have bad weather. I do not charge for it. I totaled my car in a storm about 7 years ago, so I do not rush people when the roads are bad.

My snow/ice policy is this:

Drop off:
15 minute early drop off from CONTRACTED time. Must receive a text or call prior to early drop off. Must receive a text or call if child will be late or absent due to weather.

Pick up:
Everyone is to communicate with me about their commute. Charges will be applied for excessive lateness (beyond 15 minutes) and if I have to feed your child dinner it costs an additional $10. Cash due on arrival.

[daysofelijah]

I probably would allow it if I had a parent that worked downtown or something. All my dck's, except one, now have at least one parent that lives and works within 5 minutes of me. So in their case no I probably wouldn't allow it.

[legomom922]

I would do it....... for a price. I have it in my contract. up to 1/2 hr early is $5, and thing above 30 minutes, like 35 and so forth its $10. You are working no matter what, so why not be paid for it? I like winter!

[Gurdy]

I live in Missouri and we just got a dumping of snow...with more continuing into tomorrow. Well, I happen to not have anyone today, but got a text from one of my moms asking if she could drop her daughter off at 6:30 instead of 7am which is my opening time. She said it took her an hour and a half to get to work today, and the snow is supposed to
be continuing through late morning tomorrow, and she wants to drop her daughter off at 6:30 so she can get to work closer to on time.
My thought is, tell your boss your daycare doesn't open until 7...too bad. But wondering if I'm being insensitive here.
What do you do? Do you ever open early due to weather?

I am in MO too! KC area. I opened at 6:30 this morning for a mom that works downtown. She asked me in advance an I did not charge her. She is my best client though and always pays on time and I have been taking care of her kids (she has 3) since her oldest boy was 12 weeks old and he is in Kindergarten now.