Changing operating hours

[Busy ECE mommy]

I need some opinions about what to do with existing clients' fees when I decide to shorten my operating hours by 1/2 hr. My operating hours are 9.5 hrs for new clients(1/2 hr earlier than existing clients) My existing clients have operating hours of 10 hrs. I will be closing 1/2 hr earlier in the new year for the existing clients(who really only use about 15mins of the extra 1/2 hr, usually for running errands-it is not work-related) So I will still be open 9.5 hrs, which to me is still a full day rate. My question is, should I lower the fees by $2 a day for the existing clients, to make up for the 1/2 hr loss, or risk losing them in the new year(they will both be part time 3 day a week families, which is $5 higher daily rate than full timers)
Suggestions please??

[mickyc]

Nope. Don't adjust any fee whatsoever. Your new hours are your new hours and that is that. Give lots of notice and they can choose to stay or go, it is up to them.

[Rachael]

Agreed. I wouldn't change my fees either not for 30 mins.

I too would just give them written notice of the change and then it's up to them. Sure, some might change providers because they need the original times but no one is going to change provider based on not getting a $2 reduction in fees for shorter hours - I can promise you that.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Agree with both the ladies!

[Busy ECE mommy]

How much notice would be fair to give them? I still have paid holidays for part of Xmas break, so obviously I don't want to lose that time off/income. They need to give me 1 month's notice for withdrawal. Is a month's notice fair, or should it be more like 6-8weeks?

[Samantha33]

No cut in pay. :)

[33 Daiseys]

I'd say if you can give notice once everyone comes back from holidays. I would not personally do it on the first day back, but possibly a week into the new year. When do you need your hours changed.

[Busy ECE mommy]

I was aiming to change them effective January 1st, as I have 2 existing families that will change to part-time at that point, but I would still like my paid holidays over Xmas. I'm afraid if I give them more than a month's notice(that's the withdrawal notice period for parents), then they will terminate before that and I'll lose my paid time off over Xmas.

[33 Daiseys]

could you just have the new families start at the "new time", and just ave the old families continue till the end of jan first of week of feb?

[Rachael]

I'd give a month's notice.

You already have newer clients coming on the revised hours and although you feel this mostly won't be an issue, I think you have to expect some potential objections. If you are revising contracts, I feel that a month's notice if fair. Parents might need to re-negotiate hours at work, find a back up to collect their child if they are held up, or worst case scenario, find an alternative carer who does work the hours they feel they need.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Do any of the existing clients need until your current end time? If not, than I can't see why it would be a problem

[Busy ECE mommy]

No they don't technically "need it", but use it for running errands after work. I have one going on mat leave beginning of Jan. so that was my later pickup(older child will still be part time)I figure that's a great time as she can't use the work excuse for the later pickup. It's about 15 mins of time they actually use, but 1/2 hour earlier than posted on paper. The other family typically picks up by my new proposed closing time. My 2 new families have shorter operating hours in their contracts.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I don't think many, if any, parents would leave a daycare that is meeting all their other needs just because they can no longer run an errand at the end of they day. If it was an hour or more I could understand but for 30 minutes I really don't see anyone leaving if they don't really need till than anyways.

[3littlemonkeys]

I'd give 1 month notice too. I would tell them beginning of December for the start January. Personally if one of my long term parents came to me needing an extra week or 2 to sort it out with work I would go with it. I have friends who I know need 6 weeks to change there work schedule.

And definitely don't drop your rate. If they mention it. I would say do did it this way in lieu of a price increase.