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I have a mom who I consider a friend and told her I would be flexible with her pick up times when she enrolled her little one with me. Due to her job, she sometimes gets off work at different times and I was willing to accommodate. She has been, however, not telling me when she'll be picking up late and has been running errands and going to appointments instead of picking up at her regular pick up time. Considering this, it is impossible for me to make my own appointments or make plans in the evening because I have no idea when she's coming for pick up. Little one will ask where mommy is too and I don't have an answer. How do I address this sensitively? I just want some advance notification if she's not coming on time.
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Ask for her weekly drop off and pick up schedule a week in advance. So by Friday night the previous week, you should know her schedule the coming week. Charge for any changes. Possibly put a cut off time for pick ups, because no one should be expected to work for free so the parent can have time for themselves!
If this were my friend, I would kindly remind her I have my own personal things to attend to after work. So while I could be flexible, I would need her to be considerate of my time as well. A true friend would completely understand. If she doesn't what kind of friend is she really. Business is business, people who care about you understand and won't take advantage, like this mom. -
Thanks so much. I'll do that and see if she gets the hint. I would really prefer she didn't use me for errands and such but I guess since I'm technically open till 6, she uses the time and doesn't think of it. She drops off at 7:15, so picking up an hour or two later than usual is a long day.Comment
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This is great advice. Think about if you were to switch places. Would you put your friend in this position? If she kindly asked you to provide your schedule the Friday before the next week and asked that you tend to your personal errands WITH your child would you be mad? No, of course not.
Don't be a doormat simply so you can keep the title of friend. If she's a friend she WILL understand.
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I agree with PP, a friend wouldn't be taking advantage like that and a strong business owner shouldn't have to "hint" about such disrespectful behavior.
Require a written schedule weekly and charge for any late pick ups that aren't pre-arranged AND pre-approved.Comment
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That is a long day! Would you ever limit the hours children are in care? Before shortening my operating hours, I limited care to 9 hours. So even though I was open 7-6, a child couldn't be there the entire time. It meant kids were only there while the parents were at work and commuting.
Or try contracted hours? Or only be open the hours you'd like. Maybe close at 5, and she can have her SO, parents or friend pick her child up if she is still working.Comment
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Parents use the whole day because in their eyes, they are paying for it.
I charge according to pick up time.
I don't limit the number of hours per day a child can be in attendance but I charge for more than those that use more (over 8 hours).
I open at 7:00. Those that pick up at 3:00 pay the lowest weekly rate. Those that pick up at 4:00 pay about $50-75 more per week and those that pick up at 5:00 (my closing time) pay about $75-80 more.
So ANY child picked up at my closing time is charge THE highest rate because like you said, "Who else puts in a 10 hour day for the same pay as an 8 hour day?"
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I highly recommend revamping your payment and pick up policies! Find a method that will work best for you, there are so many awesome ways to do it! I got rid of the term "per day" because it really does set you up to work alllll day for a small fee.
I think this is a very common misstep we all make when starting out. We are unsure how to charge, unsure how to enforce late fees and pick up times. It is great that you are figuring it all out now!!
If you don't value your time, no one else will :hug: Better to start now then when you are completely burnt out and ready to call it quits!Comment
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I agree with this so much! I'm 3 months in and I started off with weekly fees but put that kids could only be here 10 hours a day that didn't end up happening and of course how do you go back once everything has spiraled out of control? None of my parents pick up at their scheduled times!
Now moving forward with any new families I have a payment structure based on hours present here st daycare. More hours here more $$$$. I really don't mind working my hours but if you want to use me for more than just daycare and you want to run errands and such and come five minutes to close when you are scheduled to pick up an hour before close then you are going to pay for it
Since I can't afford to lose any parents currently I just decided that I will start all new families out this way and then current families will have the option to either leave or switch to the new payment structure when we renew contracts.
I just secured a new kiddo with this payment structure and I'm looking forward to some consistency!Comment
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How much do you charge per hour? I don't charge for days I don't have them and have one that I only keep for 3 hours on Friday so I charge $15 for that one day.I agree with this so much! I'm 3 months in and I started off with weekly fees but put that kids could only be here 10 hours a day that didn't end up happening and of course how do you go back once everything has spiraled out of control? None of my parents pick up at their scheduled times!
Now moving forward with any new families I have a payment structure based on hours present here st daycare. More hours here more $$$$. I really don't mind working my hours but if you want to use me for more than just daycare and you want to run errands and such and come five minutes to close when you are scheduled to pick up an hour before close then you are going to pay for it
Since I can't afford to lose any parents currently I just decided that I will start all new families out this way and then current families will have the option to either leave or switch to the new payment structure when we renew contracts.
I just secured a new kiddo with this payment structure and I'm looking forward to some consistency!Comment
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It's not necessarily a per hour thing. It's based on hours scheduled. If a kiddo is scheduled to be here 9 hours or less a day it's my regular rate. 10-11 hours a day is $10 more and 11-12 hours is $20 more than the regular weekly rate. If a parent picks up pass their scheduled hours it will result in a higher tiered fee I'll tack on to next week's fees since I'm paid in advance. Consistently going over scheduled hours will result in a permanent change in rates and a new contract.
Example:
Scheduled 6am-3pm= reg weekly fee
Scheduled 6am-4-5pm= reg rate +$10 a week
Scheduled 6am-6pm= reg rate + $20 a week
Also I make them pay regardless of attendance. They get 5 days 1/2 fee vacation a year but that needs 2 weeks written notice to be applied. I don't charge for my personal/vacation days and my closed holidays are all 1/2 fee. Makes everyone feel like they're "winning" or getting something. So far it's worked well and parents who interview are always very happy to hear my little bit of flexibility even though I'm really not that flexible this just makes them feel I am
!
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I also charge per hours used. I am open from 7:30-5pm but if someone wants to have their kids there that whole time they pay my top rate. My rates are for up to 4 hours, up to 8 hours and up to 10 hours. Most everyone chooses up to 8 hours and that becomes their "contracted hours" that I base my late fees on.
I am sure rates vary where you are from but 3 hours at $15 is only $5 an hour. I charge $35 for under 4 hours.Comment
Dude, new policy.
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