Quote Originally Posted by mattsmom View Post
Ok, I have this dilemma and I'm asking for some feedback. I have a family that has been with me for a few years and are really great. Over the past year, the dcm has had every other Friday off, but still pays the same each week. So, because her schedule is always alternate Fridays off, I will make dr.'s appointments, etc. on those days that I know they won't be here.

Well, this past week I got an email from her, last minute, saying that she needed to bring them for a couple of hours on the Friday, because she has to run into work for a meeting. I had made an dr. appointment for myself weeks before for that day and told her that I was sorry but I had an appointment that day and I couldn't watch them (it was out of town so I wasn't sure when I'd be back). She proceeded to tell be that "wasn't she paying for this day anyway?". I told her that this was her schedule and how I make appointment for those days, etc...
She just thought that because of the situation, she could use me as a drop in centre.

Was I wrong in how I handled it?
I understand the parent's confusion and I understand your expectations. I think it all comes down to the contract and what you have agreed to in terms of schedule and pay.

If her contract states she pays x amount for her current schedule (including the rotating friday off), then I think you are ok. In other words, her tuition fees are for the schedule she has provided you and if she needs extra days on top of that schedule, then she owes a drop in fee.

If her contract states that she pays x amount for a full time spot (and there is no mention of friday being a rotating off) then I think that you are obligated to have been available.

What's done is done.

I think moving forward, you should clarify with this parent what her schedule is and what her tuition payment is for. They way I would handle it: She is paying for a full time spot (because you will never find another family who only needs every 2nd friday) but her contracted schedule is x, y and z. Therefore, if she does want care on the occasional friday (that is normally off for her), then payment of x amount is due and should be arranged a minimum of 48 hours in advance. I wouldn't cut a deal of a reduced rate b/c she is out one day every few weeks but I would certainly make sure that it is in writing that care is not available to her on those days, except for an extra fee.