Parents Being Late or Coming Early! Everyone Should read This!!!

[My Daycare]

This is what I have and all of the ideas below are from reading this forum. Thanks to you all. I'm new, so only my one and only family has seen it so far. I hope it works. In addition I have more about lateness and terminations in other parts of my contract.

Hours of Operation

Hours and times of care are pre-arranged for each individual family. There is not a set opening or closing time.

Pre-arranged times may be changed by the provider if they prove to be consistently inaccurate. If a change in prearranged times are needed by a family, then new prearranged times will be worked out.

After a clear discussion between the family and the provider regarding the hours needed for care, the provider will fill in the arrangements and all parties will initial here. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

[My Daycare]

wow, my above post turned out weird. My actual contract is not that wide.

[Former Teacher]

I have a parent who is chronically late...i mean almost every time lately. We have upped their rate for late pick up already, but they don't seem to care. We love the child but what do we do??? Its anywhere from 5 min to a half hour, my teachers are tired of staying? Do we call child protective services???

It depends. In TX if a child is in care for over 12 hours in less than a 24 hour period it is considered child neglect.

I agree with Chickenhauler in that you might want to have your employees get the late fee. Whenever I stayed I always spilt it with the other caregiver that was with me. No I wasn't happy staying but it does add up!

[Unregistered]

Length of hours?

If a parent works locally how much time would you allot them for travel time. I have one set of parents that works locally however DCM wants daycare for 12 hours. I have 2 slots allotted for them so these are long hours for me. If they were easy children to watch I wouldn't mind but these children can not stay focused on one toy for more than a minute at a time. My childcare looks like a toy store however these children are continually bored. Mentally I'm exhausted at the end of the day trying to keep them focused and not fighting with one another.

[Crystal]

Parts of my contract:

The charge for the care of the child is $___________per week. There will be a charge of $10.00 per 15 minutes (or fraction thereof) if the child is picked up after _______a.m./p.m. Pick up time is the time agreed upon between parent and provider, not the daycare closing time.

Payment obligation is based on the number of hours you agree to use child care, not on actual hours of attendance. Payment is due if you have agreed upon certain blocks of time, whether or not the child attends during those hours

[MarinaVanessa]

If a parent works locally how much time would you allot them for travel time. I have one set of parents that works locally however DCM wants daycare for 12 hours. I have 2 slots allotted for them so these are long hours for me. If they were easy children to watch I wouldn't mind but these children can not stay focused on one toy for more than a minute at a time. My childcare looks like a toy store however these children are continually bored. Mentally I'm exhausted at the end of the day trying to keep them focused and not fighting with one another.

If they work within the city it shouldn't take more than 30 minutes each way of commuting time (based on my city). 30 minutes in my city can actually take me across the following city street driving (not highway) so that's what I typically give. This gives them 1 hour to get to and from work. If they work 8 hours a day you contract them for 10 hours (because of their lunch hour). If they work 8-5 for example their contracted hours should be 7:30am-5:30pm.

[Mummy101]

Hi!
I found this very interesting peice of info- I have many contracted parents that come late all the time. I have a family, and need to be at places before they come and pick up. Their contracted pick up times are between 4 and 4:30pm. Then many times come right at 5:00pm!!! This is more than one family that is doing this!!
I think everyone should read this-

My drop off and closing times are based on needs of my families only. My contracted hrs. are based on the parents work hrs. and commute times. These times will be contracted and agreed upon!!

Isn't this great? One of the best sayings I have come across!!

If anyone else has something that they have stumbled across, or have worded in their contract, please share, so we all can get great ideas!!! It's great to have this site!!!!!!
Happy Holidays Everyone!!!!!!!!!!

This is mine: Children’s optimum developmental success requires as much quality time with family as possible. Be prompt in picking up your child after work. Please remember that childcare is for the care of your children while you are unavailable and at work only, not for errands or leisure. (Save for the occasional predetermined arrangement.)

It is SOOO my pet peeve when parents can be with their children but choose not to.

In a related matter, I find myself in a particular pickle and am in need of advice. I have a family who refuses to give me defined drop off and pick up times because their schedule is always different. I am not able to charge any fees or anything of the kind because I work with an agency for subsidized spots.

I started with the sibling and DCP said pick up would never be after 3. Now that I have sibling, pick up time seems to have changed to 3:45 despite the ability to pick up at 3.
DCP has a differing work schedule so I have been flexible but I have a certain distain for instability. I never know when they will show up in the morning or when they will pick up in the afternoon. I have attempted to set a schedule that encompasses all their potential work hours still to no avail. I have even made a form for DCP to fill out by the sign in sheet for each days schedule:
Monday ______AM to ________ PM.
Tuesday ______AM to ________ PM. etc. I got one arrival time filled out, and that’s it. This is the fifth attempt to set a schedule, I am at a loss.

Is it too much to ask that I am aware when children will arrive and depart my program? I feel like I cannot plan anything. Should I just let it go and say it is what it is? I feel so taken advantage of. They even showed up 15 minutes after my closing time the other day.
I can’t charge fees because of the agency.
Does anyone have creative ideas?

[hwichlaz]

This is mine: Children’s optimum developmental success requires as much quality time with family as possible. Be prompt in picking up your child after work. Please remember that childcare is for the care of your children while you are unavailable and at work only, not for errands or leisure. (Save for the occasional predetermined arrangement.)

It is SOOO my pet peeve when parents can be with their children but choose not to.

In a related matter, I find myself in a particular pickle and am in need of advice. I have a family who refuses to give me defined drop off and pick up times because their schedule is always different. I am not able to charge any fees or anything of the kind because I work with an agency for subsidized spots.

I started with the sibling and DCP said pick up would never be after 3. Now that I have sibling, pick up time seems to have changed to 3:45 despite the ability to pick up at 3.
DCP has a differing work schedule so I have been flexible but I have a certain distain for instability. I never know when they will show up in the morning or when they will pick up in the afternoon. I have attempted to set a schedule that encompasses all their potential work hours still to no avail. I have even made a form for DCP to fill out by the sign in sheet for each days schedule:
Monday ______AM to ________ PM.
Tuesday ______AM to ________ PM. etc. I got one arrival time filled out, and that’s it. This is the fifth attempt to set a schedule, I am at a loss.

Is it too much to ask that I am aware when children will arrive and depart my program? I feel like I cannot plan anything. Should I just let it go and say it is what it is? I feel so taken advantage of. They even showed up 15 minutes after my closing time the other day.
I can’t charge fees because of the agency.
Does anyone have creative ideas?

They are refusing to comply with your request, so terminate. If you'd like to give them another chance tell them that you need a set pick up and drop off time or you'll be unable to continue care.

[Blackcat31]

This is mine: Children’s optimum developmental success requires as much quality time with family as possible. Be prompt in picking up your child after work. Please remember that childcare is for the care of your children while you are unavailable and at work only, not for errands or leisure. (Save for the occasional predetermined arrangement.)

It is SOOO my pet peeve when parents can be with their children but choose not to.

In a related matter, I find myself in a particular pickle and am in need of advice. I have a family who refuses to give me defined drop off and pick up times because their schedule is always different. I am not able to charge any fees or anything of the kind because I work with an agency for subsidized spots.

I started with the sibling and DCP said pick up would never be after 3. Now that I have sibling, pick up time seems to have changed to 3:45 despite the ability to pick up at 3.
DCP has a differing work schedule so I have been flexible but I have a certain distain for instability. I never know when they will show up in the morning or when they will pick up in the afternoon. I have attempted to set a schedule that encompasses all their potential work hours still to no avail. I have even made a form for DCP to fill out by the sign in sheet for each days schedule:
Monday ______AM to ________ PM.
Tuesday ______AM to ________ PM. etc. I got one arrival time filled out, and that’s it. This is the fifth attempt to set a schedule, I am at a loss.

Is it too much to ask that I am aware when children will arrive and depart my program? I feel like I cannot plan anything. Should I just let it go and say it is what it is? I feel so taken advantage of. They even showed up 15 minutes after my closing time the other day.
I can’t charge fees because of the agency.
Does anyone have creative ideas?

Does the parent work specific hours that you are aware of?

I've never heard of an agency that doesn't allow you to charge what you want as a self-employed business owner so I am no help there but does the agency have any requirements for families they serve such as specific times needed or not using child care when not at work etc?

I guess the way I see it right now is that you either have to simply allow them to come and go as pleased with no additional fees or not accept that particular family into your program citing not a good fit if a reason is needed.

[Mummy101]

Does the parent work specific hours that you are aware of?

I've never heard of an agency that doesn't allow you to charge what you want as a self-employed business owner so I am no help there but does the agency have any requirements for families they serve such as specific times needed or not using child care when not at work etc?

I guess the way I see it right now is that you either have to simply allow them to come and go as pleased with no additional fees or not accept that particular family into your program citing not a good fit if a reason is needed.

Thank you Blackcat! The agency collects all $ from the parents and I get a paycheck from them based on the rates they pay for each age group and QRIS rating. So I never deal with charging the parents. The only information I can get out of the parent is that DCP does not know schedule because it changes. I know that DCP is at least aware of schedule the day before, how else would they make it to work on time, hence the form I made. I think I just have to let it go. The kiddos are awesome and a perfect fit for our program. Just wish DCPs would help me out a little!

[Blackcat31]

Thank you Blackcat! The agency collects all $ from the parents and I get a paycheck from them based on the rates they pay for each age group and QRIS rating. So I never deal with charging the parents. The only information I can get out of the parent is that DCP does not know schedule because it changes. I know that DCP is at least aware of schedule the day before, how else would they make it to work on time, hence the form I made. I think I just have to let it go. The kiddos are awesome and a perfect fit for our program. Just wish DCPs would help me out a little!

Are they leaving the kids there alot when they aren't at work? Or is it just them not being able to provide a point exact pick up time?

Does the agency have any rules about families needing to provide a schedule?

Does the agency set the amount of your rate or are you able to set your own rates?

I agree sometimes, if it's not a huge deal it's easier to let it go....just so long as you aren't getting the MUCH shorter end of the stick.

[Leigh]

Thank you Blackcat! The agency collects all $ from the parents and I get a paycheck from them based on the rates they pay for each age group and QRIS rating. So I never deal with charging the parents. The only information I can get out of the parent is that DCP does not know schedule because it changes. I know that DCP is at least aware of schedule the day before, how else would they make it to work on time, hence the form I made. I think I just have to let it go. The kiddos are awesome and a perfect fit for our program. Just wish DCPs would help me out a little!

Tell the parents this: "I MUST have your schedule sent to me the moment that you receive it so that I may plan my day. I will not be accepting your children unless I know at least the day before (or whenever they get that schedule) what their drop off and pick up times will be."

[Mummy101]

Are they leaving the kids there alot when they aren't at work? Or is it just them not being able to provide a point exact pick up time?

Does the agency have any rules about families needing to provide a schedule?

Does the agency set the amount of your rate or are you able to set your own rates?

I agree sometimes, if it's not a huge deal it's easier to let it go....just so long as you aren't getting the MUCH shorter end of the stick.

The agency sets the rates. All of my parents from this agency drop off on their days off and it drives me up a wall. (For all except one because it is a different situation.) This is because they will not pay me unless the child is actually here I assume.

My hours are 5:54 am-3:45 pm. 3 should be their pick up time because that is when they are available but it seems they are rather taking advantage on my hours of operation. Its really the drop off time that gets me the most. The pick up is either 3 or 3:45 so that is not too much of a hassle unless they are late. Drop off however is anywhere between 6 and 9 AM! I never know.

When the little things pile up, the stick begins to feel shorter and shorter.

[Mummy101]

Tell the parents this: "I MUST have your schedule sent to me the moment that you receive it so that I may plan my day. I will not be accepting your children unless I know at least the day before (or whenever they get that schedule) what their drop off and pick up times will be."

I so wish I had the gall to do this so directly! I have been using my nice little forms, flyers and "reminders"