Variable Hours Contract?

[KEG123]

Do you have a separate contract for variable hours? I ask because the way mine is set up, it asks for specific days and hours on those days. But what if they only come 3 "random" days a week?

Hope that makes sense... if not, let me know and I'll try to reword!

[Abigail]

Are you saying the parents work three days a week, but it changes each week so you can't just give them a M/W/F or other solid schedule? I would not want a family like that. I want to be able to fill my open spots and not have them change each week. I know that is what my friend does because her husbands day's off switch from week one to week two and I couldn't deal with the random times. I would charge a much higher rate to try to accommodate the hours. If they're long days I would charge full time and it wouldn't be a problem, but if they are only for half days that could be costly.

[KEG123]

Are you saying the parents work three days a week, but it changes each week so you can't just give them a M/W/F or other solid schedule? I would not want a family like that. I want to be able to fill my open spots and not have them change each week. I know that is what my friend does because her husbands day's off switch from week one to week two and I couldn't deal with the random times. I would charge a much higher rate to try to accommodate the hours. If they're long days I would charge full time and it wouldn't be a problem, but if they are only for half days that could be costly.

Yes this is basically what I mean. They will be here from 1-3 days per week, so I'll be charging for 3 days a week. They will be variable days, like one week it could be mtw, next it could be t-th. kwim?? The dad is a fire fighter and the mom works "weird hours" according to the dad. The child would have regular HOURS but not regular days.

They have an interview Monday. I'm willing to do weird hours, at least for now! I don't ever plan on being at capacity, so I'm not too worried about filling the "open" spot.

[busymomof2]

I have two families that have variable days. One mom is a dog breeder and does not have a set schedule and the other family mom works fulltime but dad who use to stay at home with kids just got a part-time job where his schedule changes every week. They know that I require a minimum of 3 days a week at $30 a day. That helps me budget for at least $90 a week per family. However, most of the time they do 4 days. The problem with doing variable day is charging for holidays. Neither family pays for holidays becaue I can't say that they would have been there that day. On my contract I put varying days until notified otherwise. I would prefer full-time as well for $ sakes but I do preschool and it's hard to find just 3 or 4 year olds most parents want care for infants.

[Abigail]

Will you get their schedule in advance? I guess they would find ways around holidays unless you always have one day being the same.

[KEG123]

Will you get their schedule in advance? I guess they would find ways around holidays unless you always have one day being the same.

The dad says he knows his schedule 3 weeks in advance, not sure of the mom though. I'm assuming at least two weeks, like most jobs.

[Abigail]

I'm glad there are people like you who are flexible. If I can't get any bites I'm sure I would do the same and work with variable hours. I would have them say in the contract they must notify you of the days they plan to attend at least one week or two weeks in advance. You never know how this might bite you in the butt later one with them texting the morning of and needing care when you may have planned a field trip or craft activity that wasn't planned on having their child participate in. I would just keep that in mind for "even though you can have three week days from this time to this time, you must notify me at least a week in advance. If you need same-day care you rate will increase $10 for the last minute notice even if you only attend three total days that week" type of a deal.

[MG&Lsmom]

I have a variable hours dck and our contract reads M-F 7am-5pm as needed, schedule due by 6pm Sunday for following week. DCM works retail and schedules come out on Saturday. She normally works 5-11pm on a Saturday which is why she tells me on Sunday otherwise I would not allow that much lack of notice. Thur/Fri are reserved and paid for in advance as those are days DCD definitely works. M-W are available on a first come, first serve basis like all my other drop ins.

[KEG123]

Well their interview is monday, I just wanted to be prepared. I'm kinda nervous, first interview! Obviously I don't know what to expect, if they will want to go with me or not. He said they had talked to other providers and one lady was willing to do a drop in, but its probably like you all said, first come first serve, whereas I'd be willing to actually hold their spot.

[Rachel]

If you charge for holidays and they have varying days but 3x a week, I would charge them for 3/5 of all holidays. Just list your holidays, and if there are 10 days you take out of the year, charge them for the first 6 (regardless of what day it falls on), and then they get freebies on the others (again, regardless of the days). It's not fair to have some families pay for holidays, and others not.

[Abigail]

Rachel, that does make sense. I should add this to my handbook to explain in detail, but I'm still praying I'm lucky enough for all full timers!

Does anyone else do this? So if someone attended only 2 days a week and I charge for 10 holidays then they would pay the first 4 holidays whether they were scheduled that day or not and the rest of the holidays would be free for the year. I can see how it may become confusing to keep track of though.

[Rachel]

I would just make a list for yourself with each holiday. Example if your holidays are: (I know I'm probalby not listing the ones you take, just off the top of my head)

Jan 1
MLK Day
Good Friday
Memorial Day
4th July
Labor Day
Thanksgiving
Day after
Dec 24
Dec 25

Make a little box with checkoffs so the holidays are vertical, the family names horizonatal. If Smith family comes 2/ a week, they pay Jan 1st, MLK Day, Good Friday + Memorial Day. Check when they pay and X the rest of the boxes as N/A. In Smith's contract I would list the specific days they pay, so they know they pay these 4 holidays.

[Abigail]

Rachel, is there a specific reason why it is the first holidays instead of every third or every other holiday? I bet it is so the provider gets the most for the income if they decide to leave within six months or so. How would you explain this to the family if they ask why it's the first holidays? I can understand, but I don't want to say "So I get the benefit of the doubt." LOL

[Rachel]

I don't know, it hasn't come up for me (we pay by the month here), but if you wanted you could certainly do every 2nd or 3rd, I just think it would be harder to keep track. Also holidays never come up even. What about the person who starts with a new daycare right before Thanksgiving and has to pay for 4 holidays in the first 2 months and then they leave in Jan, but someone else who comes mid Jan and stays for 2 months wouldnt' pay any holiday. Sometimes you can't make everything "fair"

[dEHmom]

I have a casual with variable hours. Generally she is the same schedule for the month at least.
All I do is ask them what is the schedule next month. If the weeks will be changing regularly, not consistently then give them a blank calendar and tell them to fill itout and give it back. OR, just have them write weeks 1-4 down and give it to you.

As for the contract part, everything goes (except they are casual not full time) and I just write in the spaces for the hours as required.