So most of my most recent enrollies, have come from center care and they seem to have a more difficult time making the transition to contracted hours. That fact combined with nice weather, and the time change, so far this week has been the week of early drop offs, late arrivals, and oh hey I have errands to do this week so my wife will pick up. (Wife gets off 1/2 later than husband). I have written a letter to go out to all parents. Read and give me input please.
I have attached copies of your contracted hours. Please review them and make sure that it still meets your needs. Weekly rates are set based upon your specific contracted hours, not my open and closing hours. If your current contracted hours no longer meet your needs, please discuss with me so we can change them. Typically your rate will go up $5 for each additional 15 minutes of time you require. If you need additional time that is not permanent, please verify with me FIRST. Please do not assume that since I normally have kids that arrive earlier than your normal time, or kids that stay later than your normal time, that I can always meet your need.
According to state regulations, I have a set number of kids that can be in care at one time. I always try to be accommodating to people’s schedules but going beyond your contracted hours, may put me over ratio. To maximize my profits I am always trying to fill my open hours. So if you are contracted to start at 9am, I may fill the spot with a school-aged child that leaves before 9am for school. Visa versa, if you are contracted to pick up at 4pm, I may fill the spot with a school-aged child that gets off the bus at 4:30. If you only come on Tuesdays and Thursdays I will fill the slot with a family that needs Mon, Wed, Friday.
I wanted to explain from a business stand point why I do it this way, compared to other providers or centers. Typically centers charge a higher fee but are open for long hours, like 6am-6pm. In a center you pay a higher rate for the flexibility to drop off and pickup anytime in between those opening and closing hours. So essentially in a center you are paying for 12 hours of care per day, regardless of what you use. Here I base your rate on the specific amount of hours that you need, which results in a much lower cost to you. When you look at it on an individual basis picking up 30 minutes late and dropping off 15 minutes early isn’t that big of a deal. But, if you add it up, providing 45 minutes of care extra per day, means over a year’s time that is 195 hours of free care. I love what I do, absolutely love your children, and can’t imagine me doing anything else, but unfortunately I haven’t won the lottery, YET, and can’t do “Free”.
I understand that traffic is bad in this area and most of this is not referring to the occasional 5/10 minutes late due to traffic. I am familiar with providers/centers that charge high late fees for every single minute that you are late and really don’t want to have to go that route. Usually the general rule of thumb is if you are more than 15 minutes late, more than 2-3 times per month, then we need to look at adjusting your contracted hours.
So in review here a few key points. Review your contracted hours and make sure you stick to the contracted arrival and departure times. If you need a permanent change, make requests in writing at least 2 weeks prior to the change. For short term changes, make the request at least 48 hours in advance. In both cases, wait for approval from me first. With your approval I will include the amount due for additional time.
Please feel free to discuss any questions or concerns you have.
Much adoration, Mrs.B