I was told yesterday that 2 of the kids will only be here 1 day next week. Mom/boyfriend going on vacation. This will be like their third week out this year. Must be nice. Now, I have in my handbook about needing a 2 week noitce for such things. I also have a 3 day min. amount. now the cousin of the other 2 will be here all week. So, since it's the holiday season, I was thinking of telling them that I will only charge for 2 days instead of 3. With the other child here all week and if I charge them for 2 days it will come to the 3 day min. rate anyway. I know boyfried (also grandfather who has custody of the one who wil be here all week) doesn't like paying for days when they are not here or only for a couple of hours. I have written a letter stating what my expenses include to maybe help them understand my viewpoint a little.
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Now as you know, I ask for a minimum amount each week per child.
This is to cover my expenses in providing childcare. Some of the
expenses include (but not limited) to the following:
1) taxes (yes, I file this income)
2) phone
3) electric
4) food: milk, bread, butter, choc syrup, strawberry syrup, fruit,
yogurt, mac cheese, chef boyhrdee, chicken nuggets,
pizza rolls, hot dogs, , vegs, cereals, cheese, peanut
butter, granola bars, crackers, etc.
5)other supplies: dish detergent, tissues, toilet paper, paper
towels, lysol wipes, lysol disinfectant spray, hand soap,
hand sanitizer, etc.
6) crafts: construction paper, glue sticks, coloring books, crayons,
pencil crayons, rubber stamps, ink pads, ribbon, etc.
7) toys/books: replace as needed or if I see something that I
think the children will like.

My hours of operation are 6am-5pm, which is 11 hours. My day does not end
when the children leave. There are things that need to be done when they are not here.
Examples:
1) washing nap blankets/dress up clothes
2) cleaning/sanitizing toys
3) vacuming/mopping floors
4) cleaning bathroom

Now, I do enjoy watching/caring for children. I know that sometimes parents
don't understand completely what is involved in this business. I'm not trying
to "rip" you off when I ask for a min amount each week whether a child is
here or not. But without that min. amount I wouldn't be able to continue providing childcare.

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