Newbie - Lots of Questions and Need Advise!

[Play and Learn]

Ok. First things first. You say you have a manual/contract - yay! (this is a little long, sorry)

Now have a backbone, and USE IT!!!!!
Number 1: This is YOUR HOME. They must respect YOUR PROPERTY.
Number 2: This is YOUR BUSINESS. Again on the respect! I have in my manual a section that states: Guidelines for Parents. PM me if you would like to see it.

To answer your questions:

1. I lock my doors at all times. They have to ring the bell in order for me to open the door for them. Yes, my home daycare is 'open door policy', but it is also MY HOME, and I have to feel safe, and have the kids feel safe here too!

Hell, at the last center I worked at, we locked the door - they had to ring the doorbell to get in.

2. Parents MUST pay on Monday at drop-off for the week of care. What I might do for new clients is have them pay the Friday before the week of care. You want a service - you better damn pay for it! IF they don't pay by Monday at pick-up, they have to pay the late fee of $20/day PLUS the week pay. Let me tell you, they're usually NEVER late again! lol

3. I would personally term that family.
a) mom has no respect for you and your business,
b) You're the boss, not the parents, NO one will speak to me like that, and
c) Child has no discipline.

What parents have to understand is that even though we work from home, that we are indeed a business. They don't like your rules, show them the front door!

What I have, and I know of others on here that have are their hours of care, and then the 'contracted hours of care'. I am open 7:30-5, but when I'm signing on the family, they tell me their drop-off and pick-up times. Then if they're late, I can charge those late fees!

4. I state right in my manual AND when I'm interviewing, COMMUNICATION IS KEY IN ANY RELATIONSHIP. This is a business relationship. PLEASE tell me what's going on! We're NOT mind-readers!!!!

You really need to step up to the plate and be the BITCH that you don't want to be. Obviously these parents don't respect you and your business as I've stated above.

If you need some help or someone to help you look over that manual, send me a PM - I'm happy to help! I will have time on my hands now! lol (mat leave is coming up).