Just starting out -feel annoyed

[SheraW]

Just opened my daycare and am already a little frustrated

I have 2 children in care under the age of 2 but thought they were going to be more full time then they are. One is on a schedule and doesn't work every wee and at most 3 days. Other is some weeks part time and some full time.

Finding it hard to make a living like this but can get another child under 2 due to daycare rules.

I even turned people away as I thoug these children would be me regular.

Not sure what to do :(

[torontokids]

Did you not have this discussion when you interviewed? I would meet with them and let them know that these are full time spots (or minimum 4 day a week spots) or whatever you thought you agreed to. I would have them pay a set weekly fee (regardless when they come) if they have an erratic schedule so that you can pay your bills and have a steady income. If you need full time from your under 2's then say as much and start interviewing.

[mickyc]

My families pay regardless of attendance. Don't ever do pay by attendance as you will never make a living

[Lee-Bee]

Did you not have a contract with the family? It should very clearly state their hours and days of care. You cannot survive in this business if you don't know what your regular income will be you can't leave it up to the parents change it on you weekly!

I think you need to sit down and look at your contract. Fix it up. Then you need to decide your plan of action. You can stay as is since you made the mistake of misleading these families into thinking they could use these childcare spots as they please. Or you can let them know you need to put their children on a firm fee plan (they pay for a minimum number of days per week whether or not the children come). That or you terminate the families and fill the spots with a NEW contract that is full time only. Unfortunately this would be a difficult move to make since you were technically the one at fault here. You should have had everything clarified before anyone started care.

There is no room for "thinking they will be more full time" everything should be in writing, in a contract signed and dated by both you and the parents so there is no room for such misunderstandings.

[5 Little Monkeys]

If you're annoyed already that is not good and you won't last long :(

Address this quickly! Tell the parents you made a newbie mistake and thought they were signing in for full time care. Offer them the chance to go full time or they have 2 weeks notice to find another daycare (or whatever your notice is) and than fill the spots with full time families.

Good luck!!

[Suzie_Homemaker]

Do you have written contract which spell out agreement made? If you believed they would be more FT then are, a parent would point out misunderstanding before signing.

Do you just charge for days they come? Most carer charge for days they enrolled and fee due if they off sick, on vacation or having a day with parent/grandparent.

We have lot of rotating shift client in this area. Because day they work changes week to week, they need place reserved for child on each day. But they have pay for full time place even if not using every day otherwise carer would just turn away and wait for a client who need every day. It only way carer can control own income.

If I you, I would be seeking replacement. If you have contract, once found replacement client who need each day, and once they sign contract too, then make start date so you can give notice to current client and the finish immediately before new client begin. If you not have contract, then you can just terminate when new person want start.

It sound like your 2 current children will not need FT ever. You could alway message both and state this not agreement you had and you require FT payment/attendance but if they not work FT then they unlikely to want change current situation now they have this arrangement with you. And there is risk they just pull their child before you have new client line up.