Parent Asks To Go Part Time

[Unregistered]

Just wondering what other providers would do in this instance.


What do you do when a current family comes and says the need to go part time for 8 weeks or so? Giving me 1 month notice of this change.

Good family, pay regularly, no kid issues. Don't want to term them. Do you just **** it up and say you would rather keep the kids part time and have a little lighter load this summer or do you go strict on them and say NOPE must come XX days no matter what.

She offered to pay me 3 days per week knowing many of those weeks they will not even attend at all. Seems like a sweet deal getting paid to not even have the kids in care but wondering if it will bite me in the butt when they return and I have to re-program them. Really, I have to re-program them every monday anyway but both are pretty easy kids.

And no it won't ruin me financially, I was actually considering hiring a helper for the summer since I have school agers coming but this would provide me with an easy way of NOT having to hire someone.

[PitterPatter]

Just wondering what other providers would do in this instance.


What do you do when a current family comes and says the need to go part time for 8 weeks or so? Giving me 1 month notice of this change.

Good family, pay regularly, no kid issues. Don't want to term them. Do you just **** it up and say you would rather keep the kids part time and have a little lighter load this summer or do you go strict on them and say NOPE must come XX days no matter what.

She offered to pay me 3 days per week knowing many of those weeks they will not even attend at all. Seems like a sweet deal getting paid to not even have the kids in care but wondering if it will bite me in the butt when they return and I have to re-program them. Really, I have to re-program them every monday anyway but both are pretty easy kids.

And no it won't ruin me financially, I was actually considering hiring a helper for the summer since I have school agers coming but this would provide me with an easy way of NOT having to hire someone.

If it's only temporary and it won't hurt u too bad in the pocket AND they are a no problem family I would allow it. Around here it is rare to have a family with no problems. Usually there's a parent issue or a child issue. If u have all bases covered I say go for it and allow the temp change. U won't have to worry about filling spots or getting a family with issues in that place. Just my 2 cents.

[nannyde]

If I wanted the income I would do it BUT the daily rate for part time is more expensive than one fifth of the weekly rate.

I charge 25 percent per day. So if my weekly rate is one hundred dollars the daily rate for part time is 25 dollars per day NOT the twenty dollars per day they would pay if they were there five days a week.

If you allow them to pay just three fifths of your weekly salary for three days they will not respect that part time is just more expensive per day.

You will get seventy five percent of your salary if you charge 25 percent of the weekly fee per day.

[snbauser]

If you can afford it, I would allow it. I actually offer a part time rate to my parents for the summer. It is good for those that either work for the school system or who have older kids home for the summer and have to make other arrangements. Last year I had one who had grandma come up and stay with them for the summer because of the older child and they dropped the younger one to part time here. This year I have 2 that will be taking me up on it.

[Abigail]

I would let them go part time as well for all your variables you listed. What rate do they pay now and what are they offering to pay for part time? My only concern is the "8 weeks or so...." could turn into 12 weeks or so, . I would create an extended leave portion in your contract allowing them to attend such and such days for such and such amount of time.

I guess mine states I'll only let them be part time for 6 weeks and beyond that they pay the full time rate. If it is something easier to do, you could simply give them a new part time contract for this temporary adjustment and then they'll sign a new full time contract when the time arrives. The bonus to doing it this way is you can tweak or change things in their contract (late fees, required materials, etc) at each signing.

[Cat Herder]

What do you do when a current family comes and says the need to go part time for 8 weeks or so? Giving me 1 month notice of this change.

This is the part that makes me say no. I have been bit by this dog before.

Now, if I could afford it, did not mind the inconsistent routine (You know I do) and I had a deadline for return to a full-time slot, SIGNED, then I would probably consider it.

Good luck with your decision.

[DCMom]

If I wanted the income I would do it BUT the daily rate for part time is more expensive than one fifth of the weekly rate.

I charge 25 percent per day. So if my weekly rate is one hundred dollars the daily rate for part time is 25 dollars per day NOT the twenty dollars per day they would pay if they were there five days a week.

If you allow them to pay just three fifths of your weekly salary for three days they will not respect that part time is just more expensive per day.

You will get seventy five percent of your salary if you charge 25 percent of the weekly fee per day.

This is what I do. I would get the end date and specific days in writing.

I have a family that is doing this starting June 6; going from 5 days to 3 days per week. It is a permanent change. I had her sign a new contract stating the new days and daily rate which is only $40/week cheaper per kid. She wasn't happy about the higher daily rate, but that's the price you pay for a part time spot.

[CdnMumof4]

my full timer's mum is a teacher, so we are running into this discussion to. I did tell her she didn't have to pay the full-time rate while her child wasn't attending, BUT , I recommend he come at least 3 days a week to keep him familiar as he's only 18 months and going from 5 days, to 1 day a week will wreak havock on the relationship we've built over this past year. Her and hubby are discussing it this week to come to an agreement, but I better win ;-) I don't want to lose the kid, and we all know that home daycares have very little loyalty when it comes to parents/families. They could leave for any reason at any time, even if their child [and the family] loves us. This family is so good to me and rave about me all the time, to my face and to their friends/family- but it's still one of those things... Unless we have a 'chunk' of their money, they will walk whenever they want to. So I'm trying to figure this same thing out...let me know what you come up with!

[MsMe]

I have a few families that go part itme in the summer. All but one are teachers kids and the other has four boys and can't affored my daycare for all 4 when school is out (3 are SA). I am aos very excited that one teacher is also on mat leave over the sumemr so that takes care of her taking extra time off

In past years I have concidered the kids going to PT as my version of summer vacation. I have a lighter load. My pay is less but I try to budget for it.

I also use this time to find just the right fit for the spot or two I have opening up in the Fall when a child goes to Kinder. I am able to start a kid and introduce s/he while my numbers are low in the summer and by Fall when weare full and busy they are 'one of the group'

[SandeeAR]

Sounds like a good deal, since they are a no problem family. However, be sure to charge a little more for the part time vs full time. I charge $25 per day for full time (4-5 days a week), and $30 a day for part time, (3 day minimum, set days). They only save $30 per week that way. Most will go for the full time to have the advantage of using any or all days of the week.

If they still opt for part time, they are on set days and I can take drop ins if I chose and make up more money.

[cheerfuldom]

as long as you have the full agreement in writing than yes, I would do it. Also make sure they are aware that some behavioral issues may come up with the inconsistent schedule with the kids but all the rules still apply (including termination rules if necessary).

[DaisyMamma]

I agree with nannyde