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I am thinking about offering drop in care. Looking for pros and cons before I commit or advertise.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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Some threads you can read regarding Drop-in Care: https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.php?tag=drop+in+care -
I offered a decent amount of drop-in care when I first opened before I filled up with regular clients. The largest con I saw was that the children weren't necessarily on my schedule. For me, the best thing about it was the added money, as I was able to get several regular drop-in children each week. It also gave me several references and great word of mouth as a new provider. I think there is a huge need. Also, you could easily take random days off by simply not booking people for that day.Comment
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I didn't focus too heavily on a schedule, and just focused on the basics of food and nap, supplimented with lots of outside play to wear them out. I didn't have a large group at the time and I always had 1 or 2 kids on my schedule, so the others seemed to follow suit.Comment
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cons for me would be parents getting upset because they couldn't always get the days they wanted, would get uspet I wouldn't allow for them to transfer days when they didn't use one.
they often treated me like a babysitter with the attitude that they were my boss.
Most kids who did drop in were hard to care for because they didn't have a consistent routine.
they didn't build relationships as well as the ones that were consistent part or full time. They were that kid that was just there some time.
I also didn't like that drop in parents seemed to always be the ones NOT following the rules.
UGH billy is sick and I already paid for that one day so no matter what, billy is going to go. THEN when I would say no or send home, the parents wanted a refund or credit for another day.
As you can see, I don't like drop in...
To each their own I guess. I just know that I prefer more of a consistent schedule for everyone, parent, child and provider.Comment
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For me the pro was extra income when I had spaces open; con to that was I can only take 4 kids and I usually only had one spot open and even then only for a month or two until a new family contracted regular care... I did end up turning families away sometimes especially around Holidays and Final exam time (Universities).
I advertise first call, first booked and I make sure that I have each family sign a drop-in contract specifically stating this was not regularly scheduled full or part time care & that spaces were never guaranteed to be available at anytime. I don't have openings now, but still have it listed as an option on my website just in case I do get an opening. Payment for the day is always prepay @ drop-off or there is no care given.Comment
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cons for me would be parents getting upset because they couldn't always get the days they wanted, would get uspet I wouldn't allow for them to transfer days when they didn't use one.
they often treated me like a babysitter with the attitude that they were my boss.
Most kids who did drop in were hard to care for because they didn't have a consistent routine.
they didn't build relationships as well as the ones that were consistent part or full time. They were that kid that was just there some time.
I also didn't like that drop in parents seemed to always be the ones NOT following the rules.
UGH billy is sick and I already paid for that one day so no matter what, billy is going to go. THEN when I would say no or send home, the parents wanted a refund or credit for another day.
As you can see, I don't like drop in...
To each their own I guess. I just know that I prefer more of a consistent schedule for everyone, parent, child and provider.
Lots of good points here.
Children are little angels, even when they are little devils.
They are also our future.Comment
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100% to all Daycare stated plus I will add the effort you put out to market drop in would be better served to just fill your open spots.cons for me would be parents getting upset because they couldn't always get the days they wanted, would get uspet I wouldn't allow for them to transfer days when they didn't use one.
they often treated me like a babysitter with the attitude that they were my boss.
Most kids who did drop in were hard to care for because they didn't have a consistent routine.
they didn't build relationships as well as the ones that were consistent part or full time. They were that kid that was just there some time.
I also didn't like that drop in parents seemed to always be the ones NOT following the rules.
UGH billy is sick and I already paid for that one day so no matter what, billy is going to go. THEN when I would say no or send home, the parents wanted a refund or credit for another day.
As you can see, I don't like drop in...
To each their own I guess. I just know that I prefer more of a consistent schedule for everyone, parent, child and provider.Comment
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Another thing to consider is whether your insurance company covers drop in care. Some companies have a strict definition of what they consider an enrolled child, so it's a good idea to check with them before making your decision.Comment
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I liked drop-in FOR SPECIFIC OCCASIONS, such as
I would like parents who regularly dropped in, meaning at least once or twice a week. Things would get way thrown off if they were monthly or less frequent.
The things I noticed:
Drop-in paid more per day
If the money was in hand, great, but if not, I didn't feel as bad turning them away as I would a regular client
I had more flexibility as to the times I could offer.
I had more flexibility on certain holidays if I wanted to offer, spring break, snow days, etc; usually was full during these times, and made even more than my regular drop-in rates for any holiday
I did not allow swapping of days, so this was a plus. If a parent booked, paid and then didn't use the day, there was no refund or transfer. Another day was another payment.
Cons:
If parents didn't have the $, I would have to turn them away so I had to learn not to expect them to pay at drop-off
Children were not on my schedule
Sometimes, it disrupted our routine
Sometimes, you didn't know what you were in for that day, especially if I didn't get to meet the child beforehand.Comment
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