Should I Pay To My Kids Daycare Provider If We Are Going For A Vacation

[youretooloud]

It's hard to think about, but if I had a parent tell me that, I'd probably try to fill the spots also. I still have to pay my bills. I assume you still have to pay your rent or mortgage in order to keep your home?

If you choose even pay on your electric bill, they bill you the same amount for 12 months. But, if you aren't home for one month, you will still pay a payment that month. Even though you didn't use electricity.

If you have your children in private school, you pay a tuition based on the school year. If you remove your kids for one month, you will still pay the tuition.

It sounds like you guys have a good working relationship, so I bet you can figure this out, and both of you will be happy with the outcome.

[jenny31052]

If the family give me enough notice (more than 2 weeks) I ask them to pay me a $50 holding fee for each week they will be absent; if they give me notice less than two weeks in advance I require full payment.
During that time, I usually open a temporary slot, or I take drop-ins...

[DaisyMamma]

I personally require tuition 52 weeks per year.

If I didn't and a family with 2 kids only gave me 2 weeks notice that they were leaving for 4 weeks I would be pretty upset and I would certainly try to fill those spots ASAP! That's a huge amount of income loss for an entire month.
You should consider paying her in full for the 4 weeks. She will greatly appreciate it and then you have nothing to worry about!

[My3cents]

I will speak to her tomorrow!I don't want to lose her, I finally found someone I can trust.

Then pay her and let her know she is appreciated. Don't make her wonder if she is going to be payed or not, open communication is best. Pay her and tell her you will see her in a few weeks, and thank her for doing a good job with your children.

I love all my kids, but when I have parents that care and respect and appreciate all that I do, it makes me want to be a better provider to the family. I think this is natural with all jobs. Very few perks to daycare- if you have the opportunity to treat your provider well, go for it. What bad can come out of that-

Look at your contract, no contract you need to open up some communication so that you know what is expected

best

[My3cents]

I am trying to find a good solution for that, i don't think paying for that period is fair for me..
Please help me

yikes, I don't think it is fair to expect your provider to go with out income for four weeks- yes pay her, and do it cheerfully. Your provider is there no matter if you choose to use her or not. If you do a drop in rate that is different, but then you can't expect her to hold the spot either. You like her, show that you value her services and pay her

best-

[DCMom]

In my policies it states:

"Terms for maternity leaves and other extended absences are considered on a case by case basis. Terms will be negotiated and agreed upon in writing by parent and provider no later than 30 days prior to the start of the leave."

Just talk to your provider, good communication is the key to a good relationship. You don't know what she is thinking as she doesn't know what you are thinking. I personally would probably agree to 50% rate to hold the spots, but I can afford to do that. Most providers cannot afford to, but you won't know until you have the conversation.

[daycare]

yikes, I don't think it is fair to expect your provider to go with out income for four weeks- yes pay her, and do it cheerfully. Your provider is there no matter if you choose to use her or not. If you do a drop in rate that is different, but then you can't expect her to hold the spot either. You like her, show that you value her services and pay her

best-

I once had a family that was going to be gone for 6 weeks and did not want to pay me anything for that time that they were gone. I said no problem, you don't have to pay me, but I cannot guarantee your spot for your child when they return.

they did not pay and left for vacation.

I filled the spot 2 days later.

Family comes back and shows up on monday. I have to tell them sorry, your spot has been filled and I currently do not have any openings. Would you like to go on a wait list?

the dcm was soooooooo mad... BUT she knew the chance she was taking. So on with the story......DCM had to end up taking 3 weeks off of work UNPAID so that she could find another child care for her kid. She called me in the mean time and tried to work things out, they ended up on my waiting list as a drop in. I charge $12.50 an hour drop in rate. So her daily rate was $118.75 every time he was able to come.....

in the end, it bit her in the BUTT..... her child eventually got his spot back here and guess what he's still here. AND this past summer when they went on vacation for 6 weeks, they handed me CASH before they left....

It's your call, but I think that if you don't pay you are sending your DCP a message that they are not that important to you. That is how I felt....