I also don't have specific hours in my contract but most of my clients stick to the same hours every day which I appreciate very much. I have one family on shiftwork and their times change week by week but they only use 6 1/2 hour days, like 9-3:30 so I don't mind even a little bit.

But then I have another family who arrives anytime they feel like it but it's between 8 & 8:30 so no biggie and they pickup anytime the feel like it but it's between 4 & 4:45 so again no biggie. I'm officially open between 7:30-5 and parents are free to use a 9 hour day within those hours and pay a late fee if they exceed the 9 hours or are here past 5pm. It's up to them.

However, I have a social life in the evenings and sometimes I'm waiting for a friend to pick me up at 5pm and I want to get ready and wish the parents would be on time. If parents truly respect us they check with us in the morning or the evening before about the times. For instance, my dcparents know I'm not a morning person so I get up and showered and dressed a 1/2 hour before I open and if they surprise me I'm NOT ready! But I have a fantastic working relationship and open communication with all the families in my care and mutual respect and admiration.