AAHHHHHH...you really thought it would be ok to be late....Venting

[BlueRose]

I had a sweet little 20month old girl start on Monday. She is great, cry's on and off through out the day. I get the feeling that when she cry's at home her parents give her what ever she wants, not happening here.

Mom had emailed me last Friday with what times she would be dropping off and picking up each day this week. On Monday she was suppose to be here by 8:30 got here at 8:50 not a problem the weather was bad, so I expected everyone to be running late.
Pick up was between 3 and 3:30, didn't show up until 4:10 (40min late), she works a 2 min drive away. No phone call, which I would have liked. I am open until 5:30 so not a big deal.
Yesterday, she was dropped off on time.
Pick up not so good. She was suppose to be off work at 5, and pick up by 5:30 when I close.
At 5:20 mom calls and asks if it would be ok if she picked up at 6pm. Your joking right, no she really thought this would be ok. I told her NO I close at 5:30. She then told me she could not get a hold of her husband and would be late. I told her we would talk about it when she got her.
at 5:55 dcm called and said she would be here in 10 min. I told her that my dinner would be in ready in 10 min and to make it a fast 10 min. At this point both my husband and I are not happy. She shows up at 6:10pm and she says sorry and tells me she thought it would be ok to be late. She had a client come in at the last min. She is a hair dresser. Why would it be ok to be late, its not like I am going to get paid for this time, she is through an agency, so I don't think I can charge her a late fee (but will be looking into this). I told her that I close at 5:30, after that it is my family time. That she need to manage her time better at work and if this keeps happening I would have to terminate care.

My husband said I was a bit harsh, but was proud that I stood my ground. I am very good at letting people walk all over me.

This morning at drop off the mom in forms me that her husband will be doing pick up and drop offs from now on. she will be dropped off between 7:30 and 8:30. I told dcm that snack is at 8:15 if she is not here by then she will have had to have eaten one before coming. dcd will be here by 5:30 for pick up (we will see, he works downtown)
I told all my clients that we would be having a later snack this morning since this girl was being dropped off a little later this morning. the momtook her daughter to McDonalds for breakfast just before coming here.
Really, I was kind enough to hold snack for 15 min so your kid could have some and you feed her junk just before coming. I will not be doing this again.
She then tries to leave her stroller (still open) in my entrance way. I am in a small apartment there is no room. It is blocking my path to the door, can we say fire hazard. She did not seem pleased when I told her she had to take it with her. But I don't care if she likes taking the stroller with her or not, its a fire hazard and my policy about strollers is on my website and they told me they had read all my policies.

The girls noise runs non-stop. They were told when they signed my contract they had to bring a box of tissues. I even sent out a remind on Monday (after they showed up with out them) to all parents reminding them about bring tissue and about what days I am closed, my mitten policy etc. Still no tissues. I have gone through a box on her alone in just two days. I will be speaking to the father tonight.

I gave the girl a small amount of the snack, since all the other kids were eating. She didn't touch it (didn't think she would since she just eat.) after 30min all the other kids were done eating and had put their bowls on the counter I took the girls bowl away (this was 10 min ago) and she has been crying ever since.

I have my B&A school kid until 12:30/1pm today, The schools are on a one day walk out.

I have a feeling this is going to be a long day.

[angelina]

oh my Valerie! *hugs to you*

did this kid have been to daycare before? looks like she has been with mom and dad at home and does whatever she wants. it will take awhile to get her into our program, but hopefully doable.

and strollers blocking your way? yeah...let her take it with her. As if we have unlimited space?
i do have stroller parking area, but to parents who arrange in advance, not just block your way.


kudos to you, stay on your ground. i don't like late pick ups too, we have families too.

angie

[mlle.coccinelle]

Arg, that's an awefull way to start daycare!
Hugs to you!

[BrightEyes]

How frustrating!!!! Good for you standing your ground!!! I don't think you were too harsh, now she knows who is boss.

[BlueRose]

She was in a home daycare near her dads work, but they wanted her closer to mom.

[mimi]

See, you gave a little and then she tried to take alot. You should be so proud of yourself for standing up to her especially considering you said you normally let people walk over you.

[Manue]

Ohh i would of been so mad. Some parents dont understand that this is our home and we have a family too!! We also need some family time once all the kids are gone Good for you for standing up for youself!!!

[sunnydays]

Maybe they were looking for a new daycare because she was being kicked out...due to late pick-ups etc. Why would they move her closer to mom's work and then now the dad is picking up? Makes no sense. Did the mom know you were going to change your snacktime to accommodate her daughter? Because, if I understand correctly, you had told her that if she wouldn't be there by 8:15 she had to have a snack first...maybe that is why she took her to McDonalds (not exactly a healthy option, but that's beside the point)?

[DisneyPrincess]

Wow yeah, I'm afraid of one day getting parents like that. So far so good but... my stress level will not be good if it happens. It is so hard to be firm on our rules and yet, its our rules. They are made so we are all on the same page right from the start and avoid stressful situations. After that its hard to have a good day with the child when we are thinking of their parents making us so mad.

My parents are welcome to drop off and pick up at anytime DURING my opening hours (except around nap time). If breakfast is done... they get no breakfast (they usually have breakfast at home then) (Oh and I accept no food from outside in my daycare), if we are outside... they have to find us... I say that but it just happened once or twice in a year so far. The day goes as planned except if I new in advance that they would arrive later, then I be nice.

When it comes to pick up, anytime before 5pm its fine. If they said 3:30pm and show up at 4:30pm well, I'm still open so, nothing to say about it. For me, its the same price, one fee for the whole day. LATE PICK UP : unless a huge snow storm, its strike 1-2-3 and out ! Again, I have had only one experience so far and it turned out fine BUT I DO HAVE LATE FEES oh yes, my time... their money lol !

Hope things go better for you

[gcj]

how much was she charged for the late pick-up? My fee is $1/minute. I don't think they'd be late too many time if it cost them $40 the first time!