What's your Take on this?

[Other Mummy]

I'm having an inner debate in my head over this. When I put on my business hat, it makes sense to keep on advertising (which I am) and to be patient getting a better fit.

First off I'm losing 2 clients shortly. One is going on Mat. leave, and the other is moving to Ajax, ON. Both great clients and wonderful dcks.

I signed a 12 month old. Parents both loved my program and daycare. The dcd seemed easy going and lovely, parents said she was very calm and happy child. The parents took contract home, signed it and sent back with deposit, signed forms, etc. They left the times that they needed blank on the contract. I called dcm and told her that I needed a set time within my set contracted hours. That this was a pretty important aspect of my contract.

They needed 7:00 am - 6:00 pm. I explained as set in my contract that my opening hours are 7:15am - 5:45pm. That these hours were set and I wasn't willing to change them for just 1 family. Especially since my current last pick up is at 5:30pm. That I also felt these were really long hours for a 12 month old new to daycare.

dcm and dcd agreed and said they would discuss with their work. Fast forward 1 week later and dcm calls frantic saying that she needs 7:00am - 6:00pm every day but that she would have Friday's off and dcg on most Friday's would not come. Then added that dcd would pick up on some days @ 3:00 or before lunch. Just all over the map.

I explained to her that in order for a child to adjust to daycare there needs to be consistency. And when transitioning a child to daycare I prefer that they come 5 days a week! Children thrive in routine, that it makes them feel safe and secure. And that the days that dcd is here for 11 hours, was way to long a day for her dcd and for myself. She agreed and said she would talk to her work.

Today she sent me this email. DH reminded me that the earlier drop offs and pick ups would also ripple down to our family Ask me to post and see the responses I would get from all my friends on the daycare bear site . I'm already pretty sure I know what I should do.

Here's the email:

Thank you for speaking with me yesterday as we figure out our new schedule. We have thought a lot about what works best for dcg's needs and our own. We have come up with the following given our work schedules:

During the first week of the month is when we will need care for 3 days a week from 7am to 6pm and the se‎cond week of the month we will need those same times for 2 days of the week (usually not consecutive). We understand this is a long day for both you and dcg but we are really hoping we can find a way to make it work and we want to do our best to keep things regular for dcg.

We would not deviate from times too much, but need some felixibility such as: When dcd is able (1-3 days a week) he may drop dcg off at 8am and pick up at 4pm or after nap time. Or dcd may drop off at 8 or 9am and I will pick up at 5:45pm, so we would be within the confines of your set hours or quite a bit less for the most part, except for the few days I mentioned above. dcg will be with you 6-8 hours on average and likely not at all on Fridays. I like to think this flexible schedule would be based on a little give and take on both our parts. We are hopeful dcg will be able to adjust so long as her nap times are constant (which is of course very important to her).

We understand you have your own scheduling to adhere to and want to respect that also. Do you think you may be able to accommodate us given our needs? We really hope we will be able to work together as I am sure dcg would thrive in your care.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I would give their deposit back and tell them that you are sorry but the inconsistent times will not work for you.

I have a pt spot open right now and met with a mom last night. She is super nice and we really "clicked". However, her times seem to be a little inconsistent and up in the air right now (depending on which job she gets for the summer as she is a student). The times are very close to my closing time and in some cases, could be over closing time. She is going to get back to me when she knows a bit more on the pick up times but I am not sure I will even offer her the spot. I am going to go ahead and meet with another family who will be picking up almost 2 hours before my closing time. If I like the new family I will offer them the spot. If I don't think the 2nd family will fit in either, the spot will remain unfilled until I find someone who I like and whose needs will fit into my dc. I completely know what it's like to fill a spot with a less than desirable family because the bills need to be paid but fortunately, right now my finances allow me to be picky about who I accept into my dc. If you can afford to not have this family than I think that is your best option and to keep advertising until a family comes along that is better suited for you and your dc.

[mimi]

I don't think I would take them. I have a family that was consistent at first with hours and then started the flexible drop offs and pick ups which became very disruptive and annoying. I told them they had to respect my dc schedule as I don't operate a drop in centre. (they liked to sleep in and visit family who lived near by before coming to dc) They are still with me and push the boundaries but are much better however, had I known they would be like this I would not have taken them. Too much clock watching on my part.

[mattsmom]

I agree with the other responses. I would really debate taking them on. Even with it being only 15 minutes after your closing, it still makes a big difference. Especially when your current last pick up is 5:30. And the inconsistency is a pain, since you never know when the dad is picking up on those days.
I had a family who asked if they could pick up a half hour after my closing time. I was stupid and agreed since I didn't have any other prospects. I found I quickly regretted it, my days are long enough.

[Other Mummy]

Yes, red flags went up for me when they agreed to my set hours at the interview and then left them blank when they returned my contract. When I spoke to dcm about this on the phone she sounded surprised that she didn't fill in the hours needed and when I point blank asked her she told me 7:15 - 5:30pm. Then the frantic phone call this week. I guess her work would not allow her to take the Friday's off and not work longer hours Mon-Thurs.

And the coupled with the fact that she didn't actually specify what weeks 3 & 4 would hold. But she lost me on the Week 1 and Week 2 by trying to push for earlier and later times then I am open and dangling the proverbial carrot of not bringing dcg most Fridays. This is not a plus for me. I'm open anyway, she is not my only client. It's not like I get the Friday off! Like I said in my previous post, I prefer a schedule where a child comes in the full 5 days as most of you know what an erratic schedule can do to a child in care (not to mention their poor provider).

It's hard to send away a paying client when I'll be down 2 by May, but I'm going to hold out for a better fit. I don't want to end up resenting the situation as they are a lovely family.

[mickyc]

If it were me I would return their deposit and keep looking. My hours are my hours and I do not work past that even if it is only 15 minutes on occasion! As for the schedules being all over the place, that wouldn't bother me as much unless you go on outings and walks and you will be sitting at home waiting. I just carry on with my day and our routine and if they kids aren't there yet then so be it. Once everyone sits at the table to eat I do not make food for a child who just walks in the door. Same with arts/crafts, if they aren't here to begin with the rest of the kids they certainly don't get to take part if they come in the middle of it.

If I were you I would tell them your hours are 7:15 - 5:45 and not a moment earlier or later. If that doesn't work for them then so be it.

[CrazyEight]

Frankly, and I know most people are going to disagree with me, but I would keep the child. The one major thing I get from that email is that they're trying to work with you. Originally, they wanted 7-6 everyday, right? You said that won't work, and now they're trying to speak to their employers in order to give you what you want. I'm not saying you're being unreasonable in your opening and closing times; you are perfectly within your rights to make whatever hours you want. But they recognize the problem and they're making an obvious effort to make it work, and that can't be easy with many employers. Where do they work? There's no way my husband, for example, would be able to change his hours like that. He manages a retail store - if the store opens at 8, for example, there would be nothing he could do if he couldn't drop the kids until 8:15 or 8:30. There's no room for flexibility.
They obviously don't realize that all the schedule changes might not work for you, and might make it more difficult regarding your daycare's schedule and the other kids, etc. But they're trying! They may need some suggestions as to ways they could try that might be easier for you, but I guess my point is that they're making an obvious effort. If it was me, I'd appreciate that and try to work with them. If you can't come to something that works for both of you, so be it, but I'd do my best to figure out a schedule that works for both of you. They obviously want their child in your care, so they'll do all they can to make it work. Sounds like a considerate client to me, just a bit misguided as to how to help the situation.

[nschildcare]

Frankly, and I know most people are going to disagree with me, but I would keep the child. The one major thing I get from that email is that they're trying to work with you. Originally, they wanted 7-6 everyday, right? You said that won't work, and now they're trying to speak to their employers in order to give you what you want. I'm not saying you're being unreasonable in your opening and closing times; you are perfectly within your rights to make whatever hours you want. But they recognize the problem and they're making an obvious effort to make it work, and that can't be easy with many employers. Where do they work? There's no way my husband, for example, would be able to change his hours like that. He manages a retail store - if the store opens at 8, for example, there would be nothing he could do if he couldn't drop the kids until 8:15 or 8:30. There's no room for flexibility.
They obviously don't realize that all the schedule changes might not work for you, and might make it more difficult regarding your daycare's schedule and the other kids, etc. But they're trying! They may need some suggestions as to ways they could try that might be easier for you, but I guess my point is that they're making an obvious effort. If it was me, I'd appreciate that and try to work with them. If you can't come to something that works for both of you, so be it, but I'd do my best to figure out a schedule that works for both of you. They obviously want their child in your care, so they'll do all they can to make it work. Sounds like a considerate client to me, just a bit misguided as to how to help the situation.

It sounds to me, from the OP, that the parents knew there would be conflict, decided to sign anyways, and discuss with work later. The parents SHOULD have discussed with work first, realized there was no wiggle room, and kept looking for care that could accomodate their hours. They are putting their problems on the provider. Just my opinion

[nschildcare]

I would return the deposit and keep looking. Inconsistent hours and trying to keep her there outside of business hours would not make me happy in the long run. Trying to negotiate my rules and policies does not fly.

I look at it this way: they are trying to negotiate rules that you have in place for a reason. If you work with them on this, they will take that as the green light to negotiate other rules later.

I feel for them. I really do. But they need a nanny or a babysitter until their hours are consistent, or to keep looking for a care giver with more flexibility.

I had a client just like this. HAD. She asked for special on her hours. Then asked for special on something else. And something else. When I finally said no, she left.

Keep looking. The right client is out there.

[Busy ECE mommy]

The inconsistency could be hard on you and the child. I would hold out for a family who is a better fit.