Altering Hours For A Client...

[Meyou]

I'm currently looking for a new fulltime client and I've had a number of bites to my ads which is good.

I haven't had to look for anyone new for 2.5 years so I was surprised to find over the half the replies I received were for people looking for care starting 1/2 hour before I open (7am). I'm currently open 7:30 to 5:30 although I only have one that stays past 5 generally.

One family in particular I liked just from the email...you know how you get that vibe sometimes?? The mama politely asked if there was anyway they could negotiate with me to open at 7am because my program seems perfect for them. Given her friendly and open attitude I think I'm willing to discuss.

My options as I see them are:

-alter my hours so that I'm open from 7am to 5pm
-charge a additional fee to cover a 7am opening for one family (I was thinking $15/week)
-keep looking for clients that fit my business hours

I used to open at 7am but stopped when the two families using the early dropoff time moved away so I'm not against that opening but it is nice to not have kids here at the crack of dawn.

Basically I'm totally undecided. What would you do?

[TBird]

Wellllllll...I don't mind opening a little earlier since I'm an early riser so I would definitely consider that.

I just don't like when I advertise my business hours and parents call me ANYWAY knowing full well that my hours don't fit their needs. I've obviously set those hours for a reason. I'm a firm believer that parents should find the program that fits their needs....when I was working outside of the home, I didn't even call the programs that didn't fit the hours that I needed.

It's just a pet peeve of mine...but this lady sounds sensible and thank goodness she's not asking you to stay OPEN longer!!!

[morgan24]

I only change my hours if it will work for me. I'm an early riser so it would work for me. I would rather open earlier then stay open later. I only charge more if it goes over 9 hours.

[Meyou]

Wellllllll...I don't mind opening a little earlier since I'm an early riser so I would definitely consider that.

I just don't like when I advertise my business hours and parents call me ANYWAY knowing full well that my hours don't fit their needs. I've obviously set those hours for a reason. I'm a firm believer that parents should find the program that fits their needs....when I was working outside of the home, I didn't even call the programs that didn't fit the hours that I needed.

It's just a pet peeve of mine...but this lady sounds sensible and thank goodness she's not asking you to stay OPEN longer!!!

I agree with you for sure! But I also advertised a pretty specific program that doesn't work for everyone. Her enthusiasm leads me to believe that they might be a good fit. I advertise a very, very active and physical program with lots of dirt and sunshine and very little sitting still and no tv. It's hard to find families that are a fit once you weed through what they want you to think. haha

One of my dilemmas is that if I alter my hours until 7am I have one family currently here that will take advantage and use that half hour too. They have lovely but LOUD and RAMBUNCTIOUS children that already here 10 hours a day. The kind of kids that you know are here once the car pulls in the driveway. I don't want them here from 7am to 730am because they are like elephants in the house and wake everyone up including my boyfriend who is a floor away. This is why I'm considering opening only with an extra charge. I know the family with the girls wont pay it.

[SandeeAR]

I agree with you for sure! But I also advertised a pretty specific program that doesn't work for everyone. Her enthusiasm leads me to believe that they might be a good fit. I advertise a very, very active and physical program with lots of dirt and sunshine and very little sitting still and no tv. It's hard to find families that are a fit once you weed through what they want you to think. haha

One of my dilemmas is that if I alter my hours until 7am I have one family currently here that will take advantage and use that half hour too. They have lovely but LOUD and RAMBUNCTIOUS children that already here 10 hours a day. The kind of kids that you know are here once the car pulls in the driveway. I don't want them here from 7am to 730am because they are like elephants in the house and wake everyone up including my boyfriend who is a floor away. This is why I'm considering opening only with an extra charge. I know the family with the girls wont pay it.

You don't have to be open to everyone at 7 am, just that one family.

My hours are 7-5:30, but I have one family that arrives 7:15-7:30, 3 times a week. The other 2 families get here 7:30-7:45.

[TBird]

I agree with you for sure! But I also advertised a pretty specific program that doesn't work for everyone. Her enthusiasm leads me to believe that they might be a good fit. I advertise a very, very active and physical program with lots of dirt and sunshine and very little sitting still and no tv. It's hard to find families that are a fit once you weed through what they want you to think. haha

One of my dilemmas is that if I alter my hours until 7am I have one family currently here that will take advantage and use that half hour too. They have lovely but LOUD and RAMBUNCTIOUS children that already here 10 hours a day. The kind of kids that you know are here once the car pulls in the driveway. I don't want them here from 7am to 730am because they are like elephants in the house and wake everyone up including my boyfriend who is a floor away. This is why I'm considering opening only with an extra charge. I know the family with the girls wont pay it.

Your program sounds AWESOME!!! Definitely filling a niche I would say. My kids love dirt and sunshine for sure!!!

I wouldn't offer the early opening to the loud family....it doesn't work for you. They are definitely two different things. I've had one child that stayed late one day a week and one of the other parents would always ask me..."What time does X leave???" I would say...."Don't go by X's hours, they are under contract for something different." Period, end of conversation!!! Oh....and this was from the parent who wouldn't PAY ME....GO FIGURE!!!

Good luck Sweetie....I would give them a shot...keep us posted!!!

[daysofelijah]

I would do it with the fee,to deter the other family from requesting it, but I already have to open at 6:30 and have had to open as early as 5:45. I'd love to open at 7:30, but all of my families now are here by then. Around here that's pretty common hours people are looking for.

[wdmmom]

I open at 7am and everyone I watch comes between 7am and 730am. I don't see where a half hour would make that much of a difference. I know from a parent's perspective, there is no way I would pay an extra $60 a month for care just for a half hour extra everyday.

I would go as far as opening at 6am for a family! Now if they ask me to stay open beyond my closing time, no way!

It's up to you and your willingness to accommodate. Depending on your weekly rate and their departure time, I would probably charge them the same rate you charge other children. Maybe $10 extra dollars a week to cover costs.

[SilverSabre25]

I agree with what a couple others said--you don't have to alter your hours for everyone, just for that family.

[SimpleMom]

I would take them at 7 and charge an extra $5.00/day. i would even wean out the later pick ups and go 7-5 if that's where the bite are

[MN Day Mom]

If they feel like a good fit, I would definitely alter my hours for them. You do not have to offer the altered hours to the loud family... their hours work for them, no reason to change them

I would also charge an additional fee for the early open.... it amounts to an additional 10 hours of work a month...and then when the loud family asks for a 7:00 arrival you can tell them the other family is pay $X extra for early open.