No Show Clients & Morning Wake Up Calls?

[PitterPatter]

this used to happen to me when I had a family who was sch. for 615am and then would call me at 6:20 to tell me that their kids would not be here until 9:00 or so. They did it to me all the time I would get so mad. I woke up for nothing again. I didnt know what to do, because they were calling, just waiting til the last min to call me. I ended up terming the family.

any suggestions on how to handle the above situation?


I always make sure to remind families that they are scheduled with contracted hours. Sometimes I print them out give them a reminder.

In my PHB it states that any family that does not report by 8am late or absent will be charged for a full day. For those that show up, but late, and don't report that they will be late will get a $15.00 charge.

Like Nannyde says once you attach money to it, the parents start to wake up and smell the coffee...

If they are private pay or your state allows then I would attach a fee there too. For my private paid I had in my handbook:

If your child will be arriving late for any reason, please inform me as soon as possible so the day’s activities won't be held up waiting for your child to arrive. It is not fair to the other children in daycare to sit and wait for late arrivals or a child that may not even show up at all. If your child arrives more than 30 minutes late, a $5 fee will be applied. We have schedules to keep.

You could also say something like they have to call u before xx time to inform u they will be late or a $5 fee will be applied.

[Blackcat31]

this used to happen to me when I had a family who was sch. for 615am and then would call me at 6:20 to tell me that their kids would not be here until 9:00 or so. They did it to me all the time I would get so mad. I woke up for nothing again. I didnt know what to do, because they were calling, just waiting til the last min to call me. I ended up terming the family.

any suggestions on how to handle the above situation?


I always make sure to remind families that they are scheduled with contracted hours. Sometimes I print them out give them a reminder.

In my PHB it states that any family that does not report by 8am late or absent will be charged for a full day. For those that show up, but late, and don't report that they will be late will get a $15.00 charge.

Like Nannyde says once you attach money to it, the parents start to wake up and smell the coffee...

My policies are as follows:

"Parents MUST notify me a minimum of 60 minutes before their scheduled arrival if their child will not be attending. If you do not notify me within that time frame, you will be charged for the full day.

Notice is required if you are going to be later than your sceduled arrival time. (max. of 30 minutes) anyone who is later than 30 minutes or fails to notify me will be recorded as absent and your space for the day will be filled."

So if someone didn't call or was a no show, I would not accept them into care that day. I require a 60 minute forewarning of any absences because this ensures the parent was awake and spent time with the child in the morning. If you call 30 minutes before saying you are staying home, you get charged. Simple as that. I have had no issues with failure to notify.

I have had a few who have come more than 30 minutes late with out calling, but I turn them away at the door and simply tell them that since they did not notify me of their lateness, I assumed they were not coming and filled their space for the day (even if I really haven't ) Seems people who do this never do it twice.

[PitterPatter]

[QUOTE=Blackcat31;112390]My policies are as follows:

"Parents MUST notify me a minimum of 60 minutes before their scheduled arrival if their child will not be attending. If you do not notify me within that time frame, you will be charged for the full day.

Notice is required if you are going to be later than your sceduled arrival time. (max. of 30 minutes) anyone who is later than 30 minutes or fails to notify me will be recorded as absent and your space for the day will be filled."

So if someone didn't call or was a no show, I would not accept them into care that day. I require a 60 minute forewarning of any absences because this ensures the parent was awake and spent time with the child in the morning. If you call 30 minutes before saying you are staying home, you get charged. Simple as that. I have had no issues with failure to notify.

I have had a few who have come more than 30 minutes late with out calling, but I turn them away at the door and simply tell them that since they did not notify me of their lateness, I assumed they were not coming and filled their space for the day (even if I really haven't ) Seems people who do this never do it twice.[/QUOTE]

I tried that with a private paid client in the past and it didn't work. I text the DCD back saying I had to fill his spot since he didn't show up or call. DCD brought his kid anyway 2 hours late because he overslept. He looked around the yard and said "hmmm... 1, 2, 3, .... u are allowed 6 kids so whats the problem?" I couldn't come up with anything fast enough! He called my bluff and I had to take the kid! I am not a good at fibbing.

[daycare]

I dont take drop in, so I would not have the option to say sorry I filled your spot. I think maybe I could put a fee in place that might help.

[Mrs.Ky]

I think you maybe misunderstanding the state rules with vouchers. It is true the state does not pay for when the parents arent there, holidays,vacations, late fees, etc. but YOU have every right to charge the parent and the parent has to pay for it parents also have to pay a co pay of whatever the voucher doesnt cover in the daycare cost. I did vouchers for awhile but stopped it was to much keeping up for me.

[Cat Herder]

My contract says the drop off time is over at 10am. My program is based on a calm and consistent environment. Having folks in and out all morning is not conducive to that goal.

By 10am kids have already missed Breakfast, Art and Morning Circle time. 10am is morning snack..... My policy reads "No Drop-off After 10 am. One drop-off and one pick up, per family, per day."

I do allow for late drop-off, with advance notice, for well baby checks. Parents bring new Immunization Form with them at drop-off. Win-Win for all of us.

My full-time rate is Weekly and not attendance based. I do not charge enrollment fees or require a termination notice. I have a substantial wait list.

I really am not concerned with who pays me, just that fees are paid in full before child attends. If fees are not paid by Monday the slot will be filled from my wait list.

I am not a State employee with State Retirement or Medical Benefits. If that ever changes my attitude about it will change as well. I am not fond of those who take without giving. If the State expects me to give up income, they better give up something as well for me.

IMHO, Having children is not mandatory, I work to meet the needs of my family and I do not work for free.

[Blackcat31]

I tried that with a private paid client in the past and it didn't work. I text the DCD back saying I had to fill his spot since he didn't show up or call. DCD brought his kid anyway 2 hours late because he overslept. He looked around the yard and said "hmmm... 1, 2, 3, .... u are allowed 6 kids so whats the problem?" I couldn't come up with anything fast enough! He called my bluff and I had to take the kid! I am not a good at fibbing.

WOW! I guess I do not have parents that are that rude or ballsy! I cannot believe he would show up anyways! I probably would have said the "filler" kid was on his way. But I guess that is where I am different I can lie like the best of them if need be....or I just say NO. Which works better FYI. LOL!!::

Plus, I am lucky as I have children who come and go through out the day for swim lessons and other activities so it would be impossible for a parent to count my kiddos.

Must be my age because I find myself taking less and less sh*t from people as the years go by and I have no issues telling it like it is.

I try to avoid dispensing any medications but serving doses of reality is my specialty!

[cheerfuldom]

wow, it sounds like you really are stuck. sorry, I wish I had some advice Can you talk to any other local providers and see if they have found a way around this type of situation?

[PitterPatter]

I think you maybe misunderstanding the state rules with vouchers. It is true the state does not pay for when the parents arent there, holidays,vacations, late fees, etc. but YOU have every right to charge the parent and the parent has to pay for it parents also have to pay a co pay of whatever the voucher doesnt cover in the daycare cost. I did vouchers for awhile but stopped it was to much keeping up for me.

Sadly I am not misunderstanding the rules. Some of u probably think I am crazy or "misunderstanding" but honestly I am not. EVERY state is dif I have come to see. I have some free time today I may just scan the book and show u guys ::

The only thing I can charge them is the fee their certificate states is the parent portion. (co-payment for service)

A 1 time registration fee (which I tried and parents just go to the next guy in line because they didn't charge a reg fee.)

Fee for late pick up.

Transportation fees (if I have to transport their children to/from school.)

And charges for time used but not covered by the program. (when they are off for the day but want daycare)

It states: If a provider requests deposits, supply fees, activity fees or other fee not mentione above please contact the CCRR.

[safechner]

I think it would be best for you to find a new child replace your dck's spot and terminate her. To me, it is joking because she have NO respect you! Making sure you don't take state paid for your next new clients. Just thought..

[Sugar Magnolia]

I think you need to revamp your contract so that this type of situation is not allowed. I would require payment whether they are there or not and put other limits so you are not stuck being at the beck and call of your daycare families. I agree that this DCM is outrageous but you are sort of setting yourself up for this type of thing when your policies are not bullet proof.

I agree. Don't be her alarm clock, that's absurd. I have a center, its a small, family-like center. Our clients pay on Friday for the following week. If they don't show up, that's free money. My thinking is: clients pay to have that spot available. If its available and they don't use it, that's their choice and it won't hurt my bottom line if they are a no-show.

[Kaddidle Care]

[Cat Herder]

Oh, Kaddidle....I love it ::::::

Can I steal it??

[missnikki]

I keep clicking 'OK', but everyone is still here. (joke, peeps)

Good one, Kadiddle!

[Kaddidle Care]

Oh, Kaddidle....I love it ::::::

Can I steal it??

I don't know.. I nicked it off the net. :: Steal at your own risk.

I was really looking for Ahnold as the Terminator but that one caught my eye.