Flustered!!!!

[Tinyones1981]

Sorry all but I've just got to get this off my chest!! I've got a client who just for some reason cant stop trying to bend my rules!! I gave an exception once (I know shame on me) and told them no more but my goodness its like it goes in one ear and out the other! I try and accommodate but if I start doing it for one then the others look at me and are like well they did it so why cant I. I'm so flustered with it, I am not quite sure how to approach it to be honest, we have talked about it and they said they understood but clearly it just doesn't seem like it. Any thoughts???

[bright sparks]

Sorry all but I've just got to get this off my chest!! I've got a client who just for some reason cant stop trying to bend my rules!! I gave an exception once (I know shame on me) and told them no more but my goodness its like it goes in one ear and out the other! I try and accommodate but if I start doing it for one then the others look at me and are like well they did it so why cant I. I'm so flustered with it, I am not quite sure how to approach it to be honest, we have talked about it and they said they understood but clearly it just doesn't seem like it. Any thoughts???

Can you be a bit more specific with what's going on. Maybe some examples of what's going on would help us to give you some specifics advice on action to take.

[Tinyones1981]

They want to switch days that they come. We agreed on set days and then its like they say hey, I am wondering if you can accommodate on this day for this or that reason. Contract clearly states there will be no switching up of days. I mean of course I want to be flexible but at the same time, the rules are the rules for a reason. Like I said if I start doing it for one, then someone else will be like well I want to do this to and I just cant have that.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Just tell them no, we have a contract and these are the rules we agreed on.

I totally understand that you want to accommodate but sometimes we just can't. We have rules set by the gov't just like they have rules set by us and we all need to follow them.

If you can accommodate and want too than go ahead. Don't let what the other parents might do or ask be an influence. Most parents won't even care or realize that xxx child is coming Friday instead of wednesday for example. Even if they do, they are adults and should know that just because one parent is doing something doesn't mean they can too. Sometimes life is a case by case situation.

[mickyc]

I had a part-time child who was on a set schedule I got 1 month in advance. They were constantly moving days last minute. I had enough. I changed my contract to read that in the event they need a different day than already scheduled one month prior that it was counted as an additional day. It happened once and caught them off guard. They did not like their big daycare bill that pay period! It quit immediately. They shortly after gave notice and left. They needed different care than I was willing to provide. I had a hard time planning and felt like a drop in centre. Nope!! Put your foot down and say no.

[bright sparks]

Do they want to switch back and forth all the time, or is this possibly that they genuinely need different days ongoing due to a change in circumstances and need to amend their contract? I understand your standpoint, but I don't think they are out of line for asking, why wouldn't they. It's about how you enforce your contract that will be the deciding factor of how they follow it.

[Tinyones1981]

Its a case of this pops up and that pops up, is there a way we can switch this day for that one instead. So when something comes up they notify me and then in turn say can we switch this day. We have had the talk twice now and I've told them that there is no day switching, yet they still ask.

[mickyc]

You can't fault them for asking. Keep saying no and eventually they will stop asking

[Van]

I have p-t parents ask if they can change a day here and there, if it is possible I let them but if I can't well I can't, and they are fine about it and they are glad they checked with me, One time a grandma was able to go on a Cruise so I was glad to help :)

[sandylynn]

I do it if I can and doesn't interfere with my numbers...and doesn't put me over I do it...but if they ask for a day that will put me over (2 days I only have 4)...I say flat out NO CAN'T DO IT..NOT ON THAT DAY BUT IF YOU WANT WED...SURE etc

[Lou]

Is there a reason why you don't allow for switching?
I have a part time family, who's schedule is changing constantly due to hospital hours and hubby working handy man jobs in between classes at college. I don't mind it at all, and if I can accommodate it, great. They must attend a minimum of 3 days per week, so as long as they hit that I'm fine with it. Just trying to grasp why it bothers you so much?

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I would put in writing that they are registered for certain days only and there no flexibility in switching days because they are either occupied by different child or because you advertise them as vacant. Tell them they if they require an extra day and there is room, they are welcome to have it as an additional date that week and therefore with additional fees not to switch around. State that you find it offensive that they say they understand yet continue to request and that if they ask again, you will just be ignoring the request.
Then it not matter what pops up. Like other adults, if something 'pops up' they have to decide if they can go based on the child care arrangement they have not the one they wished they had. They will need to learn to schedule things that pop up around other commitments.

[daycarewhisperer]

The problem is they essentially get a full time open slot for the price of part time pay. Tell them they must have set days. If they need additional days then they can ask BUT the additional days will be at x amount per day. Tell them you can't switch for the same money but you may be able to accommodate an additional day.

Explain to them that if you allowed every client to have access to all five days but only pay for three you would go nrole. Tell them every client wants the deal they are asking for. Tell them you have never met a client who, if offered, they would just agree to give three days pay.. pick and choose on a day to day basis what three days of the five they would need and then pay for a forth or fifth day should they not be able to get free care on the fourth or fifth day. Tell them what they are REALLY asking for is drop in care for the price of part time care.

EVERYBODY who uses daycare wants access to all five days but only pay for the days they use and only let the provider know what days they want with no guarantee that they will actually use that day.

EVERYBODY wants that but the provider. That business model doesn't work. If you do that with everybody you will go broke.

They must give a set schedule and pay regardless of attendance. Any additional days must be paid upfront and they are not guaranteed without prepayment and confirmation that you can take the child.