How would you handle this dcm?

[bright sparks]

And this is exactly how I felt. Her schedule is alternate Fridays off and I don't have any other dck's on Fridays. When her schedule changed to this a year ago, she was the one that offered to pay the full time fee for each week, because the kids were taking up 2 full time spaces regardless if they are here all week or just 4 days, and also if the time came that she would need those Fridays back if her schedule or job position changes.
How am I supposed to plan on having these 2 children on days they are not scheduled to come? The whole point in making the appointments on these days is so I wouldn't have to tell parents that they have to find backup care because I am taking a day off for it.

I get what others are saying about what would happen if you had scheduled the appointment on a Monday.....but that's not what this is about. If comparisons like that are to be made then let's make another one. What would happen if a parent told you they would not be attending on a paid day and that was your only child so you made plans. If they suddenly changed their mind and you had plans, would you just be expected to cancel everything to accommodate them because of their poor planning or communication skills? I don't think so. By them saying they will not be in attendance they are giving you the day off at their expense. They wouldn't like it if their boss said stay home tomorrow and then told them later sorry I changed my mind. I see this as similar. The parent has secured a full time spot on the chance their work schedule changes and this is a smart choice on their part, but after long term regular compliance with the original contract to only attend every other Friday they have agreed to pay for the additional day incase things come up. I think you always have to make yourself available as it is a paid day, so that's where the 24 hours notice would come in, but are you supposed to sit around the entire day at home in case you get a call at 7am or lunchtime for some last minute impromptu work meeting or other reason for the parent to drop their child in?.....no way, that's absolutely ridiculous.

In this case she gave you more than 24hrs notice so she had every right to come and the fact that you had a specialist appointment is just one of those rare occurrences where cancelling to meet your contractual obligation to them isn't possible. I don't think either of you should be annoyed at each other. Instead invest a little time to have an honest conversation on why you schedule appointments when she doesn't bring her kids, explaining as you did on hear that it saves you from inconveniencing multiple families during the week and because for the past year she has not brought her kids on the alternate Friday. I think that this is an easy situation to resolve. I would apologize for any inconvenience and acknowledge that it would probably be best to add an extra clause in the contract to cover how changes in schedule will be handled in the future and that you absolutely respect her need to work and that this is her spot and you will always put that first if she does you the courtesy of letting you know in advance any changes in requirement. I think if you have a friendly, open and honest conversation initially acknowledging her needs followed by an explanation from your stand point, she will likely respect you for it and I see no reason why you can't both move forward in a positive way. It's not like either of you are acting in a way that is to be purposely awkward, it's just a chink in the chain of changing needs and communication.

[Crayola kiddies]

I have in fact had the exact scenario that bright sparks brought up happen to me .... At the beginning of dec I had a family give me their Xmas care requirement .... There were two days during the Xmas holiday that I was open (I only closed for the three stats ) that I would not have any kids and therefore be able to do something fun with my kids and both days this particular mom texted me in the am and said "we are not going to do what we were originally planning so I am going to bring them in "..... I wasn't closed and she was paying for the day so sucks to be me and my kids .... This Christmas I am taking some personal days because I am sick if working till 430pm on Xmas eve!!

[5 Little Monkeys]

Crayola, I would have done the exact same thing as you. It would suck but I feel that is the only fair thing to do when the parent is paying for the day.

At xmas, I also had paid days off because I technically didn't close but I didn't have children booked to come so they all paid the holiday fee. HOWEVER, had any of them needed care they knew to give me notice and that I would take their child. If I took the day off and officially closed than none of them would have been required to pay me for that day.

I think at this point the best thing to do is like BS said, have an honest conversation with her and if not already, put something in your contract that will prevent this miscommunication in the future. I also agree that she might be ticked off because she has been paying for a day off for you for a year and the one time she wants to bring them in, she was denied. Whether it's right or wrong, she may decide to find another dcp. To make things smoother, I would offer to reimburse her for this day. I would also consider not charging her the 10 days if only 9 days are technically offered. It's up to you though! Good luck

[5 Little Monkeys]

So I was thinking some more on this....what exactly does your contract say? If your contract says that you do not charge for days off, than technically she has been paying you 2 days a month when according to the contract she doesn't need to be. Would she have the right to ask for all that money back?