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Indoorvoice 11:12 AM 02-26-2019
I know we've talked a lot about what parents do when after they drop off is no big deal as long as they pay and pick up on time. I'm usually in the camp of just not caring. I'm curious what your thoughts are in this situation:
I have 2 families who work 2 days but contract for a whole week. They do pay on time and pretty much follow the rules. They have been increasingly using me on their off days as sort of a drop in Babysitter: dropping their kids off for only a few hours those days on short notice. I'm NOT complaining! But it has been hard to get their kids on a routine and keep my routine for everyone else because the hours are never the same and I never know which days are off days. I've tried implementing having them give me a schedule each week but it is NOT working, mostly because I have a hard time issuing fees for not following my schedule when they're dropping off late and picking up early most days of the week. I feel silly complaining, because I get full pay for only a few hours of work, but I don't want to be a babysitter, I want to have a daycare with routine and activities. I kind of feel they should be paying someone babysitter prices if that's what they need. I don't know. Discuss with me!
I have 2 families who work 2 days but contract for a whole week. They do pay on time and pretty much follow the rules. They have been increasingly using me on their off days as sort of a drop in Babysitter: dropping their kids off for only a few hours those days on short notice. I'm NOT complaining! But it has been hard to get their kids on a routine and keep my routine for everyone else because the hours are never the same and I never know which days are off days. I've tried implementing having them give me a schedule each week but it is NOT working, mostly because I have a hard time issuing fees for not following my schedule when they're dropping off late and picking up early most days of the week. I feel silly complaining, because I get full pay for only a few hours of work, but I don't want to be a babysitter, I want to have a daycare with routine and activities. I kind of feel they should be paying someone babysitter prices if that's what they need. I don't know. Discuss with me!
Blackcat31 11:21 AM 02-26-2019
Originally Posted by Indoorvoice:
I know we've talked a lot about what parents do when after they drop off is no big deal as long as they pay and pick up on time. I'm usually in the camp of just not caring. I'm curious what your thoughts are in this situation:
I have 2 families who work 2 days but contract for a whole week. They do pay on time and pretty much follow the rules. They have been increasingly using me on their off days as sort of a drop in Babysitter: dropping their kids off for only a few hours those days on short notice. I'm NOT complaining! But it has been hard to get their kids on a routine and keep my routine for everyone else because the hours are never the same and I never know which days are off days. I've tried implementing having them give me a schedule each week but it is NOT working, mostly because I have a hard time issuing fees for not following my schedule when they're dropping off late and picking up early most days of the week. I feel silly complaining, because I get full pay for only a few hours of work, but I don't want to be a babysitter, I want to have a daycare with routine and activities. I kind of feel they should be paying someone babysitter prices if that's what they need. I don't know. Discuss with me!
If they don't provide a schedule (even for those "off work" days) they don't get care. PERIOD. I know we've talked a lot about what parents do when after they drop off is no big deal as long as they pay and pick up on time. I'm usually in the camp of just not caring. I'm curious what your thoughts are in this situation:
I have 2 families who work 2 days but contract for a whole week. They do pay on time and pretty much follow the rules. They have been increasingly using me on their off days as sort of a drop in Babysitter: dropping their kids off for only a few hours those days on short notice. I'm NOT complaining! But it has been hard to get their kids on a routine and keep my routine for everyone else because the hours are never the same and I never know which days are off days. I've tried implementing having them give me a schedule each week but it is NOT working, mostly because I have a hard time issuing fees for not following my schedule when they're dropping off late and picking up early most days of the week. I feel silly complaining, because I get full pay for only a few hours of work, but I don't want to be a babysitter, I want to have a daycare with routine and activities. I kind of feel they should be paying someone babysitter prices if that's what they need. I don't know. Discuss with me!
If they want only a few hours, fine by me as I still charge their same weekly rate but if they schedule off on say a Wednesday, I don't allow them to call and say they now need me. Too bad so sad.
Schedule ANY of the days you want/pay for etc but if you don't schedule you don't get space.
If they begin to schedule all 5 days and then start cancelling last minute, I stop that by saying X amount of absences allowed per week or the option of using the full week is no longer allowed.
SCHEDULE. It's just not that hard.
They aren't doing that because you aren't making them.
....asking isn't making them do it. kwim?
Indoorvoice 11:26 AM 02-26-2019
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
If they don't provide a schedule (even for those "off work" days) they don't get care. PERIOD.
If they want only a few hours, fine by me as I still charge their same weekly rate but if they schedule off on say a Wednesday, I don't allow them to call and say they now need me. Too bad so sad.
Schedule ANY of the days you want/pay for etc but if you don't schedule you don't get space.
If they begin to schedule all 5 days and then start cancelling last minute, I stop that by saying X amount of absences allowed per week or the option of using the full week is no longer allowed.
SCHEDULE. It's just not that hard.
They aren't doing that because you aren't making them.
....asking isn't making them do it. kwim?
Yes! That's what they're doing! They schedule the whole week for the hours they're contracted me for and then will show up on a say Tuesday and say "I'm off work today but I have to go to the salon. I'll be back maybe around noon." So I'm expecting a normal week on Sunday when they schedule and then all of a sudden it's not. If they don't provide a schedule (even for those "off work" days) they don't get care. PERIOD.
If they want only a few hours, fine by me as I still charge their same weekly rate but if they schedule off on say a Wednesday, I don't allow them to call and say they now need me. Too bad so sad.
Schedule ANY of the days you want/pay for etc but if you don't schedule you don't get space.
If they begin to schedule all 5 days and then start cancelling last minute, I stop that by saying X amount of absences allowed per week or the option of using the full week is no longer allowed.
SCHEDULE. It's just not that hard.
They aren't doing that because you aren't making them.
....asking isn't making them do it. kwim?
So they're still showing up every day, but most days only for a few hours. But they gladly pay the whole week..so? I guess I just don't worry about it?
Indoorvoice 11:29 AM 02-26-2019
ALSO: I want their jobs! That kind of flexibility would be amazing. I had to rearrange my entire life and get a sub so I could get a desperately needed haircut this evening.
Cat Herder 11:43 AM 02-26-2019
Originally Posted by Indoorvoice:
I guess I just don't worry about it?
Are they coming after drop-off cutoff time? Are they picking up during nap or meal times?I guess I just don't worry about it?
Those are the things I would toughen up on.
Indoorvoice 11:53 AM 02-26-2019
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
Are they coming after drop-off cutoff time? Are they picking up during nap or meal times?
Those are the things I would toughen up on.
I cracked down on no dropping off after 9. They do pick up during nap time a lot, but it's not a huge deal since their babies don't typically nap the whole time the big kids do anyway and it's quieter to have them leave than to have the babies here awake so I have allowed it. I'm more annoyed that I feel like they just do this to exert their power and because I'm easier than a babysitter. So I think from discussing with you guys,that it's apparent it's a personal problem and not an urgent one. Just annoying. Hire a babysitter and pay $10/hr like everyone else! Are they coming after drop-off cutoff time? Are they picking up during nap or meal times?
Those are the things I would toughen up on.
Indoorvoice 11:59 AM 02-26-2019
Ideally BC, I would like them to give me a schedule like, Mon:7:30-5, TUE: 8:30:2 Wed: 7:30-4, etc...
But instead on Sunday they schedule me everyday 7:30-5 but then just actually use me when they need me. It's complicated because I can't really dock them for dropping off later or picking up earlier when it's in my parameters. I don't know if they actually know when their days off are or what.
But instead on Sunday they schedule me everyday 7:30-5 but then just actually use me when they need me. It's complicated because I can't really dock them for dropping off later or picking up earlier when it's in my parameters. I don't know if they actually know when their days off are or what.