Dcks Dropping Like Flies.....What Did I Just Do?

[Auntie]

After reading more here I would let them go. Let them move on. Stick to your hours that work for you. You set YOUR hours to apease you and your family. Put YOUR family first and I feel everything will work out for you. You will get families to fit your hours.

[daycare]

So I told the DCM today that if the kids are picked up by 6:30, I will not need to feed them dinner and the rate would be reduced by $5.00 per day per child.

Funny how she said she can make sure that somoene picks them up by 6:15-6:30.... So it looks like its only going to be 16- 30 minutes instead of an hour, which I can handle............

however, I am charging a full $10.00 extra a day per chld for having to go over into my personal time.... As someone suggested, I told her that it would not be considered daycare time but would be considered my family time fee.

[PeanutsGalore]

So you think $130 extra a week is fair per child??

Ya, I do. I think it's more than fair. We don't make a lot of money in this business, and if someone likes the care where their kids are, then they should pony up if they want them to stay for every single meal and cut into your family time at night. But I read to the end of the thread, and I'm glad you came to an arrangement with her without losing the client. I just wonder why all of a sudden she's able to pick them up before 7pm?

Yes that's it exactly. U can't charge them for any extras. We didn't even have the late pick up fees until recently. We have an option to take them and so if we agree we abide by their policies. They are "here to help people" but they tend to forget the providers need help too at times. We don't get paid for days off, sick days, or any vacation. If they aren't in care we don't get paid. AND if they are here under 4 hrs we only get 1/2 days pay. Like 3 hrs and 59 mins they would take it down to $10 for the day. It's rare that happens to me tho. I usually have the opposite, long hours. I usually only get state paid in here because they set the income guidline so high almost anyone can get assistance. I had a parent in here that made $1,800 every month ans she still only paid $2.00 per day for her co-pay!

That just stinks!

[sharlan]

IMHO, you don't really sound comfortable with the change of hours. I think it would be best if you let them find other care if they can't pick up on time.

[daycare]

IMHO, you don't really sound comfortable with the change of hours. I think it would be best if you let them find other care if they can't pick up on time.

I'm ok with 6:30 and not having to do dinner.
I was feeling doubtful about it to have to cook dinner every night and have pick up at 7. We all know that 7 turns into 7:15 by the time they leave. If they are still eating when parent arrives then it could be later, but thats not going to happen now.
Also I was thinking at first that 7:15 would mean another hour of cleaning the dishes and daycare, meaning not Getting done until after 8, but again that's not happening.

Now that dcp and I figured it out I'm ok with it. I wouldnt take on something I didn't think I could Handel or was not comfortable with.

[delferka]

You have to look at this as a business. I know we need the money and get scared when this kind of thing happens to us, but it usually works itself out pretty well. If you worked for anyone else, would you except that kind of pay check? Then have to spend your money on food for other peoples children?
My daycare opens at 7:30. I have already made 1 exception and he gets here at 7. No earlier. 5 pm is closing time. Mostly everyone is out by 4:30
I have kids of my own and I won't sacrifice my dinner and time with them. You really can't let people take advantage. I have and have paid for it in the end.
7-5 is the cutoff for me Period. It's not fair to yourself or your children.. Just my thoughts. I've been doing this for 13 yrs now. Good luck

[momma2girls]

I personally would never go back to 11-12 hrs. daily!! I did this for about 2 yrs. and I hated it!!
I have 9 1/2 hrs. now that I am open, and what a world of difference it has made.
When your children have activities, such as dance, gymnastics, swimming lessons, tee ball, softball, baseball, soccer, and so on and so on- you will miss out on all of this, if you do not close at a certain time and make sure everyone is picked up by that time!!
My time after pick up time, is my time with my family alone!!!