Vacation Policy...

[Dsquared]

What do you guys do when you have a vacation day or week coming up? My wife has ALL of the vacation days in her day care contract, in BOLD. Unless she sends out an email or reminds them verbally, they pretend "Oh, you're not going to be here during spring break??? I don't know what I'm going to do...." Most of these people have been here 2-3 years so they know her vacations, they haven't changed.

My wife is getting tired of having to "remind" them. She's also told them they need to find a back up for times like this and emergencies. She recently had to go to the gyno for an issue and a DCM got pissy that she left the child with me. Of course, this lady never bothered to find a back up and my wife did give her 24 hour notice that is was her option to bring their child with me there or figure something out on their own.

[Angelwings36]

What do you guys do when you have a vacation day or week coming up? My wife has ALL of the vacation days in her day care contract, in BOLD. Unless she sends out an email or reminds them verbally, they pretend "Oh, you're not going to be here during spring break??? I don't know what I'm going to do...." Most of these people have been here 2-3 years so they know her vacations, they haven't changed.

My wife is getting tired of having to "remind" them. She's also told them they need to find a back up for times like this and emergencies. She recently had to go to the gyno for an issue and a DCM got pissy that she left the child with me. Of course, this lady never bothered to find a back up and my wife did give her 24 hour notice that is was her option to bring their child with me there or figure something out on their own.

I put all my vacation time in my newsletter. Families typically get 3 months notice of any time I take off, although by contractual agreement I am only require to give one month's notice. To be honest, I wouldn't even remind the parents. I would simply disconnect the door bell that day, turn the phones on silence and continue on sleeping. If a parent showed up and was upset because I wasn't there I would just refer them to the reminder in the contract. Not my mistake, YOUR MISTAKE. It will only happen once per family for them to get the hint that they need to have those days written on their calendar.

Parent's getting upset over having to take days off or substitutes is a normal part of the business. As long as she is giving everyone good notice she shouldn't stress it. Again this is the parents problem, NOT HERS.

[Dsquared]

Thanks for your reply. She is not required to give notice in her contract, it's all spelled out there as to what vacation stays she'll be taking. These parents pull this on almost every vacation day and my wife had to work 2-3 of the last vacation days she took because these parents "pretended" not to remember she had off and of course hadn't made any appropriate plans.

If she sent out an email 30 days in advance of a day off, that wouldn't change things with this group, . Thanks again for responding.

[JenNJ]

I have a day next month that I need off for a medical reason. I emailed all the parents as soon as I set the appointment last month. I say in the email that they need to respond to the email to confirm they received the notification. Personal days I give as much notice as possible, but occasionally I am at the mercy of a doctor/hospital so I can only give what I get. If it is a week or 2 months, I do let my clients know as soon as possible.

For vacation, I give a minimum of 8 weeks notice. This year I gave 14 weeks notice of my 5 day vacation.

[MrsB]

Some of my parents, try to make my vacations my issue too. I have a newsletter that goes out that "reminds" everyone of the upcoming days off for the next 3 months. 2 weeks before I always send a reminder email/text too.

What? You worked on your vacation?? Dont take this the wrong way, but no wonder parents are complaining, or say they didnt know. They know that if they make a big enough stink or play the forgot card, they will get their way.

So sorry you are having these issues. It is very frustrating! Just tell her to hold her ground and NEVER work on your days off, or parents will expect it.

[JenNJ]

Thanks for your reply. She is not required to give notice in her contract, it's all spelled out there as to what vacation stays she'll be taking. These parents pull this on almost every vacation day and my wife had to work 2-3 of the last vacation days she took because these parents "pretended" not to remember she had off and of course hadn't made any appropriate plans.

If she sent out an email 30 days in advance of a day off, that wouldn't change things with this group, . Thanks again for responding.

Well the bolded is the problem. She decided to accept them into care on her vacation. She is making their problems, her problems. that isn't the fault of the daycare parents. Why would they bother to remember her vacation if she is obviously going to work anyway? She needs to be UNAVAILABLE on her vacation. Not reachable at all. Turnoff the cell, disconnect the home phone and doorbell. Ignore knocking at the door.

[Angelwings36]

Thanks for your reply. She is not required to give notice in her contract, it's all spelled out there as to what vacation stays she'll be taking. These parents pull this on almost every vacation day and my wife had to work 2-3 of the last vacation days she took because these parents "pretended" not to remember she had off and of course hadn't made any appropriate plans.

If she sent out an email 30 days in advance of a day off, that wouldn't change things with this group, . Thanks again for responding.

I honestly wouldn't have worked the days. I have had this happen in the past too. Just in January of this year I had a family of 2 children show up at daycare on one of my vacation days. Door bell was unplugged, phone on silence...I didn't hear them banging and wouldn't have answered the door even if I did. They left several messages on my phone. Later that afternoon I messaged them and referred them to my newsletter that clearly stated I was closed that day. Again not my problem, THEIR PROBLEM.

[Blackcat31]

Your wife needs to address these parents that are making disrespectful remarks and say something like "It is in my contract that I am closed this day. If it doesn't work for you then I am sorry but you will need to figure it out. If my vacation days are not soemthing you can manage then I will assume you are giving your notice and be seeking child care elsewhere."

NEVER EVER allow a parent to tell you when you can or cannot take vacation days. I agee with previous poster, your wife's issue is she caved and worked days that she was suppose to be off, now that parent expects special treatment.

I would nip the snide comments in the bud and maybe write up a short memo to parents reiterating your wife's pre-planned vacation/closed days and state that under no uncertain terms will she work those days. Remind the parents that this is somethey agreed to when they signed the contract so it is not your wife's problem if they cannot manage back up care on those days. If anyone complains, they can give notice and find someone else to care for their child.

If all that fails, or if your wife isn't really up on being so direct, tell the parents that she will gladly work on any of her pre-planned vacation days but the rate is $100 per day to be paid in advance.

[MyAngels]

Your wife needs to address these parents that are making disrespectful remarks and say something like "It is in my contract that I am closed this day. If it doesn't work for you then I am sorry but you will need to figure it out. If my vacation days are not soemthing you can manage then I will assume you are giving your notice and be seeking child care elsewhere."

NEVER EVER allow a parent to tell you when you can or cannot take vacation days. I agee with previous poster, your wife's issue is she caved and worked days that she was suppose to be off, now that parent expects special treatment.

I would nip the snide comments in the bud and maybe write up a short memo to parents reiterating your wife's pre-planned vacation/closed days and state that under no uncertain terms will she work those days. Remind the parents that this is somethey agreed to when they signed the contract so it is not your wife's problem if they cannot manage back up care on those days. If anyone complains, they can give notice and find someone else to care for their child.

If all that fails, or if your wife isn't really up on being so direct, tell the parents that she will gladly work on any of her pre-planned vacation days but the rate is $100 per day to be paid in advance.

Yes, this exactly happyface.

Plus, when I take time off I print up a reminder on my letterhead - one for each family - place it next to the door with a list of their names that they are required to initial that they received the notice. I do this as soon as I know I am closing. If notice is given far enough in advance that there's a chance they might forget I give a second notice the week before, done in the same way. In nearly 20 years I've never had anyone show up because they "forgot" I was closed.

[saved4always]

I give the parents a written list of days I will be closed or need early pick up at the beginning of the school year (I only watch teachers' children right now). I occassionally give them updates lists with changes highlighted, if applicable. I usually give a written reminder a week or so before the day(s) that I am going to be closed. I do have friends in the neighborhood who are willing to act as back up care if needed and I include thier names and numbers in my notices. It is up to the dcp's to set that up though. I have never had anyone "forget" that I am on vacation or taken a day off. If they did, I would absolutely not accept thier child for care on days I have notified that I would not be working. I give as much notice as possible and it is not my issue if anyone would "forget".

[wdmmom]

I post on the daycares facebook each month a list of "Dates to Remember". This includes any holidays, days off, early closings, special days, birthdays, etc.

I also post a sign by the entrance about a week before so all parents can take note again of the upcoming events.

I've had 1 dcm show up over my Christmas vacation. She said she got the email but didn't read all the way through it. She just thought I would be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, not the days in between then and New Years. She knocked and blew up my phone. I never answered the door but I told her that I was closed.

She laughed and apologized and called herself a "bonehead".

I would NEVER ever work a day I planned to take off unless of course, it involved a ton of money. Like the $100 per day, per child. lovethis that idea! haha

[GoodKarma]

Even the best daycare parents tend to forget what is in the contract without reminders! I use monthly sign-in sheets. There are spaces for every day of the month. Before I put them out at the beginning of the month, I fill in all days off with the appropriate label-weekend, holiday, vacation, appointment, etc. Then, on the last day of care before a day off, I give a verbal reminder.

[momma2girls]

I place it months beforehand on a note to each of the parents. I stick it in every newsletter prior to this date, and I have it on my calendar on the front door.

[Dsquared]

Thanks for all the ideas. It just ****s that you guys have to go through all these extra steps when you tell these DCP the deal up front. She has tried sending an email blast reminder before and of course they say "Oh, I didn't read my email..." It's always something. If it were my decision, I'd make it clear in the interview that all the days are in the contract and it's up to them to remember them. It's not my responsibility to remind them.

When my wife reminds them before she takes off, they take that as an opportunity to BS her with the "Oh, I didn't know..." or "Oh, I have to work that day..." or any number of other responses I have heard. Her response is "Well, it's in my contract..." and the DCP still have the nerve to get pissed. In fact, this just happened with a parent who returned for care about 3-4 weeks ago. The child had been with us for a couple years before taking a 4 month break so she knows the deal. She was visibly annoyed when my wife said "Remember Megan, I take off spring break." So DCM said something back that I couldn't make out and my wife responded with "It's in my contract."

I just feel you guys shouldn't have to constantly go through that.

[Blackcat31]

Thanks for all the ideas. It just ****s that you guys have to go through all these extra steps when you tell these DCP the deal up front. She has tried sending an email blast reminder before and of course they say "Oh, I didn't read my email..." It's always something. If it were my decision, I'd make it clear in the interview that all the days are in the contract and it's up to them to remember them. It's not my responsibility to remind them.

When my wife reminds them before she takes off, they take that as an opportunity to BS her with the "Oh, I didn't know..." or "Oh, I have to work that day..." or any number of other responses I have heard. Her response is "Well, it's in my contract..." and the DCP still have the nerve to get pissed. In fact, this just happened with a parent who returned for care about 3-4 weeks ago. The child had been with us for a couple years before taking a 4 month break so she knows the deal. She was visibly annoyed when my wife said "Remember Megan, I take off spring break." So DCM said something back that I couldn't make out and my wife responded with "It's in my contract."

I just feel you guys shouldn't have to constantly go through that.

I don't. I would be as frustrated as you if I had to constantly remind my parents when I have a day off. We are talking adults and to have to remind them in e-mails, notes and verbal conversation multiple times is rediculous IMHO.

I give my parents a calendar with the days I am closed clearly marked in red on it. I tell them when I hand out the calendar to place it on their fridge or bulletin boards so they can reference it easily.

Then when a day off comes up, when the parents are heading out the door after they have dressed their child I say "Have a great weekend/week/night and remember I woon't see you again until Monday the 12th." and I shut the door. I do NOT allow for any snide ocmments or negotiation.

If a parent tried that with me I personally would probably be snide back and since i know that about my self (mouth ) I try to keep things as short and as direct as possible.

I don't mean this harshly but in all honesty, this is a problem for your wife because she is allowing it to be. If she shows any remorse, guilt or even sympathy for the parents in regards to their backup or alternate care situation, they can sense it and not all but some parents can be like a pack of wild hungry hyenas when it comes to finding and using that little crack in her armor and thinking they can get special or exemptions for things they clearly know are rules. Especially since they signed the contract.

Your wife needs to practice saying, "Yes. I am closed. NO, I will NOT stay open for you." She cannot allow their issues to be hers or she is going to suffer provider burnout real quick. It is disrespectful of these parents to take advantageof her niceness and it is downright rude and self-centered that they would even ask her to not take her vacation or to make snide comments.

If it makes it any easier, have her write a letter to the parents addressing this issue and tell the parnets that under no uncertain terms will she allow them to coerce her into giving up vacation and she fully expects the parents to keep track of the vacation/closed days as well as act like adults and NOT try to negotiate with her about any of them.

Either that or do as I said before and care for the kids on vacation days but only for $100 per kid per day.