Overlap? No thanks!

[5 Little Monkeys]

I think if a family is paying ft than the spot is theirs. They can come any day they want and they shouldn't have to give me 2 weeks notice of when they'll be there. I understand not wanting to be a drop in centre but IMO that is more so for when parents come and go as they please during the day (like showing up at 11am one day, 9 the next etc).

It is completely a reward if a parent pays you but doesn't bring their child. It gives you a lighter load for that day.

I can understand why a parent would be upset with this agreement. If you're making me pay ft than that is MY spot and I'll want to use it when it's convenient for ME.

If you want to do this, than I think you should be reimbursing the parents for days you find another child to come. If not, you are being paid twice for one spot and for me, that is wrong! I wouldn't want that done to me so I don't do that to others

Also, I'm sure all play groups are different but here, you pay if you go so I wouldn't be out any money anyways. Some even just charge per group not per person. Come to think about it, none of my outings are prepaid so that's a non-issue. However, you are being paid for that child to be there so whether they go or not shouldn't matter too much anyways because you aren't technically out any money.

[ottawamommy]

I use to do this and it did get complicated at times but no one got upset about it everyone understood. I took on extra kids on a day a child might not be there in order to make a little more income that way I didn't have increase my rates. It got too complicated for me so I just increased my rates and let people come and go as they pleased. No it's not a reward if that child doesn't come they are paying for flexibility.

[5 Little Monkeys]

So where's the flexibility than?? A parent pays for all 5 days but can only use 3 if they don't give 2 weeks notice....doesn't sound like something that I'd agree too. It's a reward in my eyes

I agree that making extra money is nice but IMO there are right and wrong ways to do this. Increasing your fee seems like the better choice

Sorry, but we'll have to agree to disagree on this one

[Lee-Bee]

They are NOT paying for flexibility they are paying for full time care but are only allowed to use it part time with 2 weeks notice.

The caregiver should ASSUME that child is attending each and every day and plan to provide food and outings as if that child was going to be there. If they don't show up they don't show up...it's on the parents tab not the caregivers. The only difference to the caregiver is that some days they have less work as one kid doesn't show up.

As a caregiver I find it unethical to charge full time care and only allow part time access to that spot. You are not providing the services paid for. As a parent I would up and leave. I'm surprised they haven't already.

If you want to fill the empty days to make some bonus cash so be it...but it should NEVER prevent the family from using the day that they need and they paid for.

This does not compare to paid vacation. During vacation your daycare is closed for a pre-agreed upon time and is not available to any of your daycare families. In this case the daycare is open...but another child is using a space that belongs to a different child and is preventing a family from using the services paid for. I would call that a breach of contract and would terminate care.

[ottawamommy]

What do you call a parent who only needs part-time care and needs different days not set ones?! ITS CALLED PAYING FOR FULL-TIME IN ORDER TO GET ANY 5 DAYS!!! She is giving them what they want no where did she say on this form that they aren't allowed to come full-time just that she doesn't allow last minute changes. Nowhere did I read that this family needed fulltime it clearly stated they needed part-time and wanted to switch days. As for your vacation, you are charging someone for a service that you are not providing how is that ethical?? You claim that you are self employed but want employee benefits of getting paid on your sick days and vacation days then complain for days on this form how to save money and your logical way of thinking is taking seconds and thirds away from hungry children at meal times in order to save money but you buy food and pay for playgroups for children that aren't even there that day? Awesome problem solving skills

Many are on this trip "OH WELL IF I PAY FOR FULL-TIME I SHOULD GET TO COME WHENEVER I WANT AND WHEN I WANT"

No you can't beucase if you did without giving me a 2 week notice then your pick up/drop offs would be all over the place turning my bsiness into a drop off center

[5 Little Monkeys]

What do you call a parent who only needs part-time care and needs different days not set ones?! ITS CALLED PAYING FOR FULL-TIME IN ORDER TO GET ANY 5 DAYS!!! She is giving them what they want no where did she say on this form that they aren't allowed to come full-time just that she doesn't allow last minute changes. Nowhere did I read that this family needed fulltime it clearly stated they needed part-time and wanted to switch days. As for your vacation, you are charging someone for a service that you are not providing how is that ethical?? You claim that you are self employed but want employee benefits of getting paid on your sick days and vacation days then complain for days on this form how to save money and your logical way of thinking is taking seconds and thirds away from hungry children at meal times in order to save money but you buy food and pay for playgroups for children that aren't even there that day? Awesome problem solving skills

Many are on this trip "OH WELL IF I PAY FOR FULL-TIME I SHOULD GET TO COME WHENEVER I WANT AND WHEN I WANT"

No you can't beucase if you did without giving me a 2 week notice then your pick up/drop offs would be all over the place turning my bsiness into a drop off center

I don't charge for my sick days or when on holidays. I also don't get paid twice for one spot. I'm not on a power trip (not sure why it would be considered that anyways??), it's just how I run my business based on what I feel is fair and right.

As for saving money....it makes sense to cut back where you can (no child needs 3rd helpings at this age, that's how obesity starts IMO) but it doesn't make sense to take advantage of parents. I know you don't think you are but IMO (and obviously others) you most certainly are.

Also, IME, parents who are pt often need to change their schedule. If they pay for a ft spot than this should be allowed as it should be no issue, it's THEIR spot. 2 weeks notice is far too much IMO. If they're only paying for pt than no, changes can only happen if you can make it work.

As a side note, are you and the OP the same person? Just wondering...

Also, you said it yourself....this family needs pt but wants to be able to switch days so yes they DO need ft and because of that, they PAY ft!! But yet can't switch days unless 2 weeks notice is given. Like others, I'm shocked parents agree to this as it's ridiculous!

[33 Daiseys]

I don't charge for my sick days or when on holidays. I also don't get paid twice for one spot. I'm not on a power trip (not sure why it would be considered that anyways??), it's just how I run my business based on what I feel is fair and right.

As for saving money....it makes sense to cut back where you can (no child needs 3rd helpings at this age, that's how obesity starts IMO) but it doesn't make sense to take advantage of parents. I know you don't think you are but IMO (and obviously others) you most certainly are.

Also, IME, parents who are pt often need to change their schedule. If they pay for a ft spot than this should be allowed as it should be no issue, it's THEIR spot. 2 weeks notice is far too much IMO. If they're only paying for pt than no, changes can only happen if you can make it work.

As a side note, are you and the OP the same person? Just wondering...

Also, you said it yourself....this family needs pt but wants to be able to switch days so yes they DO need ft and because of that, they PAY ft!! But yet can't switch days unless 2 weeks notice is given. Like others, I'm shocked parents agree to this as it's ridiculous!

notice how she responded with ottawamommy, instead of crayola? Curious no?

[mimi]

If a f/t client isn't using their space that day and you fill that spot with one of your occasional clients, then I would not charge f/t client for that day. That is the honest thing to do especially since you don't allow your f/t clients access to their paid for spot due to a last minute schedule change. If you don't, it is double dipping and as your client I would not tolerate it.

The argument regarding paid holidays/sick days in comparison to this analogy is mute as it is a different issue regarding a separate contract agreement that is about being decent to your daycare provider. Like myself, some providers do not charge for these days and that is up to them. For those that do charge for these days it may be the norm in their area as in mine it is not.

[mickyc]

I am a little late to the discussion! The original post has been deleted so I am not certain what it says. Here is my opinion based solely on what everyone else has said.

If a family is paying for full time it is available for them full time. I would never ever refuse care. I have however taken a casual child on a day my full time child is away. I do not refund the full time parent any money.

I currently have a teacher's child. I already know she will be away for Christmas and spring break. During that time she still pays (I charge a holiday rate of $25 a day). During those time I usually have an older sibling attend. I am getting paid 2x for one spot. If teachers mom ever decided to use the space it is hers and she would get the space over anyone else.

I will also mention I do not charge for my holidays or sick days.

Not sure about the thread about serving kids seconds and thirds as I didn't read it. For myself kids get 1 helping and that's it. There are no seconds and thirds. I serve portions the right size for the child and that's it. Never had a kid ask for more.

[dodge__driver11]

Ottawamommy: As for your vacation, you are charging someone for a service that you are not providing how is that ethical?? You claim that you are self employed but want employee benefits of getting paid on your sick days and vacation days then complain for days on this form how to save money and your logical way of thinking is taking seconds and thirds away from hungry children at meal times in order to save money but you buy food and pay for playgroups for children that aren't even there that day? Awesome problem solving skills

Many are on this trip "OH WELL IF I PAY FOR FULL-TIME I SHOULD GET TO COME WHENEVER I WANT AND WHEN I WANT"

No you can't because if you did without giving me a 2 week notice then your pick up/drop offs would be all over the place turning my business into a drop off center

LOL, some heads are going to roll when some read the remark about taking seconds or thirds away from littles. Them's fightin' words..LOL

Here's how I handle my drop off's and pick ups. All my families must call me by 8 AM the day of, to say that they are not going to be here. If I do not get a call by 8 AM saying they are going to be absent I prepare for them to be here, and even so if after forty mins (Of course I allow for extenuating circumstances) then it is assumed that care is not needed for the day. I have yet to have that happen, because I make this clear during my interview. That, we as a daycare have a schedule, and it must be adhered to.

Too, when my perm. families are choosing there times I allow them to drop off until 11 AM each day (They choose at contract signing) This way I know how much to make for lunch, and they are here by 9 am most times because they know that if they choose to drop off any later that they miss morning park time and snack.

But for my casual job dad I always assume he is going to be here until my cut off drop off time of 11 AM each day, but he is very good about letting me know when he is working because he understands that others depend on my daily schedule, and he is considerate of this, as best as possible.

Once I know for sure who is going to be absent, then and only then do I open this up for casual bookings.

I have no idea how this became about vacation, but my contract and days of rest are perfectly legal, because I charge an enrollment fee, and reimburse when required based on the number of days in the month divided by their monthly rate.

ETA: I allow for a 10 hour WITH drive time, anything over that is over time, and a separate fee is attached. I do not allow early drop offs and have made parents wait outside in the car to prove that this does not happen here. Also if you are changing your regular drop off and or pick up, the family must inform me by phone...no other way...with 24 hours notice and a small charge that they are changing their times. Again, I have yet for this to happen as everyone knows I am 100% serious about this