Logged Out for Privacy - Shortening Hours

[Unregistered]

When I first opened I offered tiered rates based on pick up time with the latest pick up at 5:30pm --- my first dcb enrolled opted for the 5:30pm pick up and his mom never ever picks up early she barely makes it here from work by 5:30pm especially if she hits any traffic. Then my second child I was back up care for also went with the 5:30pm pick up and I quickly realized I wanted shorter hours.

I changed my offerings and my full day now ends at 3:30pm for all who enrolled after those first two. The drop-in child has moved so I just have one child here until from 3:30pm - 5:30pm. My contracts are for the school year so a new one would need to be signed for September...

Would you grandfather this child in and honor the 5:30pm until he ages out or would you give notice of the policy change to 3:30pm pick up?

If I give notice of the policy change how much notice should I give? I require one month notice to withdraw so I was thinking 4-5 weeks notice of the policy change would be fair. My best friend feels that is not enough time since it is a MAJOR policy change on my end. So how much notice would you provide if you were do so? What would you say to DCM if you hoped to keep the child and for them to adjust to the new hours?

I would need to fill one full time or two part time spots to not need the income from his spot and my goal is to do that prior to giving notification then it would not matter financially if the child stayed or left - that said I do really like the family and the little boy but I happen to like my own child and family more.

[flying_babyb]

I would do at least 5 weeks, just to be kind. I would'nt grandfather anyone, cause what if another family asks why that child gets to stay late. I would talk to the mom and let her know how much you like the dck and tell her a few things you like about him, then let her know that due to changes that you will now be closing at 330. I would reinstate that i really like the child, and hope they can continue but if they need to find a new provider that you understand

[kendallina]

I think 4 week notice is plenty. It's what you require of them, so it's what they would expect. Do you have reason to believe they would be able to pick up early? Are you comfortable if they drop?

I don't blame you for wanting everyone gone by 3:30. I would not like having just one child here for two hours by themselves!

[Unregistered]

I think 4 week notice is plenty. It's what you require of them, so it's what they would expect. Do you have reason to believe they would be able to pick up early? Are you comfortable if they drop?

I don't blame you for wanting everyone gone by 3:30. I would not like having just one child here for two hours by themselves!

It ****s to have just one child for those last two hours - especially because it means having to pay someone else take care of my own child and take her to her activities. The time also just seems to drag.

The dad has a flexible job when they add an additional non-scheduled day DCD is able to pick up by 3:30pm but I doubt this is something DCD can or would do on an on-going basis given that their SA child is in after school care.

Their cost here would go down $240 per month and their SA after-care is $320 per month, combined that is $560 per month --- they could hire an afterschool nanny for that and the children could be in the comfort of their own home. That said, I would not be surprised if DCM moved dcb to a center that was open until 6pm (she really struggles to get here by 5:30pm) I know she had him on the waitlist at one when she enrolled with me.

[Unregistered]

I would not grandfather the child in to the 5:30 time. I have shortened my hours and my week. I do a reregistration every April to see who will be staying or leaving and this is when I also give notice about any changes to my program. Families interested in returning for the new school year which starts in August must put in a nonrefundable deposit of $100. I do it this way so I know how many spaces I would need to fill and start advertising early. However, the minimum amount of time I am required to let families know about any changes is 30 days to be in compliant with DHS which I have done also.

[finsup]

It ****s to have just one child for those last two hours - especially because it means having to pay someone else take care of my own child and take her to her activities. The time also just seems to drag.

The dad has a flexible job when they add an additional non-scheduled day DCD is able to pick up by 3:30pm but I doubt this is something DCD can or would do on an on-going basis given that their SA child is in after school care.

Their cost here would go down $240 per month and their SA after-care is $320 per month, combined that is $560 per month --- they could hire an afterschool nanny for that and the children could be in the comfort of their own home. That said, I would not be surprised if DCM moved dcb to a center that was open until 6pm (she really struggles to get here by 5:30pm) I know she had him on the waitlist at one when she enrolled with me.

For that reason alone I wouldn't grandfather him in. My own kids come first and I would really resent it if I couldn't go to their activities etc due to one dck. 4-5 weeks is more then reasonable and plenty of time for them to secure other care if they don't want to do it. As long as you're fine with potentially loosing them, I'd do it!

[LovetheSun]

I would say a 6 weeks notice depending on how difficult it is to find a nanny in your area.

Is hard in our area to find good nanny so I would personally give them 6 to 8 weeks the least

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

This will sound so blunt and I apologize. I'm trying to word it as gentle as I can.

I never "**** it up" for other people's families to the detriment of my own. I have shortened my days offered in the past and no one was grandfathered in. They were given 1 month's notice.
I just shortened my hours and gave 3 weeks notice. No one was grandfathered in. These things are best for my own family and are still workable for my current clients (or the vast majority of them) so it works out.

It sounds like this would be best for you. Since you only require 4 weeks for THEM then I would only give 4 weeks. They're likely going to find somewhere new within 2-3 weeks and exit your program at that point. It doesn't take long to find somewhere new.

[daycarediva]

This will sound so blunt and I apologize. I'm trying to word it as gentle as I can.

I never "**** it up" for other people's families to the detriment of my own. I have shortened my days offered in the past and no one was grandfathered in. They were given 1 month's notice.
I just shortened my hours and gave 3 weeks notice. No one was grandfathered in. These things are best for my own family and are still workable for my current clients (or the vast majority of them) so it works out.

It sounds like this would be best for you. Since you only require 4 weeks for THEM then I would only give 4 weeks. They're likely going to find somewhere new within 2-3 weeks and exit your program at that point. It doesn't take long to find somewhere new.

THIS! Families will ALWAYS do what is best for them. SO SHOULD PROVIDERS. I would give the minimum notice required and have them sign a written statement agreeing to pay and abide by all policies within the final weeks of care.

Be done at 3:30, spend those two hours with your own child.

[Blackcat31]

This will sound so blunt and I apologize. I'm trying to word it as gentle as I can.

I never "**** it up" for other people's families to the detriment of my own. I have shortened my days offered in the past and no one was grandfathered in. They were given 1 month's notice.
I just shortened my hours and gave 3 weeks notice. No one was grandfathered in. These things are best for my own family and are still workable for my current clients (or the vast majority of them) so it works out.

It sounds like this would be best for you. Since you only require 4 weeks for THEM then I would only give 4 weeks. They're likely going to find somewhere new within 2-3 weeks and exit your program at that point. It doesn't take long to find somewhere new.

What she said ^^^^

[Unregistered]

This will sound so blunt and I apologize. I'm trying to word it as gentle as I can.

I never "**** it up" for other people's families to the detriment of my own. I have shortened my days offered in the past and no one was grandfathered in. They were given 1 month's notice.
I just shortened my hours and gave 3 weeks notice. No one was grandfathered in. These things are best for my own family and are still workable for my current clients (or the vast majority of them) so it works out.

It sounds like this would be best for you. Since you only require 4 weeks for THEM then I would only give 4 weeks. They're likely going to find somewhere new within 2-3 weeks and exit your program at that point. It doesn't take long to find somewhere new.

Honestly I needed to hear this, like this! I need and deserve to put my family first which is why I am doing this job.

[Unregistered]

What she said ^^^^

Thanks BC!

[Blackcat31]

Honestly I needed to hear this, like this! I need and deserve to put my family first which is why I am doing this job.

Thanks BC!

NEVER apologize for meeting your own needs first

If I had learned and accepted that early on in this career I would have been much happier. Thankfully the lessons we learn the hard way tend to stick with us a bit more but putting yourself and your family first IS okay and necessary.

Try not to let yourself feel guilty about that. :hug:

[Unregistered]

I would do at least 5 weeks, just to be kind. I would'nt grandfather anyone, cause what if another family asks why that child gets to stay late. I would talk to the mom and let her know how much you like the dck and tell her a few things you like about him, then let her know that due to changes that you will now be closing at 330. I would reinstate that i really like the child, and hope they can continue but if they need to find a new provider that you understand

I do feel the desire to somewhat hide from other parents that dcb is here past 3:30pm because I do not want them them to try and push their time or think it's okay to be late because I am here with dcb anyway.

I would say a 6 weeks notice depending on how difficult it is to find a nanny in your area.

Is hard in our area to find good nanny so I would personally give them 6 to 8 weeks the least

We are in a similar area and my best friend feels the same way you do. I am not sure I can financially afford to give that much notice yet so I will have to get on the ball on scheduling interviews/tours - which I should do anyway. Depending on how soon I am able to do that then I will see if I can afford to give 6 weeks notice. I do think it is the kind thing to do given how challenging it can be to find a quality nanny especially since she will not know until late summer / early fall when it is hardest to find one because everyone is looking.

[Unregistered]

I would not grandfather the child in to the 5:30 time. I have shortened my hours and my week. I do a reregistration every April to see who will be staying or leaving and this is when I also give notice about any changes to my program. Families interested in returning for the new school year which starts in August must put in a nonrefundable deposit of $100. I do it this way so I know how many spaces I would need to fill and start advertising early. However, the minimum amount of time I am required to let families know about any changes is 30 days to be in compliant with DHS which I have done also.

This is exactly my goal once I am established and full. I am not full yet but I certainly want to do a re-registration in the early Spring so I have time to fill the spaces without stress. Having limited hours does limit my pool of potential clients so it can take longer to fill spots.