Reviewing My Contract...Which Do You Prefer?

[PolkaTots]

I am reviewing my contract to pass out to parents soon...and am torn on the fees/vacation issue. My contract states I am to receive 1 paid week plus 5 paid personal/sick days, and paid government holidays. I have always taken my paid vacation in July in the past, and take the other 5 days at random (usually Black Friday, Christmas Eve, Friday before Memorial and Labor Day) My problem is that every year I have a family quit right before I take my vacation, and I usually have teachers or students children who attend part time in the summer, and don't pay a full time week.

So I was thinking of eliminating the paid week of vacation(but still have paid holidays and 5 personal/sick days), and raise the rates a bit so I can "bank" for that time off...or should I just leave it the same?

[daycarediva]

I would total up what you made last year, and then total up what you could potentially make if you raised rates but took out your paid vacation. It all comes down to dollars and sense (cents) for me.

My rates are going up in January (unsure of how much right now because I have yet to total it up) and *I* will be supplying diapers and wipes. I am SICK of getting $1 store wipes and crappy generic diapers.

[Crazy8]

I have thought of doing the same thing, but I feel like the extra $3-4/week that would make up my weeks vacation time would be unnoticed where NOT getting a weeks pay right before going on vacation would hurt me more. Its all about how I perceive the finances - not the actual amounts to me. So, I'd miss a full check for $175 much more than I'd notice the extra $3 week from that same family.

I do feel like some people are getting off easy by not paying for vacation time - either because they leave right before then or because I give teachers the summers off without paying (just a 1x fee to hold their spot!).

[Cat Herder]

So I was thinking of eliminating the paid week of vacation(but still have paid holidays and 5 personal/sick days), and raise the rates a bit so I can "bank" for that time off...or should I just leave it the same?

That is how I handled it. lovethis

I raised the rates to add the vacation weeks fees up front.

So instead of tuition rate being based on 52 weeks, mine is based on 50.

[PolkaTots]

I would total up what you made last year, and then total up what you could potentially make if you raised rates but took out your paid vacation. It all comes down to dollars and sense (cents) for me.

My rates are going up in January (unsure of how much right now because I have yet to total it up) and *I* will be supplying diapers and wipes. I am SICK of getting $1 store wipes and crappy generic diapers.

I too am going to start supplying wipes...I am so sick of having to use those nasty thin generic wipes!!!