Parents not sticking to Contracted hours
Hi All,
ok my nearly 3 year old mindee has contracted hours of 7.45am to 5.45pm Mon - Fri. on entry back in Sept I agreed that I would accept a few early drop/late collections as and when required with prior notice, and would charge the overtime accordingly per month. Anyway It started fine being notified maybe once or twice a wee at the most of out of hours care, as it was so few and sometimes they might collect or drop of early/late never charged.
However over time parents seem to gradually drop of later nearly every day, at least 4 days after 8.00am. sometimes as late as 8.30am/9.00am, (pain in the backside as I walk to school at 8.35am, so never know if I will meet them down the road, or at home). and seem to pick up around 6.15pm most nights, and at least once a week as late as 6.20-30pm. I have never charged for any of the time out of contracted hours, as its easier not to bother paperwork wise, and I thought on the few occasions they drop of late or collect early its even stevens! however now this is happening almost daily it fees like they are beginig to take advantage of my goodwill.
So I said to parents that we have parents evening on Tuesday at 6.00pm so if they can collect by 5.45pm, or we can drop mindee home on our way to school, worst case scenario meet us at school. So today at drop off dad says, 'about Tuesday, we both have early meetings can we do another 7.00am drop off, and I will be getting the late train home so will be back by 6.20pm ish if you can drop her back':angry:
so DH and I now have to take mindee to my 6 year old DD parents meeting (kids not really allowed!), I desperately need to concentrate at this as DD is having a few anxiety probs we want to discuss.
I am so angry I have never asked them to collect on time so I can be out for anything, I have never charged for any over time, and the one time I ask for them to be on time they cant do it :angry:
What would you do, would you refuse to do it and say they will have to collect, or would you just put up with it and take mindee with you?
parents not sticking to contracted hours (update)
Thank you all so much for your support, its been a fantastic help.
Well the update is on Saturday I recieved a text to say granparents had confirmed they will come down and care for mindee on Tuesday. From that I got the impression its for the whole day. I replied and said great, I have never met them so I would like to drop her home so I know she has not been handed to a stranger, did not get a reply!
Drop off this morning father confirmed grandparents will care for her all day Tuesday, I get the impresion from the text, and the tension at drop off, they were hoping I would not charge them, they can only hope!!! I am not saying I am unavailable, just not available out of hours!
Anyhow, I feel that after all this the relationship has broken down, I feel that they think I am their childcare skivvy to treat as they think fit, and I really feel quite despondant about their total lack of respect for me and what I do, I am very close to ending the contract, I dont want it to affect how I am with mindee but I fear it might. And the fact I turn away at least 2 prospective parents a week, I feel its time for a change.
Does that sound terrible?
Emma.