Am I Wrong?

[Unregistered]

I will start off by saying that my hours are 7am-5pm. Three days a week I have families that arrive around 7:15am. Two days a week I only have families that arrive no sooner than 8:15am. Since I don't have families who regularly arrive before breakfast (8am) on two days a week, I usually sleep in and am ready for arrivals by 8am on those days. This has been a regular schedule for about two years. This morning (a later arrival day), one of my families texted me around 7:20am saying that the other parent would be dropping off at 7:40am. I did not hear/see the text before they showed up, since I was in a different room getting ready. Although, even if I had seen it, I wouldn't have been ready since it was only sent 20 minutes before they were coming. I found out they were coming early when I heard the knock on the door. This family has only done this once before about a month ago, with the same morning of text saying child would be there in 15 minutes when I wasn't expecting for another hour. When this happened the first time, I explained to DCM that because I don't have any families that regularly come until breakfast on those particular mornings, I am not prepared for children until breakfast on those days. I asked if she could let me know the night before, if they were planning on coming earlier than the usual 8:30-9am. She said that she would let me know from then on if they ever planned on being earlier on those days. Well, then it happened again this morning. I have had this family for many years and their regular drop off time has always been between 8:30-9am. On a side note, I don't do contracted hours, I just am open 7am-5pm and have come to rely on regular drop off and pick up times of each family. Is it wrong of me to ask this family to give me a heads up on the rare days they plan on bringing their child an hour earlier than usual or should I just always be prepared and ready to go at 7am?

[Thriftylady]

Well it would be polite for them to let you know. But if your policy is just open hours, I am not sure there is much you can do. I agree that it is downright rude! Perhaps you need to change your hours or changed to contracted hours? I am saying this of course based on only what you have posted and not seeing your contract or anything.

[Play Care]

I don't think they are trying to be rude or disrespectful. They truly do not understand why you have those hours if they can't use them. Or only use them sometimes. I'm in a similar situation and what I did was amend my hours to what clients were actually using. I put out a notice of a change in hours, so everyone knew when I was avalible.

Now it's not my issue if they need to figure out before hours care/work. Once I took myself out of the equation they figured it out.

[Snowmom]

I don't think it's rude to ask for a heads up.
However, from a personal/professional perspective, I think I'd probably address it in a more formal, "on paper" kind of way.

If you want a guarantee that you will know when everyone will show up (and not have surprises), write out everyone's schedule and have families sign off on their individual needs, stating if you need care beyond these hours, you must contact me 24 hours in advance and it will be available on a case by case basis (or a permanent schedule if that's what you prefer).

I understand what you're saying, but looking at it from the parents perspective, you probably told them what your hours were in the beginning and unless they're told in writing that only X amount of hours are available to them, they feel they're paying for open-close and should be able to use it.
I'm not saying it's the "right" way to view your availability, I'm just saying from my experience, this is what people think with open-close providers.

[Blackcat31]

I will start off by saying that my hours are 7am-5pm. Three days a week I have families that arrive around 7:15am. Two days a week I only have families that arrive no sooner than 8:15am. Since I don't have families who regularly arrive before breakfast (8am) on two days a week, I usually sleep in and am ready for arrivals by 8am on those days. This has been a regular schedule for about two years. This morning (a later arrival day), one of my families texted me around 7:20am saying that the other parent would be dropping off at 7:40am. I did not hear/see the text before they showed up, since I was in a different room getting ready. Although, even if I had seen it, I wouldn't have been ready since it was only sent 20 minutes before they were coming. I found out they were coming early when I heard the knock on the door. This family has only done this once before about a month ago, with the same morning of text saying child would be there in 15 minutes when I wasn't expecting for another hour. When this happened the first time, I explained to DCM that because I don't have any families that regularly come until breakfast on those particular mornings, I am not prepared for children until breakfast on those days. I asked if she could let me know the night before, if they were planning on coming earlier than the usual 8:30-9am. She said that she would let me know from then on if they ever planned on being earlier on those days. Well, then it happened again this morning. I have had this family for many years and their regular drop off time has always been between 8:30-9am. On a side note, I don't do contracted hours, I just am open 7am-5pm and have come to rely on regular drop off and pick up times of each family. Is it wrong of me to ask this family to give me a heads up on the rare days they plan on bringing their child an hour earlier than usual or should I just always be prepared and ready to go at 7am?

Why would it be wrong to ask them for a schedule of what time they are dropping off?

I am sure they get a schedule for work.

If you have already talked to this family about this, I would be upset that they did it again. I'd say something to them for sure.

I'd say something like "Sue, I plan my time and activities based on the time parents tell me they will be dropping off. As discussed previously I am not prepared to take your child(ren) any earlier than your normal drop off time UNLESS you notify me the night before. As of today, I will no longer be willing to accept your children prior to 8:30 am unless earlier drop off has been requested AND approved. "

I'd even consider adding fees for early drop off. You dont have to convert all the way over to contracted hours but an early drop off fee might just be needed.

[Thriftylady]

I don't think it's rude to ask for a heads up.
However, from a personal/professional perspective, I think I'd probably address it in a more formal, "on paper" kind of way.

If you want a guarantee that you will know when everyone will show up (and not have surprises), write out everyone's schedule and have families sign off on their individual needs, stating if you need care beyond these hours, you must contact me 24 hours in advance and it will be available on a case by case basis (or a permanent schedule if that's what you prefer).

I understand what you're saying, but looking at it from the parents perspective, you probably told them what your hours were in the beginning and unless they're told in writing that only X amount of hours are available to them, they feel they're paying for open-close and should be able to use it.
I'm not saying it's the "right" way to view your availability, I'm just saying from my experience, this is what people think with open-close providers.

I hope my post didn't read wrong! I wasn't saying the provider was rude for wanting to know. I think it is rude of people to change their schedules and not tell the other people involved. Not just in child care, but in anything.

[daycarediva]

I don't think they are trying to be rude or disrespectful. They truly do not understand why you have those hours if they can't use them. Or only use them sometimes. I'm in a similar situation and what I did was amend my hours to what clients were actually using. I put out a notice of a change in hours, so everyone knew when I was avalible.

Now it's not my issue if they need to figure out before hours care/work. Once I took myself out of the equation they figured it out.

I don't think it's rude to ask for a heads up.
However, from a personal/professional perspective, I think I'd probably address it in a more formal, "on paper" kind of way.

If you want a guarantee that you will know when everyone will show up (and not have surprises), write out everyone's schedule and have families sign off on their individual needs, stating if you need care beyond these hours, you must contact me 24 hours in advance and it will be available on a case by case basis (or a permanent schedule if that's what you prefer).

I understand what you're saying, but looking at it from the parents perspective, you probably told them what your hours were in the beginning and unless they're told in writing that only X amount of hours are available to them, they feel they're paying for open-close and should be able to use it.
I'm not saying it's the "right" way to view your availability, I'm just saying from my experience, this is what people think with open-close providers.

I would either go to contracted hours, or have them sign a statement that hours you are WILLING to provide care ARE 7-5, write their schedule out, BUT they must notify you 24 hours in advance if they need care outside of that time, and it would be X/hour. (PLEASE charge a fee for additional time- otherwise it will become a regular thing and you will be working every morning at 7)

[Ariana]

I have this in my contract actually. It states that anytime a parent needs to drop off or pickup at unusual times they must let me know the night before. Continued dropping off or picking up outside of 'usual hours' without sufficient notice can result in termination. Although I do have contracted hours I do not have contracted times for pickup or drop off but parents know their usual schedule and that becomes their "usual hours". They also know that if they arrive outside of their usual hours without notice my husband may be the one taking care of their child...in his pajamas

[Snowmom]

I hope my post didn't read wrong! I wasn't saying the provider was rude for wanting to know. I think it is rude of people to change their schedules and not tell the other people involved. Not just in child care, but in anything.

Nope, I read your comment as you intended.

[ChelseaB]

I have "open hours" as well, I'd love to switch to contracted hours, but I have yet to make the change! I'll probably wait until the new year.

Regardless, I do make certain that my parents understand my opening time is more specifically based on when they tell me they need me. Sure, I'm willing to open as early as 7 (or earlier for some instances), but you'll have to tell me when you're going to drop off, otherwise, I may not be ready for you. Pick up is where they have more flexibility. But it's out of mutual respect that we constantly communicate when I'll be needed, and honestly, I haven't had many problems yet. I don't believe you're wrong, I'd just have an honest discussion about your routines and explain one more time. If they don't get it and this happens once more, I'd just ignore the text and knocking until I was ready. Then I'd open the door with a "good morning!" And a smile. If you want to acknowledge that you did receive the text, I'd follow that up with a "I'm sorry, I didn't receive your message on time! I'll be happy to accommodate your needs with advance notice!" And leave it at that.

[wonderfullisa]

Regarding giving you notice by an early morning text, I tell all of my families that a text should not be considered "read" until I reply to them. I will always send something back so they know I received it.

[Blackcat31]

Regarding giving you notice by an early morning text, I tell all of my families that a text should not be considered "read" until I reply to them. I will always send something back so they know I received it.

I do the same.

I also require parents to respond if I send a text. They can say or "OK" or whatever they choose just so long as they reply so I know they received the text.

[rosieteddy]

I had time I was opened for and Parents contracted for their hours.For example IF parent wanted 8 am-4pm the price was different than a parent wanting 8 -530. I would open early but charged a fee and parents needed to set it up ahead of time.In your situation I would have set hours of 8 - 5.Then charge more for 7 -8 am.You can do this at any time I would amend my contract .Give two weeks for price to set in.I found that it was to broad to just offer the full open time to all.I hated not knowing when parents were dropping off or picking up.