I Really Don't Mean To Complain But...

I know quite a few people who have done home-based childcare and they seem to have these same kinds of problems too. I agree with you that people will definitely take advantage if they think they can. One neighbor of my mom's was taking in a few children and she had this one family... oy Her pick-up time was "no later than 6PM," since she was a daytime sitter. This couple would routinely pull up to her house between 7 and 8PM. She had two children of her own to bathe and get to bed and all... and she found out that the couple would go for a quiet dinner at a restaurant after work and THEN go pick up their son. Finally, she told them that she would be charging them an extra $5 per 15 minutes that they were late. They were timely after that. I really think the best thing you can do for yourself is to have an actual contract with your clients. If you outline what you charge and include the information on fees for late pick-ups, people can't say they didn't know. I realize it can be hard to get some to cough up the money... but at least you'd have signed documentation to back yourself up if you need it.

I remmeber you saying it was overnight - does she work nights? I know for me that use to be my unwinding time. So I would be a lot slower moving, but I would personally perfer to pick the child up when I was done work, not wait. I would give it this one time, and if she does it again then bring it up or charge her more for the kid being there longer.

People figure they are paying you and you should be glad for the business. Not true, you still have a life. You just started with this lady, so let her know she has used her one free pass. Now, in the future, charge an extra five dollars or so for every fifteen minutes past the agreed pick up time. Or set a regular fee that is higher for her if she plans to wait until eleven fifteen each time she picks him up.

Do you charge a penalty if they are late? That might work if she continues to do that. Of course the daycare that takes care of my mom is different that childcare, but the basic message is the same. And they charge 15 dollars PER extra minute someone is late.

I think you really have to set up some strong boundaries and rules in something like this. I wouldn't watch their kids but for a certain amount of time before I get paid or I wouldn't be doing it. If they are late I'd charge them extra. You do have to be pretty tough. Give them an inch and they will sure take a mile and a half!! Hope they are good to you.

If you are in business, you have to start viewing yourself that way. Valuing your time as a business person. That is one of the toughest things to learn. You need to have a written agreement with all your potential clients that after a certain hour, you start charging an overtime fee. Daycare centres do it, so its not un heard of. Start with your very next client or you will be treated that way for the rest of your career. You must value your time first, and place a value on it, before others value do the same, LMB

It is a shame so many times there are people out there that will take advantage like this, and never stop and think about others. I would be making sure there are ground rules set so people do not continue to do this to you. Do you do a background check etc first? Maybe you need a legal contract with what you expect, time expected, day they pay you, etc to prevent some of these issues in the future.

That's one of the few things that make it difficult for people like us to run a business. Sometimes we are just too kind and trusting that some people just take advantage. Like in my career, I've had to learn to be firm and tough to get ahead. It's a bit uncomfortable, but it's just a few things that we have to do. I hope that people that you deal with also understand this. That although you're dealing in childcare, you're also running a business.

I think you should charge extra for those who are not able to observe pick up time. That can be very stressful for you.

I'm glad to hear that you are into childcare again.How many kids do you have coming to your house? That is great. You will have to get tough with some of the parents because people will definitely take advantage. If they are going to be late you should let them know that they will be charged. My husband is always telling me I should open up a daycare or type of preschool in our home but that is one of the main reasons I do not want too. I'm very nice and I know people would try to do that a lot.

No I completely agree with you. I hate people that are late, and I also hate people that take advantage. I get where you are coming from, you feel like you can’t complain, because yes whilst you are helping someone by looking after their kids, you are also getting paid for it, so essentially she is your employer and you feel wrong to criticise her. but at the same time, she is using a service that relies on time so therefore her time keeping should be a lot better! If she was using a childcare facility like a nursery or a crèche she wouldn’t be late then I bet!

It doesn't matter if you are in childcare or having a shelter for example which I have. People did exactly the same to me. So after years I told them that if they are not there in time they will find the door closed. In your case it's harder since you have to deal with children. So do not tell them it's fine if it's later. Tell them to be in time and you have a private life! Rules you should sett at the start if you do that (in my case years) later it's way harder. So tell her if she arrivés that you won't accept this. It's business not helping out a friend in need.

That is one thing about business making sure you get paid. I would say since it is a first offense you should tell her if it happens again then you will charge $10 extra or something like that in late fees. Now, she might get mad about it, but it is better than being taken advantage of. I'd also keep an eye on her. She sounds like the type of woman to constantly offer excuses if she can't get her child on time. I am not sure because I don't know her, but it sounds like that.

Yep, I figured that would happen. Been in day care long enough to know that there are some parents who will take advantage of day care providers. They just think that you will cater to their schedule and not be considerate of you. Sooo, you do need a written contract, you do need a license, you do need to make sure you are infant CPR and First Aid certified, you do need to go through day care training, etc. in order to show that you are professional. And you do mean business. The more serious that you treat your own day care business, and yes, it is a business, because you expect to get paid, the more serious the parents will respect you. But, if you are just getting back into it, you are going to have to go through some of the beginning 'crap' that most businesses (and doesn't matter what home business it is) have to go through in order to get yourself seriously established. It's a balancing act - you still have to be kind and polite, in order to gain a good reputation but also firm, in order to establish a good reputation. Kindness is important but so is professionalism and firmness. Have a written contract that you and your parents sign. Make a copy and give them the copy. Sad but true that people will take advantage of others, if others let them.

hi LMB! Warn her politely that you are an accommodative person by nature but she should not take advantage of it. Next time if she repeats it, reconsider her contract with you.

In a previous discussion I told you about a group of mom's that I absolutely loved. This was my first experience with the day care thing and I wanted to keep it positive. Then I got out of it and went back to work at the office for several years and then when my younger girls came along, I got back into it. I had so much trouble with this sort of thing. I had one mom try to pay me in food stamps and another that didn't pay at all most of the time. I had them show up late and one mother one time actually forgot to pick her son up. I did have plans and ended up driving to her home and sure enough...she was there. If I were to ever get back into the business again, I would be way way tougher.

Let's hope this is the last time she does that. No, I wouldn't like that either. You also have your own family and your own plans for the day and I would nip this in the bud immediately. Is she paying you today?

What a beautiful business you got ! Congratulations for it ! I guess you are enjoying your business , more power to you then ! This business requires a lot , lot of patience. Patient to those little angels handed by parents to you and also to the parents who can't be there in agreed time. Instead of being too lenient for these parents , why not give additional fee to those extension hours because tendency is , if you won't charge might be the parents will abuse the given time and favor .

Yes true,failure to be punctual is a sign of disrespect towards others.If she cannot get there on time,she should keep you informed in advance.I understand how you feel but please simmer down.I hope it is the last thing you meet with such situation.And everything works out for you. Anyway,congratulations!Your job sounds great!

I hate when you're doing something good and people take advantage. It's frustrating, especially when there are other people who are more deserving or everyone else is being a=calm about it. I just don't like when people take advantage.