Lateness.... termination?

[FunnyFarm]

so, in conjunction with my previous post re: "do you ever feel guilty" This same family is almost always late for drop off. I mean today it is 1hr late with no communication! I'm going to mention (per the contract) that I need some communication to let me know if you are going to be late. I have a schedule to follow. Have you ever termed a client for consistent lateness? What would you say in your term letter? Should I give a warning first? This is nuts and drives me crazy. I HATE being late! I'm currently interviewing to fill one spot- I may end up doing 2! It kills me though because the child is awesome. That's what I don't like. Getting rid of a good kid because the parents just don't respect me.
on a side note- Arrival today was 1hr and 15 min late. I did mention I need to know when you are late. I get told that Thursdays will always be late because work starts later. Thanks... now you tell me!
(Thanks for letting me vent)

[Judy Trickett]

Just to be clear....does your contract state a no-later-than drop off time? For example, I have in my contract that you must be here by 9am.

If so, then yes, you have told them verbally a number of times. Now time for a written warning. If they continue to drop off late then interview for their spot and give them notice.

I think this is a blatant disrespect of your time. And it's also disrespectful of the other children in care who are sitting around waiting on one late child to start the day's activities.

[FunnyFarm]

Agreed Judy. My schedule is set up in such a way that I have a time period sectioned off for drop off, but I also have a signed contract with a specified drop off time so I don't have all showing up on my doorstep at the same time. With a verbal warning this morning I will see how it goes (I also want to see how my interviews go too) It's the hard part of business- I like the people and their child, it's hard for me to separate business from my emotions. I'm learning as I go...

[mickyc]

Why are you waiting for them? Carry on with your morning. Unless you go away from your home I don't really see the issue with it. Drop off your child whenever. If it is after snack/art/outside time then sucks to be you - unfortunately your child missed out and I am not doing it again.

[momof5]

I'm in the same boat, but my problem is at pick up! This family asked me to change pick up to 5, instead of 4:30 claiming they were to rushed. Mom finishes work at 3:30-4:00. My other families pick up at 4:45. Well since I agreed to this. They have not showed up until after 5 every night! They go home and shower etc, and show up here after 5. Last night dad sat in my laneway on his phone until 5:15! I know they are now taking advantage of me, but how do I mention that pick up now must be at 4:45.Without being bitchy.I am now at my wits end with them doing this every single night. The traffic's heavy excuse has run out!

[Judy Trickett]

I'm in the same boat, but my problem is at pick up! This family asked me to change pick up to 5, instead of 4:30 claiming they were to rushed. Mom finishes work at 3:30-4:00. My other families pick up at 4:45. Well since I agreed to this. They have not showed up until after 5 every night! They go home and shower etc, and show up here after 5. Last night dad sat in my laneway on his phone until 5:15! I know they are now taking advantage of me, but how do I mention that pick up now must be at 4:45.Without being bitchy.I am now at my wits end with them doing this every single night. The traffic's heavy excuse has run out!

Who cares if you appear "bitch". Heck, THEY appear rude and disrespectful!

Just tell them. Tell them you changed it because they claimed it was a rush but a "rush" is NOT running home to change or prep dinner or sit in your driveway on their phone.

Why should YOU be unhappy so THEY can be happy?

[Judy Trickett]

I'm in the same boat, but my problem is at pick up! This family asked me to change pick up to 5, instead of 4:30 claiming they were to rushed. Mom finishes work at 3:30-4:00. My other families pick up at 4:45. Well since I agreed to this. They have not showed up until after 5 every night! They go home and shower etc, and show up here after 5. Last night dad sat in my laneway on his phone until 5:15! I know they are now taking advantage of me, but how do I mention that pick up now must be at 4:45.Without being bitchy.I am now at my wits end with them doing this every single night. The traffic's heavy excuse has run out!

Also, you did SPECIAL for this family. You increased the amount of allowable time in your care at no extra charge. You made an exception for them. You did SPECIAL. And the problem with SPECIAL is that it's only special to YOU. To them it's just "normal". So, every day that they go home and change and unnecessarily leave their kid in care longer than needed, while you are still forced to be working, they are NOT thinking they are inconveniencing you. Nope, because to them it's just NORMAL pick up time. This is why I won't do SPECIAL for anyone anymore. Because it is rarely remembered or thanked for. The only person who pays for SPECIAL is the provider.

[nschildcare]

I would take it back to the original pick up time of 4:30, late fees applicable after this time.

You did it as a favour, they took advantage of that. Therefore, they lose the privelege.

Sometimes daycare parents need as much training as their kids

[AmandaKDT]

I had a family that originally wanted a 9 am drop off, then needed to change it to my opening time of 7:15. I said okay, then that time came and went the next day and they didn't show up until around 9 am. Turns out she didn't need the earlier time every day (she picked up shifts here and there at her job and sometimes works nights), but didn't seem to think that she needed to tell me this.

I only let her do this the one time, the next day I had her sign a new contract agreement saying that she had to notify me before 7 pm the night before, or she could not drop off earlier than 9 am. It never happened again...

I am very flexible and accommodating, as long as the parent communicates me and respects my policies.

[nschildcare]

As for OP, I have this family. They would arrive, well, whenever. I think the dad was late for work every day!

I just rolled with it even though it drove me crazy. I have all contracted times and plan our day around drop offs,e tc.

Fast forward a few months and I had a new dcg start that needed a morning nap. I never knew when the family was coming so delayed naps for them. Ridiculous, right?

So I explained to them how it was going to be from now on due to the needs of the group, which were changing, and that while I had been able to be flexible in the past, I could no longer accomodate their whenever arrivals. It was a rocky go at first but now they arrive at their scheduled time on the button. So it is possible.

I think if you want, you can fix it. But do it now and don't delay. It is much easier to enforce policies from the get go.