Keeping kids after hours

[apples and bananas]

My very first clients ever started with me a year ago. I was new, I had a set of basic policies but they were nothing compared to everything I have in there today. She's my last of the first set of clients that I still have.

Her normal pick up time is 5:30. Some days she's here as early as 4 as she works from home, but as a rule she waits until the very last minute to pick up the kids.

She sends me a text today at lunch time that says " I know I've been picking up the boys early lately, but today will need to be a bit later, I hope that's ok " I asked how late she says " dad should be there by 7" WHAT!!!!! ???? !!!!

LOL So, my response, I'm sorry I have plans at 6:30, they will need to be picked up by 6.

So, here's my question... Anyone else deal with a client who picks up early one day and feels they have the right to pick up late the next?

By the way, I sent an email on my lunch to reinforce pick up times. I'm a pretty easy going person, but out of courtesy at least ask me before you drop them off.

[Lou]

That is ridiculous...do you have a closing time? Why did she think it would be acceptable to pick the kids up at 7??

[jec]

My hours of operation is from 7am until 5:30 and my daycare parents can use any 9 hrs within this time frame. I do get them to sign off on hours but if they need to change it then I ask them to let me know out of respect. NEVER have I had a client ask for later than my hours of operation.

If you had plans or not, that is your time and she should respect that. Unless it was an emergency, I would do just as you did and let her know that she needs to pick them up. If she chooses to pick them up early one day - those hours don't tack onto another when she needs them.
Hope she is respectful of it!

[Crayola kiddies]

Yes I have one as well and although they have never even come close to my closing time she picks up all over the place ... She has more appts then anyone I have ever met .... She will text me one day and say her dentist appt finished early so she will pick up early then the next day she will say she is going to be late a half hour cause she wants to stop at the grocery store ....very frustrating .... Disrupts the other childrens naps and never asks if that is ok? But I would not be ok with 7 pm at night . I would say to the parent .. "Sorry I'm closed at xxx o'clock you need to be here by then"

[playfelt]

Picking up early is the choice of the parent. Whether I AM AVAILABLE after hours is MY choice. Never should a parent just assume that it would be ok. Till 7 is not going to be a bit "late" that is just rude. On the other hand my fee for extra services would be $10 an hour so that is an extra $20 plus $5 if you want them fed supper so for an extra $25 well.... some days I just might. Or do it once or twice for the money and then when she pulls it the third time just assuming she has that right say sorry got plans need picked up by 5:30 as in no overtime which will hammer home the I have control of overtime.

This is what it says in my contract:

14) DROP-OFF/PICK-UP:

Parents may use only the hours scheduled in their signed contract. Any changes must be approved ahead of time. Do not assume I am available for extra care outside these hours. I plan my own family’s activities according to the contracted schedule. Children not arriving within 15 minutes of their scheduled drop-off time jeopardize the availability of care for that day. Late fees will be due for each hour or part hour for children not picked up on time. No drop off or pick up during naptime please (12:30 – 3:15 pm daily).

[apples and bananas]

So frustrating! I allow the different pick up times because I've always allowed it to be honest. I sent her an email stating that this is my closing time and any late pick ups need to be requested at least 24 hours ahead of time and I may not always be able to assist. In other words, if you need to leave them late, plan it! Don't text me 5 hours before pick up and try to extend it then play it off like it's owed time.

Her response was " don't be sorry, you're not obligated, just wanted to see if you were able to do it" She's a frustrating one for sure.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Wow - ya um NO!

My hours are my hours and you stay within them - your paying for the space contracted and you drop off by 9am or you risk arriving to a empty house and you pick up after 3pm unless previously arranged to avoid disrupting quiet time ... if you use less hours that is your choice you do not get to make up hours another day!

[apples and bananas]

So, dad was supposed to be here no later then 6. At 610 I text mom as dad wasn't here. She responds 10 min later telling me it will be another 20 min. So, that puts him here at 640.

I'm already super late for my appointment.

What would you do? How would you handle this?

[Momof4]

I charge $5/half hour late fee after my closing time of 5pm. I would need a lot of advance notice to keep a child even 15 minutes late. No way would I let a child stay til 7pm. That's INSANE!

You should hand them a bill for overtime charges in the morning, including any charges for your appointment if you had to cancel it. My doctor charges $20 for a missed appointment, I think that's fair! Time to be tough a&b!

[mom-in-alberta]

Yup, time to institute a late fee. Funny how, when you hit them in the pocketbook, it seems to sink in.
If you don't have one yet, it's time to institute one, effective immediately. Send out notice to all parents. They are going to know that they are the reason, and frankly, who cares? Next time they are late, they pay. If they don't pay, no care is provided. Next step, termination.