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  1. #1
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    Personal appointment scheduling

    How much notice do you feel is required by us to provide to parents when we may need to open a bit later than normal to accommodate our appt?
    I have an appt on Wednesday that I have just realized my husband cannot cover me for and I am having a hell of a time having one family understand this. They are refusing for me to go and are saying that they will be dropping their daughter off and Id better be home to accept her.
    I notified them today (Monday) at noon the scheduling conflict and the appt is Wednesday morning.
    I have never in my 3 years had to open late, close early, and haven not had a sick day in almost 3 years as well. I think I am extremely reliable to my families and feel this is just a slap in the face when I am in desperate need for this late opening.
    I am 7 months pregnant and it is a bloodwork and prenatal appt I have to go to, that must be done this week,. My husband is military and has important obligations that he is not able to cover for me like he normally does for my prenatal appts.
    What do I do!?

  2. #2
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    If you have no choice but to open later than I would tell them that they can not drop off their child until you are back at home. Do you charge less if you are closed for any part of the day? Is that their issue or is it that they do not have back up and don't want to miss work? Regardless, if your not open then they really have no choice.

    I am lucky that my fiance works evenings so if I have an appointment he is usually able to look after them for me. There have been days that I wake up and need to go to the chiro and I tell the parents at drop off that I have made an appt for such and such time and that my fiance will be looking after them. None of them have ever given me grief over it.

    In the summer when I only had 2, I took them to the doctor with me and the parents were fine with this too. As long as they have dc they don't usually care what I do lol. If I have 2-3 I take them grocery shopping, to the bank, toy shopping all the time haha.

    Do you have a friend or family member or fellow military wife that could watch them for a couple hours? I think it's important for both us the providers and them the parents to have back ups. However, sometimes we just need to close and there isn't anything that can be done about that.

  3. #3
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    If you can find someone to help you out that is great. What about even one of the other families that is taking a personal day to stay home with their child might be able to take the other child too for compensation of course.

    Having said that if you need to close you need to close period. Let them bring the child but do not answer the door under any circumstances even if you are still home. It is the way they said we will be bringing our child and you will be here and that is final that would tick me off enough that I would not be available and would not be looking for anyone to cover. I know it risks losing the family but at 7 months pregnant and this is the way they act what happens when you suddenly go into labour and they are still in care and told oops sorry I am at the hospital can't take your child tomorrow. A little bit of understanding from them is in order - this has been a good test. Selfish people will always be selfish.

    When you wake up sick you give less than an hour's notice. You gave them 48. That is enough.

  4. #4
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    My back up IS my husband, I don't have any family in the area and my friends all have jobs as well lol. playfelt, you are right, it was definitely the tone in which it was 'ordered' of me that really ticks me off. There was no discount offered, but if he had requested such than I would be happy to, it was that he cant, or wont go into work late and the mom hasn't tried either. I know they both have their parents in town. I asked him today at pickup if they have a backup, which is clearly outlined in my contract 4 times that "you need to have a back up provider in case of any situations where I cannot open, illness of myself or my children". He says no, they don't have anyone. So yeah, I have no idea what they have planned when I go into labour. I am planning on taking 2 weeks off but obviously cant give them a date when this will be.

    I have been doing this family favours and this will be the tipping point for me. They are my only family that does not pay in advance, They switched over to after care pmt back in July due to circumstances but come Friday when I get their pay I will be telling the that come Monday morning I want payment for the next two weeks or I will not be accepting their daughter that day.

  5. #5
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    This dad has a very controlling personality and to be honest I do have a waiting list for my daycare and do not need this attitude from this guy. It is not the first time either. In the summer, he raised his voice to me on my front yard in front of the kids when I told them that if they wanted to send their daughter to Grandmas every Monday, that's fine, but I do still charge for that day, as it is for the space. he got really angry and had me fuming over the way he talks to me. I may call one of the kids waiting and weigh my options.

  6. #6
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    I would just tell them you won't be open until you get back. I am like you, I bend over backwards to be open for my families. I realize that me not being open affects multiple people. I rarely take days off or sick days, I have my mother-in-law who is my backup for short periods of time that I need to be away but she won't do a full day. I post my days off usually a minimum of 4 months in advance (my contract says 1 month is required). My contract states everyone should have a back up. I have 1 parent who doesn't have a backup. She gave me grief once for closing due to me being sick. She thought my MIL should watch the kids all day. UMMMM....not going to happen. How would I rest with a house full of kids. If you need time off - take what you need. Don't feel bad if they go elsewhere.

  7. #7
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    If they have given you grief in the past than I would consider not taking them back after you have had your baby. I am very hesitant to take on families that do not have a back up.

    Getting snippy with me over days that I am closed or not paying in advance would be enough to annoy me and to term. I can't remember the last time I had a sick day but next Monday I am closed for a specialist appt and thankfully none say anything about this. It is a specialist appt that I will likely need to go too every 3-4 months though and they all know this. It is in a city 2 hours away from me and I am not allowed to drive after so my fiance has too take the day off as well. Parents need to realize that we are people too and will need to see doctors from time to time and will have to close. Having your child in a hdc requires a backup in my opinion.

  8. #8
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    Wow! I really can't believe the nerve of some people! It is unrealistic for a daycare family to expect you to never take any time off for an appointment... hello, daycare providers are human too. I would hold your ground that you need to go. Especially when you say you have never had any sick days in 3 years. You are way more than fair. Sometimes things come up and parents need to always have back up. I always have parents provide me with emergency contacts.

  9. #9
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    Ummmm .... NEXT..... Terminate them today due to lack of respect for yourself and your business. What would they do if you had the flu and had to close .... Who needs this kind of aggregation? Kick their ass to the curb especially if you have a waiting list .... I would never allow after payment .... Advance only! They are rude and disrespectful and by not having back up care as started in your contract they have violated the terms of the contract ( well probably not but it sounded good in my rant) look after yourself and adios to them !

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  11. #10
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    I feel for you!

    I am in the same boat as you. I am 5 months pregnant and have to now schedule appointments during working hours. There is NO getting around it.

    As for your situation, I agree with the poster who said to not open your doors if they arrive. When parents choose a HOME daycare they NEED to have back up care in place. There is 1 of us compared to a centre that has numerous employees. Things like illness, vacation and appointnments are bound to come up. I would worry about placing my child in a home daycare where the provider doesn't ever take time off, burn out can happen. I would also seriously think of terming this family too. Say that you are going to close after baby arrives.

    My situation, I have 3 wonderful families who are VERY accomodating however I have 1 who is a complete pain. Gives me grief every time I need to take time off and complains of how they don't have back up care. (Mom left a previous domestic situation so has no family around). I feel for them but NOT my issue.

    For my pre natal appointments I book them during afternoon nap (12-3pm) and all my parents know this and are given the option of picking up early. All keep them here since the children are sleeping (or are safely confined in their playpens at least). My mother in law or husband stay with the sleeping kiddos during that time of my appt. I am also lucky that my OB is closeby so I am gone maybe 90 minutes total for these appts.

    I will admit that I am worried about when I go into labour. I plan on talking to each of the parents as I begin my last trimester and remind them that if I go into labour during working hours they will need to pick up ASAP 1 hour MAX and that I may not be here their child may be left with my mother in law.

    Have to admit I am quite concerned about this being an issue with this 1 particular family. I am going to see how things go with them in the next few months and they may be termed when my baby arrives.

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