Having so issues with parent

[Rachael]

We teach people how to treat us with the behaviour we tolerate from them. There are always parents in this industry who mistakenly believe they are our boss. I'd start being very clear - from the very next time you see her.

You run a day care. You are NOT a nanny who works for her. She has contracted with you for a specific service. She does not have a say in how you run your business, in the hours you are available, in the food you serve or the times you schedule for events, including bed time. What she does have is the right to determine if your service fits her needs and if they don't, then she doesn't contract for care with you. It really is that simple.

Start being firm. Care ends for her at 11.30pm if that's your contracted time. If she's late, she will pay a late fee which won't be cheap. If it becomes a habit, you will terminate care because you aren't available after closing time.

You are not a cafe. Children will be fed a nutritious meal that you have determined before hand. Bedtime is at 7pm. These are not negotiable. Does she want care to continue or not?

Do you have a contract which clearly spells out your hours of business, your agreement etc?

Also - late fees are applied even with notice. The fact she informed you she was going to be late doesn't mean fees aren't applied. She knew when she got to work that she would be late. You need her to understand that you aren't an option in those circumstances. You aren't available and so if she's expected to work late, she needs a back up which isn't you. In the mean time, late fees apply. If she had been an hour late here, that would have cost her $60 and a clear warning that next time, I'd be terminating.