Parents wanting to use vacation days to pay for services

[Unregistered]

My child care center vacation policy allows each family to take 10 days vacation per calendar year in which they do not have to pay. I just recieved a request from a family to use 9 days at once. The problem is they are still wanting their children to be in attendance all but 2 of those days. I let them know that vacation days can only be taken when children are to be absent from the center, they weren't pleased with this. I explained to them that when children are absent from the center that helps to offset the resulting loss of income, they seemed to be okay with that. My frustration is I feel like I have to define the term vacation for these parents. I also feel bad, but it is not my fault that they waited until the last month of the year to use their vacation. Has anyone else run into this type of situation, if so how did you handle it?
Thank you!

[Blackcat31]

Instead of saying vacation days, say absent days. My contract specifies that certain families get 6 or 8 absent days in which they will not be billed for. These days can be used for illness, vacation or personal days. Absent days have NO cash value. These days do not accure, roll over into the next year nor can they be used for the providers paid holidays or as payment for final two weeks of care.

IMPO, the point of giving the absent days is to have a day WITHOUT the child in care.

[Mom&Provider]

I've never run into this?! My contract says "vacation/sick days" and they have X days per year depending on FT or PT care arrnagements. None of my parents have never taken that to mean send your kid to me for free care!? That just seems odd to me?? :confused:

I would have been tempted to tell them that it would be the same as you asking them to go into their place of work and do it for FREE for 9 days!? Same thing as what they are asking right and makes no sense??

I wouldn't feel badly about it at all, it's a misunderstanding OR they were hoping you'd simply go along with it and say sure! Explain how it works leave it at that. Tell them they are welcome to take vacation days if they'd like but their child cannot come into care.

[SunshineMama]

No way and no way! That's asking you to work for free.

I dont have anything in my contract outlining the definition of "Vacation" days... i will have to add something to avoid this.

[cheerfuldom]

I think most parents would know what you meant by vacation days but obviously you know have to specify that vacation days includes time when children are NOT in care, it is not free childcare days. oy.