Early Drop Offs Without Notification

[JaydensMommy]

I do contracted hours. I would hate to not know when the kids are going to show up or be picked up everyday. I charge parents $5 for every 15 min. they drop off early or pick up late.

[TBird]

I do contracted hours. I would hate to not know when the kids are going to show up or be picked up everyday. I charge parents $5 for every 15 min. they drop off early or pick up late.

You're right....they're not allowed to come after 8:30 without calling. I'm not serving breakfast after that time and we may not even be here so they're always here by 8:30. The ones that crack me up are the ones that start off with "I'll be picking Little Johnny up by 2:30 every day." And then when they're used to me, Little Johnny is the last one out the door at 5:30!!!::

[JaydensMommy]

You're right....they're not allowed to come after 8:30 without calling. I'm not serving breakfast after that time and we may not even be here so they're always here by 8:30. The ones that crack me up are the ones that start off with "I'll be picking Little Johnny up by 2:30 every day." And then when they're used to me, Little Johnny is the last one out the door at 5:30!!!::

I don't understand that, as a mom who has had a child in daycare. I was always so excited to pick him up as soon as I was done. I can't imagine why parents would want to leave them longer than they need to. I also don't understand when parents are on vacation and still bring their kids...Yes they still have to pay for it.. so maybe they feel like they want to get their moneys worth!.:confused:

[nannyde]

Well, the pattern has been....

SAHM's & those who get off of work early usually start using all ten hours when they realize I'm not a psycho killer and their kids love it here, LOL!!! Usually by the end of two weeks. ::

Any suggestions nannyde? I may do a contract update soon....

You think it is the comfort level?

Two weeks... wow... hmmmmmmmmmm

I have a blog coming up today about how I do rates.

I base my rates on pick up time whether they use the nine hours or not. If they have a seven hour day and are picked up by 3 p.m. then they CAN come earlier to drop off but they can't pick up later without fees.

My experience is that if the fee is the same for X hours that the clients will use the X hours especially if the provider is offering after nap hours the ciient doesn't need. How quickly they change from seven to ten hours is what I'm interested in and your idea of why the change. In your scenario it is fifteen hours a WEEK more of awake time. Making that decision is not something that is done without absolute intent. A new parent knows the difference of fifteen hours of awake face time every hour of it. It's a conscious decision. Not something that creeps up.

Is it getting your monies worth?
Is it comfort level with the provider?
Is it the idea that the kid has more FUN in child care than they would with parent?
Is it just plain easier to not have the kid?

I know for sure the ONLY way to know what it is purely is to attach money onto it. Once money is on it then you see what the intent is. If it's free/same price you can't really tell.

[Crazy8]

I do contracted hours. I would hate to not know when the kids are going to show up or be picked up everyday. I charge parents $5 for every 15 min. they drop off early or pick up late.

same here. Your rate covers the hours you contracted, whether that is 8:30-3 or 7-5 or whatever. I would be sending home a heafty bill for the extra hours used this week and tell them if they do need those extended hours you would be happy to recalculate their weekly rate.

And I also require parents to sign a child in, I don't care how old they are.

[wdmmom]

I would have an invoice prepared at pickup outlining the additional charges. Tell her they are due Monday morning at drop off. Tell her that you only provide services to families that contract hours and they are 9 hours beyond their contracted hours! That's like working 6 days a week and only getting paid for 5! Tell her you will only charge her the daily rate THIS ONE TIME but in the future, any additional early drop offs or late pick ups will be charged at the higher rate.