Extra cranky child dropped off extra early

A DCmom dropped off their child this morning an hour early due to appointments for herself. She isnt going to work today but told me she should be home by noon and to call her if I need anything. She also mentioned that her husband will be picking up on his way home, which is About 45 min later than the child would normally stay.
Although the hours that the child will be here today still falls within my normal operating hours, I still feel like I want to charge her extra because I am watching the child for almost 2 hours more than I normally would. I did contract her for certain hours so if she requires me to watch her child outside of the hours, is t it my right to charge extra?

Also- the child is miserable this morning! Because she was dropped off extra early, she is extra tired and cranky. She cried inconsolably for an hour this morning to the point where she brought up phlegm and was dry heaving. She had a few temper tantrums and was throwing herself on the couch, ignoring everyone. I tried to console her but in the end she just wanted to be left alone. She got into a better mood when we went to take another child to the school bus, but is still sensitive (she will cry at the drop of a hat). When a child is like that, and they are inconsolable and disruptive and you know the parent is home, do you call them to pick up the child? A person can only handle that behavior for so long, but the other kids are bothered by it too. Or would you tough it out?

Yup. If an child is that miserable and is making the rest of the children crazy (myself included) I do call the parent for a pick up. Especially if they are home. It is stated in my contract that if the child is not able to participate due to illness or otherwise (tantrums, crying inconsolably) then a phone call is warranted to for pick up.

As for the extra fees for the additional 2 hours...did you discuss this with parent prior to drop off? If not, I'm not sure you can ding them with an extra fee. Is it in your contract that you will charge X amount for every hour outside their contracted hours?

Kids are very smart and generally want to be at home with mom if mom is there. Dcg may be extra cranky/lashing out at you due to her internal frustration over mom being home but sending her to dc. We all need a break but honestly! parents need to take responsibility for their kids!

So many things are wrong with that post, no not the post, the mother involved. Lilywildcat I'm sorry for your horrible day first of all. I don't know your contract rules so can't offer an opinion. But make sure your rules are clear to this parent.

When she brought up phlegm due to tantrums I think I would have called the Mom and told her to come get her child due to vomit, yeah maybe that would have been a bit of a stretch, but come on! I feel terrible that this child is inconsolable because her mother basically dumped her so she could have a nice day to herself, that's really sad. But stick to your rules where behaviour, hours and apparent sickness are involved. Do you have a clause about how if a child is not well enough to participate in your program they can be sent home? It's a grey area that helps in situations like this. You don't want to abuse a clause like that but this day warranted the use of that clause by the sound of it.

That sucks! I have it clearly stated in my handbook, that parents will be charged an extra $5 per 1/2 after 10 hours- or if they have 8 hours- extra fees for coming early or late- talk to her and see what she says,,, all the best of luck to you

My contract states that parents may only use their specific contracted hours and anything outside of those times is extra.