I Made a Horrible Mistake..

[Momboss]

(I also posted this on the old forum just in case not everyone has moved over)
I made a horrible mistake.....I open at 7 AM and heard a knock on my door at 6:50, so i opened it. Now this family is always doing it. I feel cheated out of my mornings and I feel like I’m working for free, this child is literally here from open to close. How can I break this habit in the nicest way, especially since I enabled this?

[Cat Herder]

Update your early arrival policy. Add $1 per minute to their invoice for every minute before or after opening. Highlight those times on the sign-in/sign out sheets for a visual cue. Let them know that if it becomes a common occurrence they will be asked to find alternative care.

[Snowmom]

I would send a text (I like a paper trail) stating "Good morning. I need to address the early arrivals that have been happening lately. Going forward, please note that your hours don't start until after 7am. I won't be unlocking the door until this time. Thanks!" Just addressing it matter of factly, no emotions, no further explanation is the best "business approach". It doesn't need to be sugar coated or "nice". Target wouldn't avoid hurting your feelings either if you tried to get in early and you wouldn't stop shopping there just because they didn't allow you to break the rules.

[Cat Herder]

If you want to sugar coat, you can simply say "In an effort to better maintain my work/life balance, I need you to arrive after 7am, not before. Thank you in advance for your cooperation. My family time is invaluable to me as I am sure yours is to you. Have a great afternoon!"

[Alwaysgreener]

Stop answering the door early. Then if she says something, say, the day care opens at 7, anything before this time will be $1 a minute and must be pre-approved by me no later than 6:00 p.m. the night before. Then do the silent stare.

I had someone show up 5 minutes early this morning. I just made myself not visible to the door. If it said anything I would have said contact time is 7:00 a.m.

[Alwaysgreener]

I figure it's no different than me sitting outside of a store waiting 5 minutes for them to open.

So if they want to sit there make a phone call or talk to their child and I have no problem with it as long as they don't come up and knock on the door.

On the other hand if they show up and sit in the parking lot at pick up time and their kids standing at the door ready then I do get irritated.

[Cat Herder]

I would agree it is no big deal in a center with a parking lot. Maybe not even in a busy subdivision. But my daycare is in my private home, on a rural *very* private road, far off the main road. Most of my neighbors are retired and out on their porches enjoying the sunrise in the half hour before opening time. There are as many tractors as personal vehicles. The main driveway is also one lane, thereby blocking my DH from leaving if he decides on breakfast out. They do have permission to park at the barn drive (other side of the property) to take a call/picnic if they so need, it is a little garden/orchard and large parking area with easy pull around. There is also an almost uninhabited cul-de-sac area at the end. But arriving early and pulling all the way down to the house is considered really rude out here.

[Alwaysgreener]

Oh got ya, limited parking can make a difference. I have space for about 3-4 and still have space to turn around.

Now my sister shares the driveway with me and she has parking for 1 maybe 2, so when she has people over, they park in the driveway, rude. (They can tell that the driveway continues and they can see my house but they park right in the middle of the driveway)

[Springvalley]

Our center opens at 6am and closes at 6pm Monday through Friday excluding holidays. If a child comes before 6am whoever opens will not open the door until 6am because they are busy getting ready for the day. If they are late past 6pm its $1.00 per minute and has to be directly paid to whoever closes. We have a form form that's filled out that states how much is owed and how long the child had to stay over

[Alwaysgreener]

Update? Momboss

[Momboss]

Since Ive posted this, this family isnt showing up early anymore. I never said anything, how strange! Lol they must have felt my energy

[Annalee]

Or maybe they read your post....just kidding! LOL I have wondered if I have any parents that get on the forum..