I ALWAYS ask parents to have their child's sched as close to mine as possible. I don't gear the nessecity toward "my needs" rather toward the "child needs" explain to the mother, you have alot of other children to please and work with, there for you have found it works much better to keep them as "common" as possible with routine. This may mean she will need to start a more routine sched at home, rather than "willy nilly" suggest maybe an earlier bedtime will help with keeping her happy through the day (not to mention give the Mom and Dad some time at night to relax together) routine is good all the way around, and I always ask parents what home schedules are like and inform them, the child's schedule NEEDS to be as similar to day home as possible or thing may not work out. (that's when I remind of the 4 week trial period I offer) it usually lets them know, you NEED them to work with you!!!!