Help! Need To Close For 2 Days

[Little Star75]

So I just got home from the doctors office and apparently I have Pharynytis (not sure if that's hi you spell it) anyways.... This means I have to close for 2 days because I have to be on antibiotics for 2 days. The question is how do I tell parents? I m not going to give them credit cause this is a consequence of me caring for sick kids all the time. So I'm not going to do it.

Please help me how to word it, I have to send an email a.s.a.p. as I need to pick up a school age in one hour.
Thanks

[Blackcat31]

Do you allow yourself a specific number of paid days where you are closed in your contract?

If so, I would simply say

Dear DCP's

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the child care will be closed for the following two days and reopening on Friday March 15, 2013.

These two days will be consider two of the XX amount of paid personal days I have outlined in my contract.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Daycare Provider

If you don't have any personal days off outlined in your contract, I personally would refund/credit the parents. Being exposed to sick kids is all part of the job and not really something I think you can throw back at the parents...kwim?

[laundrymom]

Are you closing just because of the antibiotic? It must be a wicked strong med. I've never heard of closing because of an antibiotic. I even accept kids 24 hrs after one.

[Little Star75]

Do you allow yourself a specific number of paid days where you are closed in your contract?

If so, I would simply say

Dear DCP's

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, the child care will be closed for the following two days and reopening on Friday March 15, 2013.

These two days will be consider two of the XX amount of paid personal days I have outlined in my contract.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Daycare Provider

If you don't have any personal days off outlined in your contract, I personally would refund/credit the parents. Being exposed to sick kids is all part of the job and not really something I think you can throw back at the parents...kwim?

True and no I don't have any sick days on my contract however I been very lenient caring for sick children, I had kids with fever, cough, runny nose etc because parents complained they can't miss work etc. so I have been caring for sick kids. I know I got this from one of them but its hard to tell who.

[Little Star75]

Are you closing just because of the antibiotic? It must be a wicked strong med. I've never heard of closing because of an antibiotic. I even accept kids 24 hrs after one.

I have something similar to step throat and have to be on antibiotics so yes I can reopen 24 hours after I been on it

[Little Star75]

Well I sent out a text to all parents and only one gave me a hard time. I told her that on my next contract renewal I will have to outlined 5 sick days on my contract and that I will have to be very strict on my sick policy. Btw this family is the one that half of the time her child is always catching something.

[rmc20021]

I don't have any sick/personal days off in my policy. I do take 2 weeks vacation throughout the year. I never charge a parent when I'm off due to illness.

Since you have no idea for sure whether you got sick from one of the kids (unless you have remained confined in your daycare home for the past week), and the fact that even if you did get something from one of them, you would have no idea which one so I would have a hard time in charging in a situation such as that if it's not in your policy you have paid sick/personal days.

[LittleD]

I don't have sick days in my policy, so I don't charge if I close for any reason.

Unfortunately, you chose not to enforce your own policies when it comes to the sick kids. You can't nail them for you not being more strict. Consider it a lesson learned.

[Little Star75]

I don't have sick days in my policy, so I don't charge if I close for any reason.

Unfortunately, you chose not to enforce your own policies when it comes to the sick kids. You can't nail them for you not being more strict. Consider it a lesson learned.

Yeah you are right, I will be giving this particular parent a credit but I will strictly enforced my sick policy effective now.

Thanks for all the responses

[Little Star75]

Now I need help writing a brief note to this parent apologizing and that I will give her a credit.

[Blackcat31]

Now I need help writing a brief note to this parent apologizing and that I will give her a credit.

Use the letter I posted above but change the wording a bit so that it says:

Dear DCP's

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the child care will be closed for the following two days and reopening on Friday March 15, 2013.

These two days will be credited on your next invoice.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Daycare Provider

[LaLa1923]

I would credit everyone, not just the one that complained.

I get 2 weeks of vaca and 7 personal days, maybe consider labeling them as personal in your contact. ?.

[NeedaVaca]

I would credit everyone, not just the one that complained.

I get 2 weeks of vaca and 7 personal days, maybe consider labeling them as personal in your contact. ?.

Exactly! You should credit all of them the same and get a contract asap with your paid days off.

[Little Star75]

I would credit everyone, not just the one that complained.

I get 2 weeks of vaca and 7 personal days, maybe consider labeling them as personal in your contact. ?.

That's exactly what I told parents that on my next contract renewal I will be adding at least 5 sick days and said ok. Yes after thinking it though I did decide to give credit but I also mention to them that I will strictly enforce my sick policy effective immediately. Btw they weren't too happy about that one cause there children are always sick.

Thank you all for your responses

[Little Star75]

Use the letter I posted above but change the wording a bit so that it says:

Dear DCP's

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the child care will be closed for the following two days and reopening on Friday March 15, 2013.

These two days will be credited on your next invoice.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Daycare Provider

Thank you so much