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daycare hours and etiquitte
I have an in home daycare and I have been caring for these two wonderful, beautiful boys who I love very much. One is 3 and the other is 14 months. Their parents have become good friends of ours, who we hang out with some weekends.
My problem is, that I feel taken advanage of and I don't know what to say or how to say it.
I charge them very minimally...$200 a week. Their hours of care are from 9:00-6:30. Lately, they have been getting dropped off at 8:40 and being picked up as late as 6:40, sometimes 7:00. In the beginning, if they were gonna be early or late I would know in advance. But now it's happening more and more often without notice. I really don't appreciate it. I have 4 other kids in my daycare and 1 of my own and my time is very precious. Especially in the AM when I am trying to get ready for the day.
Here's what really makes me mad...Their mother's work schedule changed and she had a CHOICE to work either M-F 10:30-7:00 with saturdays off or M-TH 9-6:00 and work saturdays. Normally, my daycare closes at 6:30- I don't want kids later than that! Without asking me, she CHOSE to work the M-F 10:30-7:00 shift so she could have saturdays off. She never even asked me if that was ok. That would mean that they wouldn't get picked up until 7:30 with travel time.
Now I am in a position. We are friends and I love those babies. But I really don't wanna have kids in my house from 7AM til 7:30PM, ya know?? What can I say? They really don't have any other friends or family to help them out and I am the only one who watches their kids.
Any advice?
Thanks!
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Want to answer more questions in the Domesticity category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Babysitting?
Just talk to them about it. Honestly, if they have nobody else to help them out they are going to learn really fast how to appreciate you.
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I agree with younggrandma on this. You are being taken advantage of. Write up a letter all professional sounding and state the "new rules". Every child being dropped off before day-care opens or picked up after 6:30 p.m. when the day care closes will be charged a penalty fee. (Like $10.00 or something like that) I bet she'll get her shift changed then. Her only paying you 200.00 a week is a really good price considering Day-Care charges $125.00 a week, per child.
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You need to make it clear, friends or not that your business closes at 6:30. No exceptions unless it is an emergency situation...then they will be charged for it. Not just them, all families. Write it up very professional sounding and give all a copy.
You are definitely being taken advantage of. The problem is, if you let them get away with it now it will probably get even worse. Put your foot down. Try not to make it seem you are singling them out. She knew your hours when she changed hers.
Isn't it funny how people assume that because you work in your home your schedule is just more flexible than theirs? Let it be known it isn't.
If they are really good friends they will understand.
Good luck. :)
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