How would you handle this? part time vs. full time?

[Crazy8]

If you have a full time opening and someone wants something like 2 days a week do you fill it?? or would you wait for someone for the full 5 days or at least 3-4 days?? For me its an infant opening which come by less frequently (I only take one infant at a time).

I have one who may want 4 days a week and one who wants 2 days a week. I am waiting to hear from the 4 day one but need to respond to the 2 day. What do I say?? Is there a way to nicely say I need to try to fill the spot with more days?

[cheerfuldom]

You need to decide what it is you really want. If you want a full timer or almost full timer, let the 2 day a weeker know that they can pay for that slot and its up to them if they want to send the child more or not. If you really need the full timer income then don't take the 2 day (unless they can pay the full timer charge) Wait a bit longer to find something that fits your needs otherwise that part time situation is going to be so frustrating. You are going to end up resenting this family and the loss of income.

[Christian Mother]

It sounds like you would rather have a full time position filled, correct?

I would just explained to this parent that your sorry.. but, at this time you only have 1 full time spot open that can be filled. If this parent is really abominate on you using you you can tell her that you charge the full time slot for the 2 days this child is attendance regardless of whether she is there or not. That way you are still getting paid for that week but only at the 2 days. You can also mention that if she needs to use other days she can do that or switch the days...however it will work for the both of you. That way you both don't lose out.

[MissAnn]

If you have a full time opening and someone wants something like 2 days a week do you fill it?? or would you wait for someone for the full 5 days or at least 3-4 days?? For me its an infant opening which come by less frequently (I only take one infant at a time).

I have one who may want 4 days a week and one who wants 2 days a week. I am waiting to hear from the 4 day one but need to respond to the 2 day. What do I say?? Is there a way to nicely say I need to try to fill the spot with more days?

I charge a full time rate for 4 or 5 days.

For part time I charge $5 more per day than the full time rate.

I'd love to not have ANY part timers!

[Meeko]

I charge for the spot, not hours or days. They can use as many days as they wish...but the rate is the same. If they can afford it...great. If not...they can look elsewhere. Why would I deliberately cut my income potential?
I love my job...but it is my JOB. I do it to support my family and therefore want to make as much as I can.

It's a win/win for me in several cases. Part time kids. Full time pay. The parents like the idea that if they have a meeting after work, or a dentist appointment etc....they can leave their kids a little longer and not owe more...or have me say no altogether. They love the flexibility. I love getting paid full price for part time care most of the time!

[Live and Learn]

Part timers are usually more work than full timers because they aren't used to our routine. Let her know she can pay to have the full time spot and you will stop looking for someone else to fill it or she can pay the higher part time price and tell her you will let her go when you fill the full time slot with a full timer. Be sure to have her two days a week be a set two days so that you can schedule your own life. You might find someone who needs the other three days. Always get paid before you provide care .

[Crazy8]

thanks. Charging a full time rate for part time use would NEVER fly around here, people just can't afford it and no one does it. I think a lot of things are regional - and that just wouldn't work in my area.

I actually LIKE having the part timers, I don't find they have problems with the routine if they come at least 3-4 times a week. I can actually make MORE money that way too if I can fill the spots by the day then with 1 full timer. BUT the problem is filling those other days and I'm not sure I want to limit myself to that right now. I guess I just don't know how to tell her that.

[SandeeAR]

You could tell them it is a full time spot. However, they are welcome to pay full time and use part time. Or you could tell them you can take them on part time, until you can fill it full time. At that time, they have the option of paying full time and retaining the spot, or you will have to give them immediate notice.

I had a 6 week old for one week, b/c Mom had to go back to work earlier. Her planned DCP was out of town on vacation. She really loved having her baby here. (Her best friends child is with me) When Mom left after that week, I gave her my full contract, just in case things didn't work out.

Her first day at the planned DC was a disaster. I got a call that evening, asking for my one spot I had left. I suddenly filled my last spot with a full time kid.

Point is, you never know when keeping a child temporarily might turn into a full time situation.

[mac60]

While I do accept part time, I do have a 3 day minumum at a higher rate.

[SandeeAR]

While I do accept part time, I do have a 3 day minumum at a higher rate.

I do this too. One of my part times, added a day and became fulltime.