Originally Posted by AfterSchoolMom:
Thanks everyone for your replies! 
I can see both sides here. You're all right in that as long as I'm getting paid on time, I don't really care what she's doing with that time. I know how important it is to carve out time from a busy schedule to fit in exercise!
I changed my contract for the new school year from opening and closing times to work and commute times only because I've been burned. I had one family that never picked up at the same time of day (it varied by as much as two hours) each day, and another who constantly pushed my closing time. We have a busy schedule during the school year with our children and their activities, and last year my contract stated that 5:30 was the latest pickup time allowable - this particular family would pick up five or ten minutes late on a regular basis, and we'd have to race to get places on time. Not only that, but I was giving them a hefty discount. It's because of that family (who won't be coming back!) that I'm hesitant to start conceding things right at the beginning.
I would let her do it but I totally understand your point of view. For me I also had a family that constantly pushed my closing time of 5:00. They'd run late 10-15 min on a frequent basis. And part of the time it was b/c mom said she was home doing laundry & lost her keys or was late from running to Wal-Mart. Now I had NO problem with her doing laundry/running to the store,e tc but not if she was going to be 15 min late. How many hours will the child be in your care? Because everyone says, oh you are getting paid so what difference does it make? It does make a big difference if it pushes your work hurs from 9 or 9 1/2 to 10 or more. That is a long day. Since you have contracted hours only I would make an exception (if you want to) & say since your hours technically end at 4:30 on the days you go to the gym & pick up at 5:00 I will charge an extra fee of ***X. Or at least this is what I think I would do.