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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Parent Who Is Consistently Early and Late
Baby Beluga 07:40 AM 03-16-2016
I have a parent who is consistently early and late, in very small increments.
For example, this family is contracted from 6:45am - 4:30pm.
DCD will show up at 6:40, 6:41, 6:42 etc.
At pick up he will pull into my driveway at 4:30p, 4:31, 4:32.
When increments are this small, do you say something or let it go?
This morning he showed up at 6:40am. (they were my first arrivals today) I was in the restroom helping my own child and did not get to the door until 6:44pm. How do I get him to understand that even though a couple of minutes may not seem like much to him, it IS to me. Especially when he is just pulling in the driveway at 4:30pm and his children are my last pick up.
For example, this family is contracted from 6:45am - 4:30pm.
DCD will show up at 6:40, 6:41, 6:42 etc.
At pick up he will pull into my driveway at 4:30p, 4:31, 4:32.
When increments are this small, do you say something or let it go?
This morning he showed up at 6:40am. (they were my first arrivals today) I was in the restroom helping my own child and did not get to the door until 6:44pm. How do I get him to understand that even though a couple of minutes may not seem like much to him, it IS to me. Especially when he is just pulling in the driveway at 4:30pm and his children are my last pick up.
MunchkinWrangler 07:50 AM 03-16-2016
For dropoff, I would honestly, not open the door or even open up blinds or curtains until your opening time. If you do this on a consistent basis, he should get the point. Pick up I would have the child ready to go and say bye with a smile and get on with your night. Think of Target, they could have someone standing at the door before open and they don't open the doors until the time and they don't apologize for it and neither should you.
rosieteddy 07:50 AM 03-16-2016
I wouldn't say much about late in minutes at the end of the day.Have the kids ready and waiting after 10 min I might think about saying something.At 15 min late I would charge late fee. The morning is a whole other ball game. I would put a note on door and say open at x time and not a minute early.I would explain that morning is very important and every minute counts. You would rather they come on time or a few minutes late so you can prepare for the day.
lovemykidstoo 07:55 AM 03-16-2016
I am a stickler for being late. Anything at all over my closing time and I'm irritated. If I close at 5:30, then I really expect people to be leaving my driveway at that time.
Morning is a little different to me at least. If they're 1 or 2 minutes early, I figure they didn't have to stop at any red lights. That I think is a harder thing to control. Where I live, there are alot of lights. If a parent usually drops off at 730 and has to be to work at 745 and makes all the lights they may be a little early. If they hit a few lights, they'll be late. Anything more than 5 minutes early though and I would be talking to them.
Morning is a little different to me at least. If they're 1 or 2 minutes early, I figure they didn't have to stop at any red lights. That I think is a harder thing to control. Where I live, there are alot of lights. If a parent usually drops off at 730 and has to be to work at 745 and makes all the lights they may be a little early. If they hit a few lights, they'll be late. Anything more than 5 minutes early though and I would be talking to them.
Ariana 07:56 AM 03-16-2016
I have parents who are like this. I don't mind early, but they aren't coming in the morning. I also would not answer my door!! As for late pickup it definitely irks me but I let it go. My contract allows for up to 15 minutes late before my late fee applies. I have DCG ready to go and I have cut out the small talk 
childcaremom 08:13 AM 03-16-2016
This is one of my sticking points. I do contracted hours and keep my doors locked. They don't get unlocked until their contracted time. Period.
I have late slips and charge late fees. I might waive it once but then after that I enforce. I charge a set rate per part of the first 15 minutes. That slip is added to their bag as soon as the clock hits their pick up time. Late fees are in their bag the next morning or they don't come in. Like someone else said, their child is picked up and out the door by their end time.
I have allowed LOTS of time for parents to get here after work. NO excuses.
I have late slips and charge late fees. I might waive it once but then after that I enforce. I charge a set rate per part of the first 15 minutes. That slip is added to their bag as soon as the clock hits their pick up time. Late fees are in their bag the next morning or they don't come in. Like someone else said, their child is picked up and out the door by their end time.
I have allowed LOTS of time for parents to get here after work. NO excuses.
Laurel 08:13 AM 03-16-2016
Originally Posted by Baby Beluga:
I have a parent who is consistently early and late, in very small increments.
For example, this family is contracted from 6:45am - 4:30pm.
DCD will show up at 6:40, 6:41, 6:42 etc.
At pick up he will pull into my driveway at 4:30p, 4:31, 4:32.
When increments are this small, do you say something or let it go?
This morning he showed up at 6:40am. (they were my first arrivals today) I was in the restroom helping my own child and did not get to the door until 6:44pm. How do I get him to understand that even though a couple of minutes may not seem like much to him, it IS to me. Especially when he is just pulling in the driveway at 4:30pm and his children are my last pick up.
For 2 or 3 minutes on either end, I wouldn't let it bother me at all. How can anyone be expected to be 'exactly' on time? That doesn't sound reasonable to me.I have a parent who is consistently early and late, in very small increments.
For example, this family is contracted from 6:45am - 4:30pm.
DCD will show up at 6:40, 6:41, 6:42 etc.
At pick up he will pull into my driveway at 4:30p, 4:31, 4:32.
When increments are this small, do you say something or let it go?
This morning he showed up at 6:40am. (they were my first arrivals today) I was in the restroom helping my own child and did not get to the door until 6:44pm. How do I get him to understand that even though a couple of minutes may not seem like much to him, it IS to me. Especially when he is just pulling in the driveway at 4:30pm and his children are my last pick up.
When it starts getting to 10 minutes or so then I would be irritated and if it happened more than 2 or 3 times, I'd say something.
Snowmom 08:18 AM 03-16-2016
I always speak up.
My rate structure is a bit different than standard contracted times though.
Have a discussion with them or write up a note:
Dear Parent:
In the past few weeks, you have signed out before and after your contracted timeframe. In order to continue with your contracted weekly rate, I need Sally to be dropped off and picked up between the hours of 6:45-4:30. There are no grace periods in effect. She must be dropped off after 6:45 and must be picked up before 4:30.
If you need to adjust your times, please schedule a time to meet with me to review your needs. Please be aware that changing your weekly time allowance will mean a change in your weekly rate.
Thank you,
Provider
My rate structure is a bit different than standard contracted times though.
Have a discussion with them or write up a note:
Dear Parent:
In the past few weeks, you have signed out before and after your contracted timeframe. In order to continue with your contracted weekly rate, I need Sally to be dropped off and picked up between the hours of 6:45-4:30. There are no grace periods in effect. She must be dropped off after 6:45 and must be picked up before 4:30.
If you need to adjust your times, please schedule a time to meet with me to review your needs. Please be aware that changing your weekly time allowance will mean a change in your weekly rate.
Thank you,
Provider
Blackcat31 10:21 AM 03-16-2016
Originally Posted by Laurel:
For 2 or 3 minutes on either end, I wouldn't let it bother me at all. How can anyone be expected to be 'exactly' on time? That doesn't sound reasonable to me.
When it starts getting to 10 minutes or so then I would be irritated and if it happened more than 2 or 3 times, I'd say something.
I would normally agree with this but the parent is clearly "stealing" the provider's time....since drop offs are early and pick ups are late.....not the other way around. For 2 or 3 minutes on either end, I wouldn't let it bother me at all. How can anyone be expected to be 'exactly' on time? That doesn't sound reasonable to me.
When it starts getting to 10 minutes or so then I would be irritated and if it happened more than 2 or 3 times, I'd say something.
Originally Posted by Snowmom:
I always speak up.
My rate structure is a bit different than standard contracted times though.
Have a discussion with them or write up a note:
Dear Parent:
In the past few weeks, you have signed out before and after your contracted timeframe. In order to continue with your contracted weekly rate, I need Sally to be dropped off and picked up between the hours of 6:45-4:30. There are no grace periods in effect. She must be dropped off after 6:45 and must be picked up before 4:30.
If you need to adjust your times, please schedule a time to meet with me to review your needs. Please be aware that changing your weekly time allowance will mean a change in your weekly rate.
Thank you,
Provider
This ^^^^^ I always speak up.
My rate structure is a bit different than standard contracted times though.
Have a discussion with them or write up a note:
Dear Parent:
In the past few weeks, you have signed out before and after your contracted timeframe. In order to continue with your contracted weekly rate, I need Sally to be dropped off and picked up between the hours of 6:45-4:30. There are no grace periods in effect. She must be dropped off after 6:45 and must be picked up before 4:30.
If you need to adjust your times, please schedule a time to meet with me to review your needs. Please be aware that changing your weekly time allowance will mean a change in your weekly rate.
Thank you,
Provider
Blackcat31 10:25 AM 03-16-2016
I have a sign in/out sheet the parents must use daily.
Once a parent is early or late I take the "normal" sign in/out sheet from it's spot and replace it with the "late" one
The late one is printed in RED and lets the parent KNOW they are late/early and what the fee is for it.
It looks like this: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8_...ew?usp=sharing
Once a parent is early or late I take the "normal" sign in/out sheet from it's spot and replace it with the "late" one
The late one is printed in RED and lets the parent KNOW they are late/early and what the fee is for it.
It looks like this: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8_...ew?usp=sharing
midaycare 11:24 AM 03-16-2016
Do NOT open the door early. I open at 7:30 am. I check my phone and only when it says 7:30 do I even head towards the door. Even if I'm ready early.
For late pickups, that deserves a talk.
For late pickups, that deserves a talk.
thrivingchildcarecom 12:10 PM 03-16-2016
In ten years I have seen it all. Parents sitting in my driveway until 6:00 on the dot. Everyone arriving early one day. Parents going all the way home and forgetting to pick up their child. I even had a parent tell me that, the extra 30-45 minutes was just a little more work.
Parents don't realize coming early or arriving late can throw you out of ratio and arriving after hours puts us out of our operating hours. All of this could result in citation and/or fines. But if we don't say something, they think its no big deal.
Some years ago, I made the decision to encourage them to stick to their "contracted" hours by imposing a 9 hour child care limit. 9 hours is what is included in the base tuition. If it goes beyond 9, more $$.
Anyway, back to you. I WOULD DEFINITELY SAY SOMETHING! Otherwise, believe me, it will get worse. Initially, I just mention that they have arrived early and need to stay with their child until the correct time. Then if I see multiple families are "forgetting" I send out a mass message reminding them of fees for extra time.
Let me know if you want to see the short (non-emotional) note I send out. Send me a PM and your email and I will share it.
Hopes this helps and good luck.
Parents don't realize coming early or arriving late can throw you out of ratio and arriving after hours puts us out of our operating hours. All of this could result in citation and/or fines. But if we don't say something, they think its no big deal.
Some years ago, I made the decision to encourage them to stick to their "contracted" hours by imposing a 9 hour child care limit. 9 hours is what is included in the base tuition. If it goes beyond 9, more $$.
Anyway, back to you. I WOULD DEFINITELY SAY SOMETHING! Otherwise, believe me, it will get worse. Initially, I just mention that they have arrived early and need to stay with their child until the correct time. Then if I see multiple families are "forgetting" I send out a mass message reminding them of fees for extra time.
Let me know if you want to see the short (non-emotional) note I send out. Send me a PM and your email and I will share it.
Hopes this helps and good luck.
EntropyControlSpecialist 04:03 PM 03-16-2016
Originally Posted by Laurel:
For 2 or 3 minutes on either end, I wouldn't let it bother me at all. How can anyone be expected to be 'exactly' on time? That doesn't sound reasonable to me.
When it starts getting to 10 minutes or so then I would be irritated and if it happened more than 2 or 3 times, I'd say something.
I absolutely expect families to either be on time or after I open. I don't open 30 seconds earlier than my opening time and I indicate when I am open by turning a porch light on (I have one family who waits in their car for 5 minutes before I open).For 2 or 3 minutes on either end, I wouldn't let it bother me at all. How can anyone be expected to be 'exactly' on time? That doesn't sound reasonable to me.
When it starts getting to 10 minutes or so then I would be irritated and if it happened more than 2 or 3 times, I'd say something.
I also charge $1.00/minute for being late. I will, and have, charged $1.00. I don't want to work one minute past my closing time and I have a 20 minute pick up window for this exact reason. The kids are all ready to go and waiting during those 20 minutes as I read books. Some parents pick up earlier but I have things to do after work with my own family.
Laurel 05:03 PM 03-16-2016
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I absolutely expect families to either be on time or after I open. I don't open 30 seconds earlier than my opening time and I indicate when I am open by turning a porch light on (I have one family who waits in their car for 5 minutes before I open).
I also charge $1.00/minute for being late. I will, and have, charged $1.00. I don't want to work one minute past my closing time and I have a 20 minute pick up window for this exact reason. The kids are all ready to go and waiting during those 20 minutes as I read books. Some parents pick up earlier but I have things to do after work with my own family.
That's fine if that is the way you want to do it. I just can't imagine charging someone for one minute. Seems a bit over the top. We can agree to disagree. I absolutely expect families to either be on time or after I open. I don't open 30 seconds earlier than my opening time and I indicate when I am open by turning a porch light on (I have one family who waits in their car for 5 minutes before I open).
I also charge $1.00/minute for being late. I will, and have, charged $1.00. I don't want to work one minute past my closing time and I have a 20 minute pick up window for this exact reason. The kids are all ready to go and waiting during those 20 minutes as I read books. Some parents pick up earlier but I have things to do after work with my own family.
Meeko 06:59 PM 03-16-2016
Originally Posted by Laurel:
That's fine if that is the way you want to do it. I just can't imagine charging someone for one minute. Seems a bit over the top. We can agree to disagree.
I guess the thing is, where do you draw the line? I can't say I close at 6, but it's OK for them to pick up at 6:02. That actually means I am open until 6:02 as far as they are concerned.That's fine if that is the way you want to do it. I just can't imagine charging someone for one minute. Seems a bit over the top. We can agree to disagree.
Then the next day they think 6:03 is no big deal...I mean what's one minute? And so on and so on. They WILL get more brazen.
Before long you get picks up 10 minutes late and a client who then has a hissy fit if you eventually say something. And what can a provider say when the parent says "But it hasn't been a problem until now????"
I start out as I want to go on. In charge of my own time.
Laurel 03:26 AM 03-17-2016
Originally Posted by Meeko:
I guess the thing is, where do you draw the line? I can't say I close at 6, but it's OK for them to pick up at 6:02. That actually means I am open until 6:02 as far as they are concerned.
Then the next day they think 6:03 is no big deal...I mean what's one minute? And so on and so on. They WILL get more brazen.
Before long you get picks up 10 minutes late and a client who then has a hissy fit if you eventually say something. And what can a provider say when the parent says "But it hasn't been a problem until now????"
I start out as I want to go on. In charge of my own time.
You draw the line when it bothers you. It would bother me if a person was consistently 10 minutes late but not if they were 1 to 3 minutes late. At the 10 minute point I would talk to them. I haven't had a problem once I explained it to a parent because if they continued on then I'd either do a late fee and if it was chronic, just term. But then again, I've found that it works both ways. I used to walk in the morning before opening. A few times (not many) I got back and someone was parked in my driveway. I was a minute or two late opening and didn't get my pay docked! I guess the thing is, where do you draw the line? I can't say I close at 6, but it's OK for them to pick up at 6:02. That actually means I am open until 6:02 as far as they are concerned.
Then the next day they think 6:03 is no big deal...I mean what's one minute? And so on and so on. They WILL get more brazen.
Before long you get picks up 10 minutes late and a client who then has a hissy fit if you eventually say something. And what can a provider say when the parent says "But it hasn't been a problem until now????"
I start out as I want to go on. In charge of my own time.
On the rare occasion that I needed a break then the parents were nice back. I remember a day when I really wanted to take the day off as some family thing came up. I would have worked for just the one child but I told the dad and he said it would be a little inconvenient but for me he'd "make it happen." He was so sweet.
Baby Beluga 06:35 AM 03-17-2016
Thanks for your input everyone
I can see both sides of this - hence my post.
Right now it bothers me. Because this particular parent and I have had this discussion before. After reading your responses and really looking deep into my situation, I think the bigger problem is the lack of respect I feel this parent has for me. Because with another parent and in another situation, 1 or 2 minuets wouldn't (and hasn't) bothered me.
I can see both sides of this - hence my post.
Right now it bothers me. Because this particular parent and I have had this discussion before. After reading your responses and really looking deep into my situation, I think the bigger problem is the lack of respect I feel this parent has for me. Because with another parent and in another situation, 1 or 2 minuets wouldn't (and hasn't) bothered me.
Annalee 09:40 AM 03-17-2016
Originally Posted by Baby Beluga:
Thanks for your input everyone
I can see both sides of this - hence my post.
Right now it bothers me. Because this particular parent and I have had this discussion before. After reading your responses and really looking deep into my situation, I think the bigger problem is the lack of respect I feel this parent has for me. Because with another parent and in another situation, 1 or 2 minuets wouldn't (and hasn't) bothered me.
Thanks for your input everyone
I can see both sides of this - hence my post.
Right now it bothers me. Because this particular parent and I have had this discussion before. After reading your responses and really looking deep into my situation, I think the bigger problem is the lack of respect I feel this parent has for me. Because with another parent and in another situation, 1 or 2 minuets wouldn't (and hasn't) bothered me.
I have a parent that I do not give any room for error with because they "abuse" my policies if I let them! If they are one minute late, I text and ask "who is picking up today?" But if someone else was a minute late, I might let it go because it doesn't happen often! So I do understand why this family gets on your nerves! 
My3cents 10:36 AM 03-22-2016
It's pretty normal come closing time to be crawling out of your skin and wanting to be done your work day. Any job is like that. For most people-
Some clients take advantage and some don't. For the ones that take advantage you need solid rules in place and you need to follow them. Free pass once and then its done. I tell them that too- Free pass this time next time I charge for being late.
I also allow at my discretion for incidents that happen that can't be helped- but not to someone that takes advantage and you know real fast who those clients are.
Parents don't stop and think that we don't finish work until their child leaves. They don't think that our work day begins before and after theirs does. They just think we enjoy it and are already home. They just don't think about it. Why would they? Even when you tell them and you go over how important to you this is at your interview. From time to time reminders are a good thing to do. Please make sure drop off and pick ups are on time.
One other thing....safety first always. I tell my parents--- don't ever rush coming to get your child to the point that you are in an accident. Just pay the late fee and arrive safe- if paying the lay fee is an issue discuss this with me. Snow storm, I don't want a parent rushing to make it to me in time and end up not making it at all. I can get over the fact that they were late but I would never get over the fact if they didn't make it to my house at all because they were speeding and got in an accident. I discuss all of this at interviews. Again you will know the difference between a chronic late parent and the parent that truly rushes from work to pick up child.
3cents-
Some clients take advantage and some don't. For the ones that take advantage you need solid rules in place and you need to follow them. Free pass once and then its done. I tell them that too- Free pass this time next time I charge for being late.
I also allow at my discretion for incidents that happen that can't be helped- but not to someone that takes advantage and you know real fast who those clients are.
Parents don't stop and think that we don't finish work until their child leaves. They don't think that our work day begins before and after theirs does. They just think we enjoy it and are already home. They just don't think about it. Why would they? Even when you tell them and you go over how important to you this is at your interview. From time to time reminders are a good thing to do. Please make sure drop off and pick ups are on time.
One other thing....safety first always. I tell my parents--- don't ever rush coming to get your child to the point that you are in an accident. Just pay the late fee and arrive safe- if paying the lay fee is an issue discuss this with me. Snow storm, I don't want a parent rushing to make it to me in time and end up not making it at all. I can get over the fact that they were late but I would never get over the fact if they didn't make it to my house at all because they were speeding and got in an accident. I discuss all of this at interviews. Again you will know the difference between a chronic late parent and the parent that truly rushes from work to pick up child.
3cents-