Holding Fees

[playfelt]

The extra fee will add up quickly and buy you something nice to compensate even if it is pizza for family supper on Fridays to celebrate another week done. Think about it as a mom - kids are just there 24 hours a day. Remember that just because a daycare child is in your home that beyond supervision it doesn't mean you have to be directly working with that child. They can come and may even go right back to sleep or are put in the play yard with toys while you sit and eat your breakfast just like you would have been doing getting ready for the kids coming at 7. In other words your day isnt' really changing that much it just has another person in it. When they get older remember that tv makes a great babysitter first thing in the morning while you eat breakfast and check emails nearby too.

On the 11 hour day - just make sure they are paying for the full week as in government workers around here can work an extra hour a day - hence needing 11 hours care instead of 10 but get every other Friday off in which case you should too. That means you get paid the regular rate plus the cost of them coming the day off which of course they will and divide that by 10. The result is the parents paying an extra $5 each day which for $100 a month I don't mind having someone watch me eat breakfast and read the newspaper.

[kidlove]

Word to the wise on the 6:30 start. I have done it since opening, have lasted for almost 10 years. I am NOT much of a morning person and dont enjoy it! although I have made it work this far, def makes for a longer day though....... just posted starting in September they will change to 7:30 and I'm thrilled. any way could you compromise with this family and open 7 instead? that way you wont get to any point that you feel resentment toward them when the newness wears off?

[kidlove]

adding to playfelts response, I also informed one parent(she and hubby both go to work 6:30) although my hours are changing to 7:30 I will take their daughter, BUT...bring her in pj.s and I may answer door in pj.s, she will go back to sleep when she gets here. (they are my neighbors and I am willing to do the favor) but aside from proper safety/supervision, you dont have to be directly working with that child. they were just delighted I was willing to make an exception for them. win,win!!!

[apples and bananas]

Oh, you are almost talking me into it.

I have one at 7 am right now and 2 - 3 days a week I have one as early as 6:15 so on those days it's not a big deal. The conflict I have it I have 2 going on mat leave which means my 7am goes to an 8:30am. I have to be up to get my kids to school anyways..and it should be a big deal... at least it's early and not late.

I really have to talk to the client and see what kind of backup care they have and if there is any chance the hours will change down the road. I'm afraid to comit to it... take a deposit... have her pay months of holding fees and then feel that it's beyond what I can do.

[kidlove]

Well, if you are still worried, you must not be ready. If your not ready to do it for sure...dont. Thats were that "resentment" comes into play after the newness wears off. They seem like nice people you dont want to wreck it with being annoyed by too early drop-off. maybe they wont fit YOUR daily sched.?

note: Even though I dont like getting up that early and greeting "ready to go" kids. I guess the way I have always looked at it is....it's my job to provide for them what they need. Thats what sets me apart from other providers in my area. When people come to me for early care, they always say "you know how hard it is to find early morning care?" my response can be "not any more" love to please them. Thats just me though. Do whats right for you.