Unscheduled & Showing Up To My Home!

[Mike]

Haha well some new responses showed up before i finished mine

That sometimes happens. ::

I agree. Charge a bit more for the extra day. She will probably then decide one way or the other.

[Sumshine]

I think if I do a huge fee that she will be mad. I could care less of she chooses to end care at this point but I live in a small town and just got started and I don't know anyone here and she knows a lot of people so I don't want her "trashing" me because shes upset and I'm making things worse for her in her eyes.

I think solution of her either A- coming every Tuesday but she has to show up or I won't do it because shes wasting my resources or B- picking her up from school unless a Tuesday is scheduled with proper notice.

I don't think she likes either of those ideas but those are her options. I think she is going to ignore the situation and not give me an answer. If DCG rides bus next Tuesday I'll terminate care immediately and explain she did not respect my decision to have her picked up from school or change her paperwork/contract for M-F care.

[daycare]

One and only time I tired SA. I had a rule that they needed to notify me by 9am of any schedule changes and child didn't need to be picked up or was sick. . I only did after school Care.

I picked up the child from the school. If I got to the school and the child wasn't there I charged a $10 inconvenience fee for failure to notify. The parents paid that fee a lot.

The child also wasn't contracted for Friday and several times the parents would contact me by 9 am to ask if I could pick up that day. I already charged a flat rate but if I picked up that Friday it was yet again another $10 inconvenience fee.
I did require a 24 hour notice for addition to your schedule.

Maybe something like this will work. ?

[Sumshine]

One and only time I tired SA. I had a rule that they needed to notify me by 9am of any schedule changes and child didn't need to be picked up or was sick. . I only did after school Care.

I picked up the child from the school. If I got to the school and the child wasn't there I charged a $10 inconvenience fee for failure to notify. The parents paid that fee a lot.

The child also wasn't contracted for Friday and several times the parents would contact me by 9 am to ask if I could pick up that day. I already charged a flat rate but if I picked up that Friday it was yet again another $10 inconvenience fee.
I did require a 24 hour notice for addition to your schedule.

Maybe something like this will work. ?

That is not a bad idea but I think I am just going to cut my loses or stick it out until summer with option A or option B since I don't have any other SA nor have I even had an interview for one since opening. SA care isn't really needed they have a good before/after school program, a boys and girls club, and a lot of parents leave kids home alone for before/after school for short periods of time once they hit 3rd grade and go to the older elementary school.

She never responded to me so I sent her my final text of the night giving her no choice but to choose:
Let me know what you want to do when you decide. You can either pick her up from school on Tuesdays unless otherwise previously scheduled or we can change contract for official M-F care but if im wasting too much food/resources because she isn't here I will end Tuesday care and go back to the solution of picking up at school unless there is notice. Thank you and have a good night!


On a personal note I have decided if she hasn't figured it out before next Tuesday I will just terminate care. I hate to do it but I don't appreciate the way she spoke to me (even though I'm assuming she was really just angry about getting pulled over) and I don't like that she constantly is challenging me about silly stuff. I do things for a reason. It's best for me, all the kids in my care, and my business and I'm not going to change because 1 parent doesn't understand its not okay to show up unscheduled.

[Mike]

I think if I do a huge fee that she will be mad. I could care less of she chooses to end care at this point but I live in a small town and just got started and I don't know anyone here and she knows a lot of people so I don't want her "trashing" me because shes upset and I'm making things worse for her in her eyes.

I think solution of her either A- coming every Tuesday but she has to show up or I won't do it because shes wasting my resources or B- picking her up from school unless a Tuesday is scheduled with proper notice.

I don't think she likes either of those ideas but those are her options. I think she is going to ignore the situation and not give me an answer. If DCG rides bus next Tuesday I'll terminate care immediately and explain she did not respect my decision to have her picked up from school or change her paperwork/contract for M-F care.

Main thing is to decide how you want to do it, like your 2 options, and put your foot down. It is your business. A small town is tricky, but if she does try to trash you, some people may see the situation from your side and see how professional you are. It's good to have everyone like us, but not if it stops us from being the one in charge of OUR business.

[Mike]

On a personal note I have decided if she hasn't figured it out before next Tuesday I will just terminate care. I hate to do it but I don't appreciate the way she spoke to me (even though I'm assuming she was really just angry about getting pulled over) and I don't like that she constantly is challenging me about silly stuff. I do things for a reason. It's best for me, all the kids in my care, and my business and I'm not going to change because 1 parent doesn't understand its not okay to show up unscheduled.

Good
You're being the boss of your business.

[midaycare]

Why is it the same price for her to do a schedule with or without a Tuesday? Maybe tell her if she wants to schedule m-f then the tuition goes up by at least 40$/week. To make the show/no show mystery tuesdays worth your while!

I'm going to guess because it's impossible (almost) to find someone who wants care 1 day a week on Tuesdays to fill the income gap. I allow 3 days per week, and 2 days per week (and full time, of course), but never 4 days without full time pay.

OP: I'm feeling this isn't a great fit for you.

[Sumshine]

Main thing is to decide how you want to do it, like your 2 options, and put your foot down. It is your business. A small town is tricky, but if she does try to trash you, some people may see the situation from your side and see how professional you are. It's good to have everyone like us, but not if it stops us from being the one in charge of OUR business.

Thank you and thank you everyone for your support! Who knew things could get so tricky so easily?! I sure didn't ! I like not knowing anyone here it's nice. DH grew up here I am from the cities so way different environment. I walked through metal detectors to get into school and he lived with chickens and horses and land ! Way different lives! I moved up here when I found out I was pregnant with DS and he already had a house here so it made sense to move here! I just don't want someone who knows everyone possibly influence everyone else to form an opinion about me and my care before they see it for themselves!

[CalCare]

Yes to middaycare, I know it is hard, if not impossible, to get part timer schedules all matched up, but that doesn't translate to giving the dcm free Tuesdays. She said in the original post that dcg is not scheduled for tuesdays at all. So I asked why she was getting free Tuesdays whenever she feels like a free tuesday. It seems to be free drop in basically. Literally, unannounced drop in care whether you're home or not!

[Josiegirl]

These constant nit-picky behaviors of parents would drive me crazy. I would either let her go because of her nasty text and disregard for rules. Quite honestly you say this has happened before so I highly doubt she was pulled over. OR I would increase her rates to reflect her extra expectations. Make Tuesday snacks cheap and easy, along with materials. It really won't cost that much and any food leftover will be eaten, I'm sure.
Good luck with whatever you choose and yes, I think terminating her care before school ends is a great idea. Summers with 1 SA dck can be hellish. How old is she? Is she helpful? You already said she gets bored and doesn't want to do any of your SA activities. Does she have homework or anything else she can work on after school?

[Sumshine]

These constant nit-picky behaviors of parents would drive me crazy. I would either let her go because of her nasty text and disregard for rules. Quite honestly you say this has happened before so I highly doubt she was pulled over. OR I would increase her rates to reflect her extra expectations. Make Tuesday snacks cheap and easy, along with materials. It really won't cost that much and any food leftover will be eaten, I'm sure.
Good luck with whatever you choose and yes, I think terminating her care before school ends is a great idea. Summers with 1 SA dck can be hellish. How old is she? Is she helpful? You already said she gets bored and doesn't want to do any of your SA activities. Does she have homework or anything else she can work on after school?

I know I already can't make it through the summer with just her being my only SA! She isn't very helpful in fact school was out Monday she drove me nuts. I can't count how many times she asked me for help (when she doesn't need it) or tried talking to me about stuff whIle I was in the middle of helping the Littles. I can't count how many times in a day I say "Hunny not right now I'm busy with preschool, feeding baby, etc". Or for ex I had just laid Baby down in sleeping room. He falls alseep, she tried to go in and get a blanket (at 9am) because she was tired. I told her absolutely not and she is not to go in there if baby is sleeping plus it's not "nap" time. I put my son in time out, she sneaks him play doh she snuck into my house. That one I pretty much lost it. She asks me so many nosy/personal questions all day long I would never ask at her age (7). I finally gave in and let her just watch TV Monday. We are all sick. I sent 2 kiddos home monday and 1 was already gone and my son was sick and being a handful! It was easier before I was licensed when it was just her, my son, and I. I could help entertain her more!

She has HW but I usually don't have her do it because she literally makes me sit with her and basically do it for her. It's beyond the point of "help" my 7 year old high functioning autistic brother does his homework with less help and more ease so it's a pain for me. I wait til she gets home since she gets picked up 4-4:30pm and gets to my house at 3:30pm.

I decided a month ago I just won't accept another school ager at this point unless i could maybe litterally find another 6-8 year old girl and was going to term before summer with some nice notice for DCM to find other things. I'm the cheapest I know that's why she goes to me. I have tried politely saying she's bored, I can't seem to get her a friend her age, etc hoping mom would pick up the hint and make her own decision. I personally wouldn't want my son in daycare with no friends even close to his age range. It's a 4 year age gap between her and the other oldest.

[Fancygoldfish]

I would give her notice to terminate. However, if you're in an area where it's hard to fill spots and you like the child , then charge her in advance for every Tue, regardless of attendance. If she refuses to pay, start trying to fill the spot and give her notice.

[childcaremom]

Some thoughts:

There is a ton of back and forth already. So I would try to leave it alone and let her process before sending any further info.

I would have have either termed after her text OR said that unless she gives me 48 hours notice that I will be terming due to licensing. And left it at that. But hindsight is a wonderful thing. So use this as a lesson learned and move it on forward. :hug:

I wouldn't mention anything about the food being wasted. Your reason should be related to the group (imho): It is too disruptive to have a last minute change of plan. Unless I receive 48 hours notice I will not expect dcg. If she shows up, it will be an immediate term.

I would let the school know that on Tuesdays, dcg is not to be there unless dcm gives them (the school) the heads up. It is too easy for you to be back up with this set up and to have a similar situation again (dcg there unattended).

This dcm needs clear boundaries. I guess, if this was me, I would tell dcm that you will take dcg on Tuesdays with 48 hours notice ONLY. Set a time limit: Sundays by 8 pm. There is an extra charge for this, as well. (I would charge $10 - or whatever fee you feel makes it worth your while). That if there is not proper notice given and dcg shows up, you will have no choice but to term immediately and call CPS (well, maybe that sounds too threatening with the cps). That dcg is to only use the bus stop at your house when she is scheduled due to licensing. So on Tuesdays where dcm doesn't need you, she is not to be there.

But honestly, it does not seem like it is a good fit. I would tell dcm that after reviewing, it is in dcg's best interest to be with a similar age group. And I wouldn't wait until summer. Do it now! It is really hard to do mixed age groups, especially with only 1 sa'er.

Any more sass from this dcm and I would be showing her the door: immediate term.

I would not worry about talk. I think it would reflect poorly on her, rather than you, anyways. I live in a smallish town, too. I know it's hard. I just no longer care.

[Sumshine]

I'm giving her until Thursday to make a decision. If she hadnt reached out to me im terminating care. It's not about refilling her spot I don't want more SA at this point. This has been too much of a headache already. It's more ore financially I can't justify cutting back right now even if DCM is a pain. My DH is laid off until spring hence me waiting it out. But it's really not all that much money and she doesn't even pay me right (in advance) because she again, threw a fit when I said I was licensed and everyone now had to pay in advance. She said she couldn't just up and change her finances like that and I had personally been letting her pay the way she had for a few months before ei got licensed. (Insert eye roll here) she pays me every 2 weeks and not in advance. Rather a pain to keep track of and bill and receipt! She also has shorted me a few times and it's awkward she doesn't "understand " that school out days are $20 in addition to her PT fee even though she receives an upcoming fee statement to reflect that. She really just pushes my limits. I added some new stuff to my policies after being opened for a month as I found things that needed to be tweaked or changed all together (I'm new I'm learning) she lost it and said I have too much paperwork and she refuses to fill it out or fill out a change in schedule form care needed for days school is out and I should just assume DCG will be here but then gers mad when I bill her for a school out day she didn't need.


Wow typing this up I think I may just terminate care with a 2 week notice. I have in my contract I can term at all will but maybe 2 weeks will be enough where she can cool her jets and leave peacefully and I can go my own way and not deal with this anymore. Too many situations she has been rude to me. Too many times she gets upset about silly stuff. Yikes I couldn't sleep last night (I know dumb) because of all of this. I think I just need to move on. No reason I should loose sleep overy 1 SA.

[Sumshine]

Yes 2 week notice is waiting to be given to mom in child's folder tonight at pick up. Still have no response from her about choosing what she wants to do on Tuesday. I think it's rude she's just going to ignore it and think she can keep doing what she has been doing. Nope! DCG came in today. Mom didn't even walk her to door she came in alone. DCG says she's starving (she missed breakfast cut off by 15 mins) sorry DCG here is a nutrigrain bar to tide you over we are heading downstairs to play. DCG continues to whine all morning saying she can't wait to get to school so she can eat, mom didn't hardly feed her last night, etc. Nope nope nope! All my other kiddos who are over their fevers came in today happy as can be and I am looking forward to Feb 15th so I can have that every morning and be able to take a walk at 3:20 on a Tuesday and not have to worry about my liability as a business