Where are they?!

[Zoe]

I have only 1 family for daycare. 2 sisters ages 5 and 2. They're wonderful and I love them. The family pays on time with NO reminders. They obey my rules. Heaven!

Well the dcm is doing her clinical this month and is leaving her girls in the care of her cousin (who I know and went to high school with). This woman sleeps in a LOT, so my scheduled hours for this family went from dropping off at 7:45 to 9:30. She's only dropped off at 9:30 once this month! The rest has been after 10. But she at least calls me to tell me she's going to be late.

It's now 11:10 and no call, no show. I texted and called the girl with no response. I could be out somewhere! I feel like I'm under house arrest! She facebook friended me a while back so I know she's out drinking the night before and sleeps it off the next morning. Who knows what the girls are doing during this time.

Since she hasn't bothered to show up, I just served my kids a special lunch and won't claim meals on the food program today.

Grrrr!!!!! What is going on?!?

[meganlavonnesmommy]

Ugh, I hate when parents are inconsiderate like that.
I have written into my contract that if it's more than an hour past your normal scheduled drop off time, and no phone call, then I am closed, and will not be open for care.
I've never enforced it, because I have 5 families, and it never happens that they are all gone at the same time. But I still have it in there just in case.
You should NOT have to wait around for people who arent considerate enough to call you to tell you they are late. I would leave, and if they show up, oh well.

[wdmmom]

I would contact the parent and ask if they intend to come today.

I would also tell her that if the children have 1 hour beyond their designated drop off time to come to daycare. If they don't arrive by 1030am, you will not provide care for the day.

Solved!

[Zoe]

I did text the mom and she replied back saying that she didn't have it on her schedule that the girls needed daycare today! Well I have it on 3 different calendars that they DO!

What happened I think is that when she gave me May's schedule she originally put down Memorial Day, but I'm closed and when I told her that she said she'd switch that day for Wednesday. They only come 3 days a week. She must not have updated her schedule. Whatever. So I've been twiddling my thumbs all morning for nothing!

I'm going to find something fun to do with my own kiddos now!