I agree with the rest of the other posters that you can't possibly follow everybody's individual schedules they have to follow yours..... When I have a new baby starting I give them my schedule as well as some suggestions of things to do before starting care ... Such as starting on finger foods, play on the floor independently, self sooth/ go to sleep on their own, ect.... I would be ok with a 7 month old but you are not and it appears that "slightly under one" has very different meaning to both of you. I would have a discussion with the parents and let them know what you expect them to be doing at home to help him adjust at daycare .... give them your schedule and tell them they have to start tweaking his schedule to make it match yours .... You can't carry him around all day so they shouldn't either.
It's too bad you don't have the support of family in running your daycare because this job is hard enough and it takes sacrifices from everybody.
Fortunately my hubby is on board and when we built our new house we designed a separate daycare space right into it .... I love my commute and my boss "rocks". ; )