View Single Post
nannyde 12:36 PM 06-28-2011
Originally Posted by DEBBIES DAYCARE:
I am open from 7-5:30. If you contract full time, its all day from open to close, m-f with a flat weekly rate. Part time is open to close, with a mimimal of 3 days contract, for a set daily rate. The only other option I offer is a drop in, based on availability for an hourly rate payable that day.
I have a drop off at 9:30 am.The parents pay the daily rate without a complaint. For awhile mom was dropping of at 7 to go to the gym...but that was short lived. lol.
I also have a pick up at 3:30-3:45. Once in while, she runs an errand, doc appt or has coffee with a friend.
I think it takes some pressure off everyone, to be able to run an errand and not be late and for me not to have to feel uncomfortable enforcing late fees or that feel of being disrespected when they are late. It also keeps things simple without me having to get out a calculator to see how much the bill is for additional time. I do however charge per minute after 5:30. I have never had to do this tho. I have a parent who gets out of work at 5 so I give her until 5:45 before shes considered late.
I actually use this flexability as a sales pitch at interviews and most parents love it. When I worked in an office I used to see parents running out the door so stressed they were going to be late and have to pay the daycare extra. I tell my parents to relax..BS in the parking lot for a minute, go grocery shopping, go home, shower and change in peace, then come and get their child.
Happy parents make happy daycare providers!!!!
I'll bet that is a good sales pitch and I know a lot of parents would like it. I wouldn't want to run the risk of having kids for the full 10.5 hours per day. That's an hour and a half longer than what would work here. The extra hour and a half would be all awake hours. My kids couldn't handle it. After nine hours here they really want their parents and home time.

I don't have to use a calculator to figure out parents fees. They contract based on a max of a nine hour day and pay the rate which is based on pick up time. The later they pick up the more expensive the care is. The rate is the same 52 weeks a year. When setting the drop off and pick up time I calculate the actual time it takes to get here and add ten minutes. So if it's a twenty minute drive they have a half hour. That system works in my city which is about a half million people.

They come on time 99 days out of a hundred and they don't have any time to run errands or go have coffee. I would rather see them relax WITH their child. All my kids would love going to have coffee with a parent or go shopping. They wouldn't want to miss out on that.
Reply