The Venting Thread

[Alwaysgreener]

During the zoom, dcm insisted that they needed 730-530, they both work at the same place and most likely get an hour lunch (very common around here).

During the tour, DCM asked if they were allowed to come later than 730. I thought that she was talking about occasionally and just by a few minutes like 733. Then they came on time on the first day and randomly after they will come on time but mostly they come between 740-747. (they will also come after 8 on some days but they let me know if they are going to be that late, of course, they now let me know if they are coming at 730 lol)

(I have a bus rule that no drop-offs between 745-815 so that we do not have to worry about cars in the driveway when I and the kids are waiting for the bus. For any drop-offs between 740-745, the parent has to have the child ready to go to the bus.)

They were coming in after 740 and handing her off for me to get her ready, so I started walking away going back to my task I was working on and not taking her. DCM would get her ready to go outside but the other day, I went back to see if my son was dressed and dcd put her down, and then left. This morning I said something to him about being late getting out the door because of it and he apologized and said he was not aware. (DCM does most of the communication and it was also in the newsletter)

Anyways dcd said that it is easier for him to come at 740 because he does not get off his morning call until 725. Well, that explains why he comes at 740. (Who drops off is random, just like who picks up is random. also, sometimes they both are in the car.)

DCM is out of town this week and when DCD is out of town, DCM picks up around 5:22 but when dcd is home they do not get here until 5:29. Yesterday dcd says that it is hard leaving work right at 5 pm (he was 5 minutes late), and they work is 22 minutes away (or they work from home) Ok that explains why you are always late arriving, he can't stop working.

On Monday my dh goes to a church meeting and I make dinner and the rest of the nighttime routine before he gets home. DCD is 23 minutes late, after about 5 I message DCM, and then 10 minutes later dcd called and says he was getting his car repaired and they promised him it would be done by five, then he says I hope you do not have to go somewhere.

I was irritated and tired. I was late getting dinner started and late getting the kids in bed. I could have screamed. I told him no but my kids waiting for mommy time.

DCM did send an apology text and they paid both late fees. ($1 a minute, does someone have a better fee than that?) Plus DCD was on time, early today for pick up. He came at 5:22. Hmm?? I was on my way out the door and DH was going to sub for me. DCM will be home tomorrow.

(I also got the hint once that they wake dcg just before they bring her, so she must sleep through his morning calls)

[Rockgirl]

I charge $2/minute, but I haven’t had to charge anyone in a long time.

As for dcd saying he hoped you didn’t have to go anywhere, that’s all fine and good, but it’s not just about that. I had a parent that would occasionally text and ask, “Do you have plans right at 5:30?” My answer was always YES. Even if my plans were collapsing on the couch, it’s my time, and those are my plans. I know you know that, and made it clear to dcd—it just irks me!

[Alwaysgreener]

So my first late fee was $5 for every 15 minutes. I only ever had to charge once (x3 kids) and DCM through a fit. Then I switched to a dollar a minute felt it was easier to remember and less likely that the family would try to use the whole 15 minutes. But then I hate asking for a $1 here and there, (using wave invoices made it so much easier)

This is the second family that is willing to pay. The last dcd would Venmo me the late fee before he arrived. (His pick-up was 2nd to last, so I was still working either way)

So I feel I need to change it and make the amount per minute larger. Or have a balloon amount after every x many minutes or something. Or maybe a no-call fee vs a call fee. Because that was annoying not knowing that they were going to be late when he knew at 5 that his car was not ready. (Grandma is out of town this month too, so no main backup person)

Maybe I should enforce an apology for my kid's policy. My ds was way past done and acting out after 10 minutes of waiting.

[Annalee]

My late fee is $10 first minute per child and $1 minute thereafter per child......

[Annalee]

Placed a grant order for several thousand dollars worth of daycare things at four different places YESTERDAY....while my card declined on the first purchase, I called the bank and they fixed the amounts and I was able to order everything.

I called back to MAKE SURE I could buy groceries this morning on my card....'yes mam, the card will reset at midnight and you can purchase like normal'......Went to the gym at 5 and was at Walmart by 6. AND Walmart declined my purchase as debit but allowed me to purchase as a credit; Kroger didn't allow me to purchase either way.....luckily mom was with me.....already called the bank and they assured me all was ok but one of the vendors I purchased from sent their billing through this morning and that threw everything off.....

I've only been at this bank for 40 years so

[Sparkles]

I know this is a common issue...

It is in the handbook, has been on the past 2 months of newsletters, has been on the parent board for 2 months, and I still had a dcm ask me if I'm closing any days over Spring Break. Then the next day, her husband asked me again 

This family also showed up on a day that daycare was closed last year. Sent me a message saying she didn't know and that she should "probably read the newsletters." So, you'd think after that she would start paying attention - but apparently not. I resorted back to sending out reminders a couple days before a closure since I have a couple families who can't seem to read anything that gets sent out. You'd think people would pay attention to things like when their daycare is closed 

[Alwaysgreener]

I'm sick. It started as an upset stomach at lunch. Then lead to being tired and cold after nap. Then came the chills after closing, that even a hot shower couldn't help. At that point I went to bed with an extra blanket and woke at midnight with no more chills but a major migraine.

I'm still fighting the migraine at this point.


And I have a tour tonight.

[GirlMomma]

I hope you feel better! 💕

[e.j.]

That sounds miserable. I hope you feel better soon.

[Blackcat31]

Went out of town this weekend with hubby. Had a wonderful weekend until some lady ran a red light and we hit her. My hubby did everything he could to avoid her but we still hit her. Thank goodness for big trucks though (Ford F-250).

The damage was minimal, still expensive but not as bad as it could have been. Hubby saw her entering the intersection and slowed down enough to be going slow enough that our airbags didn't go off at all. Repair estimates are still in the $3000-$4000 range but the lady's car was totaled so again happy we got the better end of the bad situation. Everyone involved was fine too so no injuries for anyone.

It's a full moon today and my worst behaved kids are in top form so there's that.

[Annalee]

Naptime is usually wonderful on Mondays but NOT yesterday; I blamed the full moon on that so?? Hoping for better naptime today!

[GirlMomma]

I’m glad you’re alright!

[e.j.]

I'm glad everyone is ok. Hopefully the dc kids will settle down and behave for you. Nothing like adding a little additional stress to an already stressful situation.

[Alwaysgreener]

I'm sick. It started as an upset stomach at lunch. Then lead to being tired and cold after nap. Then came the chills after closing, that even a hot shower couldn't help. At that point I went to bed with an extra blanket and woke at midnight with no more chills but a major migraine.

I'm still fighting the migraine at this point.


And I have a tour tonight.

After 2 days of being closed, I am maybe 80% better, no migraine, no chills, just an upset stomach.

I am low energy and don't want to do anything today. But my laundry has piled up, some dishes that need to be hand washed, the floor needs to be swept and mopped basically I am behind on housework because I've been taking it easy and just resting.

It wouldn't be a big deal but the tour from Tuesday rescheduled for tonight.

It's not bad, it could be worse, I just don't have enough energy to clean and care for the kids today.

[Annalee]

My staring child returned today after a four day absence.....oh my! Dcb3 arrived at 8:00 on the dot and sent him home at 9 with 100.7 temp. HAPPY THURSDAY!

[Blackcat31]

My staring child returned today after a four day absence.....oh my! Dcb3 arrived at 8:00 on the dot and sent him home at 9 with 100.7 temp. HAPPY THURSDAY!

Hang in there… it’s almost the weekend!

Tomorrow is my staring child’s last day of care. I couldn’t take it anymore.

[Annalee]

I hear ya!

[GirlMomma]

BC did you tell the parents DCK just wasn’t a good fit?

[Blackcat31]

GirlMomma I just gave a generic termination letter, saying that I can no longer provide services and the last day of care is today. I didn't list a reason and figured if they ask, I'd just say it was a business decision and not something I wanted to expand on. Kept it simple.

[GirlMomma]

DCF I enrolled at the beginning of the year has been an issue as far as picking up late.

In the interview, they needed childcare until 3 or 4. I explained their hours would be contracted so overtime charges would apply. They agreed to pick up at 4. They started a few weeks after the interview.

The first day, they didn’t pick up until nearly 5! DCM said she “thought we discussed 5.” I eye-rolled that because we never discussed that at all. I let it slide.Within the first few weeks, there was miscommunication between DCM/DCD/Gma as to who was picking the child up. They were 15 mins late. I let it slide - I just wanted the kid picked up. I believe one other time (I would have to check records,) they showed up right at 4 or 4:01. I clarified in the next newsletter what the contracted pick up time means and that OT would be charged moving forward.

Yesterday, they text and said they’d be 5 mins late. They were 8 minutes late picking up. I invoiced them immediately for the OT - which they paid with next week’s tuition.

Honestly, if they do it again, I’m terming. To be late four times in two months is ridiculous.

[Alwaysgreener]

On the first day when they were late, did you text them and where they were?

[GirlMomma]

Alwaysgreener yeah and she came immediately and then said she thought she said a different time.

[Blackcat31]

DCF I enrolled at the beginning of the year has been an issue as far as picking up late.

In the interview, they needed childcare until 3 or 4. I explained their hours would be contracted so overtime charges would apply. They agreed to pick up at 4. They started a few weeks after the interview.

The first day, they didn’t pick up until nearly 5! DCM said she “thought we discussed 5.” I eye-rolled that because we never discussed that at all. I let it slide.Within the first few weeks, there was miscommunication between DCM/DCD/Gma as to who was picking the child up. They were 15 mins late. I let it slide - I just wanted the kid picked up. I believe one other time (I would have to check records,) they showed up right at 4 or 4:01. I clarified in the next newsletter what the contracted pick up time means and that OT would be charged moving forward.

Yesterday, they text and said they’d be 5 mins late. They were 8 minutes late picking up. I invoiced them immediately for the OT - which they paid with next week’s tuition.

Honestly, if they do it again, I’m terming. To be late four times in two months is ridiculous.

Totally understand your situation but I have two comments.... said with a kind heart.

1) NEVER let lateness slide without a consequence other than mentioning it. Doing that sets the tone and plants the seed that being late MIGHT be acceptable, understandable and/or negotiable. If you have a policy, you need to stick to it the first time ESPECIALLY if you expect the family to follow the policy the first time.

2) The first late pick up, I would have charged the fee and told them I do not tolerate lateness and a back up plan IS required for times in which they can't be on time themselves. The second late pick up, I would have charged the late fee AND altered their contract to the later time AND raised their rate to reflect the new pick up time.

I would also have told them IF they want to go back to the old contract/cheaper rate, they must pick up at the ON TIME at the earlier time for 30 days but still pay the higher rate. IF they can be timely they can go back to the old agreement but if not, then you are making more money and they are still picking up on time.

Win-win.

[GirlMomma]

Thank you! 🙂❤️ I like that idea!

The first instance, I did tell her she needed to pick up on time. The second and third time, I didn’t say anything or charge, which I know is my fault. When they text me yesterday, 40 mins before their pick up time, I knew it was now expected of me to continue to let it slide. I am glad I charged them!

I have a hard time enforcing policies on parents when they’re my age. I think most people think I’m being overzealous with some of my policies. I’m getting better at it and enforcing them much sooner than I had before.

[GirlMomma]

I had an interview today. The lady comes, spends one hour going over my handbook with me. Says she is excited to start Monday. She gets home to discuss it with her husband and decides she is going to “stay home” with her child.

I am so freaking annoyed.

[e.j.]

I'm sorry that happened to you. I know how annoying and disappointing it can be. Hopefully you'll be interviewing another, even better dc family soon!

[Springvalley]

Had a schoolage child come yesterday afternoon literally broke out from head to toe in a rash and called mom for pick up and was told by the child that the doctors think she has an autoimmune disease. I googled autoimmune disease that causes rash and they do have some that do cause a rash and today she came back and its all over her feet. What would you do?

[e.j.]

I would ask that dcm get a note from the doctor stating the diagnosis and explaining what, if anything, you need to do to accommodate dcg. Dcm may be telling you the truth or she may have misinterpreted what the doctor told her or she may be fudging the truth to keep her dd in care.
I would want a doctor's note proving her condition is not contagious before I'd allow dcg to remain in care.

[Annalee]

DCM text at 6:30 arrival time that she will be here at 7:30, then text will be close to 8 as someone had passed away in the middle of the night......rough night....so I'm being ok with it.....then she just now shows up (my cutoff is 8) and says I gotta go find my dogs.....while she's signing and handing me the kid and running off I say but the cutoff is 8, remember that? you don't even know if anyone tells the truth anymore??

[e.j.]

I'd give her the benefit of the doubt under the circumstances, but it really can be tough to know if someone is telling the truth these days, especially when communication is done by text vs. face to face.

[Annalee]

Maybe but my gut-feeling sure has gotten good over the years LOL

[Annalee]

FYI, the grandma picked up and i asked about finding the dogs and she said she didn't know the dogs were missing??? and they live beside each other so???

[Springvalley]

Remember the employee that I posted about a while ago? Well, I came back to work March 6th and everything was fine until I find out that she's assistant director and pretty much fills in for when the director is out. Ok so today, everything was going good until a incident happened. A parent had brought a child in late and I was busy doing something and she gets on to me because I didn't help the parent with the door to get two carseat in and she decided she would handle it herself and pretty much told me that if me being on my phone was a problem that she would go to the owner and that she's gotten several complaints because I'm being 'loud" when I'm going into the other building during nap!

[Springvalley]

I would ask that dcm get a note from the doctor stating the diagnosis and explaining what, if anything, you need to do to accommodate dcg. Dcm may be telling you the truth or she may have misinterpreted what the doctor told her or she may be fudging the truth to keep her dd in care.
I would want a doctor's note proving her condition is not contagious before I'd allow dcg to remain in care.

I totally agree with you