Contract Hours

[Sandbox Sally]

I require the parents to fill in their hours on the contract that they sign. If it's erratic, I have them understand that I provide a maximum of 9 hours of care per day per family for their XX amount of dollars per week. Anything before and after that have to fit into my daycare hours (7-5) AND carry an additional charge. I absolutely refuse to work more than ten hours a day. I am already exhausted by dinner time, and it's not fair to my own kids.

Yeah, and michellesmunchkins, to the mom who had the balls to tell you when to schedule your extra curriculars, I'd send an email or give her a typed letter stating that from now on, AS PER YOUR SIGNED CONTRACT, you expect her to pick up and drop off during the agreed upon hours.

[sunnydays]

Reggio hit it on the nail! I have also found that a family who originally said they needed care until 5pm (in the interview) once they found out that I was open until 5:30, suddenly made their pick-up 5:30 and I know that the mom is of at 3:15 and goes home to cook dinner before the kids come home. I have since changed my hours to 5pm, but not for them as it didn't seem fair...but I am regretting it as I really do think they could get here by 5pm and I end up resenting that they are at home cooking and I can't start cooking for my kids until after 5:30. It's my own fault though as I set my hours. Next contract renewal I may cut it to 5pm for them as well.

[gcj]

Things are bit different here in Quebec. If I'm open I'm open. Unless they arrive before opening hour or leave after closing hours, they have every right have their kids here within those hours. That said, I'm always very careful to choose families that value their time with their children and don't take advantage of my hours. But I do have to be open 10 hours (7-5 in my case) The contract states that I provide care within those hours, so I can't say oh, but you start work later, your kid can't be here...
And IF they pick up past 5...a buck a minute!

[playfelt]

I would have those kids upstairs in the kitchen doing "something" while I made supper so that once the last child is out the door my supper goes on the table. That is the only way I was able to get everyone fed and off to evening activities. I would especially be doing it if I knew the family was already home doing the same and even make a few jabs about XXX being a bit bored because instead of being in the playroom at the end of the day we play at the kitchen table while I make supper - too bad they couldn't spend time making supper with you.

I started out thinking I had to be a dacyare centre from my opening time till my closing time and then "go home" so to speak. It wasn't long before I had the reminder that I was "at home" and when the clock says the right time I started cooking dinner or put the laundry in the dryer etc.

[Inspired by Reggio]

...I started out thinking I had to be a dacyare centre from my opening time till my closing time and then "go home" so to speak. It wasn't long before I had the reminder that I was "at home" and when the clock says the right time I started cooking dinner or put the laundry in the dryer etc.

Ditto I tell clients that from 7:30 - 4:30 I am wearing my 'daycare hat' and this is why these are my program hours but if you use extended hour care you get 'multi tasking' hat and I am doing prep for program, for meals and lunches and in the evening clean up and meal prep for US ... take it or leave it. One of the perks in working from home is I can also multi task at lunch and do home chores as well ... but whose kidding I am usually exhausted and instead sit on here trying to recharge my battery and talk to grown ups

[playfelt]

I consider "school" to be 9 - 3 and before and after we do other stuff and so do I. I start at 6:30 so the early arrivals watch tv while I eat breakfast and check emails.