Policies... Question... What Do You Do?

[lovemykidstoo]

I used to give 2 weeks worth of free days for the parents. I stopped doing tha because I was out alot of money. Now, they pay whether the child is here or not unles it's a day that I take off for my vacation or illness. I do get paid for I think it's 5 national holidays.

I know that we've talked about this before, but how do parents react when they pay for the providers vacation? I have never done that because I figure if they pay me $100 a week and I'm on vacation then they have to pay $200 for daycare for that week as they have to find someone else to watch their child when I'm gone. So many, if not all, of my parents would not be able to afford that. Also, I know that some have said that they could take their vacation at the same time as me so they don't have to pay it. What if they don't even get vacation days at their job? has anyone ever gotten flak about it?

[itlw8]

parents pay no matter what. No free days... That includes when I take off. if I take off and extra unscheduled day I tell them it is no charge.

[MarinaVanessa]

Good afternoon all....

I am just curious what your policies are regarding a child that is not in attendance... do you allow a certain number of sick days per contract year? A certain number of vacation days?

I am asking as I set my policies a while back and since then it has come to my attention that many of the "home" daycares either do not charge for days absent or charge hourly...

My current policy allows 5 sick days per child, per contract year and my vacation policy allows one consecutive week (so the parents aren't using a sporadic day here and there) and each week after that I charge 1/2 their regular tuition to hold their spot. I did this policy more so because I am aware there are people with an obnoxious amount of vacation and I would hate to lose so much income each year.

My policy is that my client pays a flat weekly rate each week which is based on enrollment, not attendance. That means that they pay for the week regardless of whether the child attends or not. If the child is sick, has a Dr's appointment, goes on vacation or just takes a day off to stay home with mom and dad they still don't get a discount or break in price. Holidays when I close are a part of their rate so when I close for a holiday (10 a year) they don't get a discount for that either.

On the flip side I personally don't allot myself any paid vacation or sick time so when I close due to illness or when I go on vacation then I don't charge my clients for those days but this works for me because my family only takes one long vacation in the summer each year so I only close for 5 days (I kept this in mind when I decided on my rates) and other trips are taken on weekends or holiday weekends so we don't need to take additional days off (both my family and my DH's family all live close and within driving distance so we don't have far to travel). I rarely get sick and when I do get sick my DH is able to stay home and help with daycare so I rarely if ever need to close when I get sick.

[WDW]

My families get 5 "sick" days and 5 "vacation" days - I have to be notified two weeks in advance for them to use a vacation day(s). I get 8 pd holidays and 10 "paid" days off to use for sick/vacation. I give them at least two weeks (usually WAY more) for vacation. Other than that, if I'm off, I'm not paid. After their 10 days, if I'm open, they pay.

[melilley]

I used to give 2 weeks worth of free days for the parents. I stopped doing tha because I was out alot of money. Now, they pay whether the child is here or not unles it's a day that I take off for my vacation or illness. I do get paid for I think it's 5 national holidays.

I know that we've talked about this before, but how do parents react when they pay for the providers vacation? I have never done that because I figure if they pay me $100 a week and I'm on vacation then they have to pay $200 for daycare for that week as they have to find someone else to watch their child when I'm gone. So many, if not all, of my parents would not be able to afford that. Also, I know that some have said that they could take their vacation at the same time as me so they don't have to pay it. What if they don't even get vacation days at their job? has anyone ever gotten flak about it?

I gave my parents a schedule of closed days and one vacation week that I am taking that is paid and one week that is not paid. I also tell them in person during the interview that I get a week paid and nobody has had a problem with it. I also offer families one week of vacation where they don't have to pay so I think that it evens it out, plus right now they can take their vacation in the same week as mine.
BUT, I just opened and my paid vacation is in July-let's see if anyone gets upset that they have to pay!

[JoseyJo]

I take 2 weeks vacation unpaid. If I ever had to close for illness/appointments that would be unpaid (I have never closed other than vacation in 5 years but if I had to).

Other than that parents pay whether their child is there or not.

[AmyKidsCo]

My policy is that as long as I am open and available for care, if the parent has contracted for that time, they pay whether their child is in attendance or not. The only time I don't charge is when I close the day care for some reason - I'm sick, on vacation, have jury duty, an appointment, etc.

Me too, almost. I don't charge if I close because I'm sick or because of an emergency that I can't provide care (like no running water). If I'd have an appointment I'll either close early or take a paid personal day for it.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Me too, almost. I don't charge if I close because I'm sick or because of an emergency that I can't provide care (like no running water). If I'd have an appointment I'll either close early or take a paid personal day for it.

I would not charge if I closed outside of my holidays that I provided a list for at the beginning of the year. It states this in my handbook.

My maternity leave will be unpaid. Other than that, I haven't closed unpaid.

[Familycare71]

I am closed unpaid right now because of a stinking stomach virus!
I have three weeks vacation per year (with 30 days notice) per year that is 1/2 pay. I also have most federal holidays off with full pay. Parents seem more open to that than higher rates...
My parents get a week (whatever that is for them p/t or f/t) off with half pay once per year.
Every other day their child misses is full pay- you pay for the spot not attendance.