Should I Limit The Number Of Hours For Full Time Kids?

[jojosmommy]

A lady near me charges based on every 15 min. Parents sign in and out and she bills accordingly. She says it cuts down on people assuming they can leave kids in care for as long as they choose. She calculated it so that 9 hours per day is the same as her max rate (what used to be her full time rate) and anything over that is paid accordingly. I dont have the paitence for that but I don't currently have anyone who takes advantage of extra free time either. Just a thought.

[countrymom]

ok, so I'm working on my contract. I too work from 7-5pm, but I give everyone 9 hours of "work time" so how can I word it that anything after their 9 hours they will be charged extra, but I don't want them to think that they can leave their kids here till 5pm because thats my closing time. kwim.

[Blackcat31]

ok, so I'm working on my contract. I too work from 7-5pm, but I give everyone 9 hours of "work time" so how can I word it that anything after their 9 hours they will be charged extra, but I don't want them to think that they can leave their kids here till 5pm because thats my closing time. kwim.

Why not just say something along the lines of

"This is your normal rate for these hours ___to____ and if anything comes up where you will require additional hours of care, the cost will be $____."

That way the parents know that they are paying for their contracted time but can use additional hours at an additional cost if they need it.

[Abigail]

So my question is, why should all my other daycare parents have to pay full time rates for only 40 hrs a week when she leaves her child here for almost 55?

So should I rewrite my contract to say that full time rates are good for up to 45 hours a week? I've asked her to come earlier but she said she likes having her free time...Thanks for the help!!

To the OP, you've already asked her to pickup earlier. If you don't have any issues with your other families picking up and want to switch to contract hours I would give everyone a letter stating you're no longer offering care based on your open hours, but changing to contract hours.

I would draw up a guideline for you to use. If most of your families only use you 9 hours a day, decide on your weekly rates based on this nine hour limit. Then, for those who use you 9.5 or 10 or 10.5 or 11 hours per day, etc charge $5/day more or whatever you feel is fit. Give everyone a new contract to sign within two weeks.

ok, so I'm working on my contract. I too work from 7-5pm, but I give everyone 9 hours of "work time" so how can I word it that anything after their 9 hours they will be charged extra, but I don't want them to think that they can leave their kids here till 5pm because thats my closing time. kwim.

Do you have a place in your contract saying Suzy will attend care Monday-Friday and break it down by day to arrive this time and depart this time for each of those days? You should even if all five days have the same times. Then, in your late fees section have it firm that if they arrive earlier or depart later than scheduled a $1/minute late fee will be charged. If they need to change their hours they need to update it with you and you create a new contract with new hours and a higher rate.

Simply tell families rates are based on a nine hour day in daycare and if they need more than that the rate will increase. This leaves you the option to increase it whatever dollar amount you see fit.