How Many Times Do You Remind Parents of Closing Days?

[Play Care]

After having more than one parent show up as I was leaving for vacation, I now notify parents three ways - in writing (newsletter and daily journal home) verbally (at either pick up or drop off) and by leaving a large sign on the front door where they would have to be blind to miss it.
Hand holding, perhaps. But no one can say they didn't know::

[williams2008]

Next time try posting it on a bulletin board or dry erase board and tell all the kids that they will get a stamp/sticker/privilage (either that day or the next day depending on age) if they can get their parents to read it to them out loud in front of you before they leave. Just keep it short "Daycare will be closed on xx/xx/2013, regulary daily rate payment (still is/isn't) required. No exceptions."

The younger kids espesuallly will NOT let their parents leave until they read it and they get their stamp/sticker.

Great idea!!

[williams2008]

I think a lot of parents do this for the same reason they do most things...they think they will be the exception. "I know she said she was closed but maybe if I just show up she will watch my little Johny or take him to the appointment with her", "I know she's sent out notices and reminded me but maybe if I act surprised she will decide to stay open".

:: I'm sure this is what some of them may think!!!::

[canadiancare]

They get a vacation list in January and then every month they get a menu calendar with all extra stuff (early closure, vacation etc). I only have 5 kids to worry about, though.

[daycarediva]

I give out a yearly magnetic calendar with the holidays closed marked. I tell them to put in on the fridge, I doubt they do. I then pass out monthly newletters with that months schedule. A few days before a day off or closing etc I remind them verbally... some still show up at daycare. :confused: Go figure

Where did you get the magnetic calendar from? I looked everywhere for one around new years and couldn't find anything!

[daycarediva]

I hand it out yearly, remind them in the monthly newsletter for that months closings, AND put it on the menu and the calendar by the front door. I STILL have parents claim that they weren't aware. One showed up and woke me up the day after Christmas claiming she never knew I was closed, she is standing there with dcg like "Oh I don't know what I am going to do, I have to be at work in 5 minutes." I just said "Ok, hope you had a merry Christmas, I'm going back to bed now. Have a nice day." and shut the door.

[Blackcat31]

I hand it out yearly, remind them in the monthly newsletter for that months closings, AND put it on the menu and the calendar by the front door. I STILL have parents claim that they weren't aware. One showed up and woke me up the day after Christmas claiming she never knew I was closed, she is standing there with dcg like "Oh I don't know what I am going to do, I have to be at work in 5 minutes." I just said "Ok, hope you had a merry Christmas, I'm going back to bed now. Have a nice day." and shut the door.

I do the same. I have a calendar that I hand out at the beginning of the year. It has ALL days marked clearly on it that I am closed. I even highlight the PAID closed days and the non-paid days so there is no confusion there either.

It always amazes me how many parents will ask if I am closed on a certain day or not....I just laugh and say check your calendar.

I refuse to treat the parents like children and give out constant reminders.

It NOT my job to help parents funtion as adults.

[canadiancare]

I do the same. I have a calendar that I hand out at the beginning of the year. It has ALL days marked clearly on it that I am closed. I even highlight the PAID closed days and the non-paid days so there is no confusion there either.

It always amazes me how many parents will ask if I am closed on a certain day or not....I just laugh and say check your calendar.

I refuse to treat the parents like children and give out constant reminders.

It NOT my job to help parents funtion as adults.

I write paid/unpaid as well.

[crazydaycarelady]

I usually give them all a printed notice, put a notice on my daycare fb page, put a reminder on the door as few days beforehand, and then say "See you Tuesday" or whatever the day before.

I have still had a parent show up once though.

[tenderhearts]

I give them a notice with days off for next 6 mo. I also post it on my wall by the door and I put a reminder in my monthly newsletter for the month.

[Springdaze]

I think a lot of parents do this for the same reason they do most things...they think they will be the exception. "I know she said she was closed but maybe if I just show up she will watch my little Johny or take him to the appointment with her", "I know she's sent out notices and reminded me but maybe if I act surprised she will decide to stay open".

exactly!

[MarinaVanessa]

I just hand out a list of the holidays that I close at the beginning of the year to all of my current clients then to all of my new clients as they sign up. One or two weeks before I close the daycare I print up a simple sign reminding the parents of the closing (and say whether it's paid or not) and include the returning date. Then I post one on the bulletin board above the sign in sheets and one on the front door and leave it there.

I've had a couple of clients still show up on the holiday with their kid in tow and I can hear them walk up to the front door, stop, and then walk back to their car . You've been looking at the dang sign for two weeks, c'mon now.

And I agree with BC, it's not my job as a parent to continue to remind them over and over. I am in the business of child care not adult care.