Grace period?

[sunnydays]

I am just wondering how strict you ladies are with drop-off and pick-up times. I have never had any parent drop off early or pick up late on a regular basis (have had the occasional snow storm type of slightly late pick-up, but never anything to be concerned about as it was not habitual). I have actually never had anyone show up early. I open at 7:30 and my newest dc family has been showing up 3-5 minutes early on a regular basis. Once the dad showed up 10 minutes early and I did not answer the bell...but he rang again and I let him in and told him it was too early and I wasn't ready. Now the mom is dropping at 7:25 or so. The dad is ALWAYS 5-10 minutes late. I know there is construction and traffic is bad...she has asked if she can drop at 7:15 and much as I feel for her situation, I just can't go down this road of extending my hours on either end, so I said no. Today I tried not answering on the first ring, but she ran again 2 minutes later. Am I being nit-picky to be annoyed with this? If it were just that her clock is set different than mine, then she should also be picking up 5 minutes early, but she does not. Do any of you allow a 5 minute grace period or are you firm about your open and close times to the minute?

[Artsand crafts]

Can you update your policy to charge $1/ minute if you are not doing this already, but still ask them to come at proper hours. I would not answer the door until is 7:30 even if they keep ringing the door bell. I cannot hear the doorbell if I am in my room since it is set in the low volume so nobody wakes up kids napping in the second floor. Some parents know that since I have casually tell them. I actually charge $0.25/ minute late pick up or drop off, but I have not had the need to enforce it. When I have the chance I casually tell the parents how busy I am in the afternoons, too.

[JennJubie]

I am very firm about drop off times. I'm open at 7:30, no exceptions. I just had an interview go south because the parents told me that it was more convenient for them to drop off at 7:00 and I said no go. I have my own family to take care of before I open my door.

As far as pick up time goes, I have a small amount of give. For example, dcm told me Monday that she might be 15 min late Fri. She gave me lots of notice, and they are never later than they should be. This family has respected all of my policies right from the word go, so they get a bit of leash.

I would speak to them about it. If you don't want this to become a regular thing with them, and you are not ok with adjusting your hours at all - tell them. It sucks having to enforce things, and they may feel that you're being nit picky, but if you don't enforce your own rules, who will? Most parents will take a mile if you give them an inch.

[Play and Learn]

I say something in my manual that my clock is set to the Ottawa Weather Network, and to please make sure that yours is set as well.

Never had anyone come early. If someone did, I would refuse to open until my set opening time. You don't see a grocery store open just a few minutes early because people are banging on the door, do you? Same thing goes for me...I am a business as well.

I've had people come late for pick-ups and it's usually when I need to get somewhere, as in an appt. They are charged my late fees.

IF they call or text me in ample amount of time saying they are running late because of construction or weather conditions, I'll give them a 5 minute grace period. BUT...they have to understand that I have hours of operation for a reason. I have a life too!

[sunnydays]

Yes, I have talked to them about the late pick-ups yesterday, so hoping that part will be better. I just wasn't sure if I was being too inflexible when it comes to 4 minutes early. I think if it were once in awhile it would not be an issue...the issue is that this is becoming a daily thing and for the dad the pick-ups are late every single time. I think more than anything, it is the fact that I feel like they are pushing me into this and I don't like being pushed. I have another family who has never been early or late and this week she told me her husband is away and she has to pick up their other son first at a different location...she has made it on time so far, but I took her son out to wait in the front of the house to help her out yesterday so she wouldn't have to get the older one out. I don't mind accommodating when it is occasional and has been discussed. It is the assumption that 5 minutes here or there won't matter to me...this is what annoys me.

[sunnydays]

Not to mention the fact that their child is the most high maintenance one I have...it all adds up to me feeling annoyed all the time and I don't want to feel like that! I am going to stay firm and post a sign outside asking parents not to ring before 7:30am or send out a reminder.

[JennJubie]

Put an open/close sign on your door. If they're waiting at your door when you do open, flip it right in front of them. That'll probably get your point across :laugh:

[PattyCake]

This may sound strange but since changing my hours from 7am to 7:30am I'm not as sticky with clients who come early...I did have a client who would drop off their two kids at like 6:50-6:55 and THAT annoyed me because it was before 7am, however when a 7:30 drop off turns into 7:25 it really doesn't bug me.

[mimi]

I am firm on my drop off/pick up time. Respect my rules, respect my business and respect me.

If an out of the ordinary situation comes up and it is not habitual and I have been asked, then I will usually allow and earlier/late pick up.

[sunnydays]

Everyone is different in how they run their daycares. If it doesn't bother you, then it's not an issue. I am bothered by it, especially since it has never happened to me before and I don't want to go down this slippery slope.



This may sound strange but since changing my hours from 7am to 7:30am I'm not as sticky with clients who come early...I did have a client who would drop off their two kids at like 6:50-6:55 and THAT annoyed me because it was before 7am, however when a 7:30 drop off turns into 7:25 it really doesn't bug me.

[playfelt]

With the construction on the 174 for the next three months you may have to be a bit more lenient but not to the point of parents taking advantage. Two of mine are now dropping off 15 minutes earlier and picking up about 10 minutes later than they were based on how the first couple days this week went although they said it was actually getting better as people seem to be switching to the bus. It isn't a problem for me because they aren't my earliest arrivals or latest pickup so not a problem if they are still here.

How long has it been that they were having the driving issues as in is it related to where they drive to or just because?

[Trace of Angels]

I won't except lateness but I do realize that some parents struggle from time to time as do most mom's. I offer an earlier drop off for a premium fee (7:15 instead of 7:30 but I close at 4:30 no exceptions) in order to help these parents pick up on time. Maybe they just need a little help in that area. If you have the means and might want to help then just ensure that you are compensated appropriately. Usually I talk to the parents first who are late and offer them this premium service for the premium fee.........and poof once you talk money usually they are never late again!!!!

[sunnydays]

For the mom it is the construction, for the dad, he has been like this from the beginning. She asked if she coudl drop 15 min early because of the construction, but for me that means opening early..and I really need that time in the morning. I considered it, but I had already said no to a family a couple of months ago...so if I reopen this then everyone will want to start coming at 7:15. I just don't want to go down that road.



With the construction on the 174 for the next three months you may have to be a bit more lenient but not to the point of parents taking advantage. Two of mine are now dropping off 15 minutes earlier and picking up about 10 minutes later than they were based on how the first couple days this week went although they said it was actually getting better as people seem to be switching to the bus. It isn't a problem for me because they aren't my earliest arrivals or latest pickup so not a problem if they are still here.

How long has it been that they were having the driving issues as in is it related to where they drive to or just because?

[PattyCake]

Everyone is different in how they run their daycares. If it doesn't bother you, then it's not an issue. I am bothered by it, especially since it has never happened to me before and I don't want to go down this slippery slope.

Yes you are right, if it's bothering you then of course it's an issue...before when my 7am drop off did bother me, I sent out an email to my clients advising that if my hallway light was on then they could come in, if not, they had to wait....I only allow a grace period for pick ups when there's bad weather, and I stick to my policy and charge my late fees when needed.

[KellyP]

Parents should view their child care hours like they do a stores. They certainly don't get to enter a store before it opens just because they happened to arrive in the parking lot early.

I also bet that not a single parent shows up and punches into work early FOR FREE so why do they expect you (the provider to do it?) 10 minutes early for a week is almost a full hour of time that you'd be giving away for free.

I charge $1 per minute for BOTH early arrival and late pick up. If you try and pick up after my official closing time, I will term. MY time is just as important as a DCF's time and I don't do after hour care.

I don't think it is too much to ask that parents be respectful of the time they contract with you for.

[zoomama]

i am very picky about my drop off/pick up times. i've wondered the same thing...am i being too picky? but i think for me it comes down to respect as mimi mentioned. i had a mom who texted me while i was still in bed sunday morning, and then another text sunday night after i was in bed. there have been ongoing issues with this mom for a long time (3 years). then yesterday she showed up 3 minutes early and my blood boiled. i felt like she was deliberately disrespecting me. she obviously knows after 3 years how i feel about early drop off. i mentioned that it wasn't quite 8:00 yet. she shrugged it off saying she had 8 on her watch. after she left for work she texted me giving me 3 days notice that she was pulling her daughter from care due to "animosity between us" and "doing what's best for her family". anyway...i think it is really much more of a respect issue than a minutes issue. if a family shows respect and appreciation and oops they show up a few minutes early one morning, no big deal. when a family is continually pushing the boundaries in various ways showing that my rules and time is not valued or appreciated, there's no grace period. period.

[zoomama]

i also charge $1/minute for both early drop off/late pick up.

[Momof4]

Definitely charge the late/early/long day (over9hours) fees and if they don't pay them you have grounds for termination. People will push their limits if you let them. If you start charging the fees they will find a way to get there on time. It never fails.

[sunnydays]

Definitely charge the late/early/long day (over9hours) fees and if they don't pay them you have grounds for termination. People will push their limits if you let them. If you start charging the fees they will find a way to get there on time. It never fails.

To clarify, they actually offered to pay for the 15 minutes early drop-off, but for me it is not worth the money. I value my quiet time in the morning so much. My kids are usually still sleeping and I have time to prepare myself for the day. So a fee would not be a deterrent. I have now told everyone that my intercom (that is what I use for a doorbell for the daycare) will be turned off at night and not turned on until 7:30...if I can't hear the bell I can't let them in early...LOL. I think this should do the trick!

[ladyjbug]

Look, you have told her that you are not opening for her at 7:15 and she is continuing to come early. This is disrespectful, and passive aggressive in my opinion. Like she is going to force you to open early by bumping it just a few minutes earlier each time. I would not open my door a second earlier than their contracted drop off. Disconnect your doorbell, shades drawn, lights out. Turn everything on, open the shades exactly at 7:30. If the Mom asks why you didn't hear her knocking, just say "Oh, well I open at 7:30 as you know. Surely you weren't knocking before I open because that would wake up my family and I find that very disrespectful. I'm sure you weren't doing that though, right?" I use my outside light to indicate that I am open for business. If it's not on, don't even think of knocking/ringing my bell. Same for the 5 to 10 lateness at night. "Thanks Dad, just make sure that you have your late payment of $7.00 (or whatever it is) in hand on drop off or I can't accept Junior tomorrow. Have a great night!" Don't make an issue about it, it's their problem. You ignore them in the morning and cash in at night until they either figure it out OR you get sick of it and get rid of them.

[Momof4]

Ok, then say it with me............NO!!!

[Crayola kiddies]

I have a light and if its not on I'm not open so wait in your car..... I turn the light on at 6:45 every morning. If she want to drop off 15 mins early every day then tell her it will be an extra charge of $xxx and I'm sure she won't need an early drop off..... I would also charge a fee for the late pick up ... Post a note on your door advising all parents of the late fees and let them know all late fees are due at pick up in cash.

[treeholm]

I unlock my door at 7:30, and my hubby has left for work at that point. I'm home alone, so they can ring the doorbell if they want, but there is no one to disturb, and I won't go to the door early. Of course, it has also never happened.... my parents seem to be always running late because they have trouble getting their children out of bed LOL. Nothing like being ready at 7:30 and being able to drink my coffee in all peace because my 7:30 drop off doesn't come some days until 7:45. Bonus!

[Judy Trickett]

NO! I do not work extended hours either way. If a family kept coming early or picking up late I would hand them a termination warning along with a hefty late fee and it would be very clear that one more time WILL result in termination.

You can only be taken advantage of if you allow people to do it to you.

[mac]

tell dad he needs to bring you a coffee if hes coming 5 mins earlier....double double and then smile huge at him....betcha he does:)
actually, i have never had any issues regarding this but my doors do open at 7am....kids bring their breakfast and eat at the table while watching the morning cartoons( i dont do babies)....and some dads do bring me coffees....
if one did come before 7am though, i would have to charge them an extended hour fee....and he would have to see me in my old housecoat....probabl y wouldnt come early after that!