What do you charge when you close early?

[sandylynn]

I am like you....pretty much, except...I charge for every day they take off...for WHATEVER reason their child does not come...they pay..including if they go on vacation. if they take 2 weeks vacation....they have to put up 3 weeks at once (current week plus 2 weeks) BEFORE THEY GO ON VACATION, I have helped parents out if they need to come a little early....so YES....I would certainly charge the full day rate in this case (you don't make this a habit obviously)...

[suzydominguez]

I am like you....pretty much, except...I charge for every day they take off...for WHATEVER reason their child does not come...they pay..including if they go on vacation. if they take 2 weeks vacation....they have to put up 3 weeks at once (current week plus 2 weeks) BEFORE THEY GO ON VACATION, I have helped parents out if they need to come a little early....so YES....I would certainly charge the full day rate in this case (you don't make this a habit obviously)...

No I don't, in fact I am having this exam because of not going to the doctors for many years. I see now that I am only human and my job shouldn't come before me.

[5 Little Monkeys]

If I close at noon, it's half day. If I close after noon, it's full rate. They've had snack, lunch and I've been open more than half my hours

[babydom]

The ministry says that a full day rate is for six hours or more of care. Your open 7-2. That's 7hrs. I'd charge full rate. I personally charge full rate after 2pm and half day rate if I close before 2

[crafty]

I did not give any families discounts for when I closed early for an appointment that allowed me to still be opened for the best part of the day. But I did feel a little unfair about the fact that I had to close so I gave parents I O U's in daycare services in the amount of time I closed to use for that calendar year. So if I closed an hour or 2 early then they could use it towards an early drop of or late picky up if they ever needed one. They did have to give me a 24 hour notice before. Anyway my parents appreciated it but if I remember correctly only one family ever used an early drop off.

[Busy ECE mommy]

I would charge full rate at that point. You have served am snack and lunch, and run the core part of the programming in the morning. I revised my contract, so that even if I close at the 1/2 day point, I am paid about 75% of my daily rate. After that, the day is paid in full. I found I was bankrupting myself to get to an appointment, which is rediculous, as it is next to impossible to get to any appointments with a 10hr workday. My parents all understood when I revised the contract.
I too, have put my health as a second priority, as I didn't want to inconvenience parents, and now I have several things to deal with health-wise. You are human, and are entitled to do the normal appointments that people do. All of my parents do it before or after work, or on their lunchbreak, obviously we don't get that luxury of time flexibility.
Full rate, all the way!

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I can see why there confusion if you charge a day rate and they not getting full day care. I agree that contract has to be clearer and I agree that since you give them your time outside hours without charge, why you think it only fair not to be deducted. I see both sides.

Problem is, your contract not clear that X hours = full day rate so even if closing little early, same rate apply.

I find when I first opened, over time, situation happen where my contract not clear enough to cover and so I amend each time this happen. I think you too should amend contract to say if you need close early, because you not charge for early drop or late pick up, that there expectation for full day fee still. Of course, you will get one family who will always drop early or pick up late once your contract permit this so you have decide if it worth it or if it better to just give slight discount when asked.

[adaycarelady]

I closed for a week at xmas and still charged for the days off. If parents are going to make a big deal about 4 hours, then maybe next time you should just take the whole day off. Your health comes first. A lady in my area just recently closed because of health reasons. You are already open 11 hours per day, don't let parents take advantage of you and take care of yourself. Also, if you tell them you have an appointment at the hospital, I'm sure they are not going to demand a discount and be understanding.

[mickyc]

I charge $15 if I close at noon. Anything after that is full rate.