Keeping kids after hours

[Crayola kiddies]

If it was me I'd hand them a bill for late fees along with a termination letter .... You told her no and she did it anyways ..... That is total disrespect and clearly she thinks you are her employee..... Sorry I'd terminate even if it was my only family .... Cause I would not allow myself to be treated like that.

Btw ... She wouldn't get two weeks either .... It would be immediate as in her stuff would be at the door

[Lou]

Exactly what Crayola said.

[Dayhome Mamma]

omg. I can't believe the guts that people have!

[jec]

I had one family who was always late and it seemed no matter how hard I tried to give them head's up that it was my daughter's dance class- my husband had to take her. thankfully he was home but I missed being a part of it. It's because of this family that I have in my contract that a $5 every minute you are late will be put in place if child is consistantly picked up late. I have yet to inforce this but will give a written letter to a daycare family once this policy will start taking place.
My long stories point- do the same to them. they have no respect by the sounds of it which is a shame as you are working together to help their little one.
I would either give them the one last chance and and or give them termination letter.
Sorry you have to go through this. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt and think the best but it sounds like this family likes to take advantage and might keep doing it even if you put in a strict policy.....then you have the stress of collecting money if they decide not to pay it and arugue their point of they gave you notice..picked up early one day....

OK I just talked it out on your thread and I would end it. You dont' need this stress.

[Inspired by Reggio]

....What would you do? How would you handle this?

Its a challenge because up to this point your policy of flexible hours and allowing them to 'change and extended' them without additional fee or negotiation on your part just them 'telling you' and not having clear 'hours of operation and late pick up policies' have given them the impression that THEY are in charge and this is ACCEPTABLE and therefore it is going to be hard to break that without conflict on both your parts - if you want this to STOP you are going to have to get FIRM about your hours of operation that you serve clients, about sticking to the contracted hours they agreed upon and charging MORE if they are regularly using more than a normal 8-9 hour day cause they are wanting you to work overtime for FREE, plus a STIFF late fee for being late past their contracted time AND I would add a clause that while you empathize that on occasion emergency might arise that result in a client being a 'few minutes late' and that is why you have the late fee to ensure you are compensated for those rare times that repeated lateness of more than ONCE per year WILL result in immediate termination of your service contract and forfeiting of their security deposit!

They are not going to LIKE that hard stance on your part if you have up to this point been 'lenient' and sloughed it off and they might actually PULL on you however IMO if you do not stand up and say ENOUGH and treat your business like a business before you know it you will be raising those children for more than 12 hours a day for your normal daily fee you quoted back in the beginning - you will basically be working for FREE for this family once you've fed their kids for that many meals and so forth!

Sorry but as Crayola mentioned - I would not stand for being treated like that specially in my own home .... their behavior is screaming that they do not value or respect you - the person who is helping to raise their children for them and well sorry but that is just inexcusable!

[jec]

I don't think you saying you have flexible hours gives them the impresion to go over your hours of operation. Flexible hours to me is that your flexible during those hours your open. I think they are taking advantage. Would they expect a store they go grocery shopping to stay open for them past their hours of operation because they are running late and need them to be more accomidating. They know when you close and that isn't or wasn't up for misunderstanding
However...if they seemed to misunderstood that and I would give them notice today what your meaning of flexible hours are if your planning on giving them another chance.

[jazmic]

I agree with what everyone has said. If you don't do something about this now, you can count on it happening again. You can always add an amendment to your contract with them with your new rules and fees for closing time and late fees. If they don't want to sign off on the new changes, that would mean termination. All the best.

[michellesmunchkins]

I personally feel that regardless of what you offer (flexible hours or what not) you specifically told her that you had an appt at 6:30 and she blatantly disrespected that! That's ignorant!!!! I can't really offer advice on what to do as I get walked on too in this business and have a hard time being the 'hard ass' that I should be to make the families treat me with respect...I totally feel for you!

[Mamma_Mia]

I personally feel that regardless of what you offer (flexible hours or what not) you specifically told her that you had an appt at 6:30 and she blatantly disrespected that! That's ignorant!!!!

This exctly!!
There was no miscommunication, you told her no because you have an appointment to be at and she ignored it. She just said to you "YOUR things arent important, I'll come when I'm ready". Thats a big NO-NO.....late fee letter would be given ASAP with a warning....a LAST chance warning.
And put yours adds up, sounds like they will try again. Don't stand for it

[mom-in-alberta]

Please please please..... tell me you addressed this issue with her today??
And got mad, as you had every right to be? Even reading this for the second time makes me very frustrated on your behalf!