I Give Parents Free Or Vacation Days....

[bluemoose_mom]

I take two weeks unpaid vacation.

I give two weeks vacation to parents, at half the normal rate.

I close for all major holidays, paid (plus christmas eve). Day before Thanksgiving is an unpaid holiday (just so if thanksgiving is in the middle of the week, we can still travel to visit family).

Next year, I will add Good Friday to my paid days off.

[ABCDaycareMN]

I do not give any free days and I take paid holiday/vacation days. I have a flat guaranteed weekly rate.

[GoodKarma]

I don't give parents any unpaid days. All of my holidays and days off are paid except my 2weeks/ year vacation time.

[Sugar Magnolia]

loathe? really?

I seriously LOATHE this sentiment.

It's so beyond rude and full of negative implications......

I loathe tomatoes. I also loathe infomercials, baggy pants with underwear showing, diets and fleas. But I don't "LOATHE" ideas, sentiments, or opinions. To say that seems....well.... rude and full of negative implications.

I get paid for federal holidays. I get paid for days kids were out sick or if parents choose to keep their child home. I don't charge for the one week per year vacation I take. I don't find this policy unethical. If you don't agree, that's fine, but please don't loathe my opinion.

[NeedaVaca]

I take paid holidays and 2 weeks paid vacation. My DCF do not get free days off, they pay for the spot. I have a flat weekly rate 52 weeks per year. I've never had an issue with it nor have I lost any families doing it this way.

[NeedaVaca]

This looks like an awesome company! Paid, PAID vacations!

http://www.fullcontact.com/2012/07/10/paid-paid-vacation/

[Willow]

I loathe tomatoes. I also loathe infomercials, baggy pants with underwear showing, diets and fleas. But I don't "LOATHE" ideas, sentiments, or opinions.

Well good for you.

You are entitled to loathe whatever you do and do not want to.


And I will continue to have my (strong) opinion on criticizing how and what other providers charge (especially when judgement on something so private wasn't solicited).

Heaven help anyone who tries to tell me how I manage my personal finances for my private business . If I ask, let the opinions fly but when it works for me and works for my families don't tell me I'm wrong or have some sort of self worth issue.

I do appreciate the poll though, it truly speaks for itself!

[AmyKidsCo]

I give parents 1 week tuition-free vacation after a year of enrollment.

I had to change my policies this year to specify that "free vacation" meant time that the child wasn't in care because I had TWO families use their "free vacation" this year but still bring their children for care. (Totally my fault for not catching it right away, then allowing it.)

[NeedaVaca]

I give parents 1 week tuition-free vacation after a year of enrollment.

I had to change my policies this year to specify that "free vacation" meant time that the child wasn't in care because I had TWO families use their "free vacation" this year but still bring their children for care. (Totally my fault for not catching it right away, then allowing it.)

WHAT?? omg, you worked and they didn't have to pay you? I'm sorry but what parents would try to do that? That's ridiculous....

[AmyKidsCo]

WHAT?? omg, you worked and they didn't have to pay you? I'm sorry but what parents would try to do that? That's ridiculous....

I was surprised too - 18+ years in family child care and it never happened before. But I should've caught on when the parents asked about using their "Free Week" instead of "Free Vacation." At the time it didn't occur to me that the different term meant we had a misunderstanding about the policy. My bad so I honored it.

[MissAnn]

Well good for you.

You are entitled to loathe whatever you do and do not want to.


And I will continue to have my (strong) opinion on criticizing how and what other providers charge (especially when judgement on something so private wasn't solicited).

Heaven help anyone who tries to tell me how I manage my personal finances for my private business . If I ask, let the opinions fly but when it works for me and works for my families don't tell me I'm wrong or have some sort of self worth issue.

I do appreciate the poll though, it truly speaks for itself!

Willow, you seem to miss my point. I did not criticize anyone. I don't play that game. I was encouraging her. I truly doubt that she took offense. If she (or anyone else) were to encourage me to do anything different than what I do......great! Great discussion!

Now, as far as criticizing goes, I think you might need to take some time to retread your own posts directed at me. Let's play nice, OK

This is a forum, we discuss and we add opinions. We are all in the same boat and that's what attracts us here. I adore this place!

[MissAnn]

I give parents 1 week tuition-free vacation after a year of enrollment.

I had to change my policies this year to specify that "free vacation" meant time that the child wasn't in care because I had TWO families use their "free vacation" this year but still bring their children for care. (Totally my fault for not catching it right away, then allowing it.)

Don't feel bad.....happened to me too! I guess they think its a vacation from having to pay?

[MissAnn]

I give parents 1 week tuition-free vacation after a year of enrollment.

I had to change my policies this year to specify that "free vacation" meant time that the child wasn't in care because I had TWO families use their "free vacation" this year but still bring their children for care. (Totally my fault for not catching it right away, then allowing it.)

Question.....do they get this every year after their initial year?

[Scout]

Well good for you.

You are entitled to loathe whatever you do and do not want to.


And I will continue to have my (strong) opinion on criticizing how and what other providers charge (especially when judgement on something so private wasn't solicited).

Heaven help anyone who tries to tell me how I manage my personal finances for my private business . If I ask, let the opinions fly but when it works for me and works for my families don't tell me I'm wrong or have some sort of self worth issue.

I do appreciate the poll though, it truly speaks for itself!

Seriously, did you read this before you hit submit? Give me a break! She never said that anyone was wrong by NOT charging, she just wants us to earn our worth!! If we were working in a different field we would get paid days off(more than likely) so why shouldn't we working for ourselves? Don't be so quick to judge just because you don't agree. This forum used to be fun...not so much anymore.

[Willow]

I do think you're right Scout about that. It hurts that everytime this topic comes up if someone else disagrees with charging a certain way their self worth is called into question.

It wasn't this one thread, my feelings are the result of the plethora of broken record "but don't you think you deserve it" comments. Tom Copeland suggests incorporating those vacation/sick day/vacation day losses directly into your rates. If someone does that over charging separately it's often implied and even flat out said here that they must be bending over.

I'm quite sure that drives people away. I.know it leaves one heck of a bad taste in my mouth....just something to consider in the future when those hoping to encourage choose their words.....