New to daycare...Regretting my Rates & Policies

[Spixie33]

Never Ever sign someone else on without having a contract!!!! If you need some help with writing one out, please PM me.

1) I have never heard of someone charging by the hour for home daycare. I would not charge by the half hour, it would be for the full hour. If they pick up at 4:30, they would still be paying me $3.
I would personally for any newbies have a set rate - find that out by researching your area of providers.

2) Find your backbone NOW. If you don't you'll have more people taking advantage of you, and walking all over you.

3) Do not take kids that do not come prepared for daycare. Tell them to go home and change, and to come back READY.

4) AGAIN -- COME TO DAYCARE READY. That means properly dressed, fed, ready for play, and clean!

5) If you open at 7 a.m. - they should wait until you open your doors. I would have said to her as I open the door: I am not open yet. I open at 7 a.m. Please wait until I open. If they're late, then charge them a late fee. They cannot come into care the next day, unless mommy/daddy has the money in exact cash ready at drop off.

If they cannot respect these SIMPLE rules, then you need to keep the door closed on them. Again, have your backbone. This is YOUR BUSINESS. People MUST respect you.

I have had one woman who did/said the stupidest things - she was with me for ONE month. She had 3 strikes, and was gone.

I like all your points !!