Grace period?

With the construction on the 174 for the next three months you may have to be a bit more lenient but not to the point of parents taking advantage. Two of mine are now dropping off 15 minutes earlier and picking up about 10 minutes later than they were based on how the first couple days this week went although they said it was actually getting better as people seem to be switching to the bus. It isn't a problem for me because they aren't my earliest arrivals or latest pickup so not a problem if they are still here.

How long has it been that they were having the driving issues as in is it related to where they drive to or just because?

I won't except lateness but I do realize that some parents struggle from time to time as do most mom's. I offer an earlier drop off for a premium fee (7:15 instead of 7:30 but I close at 4:30 no exceptions) in order to help these parents pick up on time. Maybe they just need a little help in that area. If you have the means and might want to help then just ensure that you are compensated appropriately. Usually I talk to the parents first who are late and offer them this premium service for the premium fee.........and poof once you talk money usually they are never late again!!!!

For the mom it is the construction, for the dad, he has been like this from the beginning. She asked if she coudl drop 15 min early because of the construction, but for me that means opening early..and I really need that time in the morning. I considered it, but I had already said no to a family a couple of months ago...so if I reopen this then everyone will want to start coming at 7:15. I just don't want to go down that road.

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Originally Posted by playfelt

With the construction on the 174 for the next three months you may have to be a bit more lenient but not to the point of parents taking advantage. Two of mine are now dropping off 15 minutes earlier and picking up about 10 minutes later than they were based on how the first couple days this week went although they said it was actually getting better as people seem to be switching to the bus. It isn't a problem for me because they aren't my earliest arrivals or latest pickup so not a problem if they are still here.

How long has it been that they were having the driving issues as in is it related to where they drive to or just because?

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Originally Posted by sunnydays

Everyone is different in how they run their daycares. If it doesn't bother you, then it's not an issue. I am bothered by it, especially since it has never happened to me before and I don't want to go down this slippery slope.

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Yes you are right, if it's bothering you then of course it's an issue...before when my 7am drop off did bother me, I sent out an email to my clients advising that if my hallway light was on then they could come in, if not, they had to wait....I only allow a grace period for pick ups when there's bad weather, and I stick to my policy and charge my late fees when needed.

Parents should view their child care hours like they do a stores. They certainly don't get to enter a store before it opens just because they happened to arrive in the parking lot early.

I also bet that not a single parent shows up and punches into work early FOR FREE so why do they expect you (the provider to do it?) 10 minutes early for a week is almost a full hour of time that you'd be giving away for free.

I charge $1 per minute for BOTH early arrival and late pick up. If you try and pick up after my official closing time, I will term. MY time is just as important as a DCF's time and I don't do after hour care.

I don't think it is too much to ask that parents be respectful of the time they contract with you for.

i am very picky about my drop off/pick up times. i've wondered the same thing...am i being too picky? but i think for me it comes down to respect as mimi mentioned. i had a mom who texted me while i was still in bed sunday morning, and then another text sunday night after i was in bed. there have been ongoing issues with this mom for a long time (3 years). then yesterday she showed up 3 minutes early and my blood boiled. i felt like she was deliberately disrespecting me. she obviously knows after 3 years how i feel about early drop off. i mentioned that it wasn't quite 8:00 yet. she shrugged it off saying she had 8 on her watch. after she left for work she texted me giving me 3 days notice that she was pulling her daughter from care due to "animosity between us" and "doing what's best for her family". anyway...i think it is really much more of a respect issue than a minutes issue. if a family shows respect and appreciation and oops they show up a few minutes early one morning, no big deal. when a family is continually pushing the boundaries in various ways showing that my rules and time is not valued or appreciated, there's no grace period. period.

i also charge $1/minute for both early drop off/late pick up.

Definitely charge the late/early/long day (over9hours) fees and if they don't pay them you have grounds for termination. People will push their limits if you let them. If you start charging the fees they will find a way to get there on time. It never fails.

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Originally Posted by Momof4

Definitely charge the late/early/long day (over9hours) fees and if they don't pay them you have grounds for termination. People will push their limits if you let them. If you start charging the fees they will find a way to get there on time. It never fails.

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To clarify, they actually offered to pay for the 15 minutes early drop-off, but for me it is not worth the money. I value my quiet time in the morning so much. My kids are usually still sleeping and I have time to prepare myself for the day. So a fee would not be a deterrent. I have now told everyone that my intercom (that is what I use for a doorbell for the daycare) will be turned off at night and not turned on until 7:30...if I can't hear the bell I can't let them in early...LOL. I think this should do the trick!

Look, you have told her that you are not opening for her at 7:15 and she is continuing to come early. This is disrespectful, and passive aggressive in my opinion. Like she is going to force you to open early by bumping it just a few minutes earlier each time. I would not open my door a second earlier than their contracted drop off. Disconnect your doorbell, shades drawn, lights out. Turn everything on, open the shades exactly at 7:30. If the Mom asks why you didn't hear her knocking, just say "Oh, well I open at 7:30 as you know. Surely you weren't knocking before I open because that would wake up my family and I find that very disrespectful. I'm sure you weren't doing that though, right?" I use my outside light to indicate that I am open for business. If it's not on, don't even think of knocking/ringing my bell. Same for the 5 to 10 lateness at night. "Thanks Dad, just make sure that you have your late payment of $7.00 (or whatever it is) in hand on drop off or I can't accept Junior tomorrow. Have a great night!" Don't make an issue about it, it's their problem. You ignore them in the morning and cash in at night until they either figure it out OR you get sick of it and get rid of them.