Changing Policy With No Advance Notice

[Unregistered]

When I dropped off my child at daycare today the staff were posting notices on the doors. Usually they do this to post a holiday schedule which confused me because there are no holidays in the next two weeks. Instead there was a notice stating that as of today they are now enforcing a strict 10am cutoff for dropping of a child to keep children on schedule. My son's days are very scheduled at home as well as at daycare but because of recent hearing problems has had at least 1 doctors appointment a week.

I schedule these as early in the morning as possible so that he can go to daycare and I can return to work. Going in late isn't a problem but leaving early for me is. He is always fed ect if we miss daycare bfast and has never arrived after lunch time. The sign went on to say and I quote "if this doesn't suit you withdraw" This was not a policy or in a contract when we started going there over a year ago. If I am paying for his spot and the same number of teachers are there no matter what

I feel that by not allowing me to drop off the child it is almost a form of theft as I am paying for a service that they are not rendering as well as forcing me to take an entire day off from work. I can't afford to take an entire day off weekly I would never have enough sick time. They also require 2 weeks notice or 2 weeks payment to withdraw and from past experiences on how strict they are with money and now refernce to a waiver on the sign I know they would enforce it even though they are the ones making the change.

[DCMomOf3]

It is my experience that a change of policy should come with new contracts with a time period to review and either accept the changes or not. Making a new policy and enforcing it the same instant as informing the parents is unprofessional.

I would be scheduling a meeting with the director ASAP. I think it would be very bad business to exclude for doctor appointments. Maybe they will make exceptions for your case, and other instances of appts.

[Angelwings36]

Whenever I add a new policy in to my contract or change/upgrade an existing policy I give families a one month written notice that these changes will be taking place. A month later I hand out new contracts to be re-read and signed (highlighting any areas that have been changed). I do not think it is fair that a provider change their policies on the spot with no notice whatsoever.

[Little People]

When I dropped off my child at daycare today the staff were posting notices on the doors. Usually they do this to post a holiday schedule which confused me because there are no holidays in the next two weeks. Instead there was a notice stating that as of today they are now enforcing a strict 10am cutoff for dropping of a child to keep children on schedule. My son's days are very scheduled at home as well as at daycare but because of recent hearing problems has had at least 1 doctors appointment a week.

I schedule these as early in the morning as possible so that he can go to daycare and I can return to work. Going in late isn't a problem but leaving early for me is. He is always fed ect if we miss daycare bfast and has never arrived after lunch time. The sign went on to say and I quote "if this doesn't suit you withdraw" This was not a policy or in a contract when we started going there over a year ago. If I am paying for his spot and the same number of teachers are there no matter what

I feel that by not allowing me to drop off the child it is almost a form of theft as I am paying for a service that they are not rendering as well as forcing me to take an entire day off from work. I can't afford to take an entire day off weekly I would never have enough sick time. They also require 2 weeks notice or 2 weeks payment to withdraw and from past experiences on how strict they are with money and now refernce to a waiver on the sign I know they would enforce it even though they are the ones making the change.

Are you saying that if your child id not dropped off by 10am then they will not accept your child?

What happens if your work schedule was to drop off at 11am, then they would not accept your child?

What happens is your car would not start and your normal time was to drop off at 9:30 and you got there at 10:15, they would not accept your child?

This does not sound right, I would ask for this new rule in writing. I would speak to the director. Is this a large daycare or a home daycare?

[nannyde]

No exceptions for specialty doc appointments???????

That's weird

[Habshockeygrl]

It is a large daycare spanning from infant to after school and the notice was very clear that they would not allow children to be dropped off after 10 a.m. They used the statement strict enforcement in bold several times.
There was free range drop off prior to this and they are open until 6 p.m. On normal days he is dropped off by 7:15, but most of his Dr's don't open until 9.

We had an issue once before when he came home in his extra outfit and when I went to wash his clothes realized they had bleach all over the back of them. We asked at drop off and pick up to speak to the director and after 2 weeks one of the aides tried to give me $20 and said she was told to pay us personally because it was her fault. The director never returned our calls or met with us then so I don't have much hope that we will be allowed "audience" with her now.

A year ago she was around all the time, now we never see her.

[Cat Herder]

I have a no drop off after 10AM policy, always have.

I do make exception for doctors appointments with prior notice and return to care notes.

I would, however, have great difficulty with disruptions on multiple days each week...especially over a longer period of time.

With my having a very small group of kids with their own medical needs, without assistance, I would expect you to meet me in the middle of the road when it comes to being inconvenienced. YKWIM?

I am not sure the issue would be as difficult to manage in a larger center with several employees, though.

I do not understand not being able to meet with the director, at all, that is a huge part of the job title. I also would have a HUGE problem with them changing their policies over night....

[jen]

I would just leave and find a more appropriate care setting. I may not change a policy for a parent, but they are always able to discuss it with me. I'm guessing there is more going on here, but it doesn't really matter. They get to do what they want, and you get to chose whether to stay or go. JMHO.

[Little People]

I would start looking for a new daycare and may I suggest, Maybe looking into a family daycare

[Habshockeygrl]

I would start looking for a new daycare and may I suggest, Maybe looking into a family daycare

Sadly, the reason we went to a facility was because we had a horrible experience with home daycare when he was 3 months old, another older child in a home providers care (never got full story) injured him, when we picked him up he had a black eye and many bruises and scratches on his face. We left her immediately and reported the incident and had photos taken within hours of picking him up. She is no longer a home provider for the program that referred us. We have been hesitant ever since to allow him to multiple aged home provider.

I'm sure there are much more observant and loving home providers but still nervous

[jen]

I understand being nervous, I think we all are when we leave our children with another person. That said, I would give home daycare another shot. Do your due dillagence...contact current and former parents, check with licesning and see if they have any violations, and do a couple drop in-visits once you child has started care...but be sure to take your child with you! Nothing is more upsetting when Mom or Dad show up and then leave without them.

Or, contact licensing and ask for infant only daycares in your area.

[kendallina]

This would upset me as well. From all of your posts, this place seems to be very unprofessional (having a staff member pay for your child's clothes out of pocket, director not calling you back, changing policies with no notice). Given these examples of their behavior I would seriously question their judgment and their professionalism and wouldn't trust them with my kiddo.

Maybe that seems harsh, but it's not so much that they changed the policy. They did it without notice and then they then stated, "If this doesn't suit you, withdraw". Very rude and unprofessional and I wouldn't trust them at all.

Sorry you're experiencing this. I also understand your concern about going to a home daycare, as it can be hard to trust someone that you don't know and that works without other adults around. Do you have anyone that could recommend childcare (either a center or home daycare)?

[Jewels]

I think that policy is so rediculous, not allowing children after 10am............how dumb is that, I would look for new childcare, as long as children are fed if its out of meal times I don't see why its a big deal when they come......there are some stupid policies out there and thats one of them!

[grandmom]

Schedule your apt at 10:30.

Take him to daycare, by 10, leave, come back 3 minutes later, take him to your doctor apt.

Seriously, I'd go straight to the owner/manager in person and ask about this.

[Kaddidle Care]

The sign went on to say and I quote "if this doesn't suit you withdraw"

There's your sign.
I'd be looking elsewhere pronto. Very, very unprofessional of them to do that. (Get a copy of that notice so that when you withdraw WITHOUT NOTICE you have recourse.)

Everything for a reason - there's a better place for your child out there.