Parents having the day off

[apples and bananas]

I only charge a half fee for days the kids aren't here. It's in hopes that they choose to save a little and keep them home. And if they bring them, they pay full fees anyways.

I guess I'm lucky as I have clients who drop off around 9 and pick up around 4 on days off. I've never had a client take a day off and leave their kids with me for the full day.

I used to leave my kids at daycare on my days off too. (early pick ups though) The kids enjoyed being at daycare and I liked the consistency. So I completely understand, and am flattered, when a parent takes the day off but still chooses to put their child with me.

I guess it's all how you look at it.

[Fearlessbaby]

I don't really mind it- they are paying for a service and whatever they do during their days is up to them. If they pick up late though- that's when I would have an issue.

[mom-in-alberta]

I have had parents off for the day, come pick up late. My blood was boiling.
I have also had parents pick up late, and say "Phew, it was NUTS at WalMart!". Or pick up late with fresh from the shower hair, or a newly changed set of casual (not work) clothes.
Just.... No. >
I have zero tolerance for lateness, as almost every night of the week we are rushing off to some sort of extracurricular something. Of course I have empathy when there is crazy traffic, or bad weather. But if it becomes a habit, we need to re-evaluate. But when they are HOME, and still cannot find a way to get there, I feel incredibly disrespected. NOT COOL.

[bright sparks]

I have had parents off for the day, come pick up late. My blood was boiling.
I have also had parents pick up late, and say "Phew, it was NUTS at WalMart!". Or pick up late with fresh from the shower hair, or a newly changed set of casual (not work) clothes.
Just.... No. >
I have zero tolerance for lateness, as almost every night of the week we are rushing off to some sort of extracurricular something. Of course I have empathy when there is crazy traffic, or bad weather. But if it becomes a habit, we need to re-evaluate. But when they are HOME, and still cannot find a way to get there, I feel incredibly disrespected. NOT COOL.

This pisses me off royally. I am totally okay with parents sending their kids to care even if they are off, but to show up late on those days is a serious lack of respect for me and will undoubtably result in an ear bashing from me.

[cfred]

I may be way out of the loop as I do things a little differently. I've noticed that most home daycares are open from 7-7:30 till 5-5:30. Given that most people work an 8 hour shift, often plus 30-60 mins for lunch, wouldn't it be expected that people would leave their children for 9-9.5 hours? Plus not all places start their day at the same time. They have to actually get to work as well. I genuinely mean nothing disparaging by this....just a question. If I opened at a certain time and closed for business 9-9.5 hours later, I would expect that I'd be working that entire time. I think it's awesome and wish I could cut my hours back to that. I only have 1 client who works locally. The rest commute, so I open at 6am and close at 6pm. I've looked longingly at everyone else's hours of operation and thought it looks very tempting. I've been nervous to make the leap. I probably won't, but it sure looks nice

[playfelt]

Mostly I think it means not catering to everyone. By that I allow parents up to 10 hours of care (8 hours of work plus commute time on either end). But because I open early I only take clients that need the early hours so I am finished 10-11 hours after I open as compared to taking children that come later but then stay later. There are caregivers that don't open till 7:30 and as a result have the kids that need till 5:30 again only working the 10-11 hours. If you make yourself available to both groups of families then yes your day will be 12-14 hours long. I close by 4:45 because I open at 6:30.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I used to be open 730-530 and am now 745-5 but usually only work 815-430. It all depends on the shifts of the parents I have at the time. I live in a smaller city and it doesn't take any longer than 15 minutes to get from one side to the other. I also have it in my contract that if they do not need need care until 5, to not wait until then if they don't have too. I also offer a reduced rate if they keep their child home on days off. Some do and some don't. I don't care if they send their child on a day off now and then but when they NEVER keep their child home on a day off I admit I do feel sad for the child. However, not much I can do so I try not too worry about it but yes, it does annoy me sometimes. Especially when they know I am working sick, it really bugs me when they have a day off and still send their child. Oh well, tis the job!!

[mama2_3]

my clients work strange shifts and so there is often the situation where they have some time off but use the day to catch up on chores or errands or hit the gym. I'm not upset about it. everyone needs a break, and it is much easier to do the grocery shopping without a little tag-a-long! they are paying me to watch little one. I think they feel the structure and socialization are the benefits of daycare for her, and that is what I'm here for! But little one only comes part time so I know she has lots of mommy and daddy time time too.

[Busy ECE mommy]

I get the concept of "you paid for the day, so why not use it" but I had a teacher's set of siblings a few years ago, and those kids were dropped off every day over Xmas holidays and March Break and left here from open til close(10 hrs) and they were 2 yrs at the time. It drove me crazy!!!!
The poor kids! Why not bring them in for 5-6 hrs to keep the routine, but not have them here open til closing. They were the only family that did that. The next year I just took time off around those times of year, so the problem resolved itself. I understand needing a day here or there to run errands/go to appointments etc, but whole week blocks at a time while parents are at home does drive me a little bonkers. Why not grab your child for one of those days, and do something fun, or come for a 1/2 day?

[mattsmom]

Totally agree. Even if they drop them off for a 1/2 day or something, instead of the whole 9 or 10 hours, that would be great. I did the same thing, in that I just took the time off at Christmas or whatever holiday break it was. I have had the same family be the only one that brings them for the entire holidays or whenever they had time off, so I was stuck with just those children.
I always was sure to mention to the parents, that "Oh, it was just them today, as all the other parents kept their kids home to spend time with them for Christmas vacation, or other holiday break...".