My Vacation

[busymommy0420]

I have been open 14 months and have only closed one half day for my daughters adoption and also closed on holidays. I just sent an e-mail that I am taking three weeks off unpaid this summer. Two consecutive in July and one in August. I do not have a substitute so the parents will have to find alternative care. I suggested a daycare center that I know the director from as a possible place. I know one of my DCP may be annoyed but I have it in my contract that I will have up to three weeks vacation UNPAID. I need the time off, we are going to Myrtle Beach in July and to Hershey, PA in August and will see the Wiggles Concert! happyface I work with 6 daycare families. Has anyone ever encountered issues when they closed for vacation? Did I give enough notice? Should I help with looking for alternative care for them?

[cheerfuldom]

I have been open 14 months and have only closed one half day for my daughters adoption and also closed on holidays. I just sent an e-mail that I am taking three weeks off unpaid this summer. Two consecutive in July and one in August. I do not have a substitute so the parents will have to find alternative care. I suggested a daycare center that I know the director from as a possible place. I know one of my DCP may be annoyed but I have it in my contract that I will have up to three weeks vacation UNPAID. I need the time off, we are going to Myrtle Beach in July and to Hershey, PA in August and will see the Wiggles Concert! happyface I work with 6 daycare families. Has anyone ever encountered issues when they closed for vacation? Did I give enough notice? Should I help with looking for alternative care for them?

you have this in your contract and they all have already agreed to it, correct? they probably wont be happy but you arent doing anything wrong. I provide a short list of providers and one SAHM that are okay with drop ins but it is the parents responsibility to call and set this up....I dont guarantee anything. You gave plenty of notice as well.

[busymommy0420]

Yes they all signed contracts with this in it. They also get two weeks vacation each where they do not have to pay me. I am in an upper class town so all the families vacation to places, my one DCG is in Italy right now. My hope is they understand I am a DCP but I am also a MOM and a part of a family and need time to relax too.

[WDW]

I have been open 14 months and have only closed one half day for my daughters adoption and also closed on holidays. I just sent an e-mail that I am taking three weeks off unpaid this summer. Two consecutive in July and one in August. I do not have a substitute so the parents will have to find alternative care. I suggested a daycare center that I know the director from as a possible place. I know one of my DCP may be annoyed but I have it in my contract that I will have up to three weeks vacation UNPAID. I need the time off, we are going to Myrtle Beach in July and to Hershey, PA in August and will see the Wiggles Concert! happyface I work with 6 daycare families. Has anyone ever encountered issues when they closed for vacation? Did I give enough notice? Should I help with looking for alternative care for them?

I think you gave plenty of notice... I always give as much as I can... gave six months the first time I closed for 7 days. :: Most parents only give you two weeks (or less) before they use their vacation time with you.... I think two weeks is all you really have to give, but if you know dates, it's nice to give more. I've never had any problems or complaints whatsoever. Good luck, and have fun!

[Kiki]

You gave plenty of notice, but there still might be a parent out there that plays the stupid card. I closed for a week last October to take the girls to Disney, gave notice in February after we booked, and I still had a parent that didn't have care, and acted like they had NO idea the week before we left!
Just remind them that they knew way in advance about it!

Have a nice vacation!happyface

[wdmmom]

You are giving plenty of notice.

What you need to remember is this: We all have contracts for a reason and THIS is just one of those reasons!

They signed a contract meaning they agreed to it. It is not your responsibility to help them find alternate care but if you're feeling generous, give them the telephone number to the local Childcare Resource and Referral center.

The first year I took a vacation, I felt terrible. I felt like I was letting my families down and that they needed me. It wasn't until Day 4 that I finally loosened up and started to enjoy my vacation. Too bad it was over so soon and I wasted half of it feeling guilty.

Take your vacation and enjoy it!!!