Keeping kids after hours

Yes, I would put out an email notice immediately stating that effective immediately, every 5 minutes (minute, or however you want to work it) a parent is late, you will charge X amount. I would further say that everyone must acknowledge the email by replying before the child can return to care.

That is completely disrespectful. I also can't believe she TOLD you instead of asking you. And I also can't believe the gall of them completely disregarding that you refused the extended hours, and just didn't bother showing up.

Personally, I would terminate them. I think what they did is sneaky and would completely break my trust with them.

You guys are all waaayyyyy nicer then I am cause she would get a big ole NEXT from me. She was told that the provider had an appt and the kid had to go at a certain time but the parent held the provider hostage by not picking up her kids when she was supposed to ..... No warning letter from me the kids stuff would had been at the door when the parent came with a letter ready .... And they wouldn't set foot back in my house again ..... You can't let someone treat you like that .... Next

I was closed today to go on a class trip with my son.

However, I sent her an email last night that was very straight forward and to the point. "due to the extreme lateness today your additional late fee will be XXX"

I didn't want to send an angry letter so I was professional and just advised of the late fee. She responded within the hour appologizing, but also said "sometimes you can't control traffic" So, it was a half appology. It's just the way she is.

I don't have a "flexible" schedule with her. I really don't care when she drops off in the morning, but her pick up time is 5:30. When she started with me my hours were 6pm. When I changed the hours I didn't address them with her as she is never past 5:30 unless she's running a little late, which I really dont' mind. When I have to be somewhere I let her know and she's always here.

Here's my problem with the whole thing! She didn't really ask if she could leave the kids here late, she did a "by the way, if you don't mind, we'll be late to get the kids" When I said no she told me her husband would be here by 6 (which was fine) . I sent her an email mid day with the message that I now close at 5:30 due to family obligations, I can take the kids till 6pm. I need 24 hrs notice to request late pick ups and I'm not always able to do it. She responded that I shouldn't feel obligated and it isn't my problem, it's hers, she'll make sure her husband is here by 6pm.

When he showed up, I had them ready and waiting at the door. I hardly said 2 words to him. I had my kids in the van and myself there with the van on and in reverse to wait for him to leave the driveway. I was so mad!

It is incredibly disrespectful. She does think of me as an employee. I don't really need her business or her kids, but I feel bad terminating. I think I need to.

I'm not sure how I'm going to handle it face to face tomorrow. I may give her a final warning note and tell her anything later then XXX time from now on is grounds for termination. It's hard because I find it very disrespectful, but she just sees it as her husband was stuck in traffic.

You just said it all apples & bananas, she definitely does not respect you or your business or your family. She sounds like a very selfish, entitled type woman and she needs a wake up call that the world does not revolve around her alone.

Good for you for remaining professional and I think you handled it in an excellent fashion. Grounds for termination indeed!

You can't control traffic??? You said NO to the late pick up. He should have been there at 5:30, and he shows up at 6:40? Girl, that's not traffic. Sorry. I would be even MORE pissed with her giving an excuse. Get rid.

UPDATE!

I handed mom this morning a copy of my policies explaining that I will not be careing for her children after 5:30 going forward and if there are any further lates I will have no choice but to terminate. I highlighted some of the other issues I'm having with her following my policies. She looked at me shocked! If she chooses to leave over this then so be it! I've worked so hard on this little guy. He has come close to termination a ton of times due to his behaviours and mom doesn't assist at home. I finally have him at a spot where he's litening and learning and responding. It's such a shame when you make leaps and bounds with a child only to loose them because of deliquent parents.

Thank you for all of your support. The several amounts of replies telling me to immediately terminate almost talked me into it! But, we'll see if anything changes from here on in. If not, out they go.

Good for you. I know it's hard, but you had to take a stand. Good for you for being courageous enough to have what must have been a difficult conversation. :)

Good for you for letting them know that they are on thin ice! That's the part of the job I hate, but sometimes we need to put our foot down.

I'm so glad you let them know exactly how it's going to be! Hopefully, she's realized she can't walk all over you now and you'll have no more issues!

Congrats apples. Let no parent push you around. Easy for us to say when it's not us...lol I hope I can count on your support when I need it too. ;)