What to do?

[monkeys]

I have a new family starting on the first and just received an email asking if they can drop their kids off a few minutes earlier than when I open. My contract states what time I open and it was mentioned at the interview. Part of me wants to say okay to a few minutes, but part of me doesn't.....:unsure:

[jazmic]

My first instinct is to say DON'T DO IT!! lol. It may be the start of a long list of special requests. But on the other hand, what's the reason why they need an early drop off? If it's a good enough reason and you stress that it would be one time only, then it may be ok.

[mimi]

A few minutes leads to alot of minutes. Start on the right foot with these folks and tell them your opening time is firm. This will let them know you do not flip flop on policies. I've been there and made that mistake. :no:

[treeholm]

If you do it once, it will become expected, and then it's harder to say no when you were willing once. I open the door at 7:30. If they are earlier, they have to wait outside. Last week it was minus 20, so you can bet no one comes early LOL

[Inspired by Reggio]

I agree with the other ladies ~ be firm on your policies cause they are there for a reason specially with a 'new' client because they have not earned through trust and experience the 'bending' of a rule yet!

My policy is they want or need EXTENDED care past my business hours and I am willing to do it than I CHARGE THEM for the extra time which shows their commitment to actually NEEDING the time and keeping it to the bare minimum of 'overtime' ;)

[Spixie33]

I would be weary of them personally. It seems borderline deceitful or dishonest to me that they didn't mention anything in the interview but suddenly bring it up at the last minute when you don't have other options to sign someone else.

This would definitely put them on my 'watch' list to see if they are going to respect the contract and rules or whether they are going to push things whenever they can.

I think that if it is more than 5 minutes then I would say no. You will come to resent the family and having to get up earlier if it is a big difference in terms of waking up every day and starting the daycare up early.

Good luck with your decision :D

[Momof4]

It's true. A few minutes turns into lots more minutes as time goes by. Also, I have $5/half hour early or late fee so if I open my doors a few minutes early the parents must pay the $5 fee each time. If you tell them that, they won't need the few minutes. Guaranteed!

[monkeys]

Thanks guys :)

[apples and bananas]

I don't know if I'd refuse them right away. Yes, I have open and closing hours as well. But if I have a client pull into my drive 5 minutes early I don't turn off all the lights and hide. When I worked in retail we opened 10 min early and stayed open 10 min late. That gave us an edge over the competition. And I still believe that. My lights are on and door's open 10 min early and if a client is a few min late, no big deal. Now, if I have somewhere I need to be then I let them know at pick up so they are no later then close.

If a new client sent me that email I would respond like this.

"My door is always open 10 minutes early, you are welcome to drop off then. If you need to be any earlier then that please let me know and we can revisit the contract and fees we've discussed"

I am someone who's always at least 5 min early so it was always hard for me to not be a few min early for daycare too when I was working outside the home.

[daycarewhisperer]

I don't know if I'd refuse them right away. Yes, I have open and closing hours as well. But if I have a client pull into my drive 5 minutes early I don't turn off all the lights and hide. When I worked in retail we opened 10 min early and stayed open 10 min late. That gave us an edge over the competition. And I still believe that. My lights are on and door's open 10 min early and if a client is a few min late, no big deal. Now, if I have somewhere I need to be then I let them know at pick up so they are no later then close.

If a new client sent me that email I would respond like this.

"My door is always open 10 minutes early, you are welcome to drop off then. If you need to be any earlier then that please let me know and we can revisit the contract and fees we've discussed"

I am someone who's always at least 5 min early so it was always hard for me to not be a few min early for daycare too when I was working outside the home. I wouldn't offer an additional 10minutes per day. at theendof the year it would be a full week of free childcare. that would cut my bottom line by 2 percent and would be well over a grand. I don't know too many people who would want to lose that kind of money a year. a little adds up to BIG money.

[ladyjbug]

Nope, I wouldn't do it. It will set a precedent and "a few minutes" will always turn into a heck of a lot more, in my experience. I always let my families know that when I am ready to open, I turn on the porch lights as a visual cue. This will never be later than the first scheduled contracted time. Sometimes I am ready a little bit earlier, and if I am feeling particularly generous, I will turn on the lights a few minutes earlier. This would be a red flag for me that they are asking for special on the first day. Keep a close eye on this family.

[mom-in-alberta]

A few minutes early, this ONE TIME, for a certain reason? Or, "Instead of 7:30, can we drop them off at 7:15, every day"???
I would **maybe** do that ONCE for a new family. And there had better be a reason for it, such as them going in a little early because it's the first day back. But it would be really clear that it wouldn't be happening again.
People think "What's the big deal, it's just 15 min?". But when I am working a 10 STRAIGHT hour day, 15 min is pretty significant.