I have a family coming for an interview this weekend where both mom and dad work shifts and it will be the grandparents doing most of the comings and goings. Originally they asked for 3 days a week based on their schedules. I wasn't interested really so replied to them saying yes I have a space but because you would need me to reserve all 5 days of the week due to the changing schedule then my rate would need to be my full time rate as you are booking a full space. Got an email back saying no problem we are ok with that. Will see if they are still ok with it at the interview or the week after if they visit a few more homes.

My point is what you may need to do is change things to be in your favour with the idea of sporadic is costing you lost income so to start they pay for full time space and can use only a certain number of hours per week - ie a late day counts as part of the next so if they are longer one day then they don't come the next. Even if the child does end up being brought to care even on their no work days at least you and the child will have consistency.