Just gave out Days Off schedule for 2012!

[Lucy]

Actually, I'm giving it out at pick ups tonight. Ok, I'm a little late. I usually try to have it out by early to mid January. Not sure why I'm so late this year.

Anyway.... I'm taking off more days than I ever have!! I took EIGHT vacation days off, and my usual eight holidays. The vacation days are spread out, and are only one or two at a time. We like to go RV'ing in the summer, so we take Fridays and Mondays here and there. Also, I'm flying out to my nephew's high school graduation, so there were two days for that. And I took off the day after Christmas, because I always hate the afternoon of Christmas when I start to think, "Oh, kids are coming bright and early in the morning." I just enjoy when I have the next day off. I'm usually sick of my tree and decorations by then, and that day is when I take it all down.

I actually almost removed one of the vacation days because it just looked like too much. I've done Daycare going on 18 years, and I used to take ONLY the holidays, but gradually I started taking like 3, then 4, and it's been 5 or 6 for the last two or three years. Well heck -- it's my time now! I deserve 8 paid days off, right??? RIGHT?? I have to keep telling myself that! (I do tuition with no subtractions for their days off or my days off. It's always the same no matter what. I've done that for about 10 years and love it.)

I know many of you take a lot more days than me. I've always known I should take more. I'm trying to look out for myself for once. It actually feels pretty good! (But I still feel a little iffy about it. Can't help it!)

[Crazy8]

While I certainly think you DESERVE the days off, if you don't have any mention in your contract of how many days off you will be taking I'd be a little concerned with how parents are going to take the change of paying you for so many more days than they are used to.

My contract states my closed/paid holidays and that I take 5 paid vacation days a year - could be a full week or could be split up. I also state any additional vacation time needed would be unpaid but I rarely take any additional time - its kind of there for emergency purposes. I just think my parents might flip if I started taking my 1 paid week and 2 unpaid weeks, you know??

So I guess my only suggestion would be to put this in your contract!

[Blackcat31]

Good for you though for taking some well deserved vacation days though. happyface

I was/am like you where I hardly ever took any days off and then gradually after about 10 years or so I started actually taking a few vacation days that weren't already holidays.

I always thought my DCP's would have a fit but most are really supportive of my time off. I now take 7 paid holidays, 1 unpaid personal day and two weeks (1 at Christmas and 1 over the 4th of July) off at half pay, for a total of 18 days off throughout the year.

It is hard not to feel like we should always be available but it is necessary to take some personal time.

[Lucy]

While I certainly think you DESERVE the days off, if you don't have any mention in your contract of how many days off you will be taking I'd be a little concerned with how parents are going to take the change of paying you for so many more days than they are used to.

My contract states my closed/paid holidays and that I take 5 paid vacation days a year - could be a full week or could be split up. I also state any additional vacation time needed would be unpaid but I rarely take any additional time - its kind of there for emergency purposes. I just think my parents might flip if I started taking my 1 paid week and 2 unpaid weeks, you know??

So I guess my only suggestion would be to put this in your contract!

Yes, that's a good point. However, my six kids are from four families, and two of the families came mid-2011, so they have no history of what I take off. It was discussed in the interviews that we make the three summer holidays into 4-day weekends, and that we like fridays and mondays here and there. I never thought to give a particular number. I don't want to be locked into that number. I guess I think of it as a business. If I'm closed, I'm closed. I really don't think they'll think twice about it. Both are families that kind of go with the flow. They've never had a complaint about anything I've said or done.

My other 2 families have been with me 8 yrs and 6 yrs, and constantly tell me to take time off. My dad passed away last May, and I took 2 days. They were both like, "If you want more time, just say so." So I KNOW they'll be totally fine with it.

[Dsquared]

You can't win so do what you want. My wife has ALL her days off notated in her contract. Then she emails several days before a vacation day or federal holiday hits to remind them. The parents still ask her if she'll work that day She's worked the last two days she had off because 2 of her 4 parents asked her to work on her day off and she felt guilty. This time, one asked and she said no and the DCM is annoyed.

[cheerfuldom]

I think you should take more days off I take off 10 paid vacation days and all the major holidays (all paid). That pretty common, at least in my area.

[Country Kids]

Just this year I take off: every federal Holiday, 3 weeks vacation, plus 5 personal days and these are all unpaid. Only one parent has suggested I work the federal holidays and I considered it briefly but won't do it because there child would be the only one here!

I know it sounds like alot but I've done this for 17 years and all my parents but one get the same type of days off. So I can't stress myself worrying about it.

[Crazy8]

Yes, that's a good point. However, my six kids are from four families, and two of the families came mid-2011, so they have no history of what I take off. It was discussed in the interviews that we make the three summer holidays into 4-day weekends, and that we like fridays and mondays here and there. I never thought to give a particular number. I don't want to be locked into that number. I guess I think of it as a business. If I'm closed, I'm closed. I really don't think they'll think twice about it. Both are families that kind of go with the flow. They've never had a complaint about anything I've said or done.

My other 2 families have been with me 8 yrs and 6 yrs, and constantly tell me to take time off. My dad passed away last May, and I took 2 days. They were both like, "If you want more time, just say so." So I KNOW they'll be totally fine with it.

Sounds like you have good families and it won't be a problem. Good for you!!

[Lucy]

I think you should take more days off I take off 10 paid vacation days and all the major holidays (all paid). That pretty common, at least in my area.

Yes, I should. I kind of have to keep a delicate balance though because this area is on the small side and is over saturated with centers and other Providers like me. It's so hard to get clients, so we tend to cater to the parents' side of things rather than be hard and fast on our policies. Not an ideal situation, but it's the reality in my rural-ish suburb area.