Dcm Wants a Refund For Friday Bc She Changed Her Mind
Dcm has a son who attends my daycare full time. Earlier this week dcm asked me if she could pick up dcb at 12:00pm on Friday as they would be going to the lake. She normally picks up at 4:15pm. I said yes. I was very much looking forward to a quieter afternoon on Friday, dcb is 15 months so a lot of work. Fast forward to this morning dcm comes in and says they will no longer be going to the lake on Friday so dcb will be here all day. OH NO!! I said sorry dcm but since you informed me that dcb would be picked up at 12:00pm on Friday I accepted another family for the afternoon so I can not take him past 12:00pm now. That was a lie but I really didn't want to tell dcm the truth that I was looking forward to a quieter afternoon on Friday. Dcm looks shocked and says, "well we don't have to pay for Friday then right?". ARGH! I get why she would ask. Technically dcb should have been here from 7:30am - 4:15pm on Friday but now because dcm changed her mind I would only be allowing dcb to be here from 7:30am - 12:00pm. But that's not my problem! I was available to take dcb for the full day originally and she was the one that said he would be gone by 12:00pm. I told her she wouldn't get a refund and to keep in mind for the future if she informs me dcb will not be there for a day or a portion of the day and then changes her mind later that she may not be able to use that space anymore. I know some of you would likely say to refund for the half day but I don't want dcm to think she can continue to do this AKA BOOK A DAY/HALF DAY OFF THEN CHANGE HER MIND AND WANT IT BACK.
What are everyone else's thoughts? |
Once a family schedules I don't allow refunds or changes.
If DCM chooses to not bring the child, then SHE is the one choosing to take the loss. Since she scheduled him until only noon and you made plans based on what she said, I don't think it is polite, right or fair of her to assume she can simply change things again. I'd say sorry, but it is what it is. Next time she should plan better. |
I think it's important to get any changes in writing. I've been told before that if a family has contracted hours with you, you are obligated by your contract to fulfill those hours unless they put it in writing that they want to make a change for a day.
I think what she did was wrong, and she certainly shouldn't get a free day since you're still caring for him until noon. However, I'm not sure you should charge her for all day since you might not have had a policy about changes/cancellations, and in that case, it's not fair to expect the parent to know better. How about charging her for the half day? |
Once I approve a change I don't allow any modification, especially not the day before!
I don't do 1/2 day payments for anything over 4 hours, so this DCM would be charged the full day rate in my house. I may be willing to "negotiate" and say if she picks up at 11:30 or earlier I'll give her the half day rate but if she's even 2 minutes late it's the full rate. If she's a problem parent honestly I wouldn't even offer the early pick up idea because she'd take it as a win and do it again. |
Originally Posted by preschoolteacher: |
Originally Posted by Angelwings36: |
Originally Posted by Angelwings36: |
Originally Posted by Mama2Bella: |
I agree with what BC said! Also, I would've just told her I made plans. My contract states no refunds!
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Originally Posted by Angelwings36: |
So dcm just text me:
"I understand that you book in other families when someone won't be there. I guess I just find it disappointing that it doesn't result in savings for the family who have already paid for that spot but only an increase in revenue for you." Anyone want to comment to that? |
Originally Posted by Angelwings36: :confused: |
It is frustrating when a parent says they will pick up early and then they change their mind.
However, I do allow it. I ALWAYS assume that child will be here for the entire day even if they say they won't be, just so I won't be let down. :lol: |
Originally Posted by Angelwings36: |
Originally Posted by AmyLeigh: |
Originally Posted by Angelwings36: |
Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons: |
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist: Me too, I've found that 90% of the time the parents do not pick up early. Laurel |
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist: |
Originally Posted by Angelwings36: I am sorry you are disappointed. I usually don't discuss what I charge others for care but in this case there will be no added revenue as I am watching a relative who will still count in my numbers. Hope this clears things up. That should work....maybe.... Laurel |
Originally Posted by Angelwings36: I would just respond about you niece if you want to give her an explanation. "My niece will be joining us for the afternoon and although I am not collecting payment for her time she however by law does count into my ratio. I was told by you DCK would not be coming and made other arrangements, I can not change this commitment at the last minute. I'm sure you understand" Personally I'd have never given her a reason (I learned nearly this same way :cool:) and just said unfortunatly I could not accommodate the last minute change because I had made plans with the absence of DCB in mind. Too bad, so sad :p If she was a "good" DCP I would have offered a half day rate if she picked up at 1130 if she really made a stink but if she's pushy and rude I'd stand my ground. |
Originally Posted by JoseyJo: For example: A family may be contracted with me from 7:30am - 4:15pm and then request to pick up at 12:00pm. If that works for me I will allow it and ensure that their child is ready to go by 12:00pm instead of 4:15pm. If a family showed up at 12:10pm they would be charged $15 ($15 for every 15 minutes or part of 15 minutes) for being late. A schedule change is just that and I expect my policies to be followed (late pick up policy included) regardless of the schedule change. If a family asks to pick up earlier I allow it but I expect them to be on time and they know that. I don't just assume they may not be there until 4:15pm that day even though they asked to pick up at 12:00pm because I don't allow families to make changes to their schedules and then choose to not follow my other policies in the mean time. |
Originally Posted by Angelwings36: |
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