Interview tonight, and I have an urgent question!!!!

[jodaycare]

So i had a call from a potential client, they need care till 5:30 and they want to start ASAP. I close at 5 but agreed to meet with them. I want to charge extra for staying open later for them especially since I am open at 6 am. They wont drop off till 7:30 from what he said. My weekly fees are $190, so would $5 extra per day be too much or too little? Help!

[monkeymama]

I have a dcf who occasionally drops off before my opening time. on days they do this i charge an extra $5/day. I dont think thats unreasonable. There has to be an incentive or whats the point in having set hours?

[Crayola kiddies]

I agree extra $5/day is appropriate !

[apples and bananas]

I agree, $5.00 is probably what I would charge.

Really think about it before you take them on though. It's a long day already, you're going to make it a half hour longer. That means, dinner is a half hour later, cleaning is a half hour later, homework, baths... they all get pushed back.

Just make sure you're being realistic. There's nothing worse then commiting to someone then wanting to take it back 4 weeks later.

[jodaycare]

I agree, $5.00 is probably what I would charge.

Really think about it before you take them on though. It's a long day already, you're going to make it a half hour longer. That means, dinner is a half hour later, cleaning is a half hour later, homework, baths... they all get pushed back.




Just make sure you're being realistic. There's nothing worse then commiting to someone then wanting to take it back 4 weeks later.

I know what you are saying, when he originally called, he wanted to pick up at 6 or 6:30 and I was like no way, so then he asked if he could come at 5:30. Fortunately, I only open at 6am for two weeks out of the month, the other two weeks it is 6:30. I don't have young children, my daughter is almost 20, so homework etc is not an issue. I am going over my contract with a fine tooth comb right now because this guy sounds like he may want to do things his way and that is not happening! The only reason I agreed to meet with him is because he is the only potential client I have heard from that needs care now instead of 6 months from now. Deep down i am hoping that the extra fee will make him look elsewhere.

[Artsand crafts]

I just enrolled someone like this. The boy will start in a couple of months. They said they were not sure whether they will be able to pick up on time. So I am charging a premium for the extra time ($7.50 for 30 min extra) and told them that if in the future they find out that the kid can attend every day during regular hours we could go back to the original fee.

[sunnydays]

Wow...11 hour days would be two more hours than I would be willing to do! I would charge at least an extra $10 per day. That is a long day! And since he originally asked for 6 or 6:30, I would be very concerned that 5:30 may stretch later and later until the child is with you until 6 or 6:30. Be very careful with this one!

[playfelt]

Thinking along the lines of Sunnydays - it will be 6:00 very quickly with excuse after excuse. Make sure instead of charging a flat rate that it is $3 for every 15 minutes or something so that when it does go past 5:30 you get even more. If they are willing to pay the extra and you can park child in a quiet activity while you get supper then it just might be worth the extra cashflow. On the other hand it just might be an incentive for the family to change their hours and start at 7 so they can be done sooner which would be better for you since you start earlier anyways.

[DisneyPrincess]

5$ for 30 minutes more is very good !! Here, after 5pm its 5$ late fees every 15 min. Even if they get here at 5:01pm its 5$ more.. late is late.. What I mean to say this for is, I hope that even though they arrive at 5:01, 5:02, 5:10 etc you will still stick to it and not let them play you.

[Momof4]

Why on earth do they need to use such long days? Do they work in another city? Wow! I wouldn't meet with them but then I open at 7:30am and close at 5pm and don't want to work one extra minute for the families because I need my alone time or social busy time in the evenings and you need your family time. Don't burn yourself out or make your family suffer. There will be another client.

[jodaycare]

Well after spending my entire quiet time revamping my contract for this guy, he didnt call or show up! Just as well!

[sunnydays]

That sounds like a blessing. He does not sound like a stellar client to take on! Sorry you wasted your time on it...but at least you have given it lots of thought if it ever comes up again right ;)

[Crayola kiddies]

well now its ready for the next family. some things just work out for the best.

[Trace of Angels]

That's a blessing......no one should be working those long hours in a day! Wait for the right family :-) This was not them!!!!!!

[Momof4]

I agree, this is a good thing and if they call back you can tell them, sorry you already blew your chance and I'm done with you now. Only in a professional way of course!

[Sandbox Sally]

Is this normal? I had someone not bother to show up or call last week. That was a first for me. I cant even fathom doing something that overtly rude .
:

[playfelt]

If the people have lined up several interviews it is common as they end up choosing someone from the first few interviews because they are afraid of losing out on someone ok while they still look. Then they just don't bother to tell the others they are no longer coming.

Also if there was an iffy thing such as hours or location or something wasn't quite right but they were going to interview anyways if they found someone better suited they just knock the other one off the list and again dont' call.

[jodaycare]

I have had it happen twice in the last month. I think it is incredibly rude! Even if the parent finds a caregiver before the interview, it is common courtesy to call and cancel! If they had a dr's appointment or something, they would be charged a fee if they didnt show up or at least call. Maybe we should institute a fee for no show/no call appointments! On the bright side, I received an inquiry from someone needing care in May, so hopefully she writes back to set up and interview, and shows up!!!