Taking Teachers' Children Only - How Do You Charge, School Closures, Summers?

[momma2girls]

I was a teacher for 11 years. I love working with my teacher families. I love having a lighter schedule in the summer. But this is a job and I don't have only teachers. All of my families are PT, so that makes a difference, too. I charge weekly, 50 weeks of the year, but split into 12 equal payments. So weekly rate times 50 weeks, divided by 12 months. I am closed when the teachers aren't working, except the summer. So I am paid for one week at Christmas and all stat holidays. This is how my non-teacher families pay.

My teachers follow the same pay schedule (makes my life easier), but in April I send out paperwork for summer. A contract with 3 choices - kids keep coming the same schedule as normal, hold spot over the summer, or don't hold spot and no promise there will be a spot come fall. Contracts must be returned by May 1st.

So my summer hold families pay half rate for the whole summer, non-refundable, all due by June 15th. It doesn't matter that I take 2 weeks off during the summer. I used to not charge for that time, b/c I don't charge my non-teacher families. I changed it last year because they are paying to hold a future spot. I am losing out on income by holding the spot, especially for infants. Then as a perk - I allow their child to attend daycare 1/5 of normals days/hours. I get to pick the day and the hours based on the other kids I watch. So I put as many kids as possible on the same day. Then the rest of my week is lighter. I tell the parents this is a gift to them - their fees are not paying for it. But it's a gift for me, too. The kids still remember all of my rules when the school year starts up again. No one has melt downs the first week b/c they have seen me once a week all summer.

My families get one vacation week at half rate every 6 months, but I changed it so parents cannot use that during my paid Christmas week or during summer if they are spot holding.

ALL of my teacher families return.

How is your contract worded when you are off school, I am off?

[bunnyslippers]

How is your contract worded when you are off school, I am off?

If teachers are expected to report to work, I am open and will expect payment for that day. When teachers are not expected to be in school, I am not open.

This includes delayed openings, snow days, and the half day before Thanksgiving break.

[momma2girls]

If teachers are expected to report to work, I am open and will expect payment for that day. When teachers are not expected to be in school, I am not open.

This includes delayed openings, snow days, and the half day before Thanksgiving break.

How do you have this worded in your contract?
My one family always says she still has to work, even though the school is off.

[bice99]

I just list all of the school holidays as closed days in my handbook. I am closed with pay for all families on these days. Tomorrow is a teacher work day, so I am open because I know teachers have to report. I run my contracts July 1st to June 30th. I go to the district website and get all of the closed dates from there. I'll post my page.

[bice99]

ABCXYZ Childcare will be closed on the following days

Fourth of July – July 4th, 2011
Labor Day – September 5th, 2011
First day of school for GBSD – September 6th, 2011
State Inservice – October 14th, 2011
Veteran’s Day - November 11th, 2011
Thanksgiving Break – November 23rd=25th, 2011
Christmas Break – December 19th, 2011 – January 2nd, 2012
MLK, Jr. Day – January 16th, 2012
Presidents’ Day – February 20th, 2012
Spring Break – March 23rd –April 2nd, 2012
Memorial Day Weekend – May 25th and 28th, 2012
Last day of school for GBSD – June 14th, 2012

*Monthly tuition remains the same regardless of the days listed above. It is based on yearly tuition. The yearly tuition includes the paid holidays and unpaid breaks listed above. That total is divided into 12 equal payments. If you need care on any of these days, let me know and I will see if it is possible. Additional fees will apply.

*Provider may take an additional 10 days of unpaid vacation during the year (usually in the summer). These days are not included in the yearly tuition. Families will receive credit for these days the month following use. Families who are spot holding over the summer will not be credited for these days as they are paying to hold a spot, not to attend. As much advance notice as possible will be given.

*Provider may take up to 5 paid days for closure due to illness, emergency, trainings, etc. As much advance notice as possible will be given. An additional 3 paid days for bereavement of a family member will be allowed. Any closures beyond these days will be unpaid and credited the month following.

*After 6 months of care, families will start earning vacation weeks. For each 6 months of continuous care, one week of vacation at half rate may be taken. It must be used before your current contract ends each June 30th. These must be taken as calendar weeks and may not be taken during my listed closed days or spot holding times (maternity leaves, summer vacation for teachers, etc). Any additional vacation time per year requires full payment of fees. Many families choose to take their vacation during provider’s vacation time. 3 unpaid non-attendance days will be given for bereavement of a family member.

Snow Days: Due to its elevation, ABCXYZ Childcare will follow the Gresham-Barlow School District for late start or school closure. These are paid days.