Need Opinions Quick

[Sandbox Sally]

kidlove, I think that's a good idea. Or I can just keep the spot open. Thing is, sometimes I watch my friend's daughter too. I am not looking to make double income or be shady in any way. It's just that if someone repeatedly tells me that their kids aren't coming, so I say, book a play date with my son's friend or take my friend's daughter for a few hours, I would be put in a position to have to cancel MY plans last minute because the mom is being thoughtless.

Again, this is NOT about me getting paid twice for the same spot -this is about her pretending like she didn't know she had to pay when her kids aren't here, and that she is sending them merely because she might as well because she has to pay anyway, thereby inconveniencing me, who made plans otherwise.

What if, say, she was my only client that day? What if I made doctor's appointments for my kids because on two separate occasions, she confirmed that her kids were not coming? I'm not mad, I'm just trying to see where the line is. If I am canceled for the day, should I then sit in my house on the chance that the parents might show up anyway?

[Inspired by Reggio]

kidlove, I think that's a good idea. Or I can just keep the spot open. Thing is, sometimes I watch my friend's daughter too. I am not looking to make double income or be shady in any way. It's just that if someone repeatedly tells me that their kids aren't coming, so I say, book a play date with my son's friend or take my friend's daughter for a few hours, I would be put in a position to have to cancel MY plans last minute because the mom is being thoughtless.

Again, this is NOT about me getting paid twice for the same spot -this is about her pretending like she didn't know she had to pay when her kids aren't here, and that she is sending them merely because she might as well because she has to pay anyway, thereby inconveniencing me, who made plans otherwise.

What if, say, she was my only client that day? What if I made doctor's appointments for my kids because on two separate occasions, she confirmed that her kids were not coming? I'm not mad, I'm just trying to see where the line is. If I am canceled for the day, should I then sit in my house on the chance that the parents might show up anyway?

These are all valid points ~ I think there is nothing wrong with having a clear policy that states that if they have given notice of intent to take vacation X amount of notice is required to alter that plan again because you make use of low ratios to plan special field trips, have play dates for your own children and so forth ... my absenteeism policy is worded similarly that I require notice if they are going to be absent for any length of time so I can plan meals, program, field trips and so forth ~ the request has nothing to do with having booked someone else into the day but more about being able to as you said 'plan' for the day.

[Sandbox Sally]

Reggio,

I am wondering what the wording is like in your policy? Something like, "if you schedule an absence from daycare but then require care after all, I require 48 hours notice. I plan meals, outings, etc around the number of children that I am caring for, and it is imperative that I have an accurate count before XX" Something like that?

[Inspired by Reggio]

Reggio,

I am wondering what the wording is like in your policy? Something like, "if you schedule an absence from daycare but then require care after all, I require 48 hours notice. I plan meals, outings, etc around the number of children that I am caring for, and it is imperative that I have an accurate count before XX" Something like that?

Yup that is pretty close mine is just flipped with the I plan portion first and than after the notice required I explain that WHY I need notice "to help prepare the children for any disappointments that might arise from having to cancel a field trip or outing as a result of unexpected changes in attendance" cause I find it helps educate them away from that thinking of 'it is no big deal if they send them after all' cause well it really can be a 'big deal' from a child's perspective

[Inspired by Reggio]

Playfelt I agree ~ that is a risk of asking for notice if they are going to change their mind for sure that you risk clients just not informing you ... this is a risk with many of the policies people have like child cannot attend for 48 hours after being newly vaccinated and child can not attend if they have had any over counter medications at home in the last 12 hours or whatever ~ policies like that you risk a client just choosing to lie by omission to do whatever is best for 'them' however I think most providers with those policies choose to hope that MAJORITY will be respectful of the policy?

I personally have never had an issue with asking for notice of vacation backfiring on me like that because the value behind WHY knowing my numbers is vital is clear to parents and my policy is worded that '48 hours notice to change planned vacation time is requested' so it is more of 'in an ideal world I would like 48 hours notice for the following reasons' type thing ~ not a if you fail to provide the proper notice I will terminate your contract type policy.

I have had clients who have had to give me less notice due to an actual 'emergency' aka grandparents were to have the kids for a week and grandpa had a heart attack obviously I am not going to say 'well sorry you cannot come because you told me you were on vacation and I planned on taking the crew to the Children's Museum cause our numbers were low' cause well that would be really BAD business .... for me the policy is a explanation for how I would like to be treated in regards to vacation in addition to my own that clients might take and why I ask for the notice ~ because sadly if I did not let them know what I wanted/needed than I am pretty sure most clients would not think to tell me at all if their kid was going to be away and assume I will figure it out when they just do not 'show'

[gramma]

I had a client on vacation over the holidays and they returned from Florida and decided that they wanted dcg to come to me one day. I said no, i had plans for the day. they paid a vacation rate for the spot for that particular day BUT they booked it off.

I have a you booked it, you bought it policy regardless of any changes. Same goes for vacation days, if you cancel days at daycare, you may not get them back. It does all depend on the relationship that you have with people i think. In a situation where there are no problems, you will be more willing to accept change.