Anyone Else Give Families A Free Vacation Week?

[Ariana]

I give 4 weeks unpaid vacation. Mainly because I wanted 4 weeks and I figured it would be an incentive if they were unpaid. I also charge a bit more so I can afford to take those vacations. Instead of offering care for $30 and pay all year, I charge $47 and take 4 weeks unpaid.

I do get paid for stat holidays and 5 paid sick and 5 paid personal days per year.

[CheekyChick]

I give families one free week per year IF they take a vacation or keep their child home. If they send their child all 52 weeks, they do NOT get the free week.

[Cat Herder]

I give families one free week per year IF they take a vacation or keep their child home. If they send their child all 52 weeks, they do NOT get the free week.

I think that is a given, here. At least for me, it is.

If the child attends for even 5 minutes during the "vacation" week, it would not count as unpaid vacation, and full tuition would be due.

Unpaid vacation means the parents do not have to pay for the one or two weeks per year that they keep their child out of daycare. They can take a week or two vacation and still not lose their slot, ykwim?.

[Texasjeepgirl]

I just posted this EXACT SAME POST in another thread. but.. frankly.. it goes here also:

In the first few years that I was open for business.. I didn't even charge for National Holidays.. DUMB...
Then I started charging for holidays.. BUT.. I ran my daycare for almost 18 years before I decided I DESERVE to recieve a paid vacation.
(I know that will stir up a HORNETS NEST just saying it that way)......

I debated it for almost 2 years...

In 2007.. I needed a hysterectomy....
but.. honestly.. I couldn't afford to loose the income if I closed down my daycare... even for a week...
so.. I have two sisters... both are public school teachers.
One of them speaks up and says.. I'll come run your daycare for you... you get that surgery...
Well.. sounded good at first...but..
I suggested she come to my house on Sunday.. (she lives over 4 hours away)... I thought she could work with me.. OPEN to CLOSE... you know.. meet everyone.. learn the 'ropes' so to speak..
She said.. I DO NOT need YOU to SHOW ME how to run your daycare... I am a kindergarten teacher.. I KNOW how to do your job..

ok...
She arrived at my home near closing time Monday evening...
met a few clients.. but some had already left for the day.
I was out at the crack of dawn the following morning... to the hospital...
she and my 2 teenage daughters ran the daycare .. and.. when they came to visit that night.. she stood beside my bed and said..
I HATE YOUR JOB.. I don't know how you've done this job all these years..
LONG STORY SHORT.. she ran the daycare Wednesday.. and Thursday.. I came home from the hospital Thursday afternoon.. sent her home.. and I ran my daycare on Friday.. with the assistance of my husband.. and my daughters...
and.. that was it.. I had 3 days off.. The 3 days I was in the hospital..

Anyway.. I'm rambling..

HERE'S what I did...
I typed up a new contact...
In late October... 2 years ago...
I handed a printed copy out to each of my clients.. with a letter that basically said.. Thank you so much for choosing me as your caregiver... I appreciate your trust...and your business...
Please read the new PARENT HANDBOOK... THERE ARE SEVERAL CHANGES that you will need to read carefully...
I will need you to read this.. and determine if you will choose to continue to be my client...IF YOU choose to continue with me as your caregiver... please sign the agreement and return it to me.. IF you choose to make alternate child care arrangements... please let me know ASAP so I can begin to schedule interviews to replace your child's position in my daycare...
The NEW Handbook will take effect beginning JANUARY 1...

All my clients signed up...

as for giving clients 'FREE' days..
I do not do it.
That would CANCEL OUT me getting paid for MY VACATION...
I've actually had a few clients ask.. even after READING AND AGREEING to my handbook..
I just smile. and politely say.. I'm sorry.. I DON'T DO THAT..

If they didn't READ the HANDBOOK completely.. THAT is not my problem..
I am very clear about my policies...A potential new client has the option to either enroll or NOT ENROLL.. but.. these policies are what you must agree to in order to enroll here..PERIOD...



IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ MY CURRENT PARENT HANDKBOOK..
go to my website..

https://www.tammyschildcare.com

https://www.texasjeepgirl.shutterfly.com

[caring4kidsinSD]

[QUOTE=Catherder;166013]I think that is a given, here. At least for me, it is.

QUOTE]

That is what I thought but I JUST had a parent on Friday tell me they were going to use their free vacation week in a few weeks. I said OK. The parent proceeded to tell me but the kids will still be coming that week. I said, Then you have to pay. The free vacation week is for when you take a vacation and the kids aren't here.

Really never thought I'd have to explain that one so I am rewording my vacation policy as we speak(which is why I googled free vacation week - to see what I could find out)

[Cat Herder]

That is what I thought but I JUST had a parent on Friday tell me they were going to use their free vacation week in a few weeks. I said OK. The parent proceeded to tell me but the kids will still be coming that week. I said, Then you have to pay. The free vacation week is for when you take a vacation and the kids aren't here.

Really never thought I'd have to explain that one so I am rewording my vacation policy as we speak(which is why I googled free vacation week - to see what I could find out)

Wow. I don't understand their thinking on that...:confused:

I give them the two weeks to ENCOURAGE them to spend two weeks a year, off work, with their kids. THAT is the goal. Why else would we do that?

[Blackcat31]

That is what I thought but I JUST had a parent on Friday tell me they were going to use their free vacation week in a few weeks. I said OK. The parent proceeded to tell me but the kids will still be coming that week. I said, Then you have to pay. The free vacation week is for when you take a vacation and the kids aren't here.

Really never thought I'd have to explain that one so I am rewording my vacation policy as we speak(which is why I googled free vacation week - to see what I could find out)

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some days there just are no words that are an appropriate response......