Long hours on school holidays

[Busy ECE mommy]

I usually have several school board employees as my clients, and it never fails that when they are off work(Xmas/March Break) their kids are always here much longer than a typical day of attendance. They're dropped off earlier, and picked up later. I have verbal agreements on set hours due to high needs of certain children, yet they always seem to be here about an hour longer when they're off on holidays. Should I put the agreed upon hours in writing, or any suggestions on how to put an end to this behaviour??

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I think any time you have written something in the contract, then it matter enough for you to bother including it.

If you have set hours for your clients, and if you have documented them, then enforce them. Even if not a big deal, when you not enforce contract you make, then it give impression you not taking them seriously. If you not taking conditions seriously, why should client?

I don't have such arrangement for most people. For me, I have business hours and if someone comes second I open and leave second before I close, that the way it is. But I have two client come a little earlier than normal hours so for them, it in contact they must pick up equal time early - not very last minute.

I would mention to your client. We have agreement for care to be available for your child between these hours not beyond. I notice sometimes, esp when school is out, you are leaving your child longer than our agreement. Due to some high needs children in my care, you were given a place based on the hours of care we agreed so it does cause disruption when you extend your child attendance.
Did you want the extended hours to be available for an additional fee or did you just forget that we had this agreement and want to stick to it?

That likely make them come on time.

EDIT - I just notice you say agreement only verbal. That not good idea in my mind. A verbal agreement is only considered if no written one exists. But a written one only cover what is written. Verbal amendment not worth anything.

[AmandaKDT]

I usually have several school board employees as my clients, and it never fails that when they are off work(Xmas/March Break) their kids are always here much longer than a typical day of attendance. They're dropped off earlier, and picked up later. I have verbal agreements on set hours due to high needs of certain children, yet they always seem to be here about an hour longer when they're off on holidays. Should I put the agreed upon hours in writing, or any suggestions on how to put an end to this behaviour??

Drop off and pick up times are written in my contract agreement with parents. I tell parents that I expect that these times be respected, and if they need different hours on a particular day that I would appreciate knowing. I don't charge any late fees as long as the drop off and pick up is within my official daycare hours, but I will verbally remind parents if they are much later picking up that I would appreciate knowing beforehand.

So, yes, I think you should get the drop off and pick up times in writing and get the parents to sign it.

[playfelt]

If they stay longer than their contracted hours there is an overtime charge. A reminder before the next vacation time that the fee will apply and chances are you will never see another late pick up again.

[mattsmom]

I have in my contract that every family has their own hours that are agreed upon by me and the parents, regardless of the hours of other families. They can't just show up at opening and pick up at closing. I would deal with this asap. Put it in writing. Especially with summer holidays coming up as well...you don't want to be dealing with this behaviour all summer!

[kindertime]

I am not sure if it's just my bias, but the take away from the OP, the thing that would bother me, is not the more hours, they are keeping it to your business hours if I'm reading it right, but the fact that when they are not working... they aren't taking any time for their kids. Am I wrong?

[Busy ECE mommy]

I don't mind if the kids are in when parents are home, but when the children have high developmental needs and are left here an extra hour, I'm the one dealing with the behaviour issues. We had a verbal agreement to change the hours to a shorter day due to behaviour issues.

[mickyc]

For myself I am open my set 9.5 hours and parents are free to use all of that time if they wish regardless if they are at work or not. I do have one family who I take their daughter casually providing I have room. Our agreement is pickup before 330 even though I am open until 5. I have never had an issue.

You need any sort of agreement in writing. What if you changed you contract to read that your daily fee is for 9 hours a day and that any child you is there for longer pays an additional fee?