Help With Parent

[cara041083]

I had a new family start last week. Their hours are 6am to 3pm. In my contract It says I open at 7, but this family is paying me extra for me to take the girls at 6 and she is in the process of getting a new job where her hours will go to 8-5 in the next month. So really Its a very temp thing. Well one of my other families found out that I was taking these kids at 6 and showed up at 615 this morning (normal drop off for them is 9:30). When I asked why they were here, there response was "well I just assumed you are opening early now and this time works better for us" What do I say? Its not there business that the other family is paying extra, and I don't want to take there kids at 6am because they don't pick up until 5:30. I don't think they did it to be rude, but at the same time, who just assumes before talking to the provider first? I just don't know the professional way to handle it

[Cradle2crayons]

I had a new family start last week. Their hours are 6am to 3pm. In my contract It says I open at 7, but this family is paying me extra for me to take the girls at 6 and she is in the process of getting a new job where her hours will go to 8-5 in the next month. So really Its a very temp thing. Well one of my other families found out that I was taking these kids at 6 and showed up at 615 this morning (normal drop off for them is 9:30). When I asked why they were here, there response was "well I just assumed you are opening early now and this time works better for us" What do I say? Its not there business that the other family is paying extra, and I don't want to take there kids at 6am because they don't pick up until 5:30. I don't think they did it to be rude, but at the same time, who just assumes before talking to the provider first? I just don't know the professional way to handle it

You say "your drop off is x. Everyone has agreed upon drop off and pick up hours and they are set when you sign up" or something along the lines. No way in heck would I just let a parent hop in three hours early.

[cara041083]

You say "your drop off is x. Everyone has agreed upon drop off and pick up hours and they are set when you sign up" or something along the lines. No way in heck would I just let a parent hop in three hours early.

Ya I didn't know what to do. I have her now, but I told them I would go over it at pick up. So I just want to make sure I handle it right.

[Cat Herder]

If you are willing, could you tell her earlier hours mean big $$$ and will only available until May 1st (or your cut-off)? :confused:

Personally, I'd tell her I was so off-put by her behavior I could not find the words this morning and that I would not be willing to accommodate her that early in the future.

It was beyond presumptuous and rude of her.

[Blackcat31]

If you are willing, could you tell her earlier hours mean big $$$ and will only available until May 1st (or your cut-off)? :confused:

Personally, I'd tell her I was so off-put by her behavior I could not find the words this morning and that I would not be willing to accommodate her that early in the future.

It was beyond presumptuous and rude of her.

yeah, that is pretty nervy of them to just show up like that.

[cara041083]

If you are willing, could you tell her earlier hours mean big $$$ and will only available until May 1st (or your cut-off)? :confused:

Personally, I'd tell her I was so off-put by her behavior I could not find the words this morning and that I would not be willing to accommodate her that early in the future.

It was beyond presumptuous and rude of her.

I wouldn't mind starting that early, but this particular family doesn't pick up until 5:30. The dad gets off at 2:30 but then goes home to get the school age off the bus. Personally I think he leaves her here because he doesn't want to deal with her. The mom works til 6:30. The dad has to work at 6:30am so Im guessing he brought her on his way to work. So If they want to pick her up at 3 like the other kids and pay the extra fee, Im all for it happyface then my day would be done at 3. However, I don't see that happening.I am going to say what you said about not finding the words this morning, and let her know that Its not ok to just assume I will take there child, but If there is a better time, and they want to pay then I am open to working with them as long as they understand I will only have a child for 9 hours a day.

[Blackcat31]

I wouldn't mind starting that early, but this particular family doesn't pick up until 5:30. The dad gets off at 2:30 but then goes home to get the school age off the bus. Personally I think he leaves her here because he doesn't want to deal with her. The mom works til 6:30. The dad has to work at 6:30am so Im guessing he brought her on his way to work. So If they want to pick her up at 3 like the other kids and pay the extra fee, Im all for it happyface then my day would be done at 3. However, I don't see that happening.I am going to say what you said about not finding the words this morning, and let her know that Its not ok to just assume I will take there child, but If there is a better time, and they want to pay then I am open to working with them as long as they understand I will only have a child for 9 hours a day.

Boy, I'd be tempted to text/call/e-mail them and tell them that their rate only covers x amount of hours per day so since they dropped off 3 hours early, you expect the child to be picked up 3 hours earlier than normal.

If they say they were planning on picking up at the regular time, then charge them an additional fee and explain that it's for the additional work.

That should "help" them understand that clients are paying for that earlier drop off and that you don't just work from open to close.

[cara041083]

Boy, I'd be tempted to text/call/e-mail them and tell them that their rate only covers x amount of hours per day so since they dropped off 3 hours early, you expect the child to be picked up 3 hours earlier than normal.

If they say they were planning on picking up at the regular time, then charge them an additional fee and explain that it's for the additional work.

That should "help" them understand that clients are paying for that earlier drop off and that you don't just work from open to close.

I like your thinking! Right now I charge $15.00 an hour outside of my 7:00-5:30 hours (I only allow a child here for the 9 hours a day regardless of opening and closing time, then the hourly rate goes into effect) So I can text them and refer to the contract and say Please be aware that after 9 hours a day my hourly rate goes into effect. Please bring the $45.00 that will be owed at pick up" Im sure they won't do it again

[Blackcat31]

I like your thinking! Right now I charge $15.00 an hour outside of my 7:00-5:30 hours (I only allow a child here for the 9 hours a day regardless of opening and closing time, then the hourly rate goes into effect) So I can text them and refer to the contract and say Please be aware that after 9 hours a day my hourly rate goes into effect. Please bring the $45.00 that will be owed at pick up" Im sure they won't do it again

Perfect! I am also willing to bet, it doesn't happen again.

[snbauser]

I like your thinking! Right now I charge $15.00 an hour outside of my 7:00-5:30 hours (I only allow a child here for the 9 hours a day regardless of opening and closing time, then the hourly rate goes into effect) So I can text them and refer to the contract and say Please be aware that after 9 hours a day my hourly rate goes into effect. Please bring the $45.00 that will be owed at pick up" Im sure they won't do it again

If that is what your contract states, then that's what I would do. Then at pick up I think a reminder that you work on contracted hours is needed and that what another family is contracted for has no bearing on when they can drop their kids off.

[Cat Herder]

(I only allow a child here for the 9 hours a day regardless of opening and closing time, then the hourly rate goes into effect) So I can text them and refer to the contract and say Please be aware that after 9 hours a day my hourly rate goes into effect. Please bring the $45.00 that will be owed at pick up" Im sure they won't do it again

You got this

Man, they love those loopholes don't they? ::::

[Play Care]

I like your thinking! Right now I charge $15.00 an hour outside of my 7:00-5:30 hours (I only allow a child here for the 9 hours a day regardless of opening and closing time, then the hourly rate goes into effect) So I can text them and refer to the contract and say Please be aware that after 9 hours a day my hourly rate goes into effect. Please bring the $45.00 that will be owed at pick up" Im sure they won't do it again

Have you sent the text yet? Have they replied?
And GOOD FOR YOU!!!happyface

[BumbleBee]

So I can text them and refer to the contract and say Please be aware that after 9 hours a day my hourly rate goes into effect. Please bring the $45.00 that will be owed at pick up" Im sure they won't do it again

Oh please text this to them! And make sure you give us an update!!!

You have the backbone, you have the policy, now's the time to use it :-)

Good luck, and keep us posted.

[cara041083]

Yes I sent the text:

Me: I stated that per my contract, since ***** will be here 3 hours out side of the 9 hour contracted shift, there will be a $15.00 charge per hour totaling $45.00 that will need to be paid at pick up tonight.

Dad responded with: Why didn't you tell me this at drop off this morning if it was not ok to bring her or that their would be a fee.

Me: I apologize, however when you showed up 2 hours before your contracted time, I assumed you understood the contract. If you need another copy please let me know and I can give you a copy of the one you signed tonight when you pay the hourly fee.

Dad replied. "Yes please give me a copy of it and I will pick up at 3 when I get off before I head home to get my son off the bus.

Me: Ok I will have it ready. If you would like to discuss this further, we can tonight at pick up. Thanks

Well will see what happends

[snbauser]

Yes I sent the text:

Me: I stated that per my contract, since ***** will be here 3 hours out side of the 9 hour contracted shift, there will be a $15.00 charge per hour totaling $45.00 that will need to be paid at pick up tonight.

Dad responded with: Why didn't you tell me this at drop off this morning if it was not ok to bring her or that their would be a fee.

Me: I apologize, however when you showed up 2 hours before your contracted time, I assumed you understood the contract. If you need another copy please let me know and I can give you a copy of the one you signed tonight when you pay the hourly fee.

Dad replied. "Yes please give me a copy of it and I will pick up at 3 when I get off before I head home to get my son off the bus.

Me: Ok I will have it ready. If you would like to discuss this further, we can tonight at pick up. Thanks

Well will see what happends

Good for you!! Very professional and good use of your strong backbone.