daycare question..

[gracesmommy]

here's my story, i'm hoping for a bit of input on what i should do/say...
i provide daycare in my area to a little girl part time for the past 4 months. i charge $25/day + breakfast (somtimes), lunch and snacks. last week when her mom came to pick her up she informed me that her work hours have changed and she will now be picking her daughter up at 6:30pm starting next week. i was totally caught off gaurd and said okay. my youngest daughter goes to bed at 6:45 and my 3 yr old goes to bed at 7-7:30pm. now i'll be feeding her daughter dinner (i presume since its past the dinner hour)! i really enjoy having a bit of an income but i'm really annoyed that she would presume that this time was okay and that it wouldnt be interfeering with my homelife. i've never once said that i'm willing to watch her this late. my questions are: how can i politely say (without offending her) that i'm not okay with doing daycare this late and that she should have checked with me before? can i increase my rate since its now including dinner? (i was thinking $27/day) and how can i tactfully tell her that it'll be more? most daycares in the area are done at 5pm some 5:30 and if parents are late they charge by the minute. i just feel like i'm being walked all over. any ideas?

[Abby5]

I think I would just tell her. If you are not sure write it down?? It is a business so u have to treat it like it. Maybe tell her that?? Very tricky...I have been there

[lekate]

Just talk to her one day when she comes to pick her daughter, ask if the hour change was out of her control (you can't really blame her if it's just her boss changing it on her), ask if she wants it to include dinner. Mention that it could interfere with your home life (your kids' bedtimes) etc.

Discuss it rationally and be prepared - write all points you want addressed down so that you won't forget! and be pleasant, she's your customer and could affect your ability to get other children in the future if she says bad things about you.

[Natalka]

First you need to think about whether you really want to do it or not - it's going to be interfering with your family. Plus, what if she's late in picking up her girl? - then it gets even later.

What's your current closing time? I don't think your idea of $2 extra is enough! I did some googling for ideas, and the majority seem to charge $5 per 15 minutes past their usual closing time.

Wishing you luck - frankly, she hasn't given you enough lead time on the change....

[gracesmommy]

Just talk to her one day when she comes to pick her daughter, ask if the hour change was out of her control (you can't really blame her if it's just her boss changing it on her), ask if she wants it to include dinner. Mention that it could interfere with your home life (your kids' bedtimes) etc.

Discuss it rationally and be prepared - write all points you want addressed down so that you won't forget! and be pleasant, she's your customer and could affect your ability to get other children in the future if she says bad things about you.

thanks for your advice. i'm actually very shy and quiet (hence my problem). i totally understand when boss' change hours and you have to stay but i think my big problem is that she didnt just find out (ive had to chase her down for her hours and stuff before because shes very forgetful). and she didnt discuss this with me to make sure i was alright with it. and i agree, i'd hate to upset her.. i just feel blah about the whole situation.

[gracesmommy]

First you need to think about whether you really want to do it or not - it's going to be interfering with your family. Plus, what if she's late in picking up her girl? - then it gets even later.

What's your current closing time? I don't think your idea of $2 extra is enough! I did some googling for ideas, and the majority seem to charge $5 per 15 minutes past their usual closing time.

Wishing you luck - frankly, she hasn't given you enough lead time on the change....

thanks nat! i know other daycares charge per minute in some cases. 5:30-5:45 has been when i've been finished watching her and anyone that contacts me in regards to daycare thats when i've told them. my husband doesnt think $2 is enough either, he was thinking $5 extra (so $30).

[Minou]

Ask if this is a temporary hour change, or if it seems to be permanent for the forseeable future. If it looks to be long term, she can't change it (maybe she was all right with the change and didn't realize it wouldn't be okay with you) and you don't want daycare to be cutting into your evening hours, tell her and give her two weeks to find a new daycare placement. Do you babysit part-time every day, or full-time on certain days? That would affect the cost you would charge per day if you still want to do it. If it works out to the same number of part-time hours in a day (say 4 hours, from 2:30 to 6:30), then $5 additional for supper might be okay. If you're babysitting full days on the days she's there (5 hours or more), I'd charge an extra $15 for the evening babysitting and supper.

[gracesmommy]

i watch her part time 7-8hrs at a time. thanks for your advice!

[marstec]

Good advice, so far. All I can add is that you are a business, you do this for a living, not as a favour to someone. You need to put the correct value on your time. And it looks like if you aren't clear on your expectations/billing details, this lady will really take advantage. I'm not sure what the day care situation is like in your area, but I'm sure she's not the only customer in town. If she insists you work for free, or disregards that fact that you might have a life outside of work, then perhaps it's time to find anther client.

[Jnazurk]

I agree with everything that's been said. Just remember business, business, business. (doesn't really matter when she found out/why she will be later etc?). What matters is either her child will fit into your business or not. (I'm only saying that because I can't imagine any answer she gives won't end in hurt feelings). Either you are willing to extend your hours or not. You are not this woman's personal kick bag.

I would have all those answers prepared beforehand. I would approach her by saying, "So, I've had some time to think about the hour change that you proposed the other day..." or "now that I've had some time to figure out my new hours..."
Good luck. Just remember that if it won't work out, to give her some notice. Just because she has treated you poorly in the past doesn't mean you need to stoop to her level. High road!

[gracesmommy]

thanks ladies much appreciated!

[Zonny]

Explain that she caught you off guard, and this is going to interfere with your own family life. I know it's hard, but your kids are worth it to push you to just do it! You need to get extra compensation for this if you're going to provide another meal.

[ame555]

We have had 2 home day cares, and both insist their doors are closed at 5pm and every minute after 5:05pm it's $1.00 a minute! At 5pm it is the start of their family time. I completely respect that and we have mutual respect for eachother. We did have one emergency were we didn't get there till after 6pm, but ofcourse I let the sitter know as soon as it happened and she was wonderful knowing it was an emergency. We have always paid $40 a day (no breakfast, just lunch and 2 snacks).

here's my story, i'm hoping for a bit of input on what i should do/say...
i provide daycare in my area to a little girl part time for the past 4 months. i charge $25/day + breakfast (somtimes), lunch and snacks. last week when her mom came to pick her up she informed me that her work hours have changed and she will now be picking her daughter up at 6:30pm starting next week. i was totally caught off gaurd and said okay. my youngest daughter goes to bed at 6:45 and my 3 yr old goes to bed at 7-7:30pm. now i'll be feeding her daughter dinner (i presume since its past the dinner hour)! i really enjoy having a bit of an income but i'm really annoyed that she would presume that this time was okay and that it wouldnt be interfeering with my homelife. i've never once said that i'm willing to watch her this late. my questions are: how can i politely say (without offending her) that i'm not okay with doing daycare this late and that she should have checked with me before? can i increase my rate since its now including dinner? (i was thinking $27/day) and how can i tactfully tell her that it'll be more? most daycares in the area are done at 5pm some 5:30 and if parents are late they charge by the minute. i just feel like i'm being walked all over. any ideas?

[ashokia]

That is completely unacceptable. Our daycare is $45/day and that only includes lunch and two snacks and drinks. They are open from 7:30-5:00. DH doesn't get off work until 4:45, so he had to go to his Manager and explain that he would have to leave earlier every day so that he'd be able to pick up DS. It is not your responsibility to accommodate them, they should be accommodating you. If they absolutely cannot get out of working that late, there should definitely be an increase in your rate, especially if you are now going to have to feed yet another meal to the child.

We had to sign a contract with our daycare. Did you not have anything in writing with this woman outlining changes in schedule and late fees?