Tired of the Disrespect...

[MsMe]

I have only closed with short notice for a Thurs and Friday....So I could have surgery to fix and add pins to a broken elbow. I broke it Monday night and worked 8 hrs both Tues and Wed (had an asst long enough for a Dr appt Tues and Wed)

Yes, it is extreme to stay open at all times no matter what cost or reason, but it is what the parents need. I have NO turn over at my daycare and this is a major reason why. Just advice for the future

ALL that said it does not give parents reason to not give or pay for two weeks notice.

[MizzCheryl]

The kid stays from 7-7. Say good riddance. Let them find someone else that can watch him 12 hour days. 3 days of closing early. They are unreasonable. It will come back to them. I was once closed a solid month. My youngest was 7 and came down with acute pancreatitis. We were in a children's hospital for 2 weeks. No notice nothing I had to leave the kids with an emergency provider and rush her to the hospital. Only lost 1 school ager who was leaving anyway. Life happens. Your child is important. Let them move on to their next victim. They should treat you better than that.

[MizzCheryl]

By the way. In my town we pass news such as this forward between the home providers. Someone leaves us in bad standings owing money we make a few calls and get the news out. That way other providers taht are our friends don't end up stuck in the same situation.

[MarinaVanessa]

By the way. In my town we pass news such as this forward between the home providers. Someone leaves us in bad standings owing money we make a few calls and get the news out. That way other providers taht are our friends don't end up stuck in the same situation.

You can also report it to ProviderWatch.com and it's free to report them. It's very similar to a credit reporting agency in the sense that you report when a family has left without paying their balnce in full. They don't go after the family or anything to try to recoup your money however other child care providers that may be interviewing the family can look them up and see that they owe a debt to another child care provider.

Reporting them is free but looking up potential clients is not. It's just a small fee however and you only pay it a month at a time when you need to use it. I and other child care providers use it so it's popular in my area. If I have an opening I'll ask callers looking for interviews for their information, pay for a month at ProviderWatch and check them before I start scheduling interviews. We like it because we don't have to spend the time calling each other and this way we don't have to worry bout the possibility of problems about privacy policies. Technically I can't give out personal information to other child care providers about finances but I can report it to an agency and say so in my handbook.

[Ariana]

You are very fortunate that your husband can do that and is willing to. My husband works full time and is the primary breadwinner in our home. He makes way more than me so there is no contest with whose job takes precedence (sp?). There is no way he would take off to watch my dck's when I am sick or need to go to an appt. and I would never ask him to do so cuz he would think I am crazy. :: I am lucky to have some good friends to back me up, though. If I didn't have them, I would have to close, if necessary.

My husband makes 9X what I make but he does get sick days and personal days. He also covers for me if I need him. I don't know if this is an American thing but don't your jobs offer sick days down there?!!

I don't think anyone is a hero for NOT taking sick days!! I think if you're sick and they're alotted in your contract then by golly take them

[Country Kids]

My husband makes 9X what I make but he does get sick days and personal days. He also covers for me if I need him. I don't know if this is an American thing but don't your jobs offer sick days down there?!!

I don't think anyone is a hero for NOT taking sick days!! I think if you're sick and they're alotted in your contract then by golly take them

Yes, there are sick days and many people receive them. Thats what I've never understood about people panicing if you are sick. That is why there are sick days.

It varies company to company but they are there. Some places you build up sick time, some you just get so many a year. Alot of people also get personal days and can use them if they aren't feeling well also. Its just crazy when people say they can't use their sick time.

[countrymom]

Yes, there are sick days and many people receive them. Thats what I've never understood about people panicing if you are sick. That is why there are sick days.

It varies company to company but they are there. Some places you build up sick time, some you just get so many a year. Alot of people also get personal days and can use them if they aren't feeling well also. Its just crazy when people say they can't use their sick time.

I was wondering the same thing. I thought it was just a canadian thing that we all had sick time and personal time because none of my parents have problems taking the time off. My dh can take time off but he doesn't get paid for it too (small company) but if he needs it off he's going to take it.

[Canadianprovider]

Here in Canada, you first must write a letter stating how many days they have to make a payment before proceeding with court. I usually send a person to collections, then court since court takes more of my time to prepare for. With a collection agency, I can just fax the contract/info and they deal with it! But for a percentage, but that's ok

[momma2girls]

I have small children, and when they are really sick, fever, vomiting, I have to take off!! I have had to take off one this yr. when daycare boy, brought in Influenza A- If I am sick, vomiting or a high fever, I have no other choice but to close!! I have only had to do this probably about 5 or 6 times in over 8 yrs. but if you have to close, you have to close!!!! I had to take a vacation day, when the little boy brought it in and had my 2 yr. old very sick over it!! My next yrly contract, will definately include personal/sick days from now on!!

[MrsB]

I also very rarely get sick besides a cold every couple years. I have only closed once for my own sickness in quite a few years. I also have closed twice for my childrens sickness but that was only because they were in the hospital.

But I do have 5 personal/illness days built into my contract. I always give as much notice as I possibly can.

Before a parent signs a contract I explain this in alot of detail! Especially since we are a military family I dont have alot of backup options, except for my husband, but he isnt always in the country, let alone available to help.

If it were to happen that I needed to use 3 of my personal days with short notice and a parentons complained about this. I would say, you knew this was in the realm of possibility when you signed the contract and if you need to find someone "more reliable" I completely understand, but I still need 2 weeks notice.

I agree with everyone that says in this profession we do need to be more "reliable" than most any other profession. But if a family signs with a home provider then you know this could be the case, you can't get mad at the provider when it does happen. If you absolutely need the reliability, go pay center prices that dont close when someone is sick.