10.5 hr days for a 12 month old?

[Other Mummy]

I interviewed a family who is looking for a spot in my program for their 12 mo old. Not only do they want a full 10.5/11 hrs a day (the maximum time I am open, I only allow for 9.5 contracted hours) dcm has arranged with her work to only go in 4 days a week giving her 1 day in the week to spend with her 12 month old. I've already decided that would not work. IT would make for very long days for myself, would not fit in to my opening hours and would make extremely long days for the child.

Has anyone had a child this young at daycare for 10.5+ hours a day? :no: How did the child adjust?
I'm going to have to give them a gentle "No" when they get in touch with me.

[ttremble88]

My youngest dcc started when he was exactly 12 months old. From day one he has been here for 11 hour days (I am open 12 hour days). He was naturally cranky at first, with bad separation anxiety, but he has settled down just fine. I have informed the mother that because he is here for such a long period of time, I will be putting him on a specialized nap schedule and disregarding the one that she gave me (2 naps of 30 minutes each was just not going to cut it).

All in all, it has worked out. He adjusted just fine.

[playfelt]

That is very common asking here in Ottawa as parents in many government type jobs especially have the option to work an extra hour a day and in exchange get every other Friday off. I charge the full week but expect them to keep the child on the day off or pay an additional amount for that day which amounts to having paid for an extra hour of care on all the other days. As long as pick up is within my time frame it works for me. I am open from 6:20 to almost 5.

[cfred]

I've always had kids of all ages here for that length. I don't think I have anyone here for less than 10 hours (sometimes one). I've never had an issue with adjustments to it or anything. Same old, same old. I'm open for 12 hours a day, so anything less than that is just lovely in my mind :)
My sister works for government here as well and does that extra hour too for that 1 Friday every 3 weeks off. She still pays for that day though. It's her choice not to use it.

[bright sparks]

I think there are more parents who require 10 hrs than not it seems at times. I turn most of my potentials away due to the fact that I am only open 7:30-5 and so many need a 7 drop off and/or 5:30 pick up or later. I don't mind because I have my own kids to run around so it's not like I can be flexible for a later pick up. Although 10.5-11 hours a day is long, if you are open for those times, I don't understand the problem. You will be open and caring for at least one other child during the earlier drop off and later pick up so it's not like they would make you open earlier and stay open later. Unless a child has separation anxiety I don't see how it would be to long a day for them, and quite honestly if they do, they would be a problem for a much shorter day but usually that's dealt with once transitioned in and is only for the first part of the morning or drop off. When I used to open till 5:30 it didn't change the temperament of the child at all. You say the 10.5 hours is your total opening hours so why wouldn't you allow parents to make use of the entire day? If you have 1 or 2 children then you may as well have all 5 of them. I find the more the merrier as they entertain each other and require less of my attention to entertain them. When is your first one dropped off and last one picked up each day?

[5 Little Monkeys]

I agree with BS. Yes, it's a long time in daycare but sometimes both parents work long shifts so it can't be avoided. If the times fit into your open hours than I'm not sure I see the problem? Sounds like mom really wants to come to your dc if she is willing to change her work schedule.

Right now I only have children for 7-8.5 hours depending on the day but I used to have children for 9-10 hours and they all were fine. I know this child will have an extra 2 hours on top of that but once he is adjusted into your routine I don't think it would be a problem.

Ultimately, it's up to you but personally, I wouldn't let an issue like this stop me from taking a child if that was the only "problem". As long as a parent drops off and picks up within my open hours than it's fine.

[Busy ECE mommy]

It all depends on what you're comfortable with. I personally am open 9.5 hrs, but only take infants and toddlers for a max. of 9 hrs. a day, and that's what works for me. Do what works for you. As for the 4 day a week attendance, all of my kids must pay full-time if they need 4 days, as I can't fill a one day a week spot.

[bright sparks]

I agree with BS. Yes, it's a long time in daycare but sometimes both parents work long shifts so it can't be avoided. If the times fit into your open hours than I'm not sure I see the problem? Sounds like mom really wants to come to your dc if she is willing to change her work schedule.

Right now I only have children for 7-8.5 hours depending on the day but I used to have children for 9-10 hours and they all were fine. I know this child will have an extra 2 hours on top of that but once he is adjusted into your routine I don't think it would be a problem.

Ultimately, it's up to you but personally, I wouldn't let an issue like this stop me from taking a child if that was the only "problem". As long as a parent drops off and picks up within my open hours than it's fine.

7-8.5hrs a day 5LM.....I am jealous lol all but one of mine are 9 hours and the last one is here nearly 9.5 but 7 hour day sounds heavenly :)

[Fun&care]

I am open 7:30 to 5 but most of my kids arrive after 8 am. I like my days like that. I once had a boy who was here 6:30-5:30 and that was way too much. For me AND for the kid. But obviously others have found a way to make it work...don't know how you do it!

[5 Little Monkeys]

7-8.5hrs a day 5LM.....I am jealous lol all but one of mine are 9 hours and the last one is here nearly 9.5 but 7 hour day sounds heavenly :)

It is nice, not gonna lie :) I used to be 730-530 and am now officially 730-5 but usually 730-4ish or 820ish to 330 or 430ish. Today it's 820-330ish for example. I have had to change my hours to an earlier closing time twice now and this summer will likely officially close at 445. I don't know how I lucked out on getting these families who need such short days but I'm not complaining!!

[bright sparks]

I am open 7:30 to 5 but most of my kids arrive after 8 am. I like my days like that. I once had a boy who was here 6:30-5:30 and that was way too much. For me AND for the kid. But obviously others have found a way to make it work...don't know how you do it! I did early drop off 3 days a week for a family 6:30 and they were collected by 3 but I still worked till 5 and it was a long day for me. It didn't last too long before I stopped it.

[Samantha33]

I too have 9.5 hr. contracted days. I work 7:30-4:45 right now and will make it 5 if I get a "new" client who reguires the time. If someone needs more time, I charge for the extra time. I've never had anyone need more time once they know this. Although I have had some clients pay for an extra 15 min. once in a while. I choose parents who can work in this time frame. I just don't want to work longer than my hrs. I have appt. scheduled for 5 most days after work.

[momofnerds]

I wouldn't. You have to look also if this is going to effect your family life. Also, I know parents work long hours but I find it odd that both would work at the same time with the same hours. Also, because I have done it, after a while I started to resent having a child here for so long. I felt like I was raising them and all the parents had to do was put them to bed and had them on the weekends. And another thing I found (maybe not everyone) was when the parent had a day off the child would still come because the parent didn't know what to do with the child, because they didn't spend any time with them.

[nschildcare]

I wouldn't. You have to look also if this is going to effect your family life. Also, I know parents work long hours but I find it odd that both would work at the same time with the same hours. Also, because I have done it, after a while I started to resent having a child here for so long. I felt like I was raising them and all the parents had to do was put them to bed and had them on the weekends. And another thing I found (maybe not everyone) was when the parent had a day off the child would still come because the parent didn't know what to do with the child, because they didn't spend any time with them.

I agree with a lot of this. I have one who comes for that long and have had her since 13 months. They are long days. She is fine but they are long days for me because yes, I feel like I am parenting her. My family and I love her to death but I wish in hindsight that I hadn't agreed to the long days. And in my case as well, this child is here every single day no matter what. From her start time to finish time. I don't care that she comes while mom isn't working but does she need to be here for that long of a day?

I limit new clients to 10 hours a day and always give preference to those with shorter days. I will never take another child for that long of a day.

[mickyc]

It would be a long day but kids adjust and sometimes it has to be. I open at 7:30 and close at 5. My new boy (11.5 months old) is dropped off at 7:30 on the nose and his mom gets here at 4:50.

Sigh....maybe someday I will have shorter days lol.

[AcornsFalling]

I would not take a child who needed such a long day. I want time in the morning and evening to be with my own children when they are young. You will find a new child eventually whose hours will fit better with your schedule.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Sorry, I'm a little confused. Is this family needing care out of your open hours or just the full length that you are open?

[ttremble88]

Sorry, I'm a little confused. Is this family needing care out of your open hours or just the full length that you are open?

I think that that she is open during the hours that the parents need, although it seems like she has a contracted amount of hours and they need more then that. That is what I understand.

I am different. I am open from 6am-6pm and what you pay per day, is for care from open to close. But I know that some offer a limited amount of hours per day, even if they are open longer.

[Other Mummy]

So DCM called yesterday during nap and really, really wanted the spot. She is negotiating her hours at work so that she will drop off after 7:15am and pick up no later than 5:30pm. She dropped the 4 day week and is going back to a 5 day week so that her daughter is not at daycare for 11 hours. So her hours that she needs know are all within my opening hours.

And the little girl is very easy going and a lovely personality. We will be transitioning her for 2 weeks prior to mom going back to work.

[Rachael]

I've never heard of restricting a child's attendance to a max number of hours within core business hours. Surely if you open at a given time and close at a given time, if someone is paying for a full day it makes no odds who is present for the whole day and who is present for part of it.

I officially open at 7.30am but have two who are military who drop at 7am due to the hours the base works. I close at 4.30pm and don't extend that. But when my hours were longer, as long as nobody arrived before I opened and all were gone at closing time, then I was open for business.