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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>What Are Your Hours Of Operation?
delferka 02:27 PM 03-01-2013
Last year one of my parents wanted to bring their boy here at 7:30 because he had to get to work. I bring my kids to school at 7:45, so he would have to ride with me. He NEVER got here in time. I was usually pulling out of the garage when he got here. (All of my other kids come after 8.) Then summer came and my kids didn't have school. He was supposed to be here at 7:30 but never got here until 8 or 9. I could have slept in had I known!!!!!! I finally said that I have too much to do in the morning so 8 and after it is. Now he's asking me again about the summer. I told him after 7:30 and if they were going to be later to let me know the day before. What do you think? Disrespect!
Blackcat31 02:36 PM 03-01-2013
I require a WRITTEN weekly schedule from ALL families
If they are not here when they say they are going to be, I go about my day as usual. I don't wait for anyone.
If a family consistently scheduled a 7:30 arrival time and was late on 3 or more occassions, I would probably require them to modify their schedule and I certainly would not allow them to schedule for 7:30 drop off any more.
Families are charge $1 per minute late fee for late pick ups.
If they are not here when they say they are going to be, I go about my day as usual. I don't wait for anyone.
If a family consistently scheduled a 7:30 arrival time and was late on 3 or more occassions, I would probably require them to modify their schedule and I certainly would not allow them to schedule for 7:30 drop off any more.
Families are charge $1 per minute late fee for late pick ups.
EntropyControlSpecialist 03:31 PM 03-01-2013
My hours are 8:00-5:00.
I used to allow early drop offs, but like your experience they would never arrive when they said they were going to. They ran between 5-35 minutes late.
Eventually, I said you had to arrive between 7:00-7:25am. I stated that I would not open the door after 7:25am and I didn't! I once received very ugly text messages due to a parent arriving at 7:28am (at the curb, then walking up, ringing the bell several times, etc.). She lived 1 street away.
She was never late again.
Then, I decided I didn't want to do it anymore so I don't. I was not charging extra for the parents to drop off early. Should I do it again in the future, I will charge $4 per day or more.
For that family? I wouldn't do it. The best predictor of future behavior is their past behavior.
I used to allow early drop offs, but like your experience they would never arrive when they said they were going to. They ran between 5-35 minutes late.
Eventually, I said you had to arrive between 7:00-7:25am. I stated that I would not open the door after 7:25am and I didn't! I once received very ugly text messages due to a parent arriving at 7:28am (at the curb, then walking up, ringing the bell several times, etc.). She lived 1 street away.
She was never late again.Then, I decided I didn't want to do it anymore so I don't. I was not charging extra for the parents to drop off early. Should I do it again in the future, I will charge $4 per day or more.
For that family? I wouldn't do it. The best predictor of future behavior is their past behavior.
Unregistered 08:21 PM 03-01-2013
Right now, I open at 8:00. I am not a morning person at all, but I would consider opening at 7:30 for an extra fee for the right family - payable whether or not the child actually showed up early.
I've also heard about providers opening early who charge no fee IF the parent shows up at the scheduled early time. However, if the parent doesn't show up at the scheduled early time they are then charged a fee for inconveniencing the provider.
I guess for this family you'd have to decide if your money or your time is more important to you.
I've also heard about providers opening early who charge no fee IF the parent shows up at the scheduled early time. However, if the parent doesn't show up at the scheduled early time they are then charged a fee for inconveniencing the provider.
I guess for this family you'd have to decide if your money or your time is more important to you.
melilley 06:53 AM 03-02-2013
I am open 6-6. My families don't come until 7:30 which is nice! For that family, I would stick to my hours and not open early for them. They were late all the time once, they will probably do it again!
SquirrellyMama 06:58 AM 03-02-2013
My hours are 7:30a-5:30p. I've never had a family that actually worked here in town so there is commuting time. They can have up to a 30min commute each way and still work an 8a-5p day.
K
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Scout 08:16 AM 03-02-2013
5:30 am to 6 pm I am available.
Currently I have 2 familes that arrive 6:45-7am and kids are picked up at 4:15 at the latest
In a month I have one that will come at 5:30am and leave at 3 so my day isn't as long as that though!
Currently I have 2 familes that arrive 6:45-7am and kids are picked up at 4:15 at the latest
In a month I have one that will come at 5:30am and leave at 3 so my day isn't as long as that though!
MissK 08:35 AM 03-02-2013
Right now I'm 7-5, but have a family starting in May that will be here at 6:30 - totally fine with it. I too would be irritated with late or early arrivals! I have one girl who comes at 10:30 - sometimes 10:45. I typically start getting lunch ready at about 11 and sometimes she'll miss certain games or crafts and I have problems with her and her mom getting upset because she doesn't come home with a certain craft. I refuse to feel bad that I can't do the same things or offer the same things to her that we do between the hours of 7-10:30. Whole different vent there... 
LK5kids 02:42 PM 03-02-2013
My license will be 6:00 to 6:00 in case I have to extend hours for some dire reason (will be licensed in about 2 mo.) I can't operate beyond my what my license will say. I now work 7:30-5:00 and LOVE it.
When I did fcc in my former life years ago I ran 5:30-5:30 and it didn't bother me a bit! I now want to keep my hours 7:00-5:00 if at all possible!
When I did fcc in my former life years ago I ran 5:30-5:30 and it didn't bother me a bit! I now want to keep my hours 7:00-5:00 if at all possible!
MNMum 03:38 PM 03-02-2013
Mostly 7:45-4:30. I have one contracted 7-4. They routinely arrive at 7:20-7:30. On one had it is very annoying, on the other, I have 20 unexpected child free minutes, so I haven't made them change their hours yet. Both parents have flexible work hours, so they would probably stay, even if I told them they couldn't arrive until 7:30. When I go on maternity leave I will probably amend my hours and only be open 7:45-4:30. I would be paying my assistant an extra 45 minutes for only one family, not worth it...
jenn 05:05 PM 03-02-2013
I am open from 7:15-6:00. Right now though, my earliest arrives around 7:30 and everyone is gone by 5:30.
momofboys 05:53 PM 03-02-2013
7-4:45, but no arrivals before 7:30 right now, all picked up between 4:30/4:45
Msdunny 06:21 PM 03-02-2013
I am in the process of revamping my hours. Beginning soon, they will be 7:30 to 4:30. 45 hours a week is enough for me! 
mrsnj 05:11 AM 03-03-2013
I am open 7:30-5:30 but I have two children who arrive at 7:00. And one parent who is late almost everyday which is a whole other post!
I don't mind early drop offs. I have taken at 5:30am due to parent surgeries. I am a morning person but you better be here by 5:30pm for pick up or I am one majorly mad provider.
I don't mind early drop offs. I have taken at 5:30am due to parent surgeries. I am a morning person but you better be here by 5:30pm for pick up or I am one majorly mad provider.
MrsSteinel'sHouse 06:20 AM 03-03-2013
6:30-6:30 but, I am only ready at 6:30 if a child is scheduled that for the day. I get a schedule ahead and plan my life around that. I have one family that runs the whole 12 hours a couple of days. I do this 
when I realize I will be one by 5 - 5:30.
when I realize I will be one by 5 - 5:30.
apick 09:00 AM 03-03-2013
I'm open 7:30-5:30 and it's amazing the amount of people who want me to take their kids at 6 am or keep kids until 6:30 pm. Sorry but no! My baby goes to bed at 7 and our family needs at least an hour together. I have a late pickup fee of $5 for every 15 min. Luckily I haven't had to enforce it, yet. I like the idea of charging for early morning drop off. I wouldn't exactly consider myself a morning person so I think 7 am is as early as I would take, unless it was a one time thing do to a special circumstance. What do you think would be fair to charge for early drop off? Currently I charge $30 for a full day.
julie 10:09 AM 03-03-2013
I'm open 7:30-5 officially. I go to school at night and pretty much have to boogie there if someone picks up at 5 to get there on time. But my last family that needed those times left last month and everyone else is pretty much here 8:15-4:30. So I am really being patient to find another family that has THOSE hours because I much prefer those. So far everyone has asked outside of my hours to fill the spot, I've gotten a 7:00am-6:00pm, a 6:15am-4 and an 8:30-5:30. No goes for all of them. 
Play Care 06:10 AM 03-04-2013
I am open 7:30-4:45.
The one issue I have is that at 7:45 I have to get my school agers to the bus stop (I do not walk them or stay with them per my contract I am only responsible for making sure they get to the stop in time to get the bus) but I have one Dad that always shows up at that time. I have made it clear that my priority at that time is making sure the school kids get to the stop, and it's not the time to discuss important matters. If he just dropped and left it would be fine. The thing that kills me is he isn't working a FT job and doesn't have to bring her at that time, he could bring her for 7:30 or even for 8:00My hours are my hours, I don't do before/after even for a fee. My time is more important than money at this point.
The one issue I have is that at 7:45 I have to get my school agers to the bus stop (I do not walk them or stay with them per my contract I am only responsible for making sure they get to the stop in time to get the bus) but I have one Dad that always shows up at that time. I have made it clear that my priority at that time is making sure the school kids get to the stop, and it's not the time to discuss important matters. If he just dropped and left it would be fine. The thing that kills me is he isn't working a FT job and doesn't have to bring her at that time, he could bring her for 7:30 or even for 8:00My hours are my hours, I don't do before/after even for a fee. My time is more important than money at this point.
snbauser 06:20 AM 03-04-2013
Right now I am open 7-5:30. My first child doesn't usually arrive until about 7:30 and my last one is gone usually around 5:15. I am excited because I am changing my hours starting in the summer and then again for next school year. My current families are school teachers and I am going to target my other spots to school employees. I plan on being open from 6:30-5:00 during the school year. Our elementary schools start very early here and teachers typically have to be there at 7am. I will be closed all days that the schools are closed with the exception of teacher workdays. I will also only be open from 7:30-4 Mon, Tues, and Wed during the summer. It will be a big hit on my income but after being in this business for 11 years I have decided to try and cut back my hours some and lessen the impact on my family. We will see if it works.
canadiancare 06:49 AM 03-04-2013
06h30-16h30
I offer breakfast before 07h30 and require drop off no later than 8. I have a dad who is routinely late and I just leave a note on the door to come find us on our walk.
I offer breakfast before 07h30 and require drop off no later than 8. I have a dad who is routinely late and I just leave a note on the door to come find us on our walk.
rmc20021 11:30 AM 03-04-2013
My operational hours 'were' 6 am - 6 pm, but I did have one family contracted till 7:30 pm. None of my kids arrived before 7:30 am. So....after last Friday when EVERYONE showed up late for pickup, my 7:30 pm pickup has revised her working hours and will now be picking up at 5:30, which means my NEW hours are going to be 7:30 am - 5:30 pm.
I just shaved off 3 1/2 hours off my days and feeling much relief.
I just shaved off 3 1/2 hours off my days and feeling much relief.
ABCDaycareMN 11:46 AM 03-04-2013
6am - 5:30pm are the hours I am willing to work. I contract for at most 10 hours days at my current price. if they need more than that I charge more. The family I have now is contracted from 9:15am - 5:15pm.
Sunnyyy1 04:35 PM 03-05-2013
My hours are 6:30 to 6:30 I have before and aftercare and each parent set there drop off and pick up time during there contract signing. So far so good.