Contract Hours

[Crayola kiddies]

I thought it was rude too lol. I normally don't schedule anything before 6 as 9 times out of 10 I have little ones here until 6 but because everyone was supposed to go home early I did. I sent a letter out to everyone a few weeks ago saying that pick up times need to be within a 15 minute window of our agreed upon time unless a call/text is made to tell me otherwise. usually I have the kids ready in their coats and boots and everything ready for pick up ( I hate the long drawn out pick ups where parents spend 15 minutes getting their kids ready lol) so yesterday this poor kid sat in his gear for over an hour because if I take it off he screams bloody murder!!!!

Rude???? That's obnoxious ! Who the f*** does she think she is? You are not her live in nanny you are a care provider and I'm pretty sure you actually have a life. If one of my parents never showed up when they were supposed to with out letting me know I would snap. One of my parents actually texted my and said "oh btw I'm staying late I'll be there at xxxx time". And even though it was within my operating hours I told her she had to ask and not just assume as I have to stay within my numbers and I have afterschool kids. Therefore you ask if it's ok as I am not at anybodys beck and call

[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.