How Early Do You Open?

[Auntie]

My niece has had such a hard time finding daycare.
Currently since her son was born a friend has been watching him. She only watches him so she is does not have to be licensed.

Anyway she drops off at 5:15 in the morning. And picks up around 4:15. Her hours changed to 10 hour days so she is home with her son on Fridays.

Since this provider has been on vacation the last two weeks we had an opening at the center I work at and I have taken him two days a week and then watched him at my house the the other two days which are my days off.

Anyway he really liked being with kids his age and I can tell he needs structure.

I told my niece she really needs to find a home daycare or center that has some kids his age.
However, her hours are what they are and finding care that early in the morning is tough. I told her she could sign him up where I work and drop him off M-Th and I would bring him to work with me. Well there is also the price it is more than what she is currently paying. She is a single mom and makes too much money to get on any kind of assistance.

So I guess my question to you all is would any of you make an exception if you ran across a family with such early hours. OH and when there is overtime she has be to work by 4am or 4:30. Something like that.

[Michael]

Some related threads on opening times: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=12598

[MyAngels]

Personally, I would not open that early, but I'm sure there are providers out there who do. Maybe she could ask some of her co-workers where they take their kids?

[Auntie]

We live in the midwest too. (Minnesota)

[sharlan]

I don't really care how early they come, it's how late they leave.

My earliest was 4 AM.

[kidkair]

I would not take one that early. I believe in being fully ready for kids the moment I open. For a kid arriving at 4am I'd have to be up at 3am and that would mean I'd have to go to bed at 7pm which is when I general get around to eating dinner. I would have done it as a nanny because back then it was just me now I have a bigger family it wouldn't work.

[wdmmom]

I don't really care how early they come, it's how late they leave.

My earliest was 4 AM.

I'm with you!

I'd rather get up before the sun and have them go home early too! Right now I close at 530pm and most of my kids are out the door by 5pm. That last half hour is horrific sometimes!

[lil angels]

I would consider 6:30 if I had my Fridays off but that is about it. Good Luck to her.

[rjskids]

I don't really care how early they come, it's how late they leave.

My earliest was 4 AM.

Ditto! I would take a 5:15er. I would shower in the evening and when they get dropped off let them curl up on the couch and take a lil nappie. I have one that comes at 6 that if I didn't let her take a lil catnap she will be a bear by 10 am! I use that time to "prepare" for the day. But I close at 5. So if I didn't take early birds then I would have a hard time filling up.

[daysofelijah]

I think you'd be hard pressed to find someone around here that opens that early. I am closing this fall and my dcm can't find anyone to take her kids as early as I do (6:30). I think most centers even don't open until 6, maybe a few at 5:30.

She could try calling the local county childcare resource and referral and telling them the hours she needs and they can look up if anyone in your area opens that early. They may charge a small fee for it.

[Cat Herder]

I could not commit to that, either.

I have breakfast with my own children and get them off to school before the daycare opens. There is not enough money in the world to give that up.

There are providers without children or who do shift work, though.

I'd have her check with her CCR&R. They may know of some options you don't.

[cheerfuldom]

Its probably more of the fact that her hours are not consistent. She would need someone anywhere from like 3:30AM on. Thats a really weird schedule. I don't take kids before 7:30. This is going to be an issue forever because eventually she will need someone to open early and take him to preschool/school. I think I would start a daycare search but also, consider other job options.

[christinaskids]

I have kids 24 hours during the week. I get really tired but I make almost half of my income from my night kids so quitting isn't the greatest option right now. Plus they are older and we have a lot of fun so its not so bad. Not many people do 24 hour care I assume

[melissa ann]

When I first opened in 2008, I opened at 6. Right now, though, due to my families schedules, my first ususally gets here by 8:30. Every now and then, my other family will be here at 7.
I would not open earlier than 6. And right now, that would be hard. I've been spoiled for the past year having the first one here at 8:30: )

[jojosmommy]

I wouldnt be able to commit to that schedule since you would almost certainly end up with a late in the evening kid and be doing daycare 15+ hours a day.

The earliest I have ever had was 6:40 and it interfered with my husband getting ready, my son getting ready, and myself getting ready. I won't commit to that again unless I get paid lots extra!

My earliest now is 7:30.

In our area there are a number of providers who do 24 hour care/shift care. Call your resource and referral agency. Our areas are even offering grant money to providers who are willing to take kids during non-standard hours.