Not wanting to do extended mornign hours every day.....

[monkeymama]

If you dont want to do it, then dont. Email or phone her back and say you have reconsidered and the early mornings will not be possible. I do one early morning a month for a dcf and I hate it lol. However, they are my best family so I suck it up once a month. Multiple times a week? No way!

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

I agree with the other ladies. I would just keep things polite and professional - explain to her that it's too long a day for one person. Indicate what your hours are, and tell them that if they can work within those hours you'd love to care for their charming child, but if they need someone who can do a 6 A.M. drop off then you're not the caregiver for them. =) The other ladies are right - you'll be exhausted. I had an early drop off/long day kind of client when I first started up and I was so glad when they left for mat leave. I've had a few parents who needed long hours of coverage - I just point them in the direction of centre care - where they have shifts of people who can cover the gruesome hours. Hang in there and hopefully a client with more reasonable needs comes along soon.

[mommyof2princesses]

I emailed her back telling her I could not accommodate those hours....no response back from her.

[busydaycarelady]

I would just tell her that 6am is too early for you as it makes for a VERY long day. YOu don't owe her any explanation as to why. Just tell her your business hours are 7am-5:30pm. If you ARE willing ot open at 6am, I would make sure I was charging extra for it and not just an exra $5-$10.

[Sandbox Sally]

I have extended my hours in the past due to being desperate for clients, and I have sorely regretted it. I am finally getting rid of this family, and I am seriously dancing for joy that I get to close at 5:30 now. It went against my better judgement, and I totally DID end up resenting them.

DON'T DO IT. You'll get clients who respect your operating hours.

Tell her that while you appreciate that some people have a long commute, you have found in the past that it greatly affects your family when you operate outside your business hours, and unfortunately, you have to think of your own family as well.

Good luck, and don't back down!