I have 2 kids of my own, 20 month old boy and 3 year old girl. I keep a 16 month old boy M-F 6:45am - 4:30pm and a 3 yo boy 7:30am - 5:30pm ONLY on Thur-Fri. A month ago a lady called and said she needed childcare for 2 weeks b/c her husband (who normally kept them during the day) was going out of town on business. I normally charge $100 for babies up to 12 months and $90 for kids over 12 months OR $20/day for drop ins. So I would normally charge her $190 b/c she has a 6 month old and a almost 3 yo. I decided to give her a discount and charge $150 since it was 2 weeks and the kids were siblings. She works 7-4pm and said she would drop them off at 6am and pick up around 5:15-5:30pm at the latest. 2 weeks go by and she needs me for a third week. 3 weeks go by and Sunday NIGHT I get a msg that she needs me for one more week and will decide by Thursday (tomorrow) if she needs me permanently. Out of the 3.5 weeks she's been here by 5:30 only two times. All the other days it's been...
2006-11-01 07:04:27 · 11 answers · asked by october g 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
...it's been anywhere from 6 - 6:20pm! She supposed to be getting off work at 4pm. I know Atlanta traffic is bad but I doubt it takes over 2 hours to get here from where she works. In the beginning I told her my hours were 6ish in the morning till 5:30, but anything after 6 is pushing it. So now I need to decide what to do if she comes to me today or tomorrow and asks for a perm thing. I'm thinking of charging her $180 (giving her a $10 discount). But the kids are here for 12 hours!!! And her almost 3 year old is a little... "special" and kind of hard to deal with. He takes up 50% of my time and I have 4 and 5 other kids to deal with besides him. Should I tell the mother that I close at 5:30 and anything after that late fees will be added? Or my husband suggest give her till 6pm and then charge outrageous late fees? I'd rather my day end at 5:30 at the latest because I can't really cook dinner or get much done with that many kids here all day.
I'm also 5 months pregnant :)
2006-11-01 07:10:54 · update #1
Oh, and yes, after her and I discuss things I had already planned on making up a contract for her like I have my other 2 parents.
2006-11-01 07:12:10 · update #2
I have been a licensed home daycare provider for 20 years. In my opinion, this is your home and your business and you must make the decisions. Some parents will walk all over you if you do not make your rules and stand by them. If you want all of your daycare children gone by 5:30 then you must tell her that it will not work out for you to watch her children unless she can guarantee she will not be later than that. If she says she can and doesn't make it to your house by then, by all means charge her extra. Be prepared that some parents don't mind the extra fee and will continue to arrive late regardless. You have every right to say that the arrangements are not working out and you are not able to care for her children any longer. You do not have to accept every family that is interested in using your daycare services. She is really not in a position to decide if she wants to use you full-time if you have not offered her that option.
2006-11-01 07:31:56 · answer #1 · answered by sevenofus 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you explained to her that you have given her a discount rate?
Also, mention that you are confused on how long she will be needing the care for - as she has changed the length of time a few times - explain that it is important for your bookkeeping to have accurate details of who is doing what and for how long. Otherwise, you are all over the place - and you provide excellent childcare service because you are super organised under normal circumstances!
If she is up to an hour late - then this is a big NO NO. She cannot, and must not be late on regular occassions as you have a life also. Especially if you are 5 months pregnant - then I doubt she would have been treated with such a lack of regard when she was pregnant.
She is not being considerate - but if you haven't talked to her about this, she may not know that you are upset over this also.
2006-11-01 07:12:35 · answer #2 · answered by Jess L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been in your shoes and quit daycare because of people like this. Charge her your FULL AMOUNT - no discounts. Also, state in your contract that you close at 5:30 - anything after that time is charged extra and will be paid upon her arrival that day - I did 5 bucks every 10 minutes they were late - U have to stick with it though or they will use u like no tomorrow!! Good luck
2006-11-01 07:55:37 · answer #3 · answered by qteepie999 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would explain to her that she needs to be on time when picking them up or there is a ''late charge'' . and then tell her that the intial price she was getting was for temporary care . If she wants to go full time there is a slightly higher fee. The worst thing that can happen is she leaves and doesnt come back . But if you really dont mind the extra kids and need the money then give her the same price but tell her . yuor personal time begins at 5:30 any babysitting done after that is subject to your late charge. say 20.00 per instance if she dont like it then politely tell her to make other arrangements ......
2006-11-01 07:12:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Barrel of Monkeys and Little Rascals style of appears like a daycare the place they are going to be working around uncontrolled and wild all day long. How approximately some thing that shows calmness or exciting? Like Kim's Hidden Meadow Daycare, Safari Daycare, Jungle Safari Daycare, Kim's Jungle Explorers Daycare, etc. in basic terms those names on my own might make me decide to envision into it further. I additionally like the Stepping Stones call. places the photograph of stepping stones throughout the time of a glittering circulate in my head.
2016-10-21 02:35:00 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do daycare as well. I would advise you to charge her extra for being late weather that is a flat charge or by the 1/2 hour. If she tells you she will be there by 5:30 then she needs to be there.
2006-11-01 07:10:12 · answer #6 · answered by Shauny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She's obviously taking advantage of you and it's stressing you out. No matter how much you need the money, you should get out. Drop her as a client. You are pregnant and you have kids of your own. Tell this woman that you can't help her any more. I had a similar situation when I looked after a couple of kids. The mom completely took advantage of me and I had to drop her. I needed the money but I needed my health and sanity more! Good luck!
2006-11-01 07:26:45 · answer #7 · answered by Shelley L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly, I'd drop her as a client. This is not the kind of person who will abide by a written contract, anymore than she would a verbal agreement. And if the one child is so difficult to deal with, it will affect how you deal with the other children, as well as your own, and it's adding unnecessary stress to your pregnancy. I don't think the extra money is worth it, in this case, to be honest.
2006-11-01 07:14:18 · answer #8 · answered by rhetorica 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off why are you on the computer with so many little children in your home right now?
Secondly, if you don't want her business then you need to tell her the truth. If you still want to watch the children then have her sign a contract that includes how much your late fees are.
2006-11-01 07:08:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tell her you would like to make a contract with her for yourself and the childrens protection then discuss with her your contract rates.
2006-11-01 07:07:12 · answer #10 · answered by Jody 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋