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I think you can run into a lot of issues with this.
First: Your wife could be in the position where they want to take advantage of her and she feels bad then you get unhappy because they are taking advantage of her so you get upset. Once she starts implementing policies and fines and the parents don't want to do it then both the parents and you are upset.
She can't win.
Well... she CAN win but she has to be the hammer not you. The parents are going to be a bit off put by the idea that she basically works for you. If you aren't there caring for the kids every day it's going to be really odd for them to see her as a pure caregiver and you as a pure business guy. They are going to see the business as being HER business not your family's business.
They are going to see you as an intrusion into their great deal. You can lay the law down but in the end you will most likely get compliance for a bit and then they will just leave.
Until SHE does both the business and the care she will not gain the respect she needs to get the parents to behave respectfully.
It would be weird for the families to have you sit in on the interview and only deal with them when they aren't doing the right thing financially.
You say your wife wants you to do it but I'm wondering if she wants you to do it because she thinks at least it will eliminate YOU being upset when everything goes down and she gets taken advantage of?
Getting parents to come when there is a govermental shut down due to weather is going to be tough. Getting them to come later in the morning based on a delay is going to be real tough. MANY parents will take their kid out on horrible roads where they are really really endangering their kids and drop them off at day care and then go home for the weather day off. It's part of doing day care. You can put rules in place but if they are paying you they are going to be upset if they can't have their kid there.
Instead of you doing Hammer Time, I think it's best for her to shore up her policies, handle all of the business herself, and stand up for her policies. If you aren't actually doing the physical care of the kids on a day to day basis (not subsituting) then you will never be respected as a financial or rule leader. It just doesn't work like that.
If she needs someone to talk to to help her get some skills and actual SENTENCES to say to parents that are not confrontational and work she is free to call me. PM me thru here and I will give you my phone number.
You sound awesome though... I know you are going at this with a pure heart.
First: Your wife could be in the position where they want to take advantage of her and she feels bad then you get unhappy because they are taking advantage of her so you get upset. Once she starts implementing policies and fines and the parents don't want to do it then both the parents and you are upset.
She can't win.
Well... she CAN win but she has to be the hammer not you. The parents are going to be a bit off put by the idea that she basically works for you. If you aren't there caring for the kids every day it's going to be really odd for them to see her as a pure caregiver and you as a pure business guy. They are going to see the business as being HER business not your family's business.
They are going to see you as an intrusion into their great deal. You can lay the law down but in the end you will most likely get compliance for a bit and then they will just leave.
Until SHE does both the business and the care she will not gain the respect she needs to get the parents to behave respectfully.
It would be weird for the families to have you sit in on the interview and only deal with them when they aren't doing the right thing financially.
You say your wife wants you to do it but I'm wondering if she wants you to do it because she thinks at least it will eliminate YOU being upset when everything goes down and she gets taken advantage of?
Getting parents to come when there is a govermental shut down due to weather is going to be tough. Getting them to come later in the morning based on a delay is going to be real tough. MANY parents will take their kid out on horrible roads where they are really really endangering their kids and drop them off at day care and then go home for the weather day off. It's part of doing day care. You can put rules in place but if they are paying you they are going to be upset if they can't have their kid there.
Instead of you doing Hammer Time, I think it's best for her to shore up her policies, handle all of the business herself, and stand up for her policies. If you aren't actually doing the physical care of the kids on a day to day basis (not subsituting) then you will never be respected as a financial or rule leader. It just doesn't work like that.
If she needs someone to talk to to help her get some skills and actual SENTENCES to say to parents that are not confrontational and work she is free to call me. PM me thru here and I will give you my phone number.
You sound awesome though... I know you are going at this with a pure heart.
In terms of the late start...if I am understanding you correctly, when the government opens up 2 hours late, you want to open up 2 hours late as well? Is tht right? The government does it to allow individuals time to get to work...your wife is at work. In addition, since the purpose is t allow individuals to get to work in poor conditions, not being able to drop off at daycare is going to put them behind even further. If I'm understanding your correctly, I would rethink that policy.
Good luck to you wife. Finding ways to be firm in your contract is an awesome life lesson that brings its own sense of accomplishment and confidence! I hope she take the opportunity!
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