Those That Take Christmas to New Years Off

[slorey]

*sigh* I'm not sure yet. The only days I'll get paid for are the 2 actual holidays and I can't afford taking much time off, especially that time of year. Maybe I'll close early Christmas Eve and NYE. Or maybe I'll win the lottery and can give my 2 weeks notice now.

Winning the lottery has been my backup plan for the last 6 months but it hasn't panned out yet! ::

[Meyou]

I'm closed Dec.23 to Jan.2 this year.

[spinnymarie]

I have teacher's kids & they are both off the week of Christmas & the week after so I am closed for both weeks!

Same here

[Jack Sprat]

I should have taken off the whole first week of Christmas break. But, I'm not. I will be closed Christmas Day and New Years Day. I have two teacher kids so they will be gone all of break. My other three will still need care. Which is fine. But, now wishing I would have taken a bit more time off.

[originalkat]

happyfacehappyfacehappyfaceI'm taking Monday, Dec 23- Wed, Jan 1st off. happyfacehappyfacehappyface
Dec 24-25 and Jan 1st are paid holidays.
Dec. 23, Dec. 26-27, and Jan. 31-31 are 5 paid vacation days.
They know the dates I am closed for the whole year each August when school starts.

[granny04]

vacation days

I have been giving my dcp a list of days off and early closings a year ahead of time for the last 3 years. I try to make appointments such as routine doctor's and dentist's the year ahead.
I have taken off the week between Christmas and New Year's due to the way the holiday falls in the week. I think as long as they have ample notice (and I don't charge for the holidays if I take them off in a block of time) they should be fine.
I also have a policy that I do not charge if the kids are not in day care. Helps a lot during cold and flu season. Parents are more inclined to keep a sick child home if they don't have to "pay anyway".
I also go through the calendar for the upcoming year and give myself 3 day weekend in the months where there is no holiday--call them "mental health days".
I hand this list over to parents in January--of course--I always have to post a reminder on the door a couple of days ahead of time for early closings and days off--they will forget to consult the paper after the first couple of months.
This system has worked very well for me and has made the difference on 2 occasions as to whether I got the child or they went to another day care. (there is a lot of competition in my area).

[jenn]

I will be closed for 9 days!!! I will be closed on Tuesday, December 24 and will reopen on Thursday, January 2. happyface Non paid, but worth it. Looking back at previous years, I have really low attendance during this time, and right now I would rather have the day off than be open for only one or two kids.

[Unregistered]

I find these holidays to be sucxh fun to be with children
the excitement and crafts ex
though I could use a break I find many clients have extra days off those weeks too and I am not as full as normal
if children are here it is full days for school is out so beneficial to parents and myself financially to be available
so I am open over the holidays ( closed Xmas and new years days ) and I / We have fun !!!!

[Crazy8]

I debate this every year... technically my paid holidays are xmas eve and xmas day and ny eve and ny day - so would be Tues/Wed & Tues/Wed this year. I'd love to close Thurs, Fri & Mon. too but I'd have to do it unpaid. Sometimes I do - I base it on what my dc families needs are and what days they are taking off. Sometimes I can get away with no kids without officially closing, sometimes I will close cause I know I have some who will bring their kids the day after xmas even though they are off.

[Familycare71]

I should have taken off the whole first week of Christmas break. But, I'm not. I will be closed Christmas Day and New Years Day. I have two teacher kids so they will be gone all of break. My other three will still need care. Which is fine. But, now wishing I would have taken a bit more time off.

Its only the begining of oct cant you add some?? Plenty of time for them to plan!!

[snbauser]

I have teacher's kids & they are both off the week of Christmas & the week after so I am closed for both weeks!

This except our teachers go back on the Friday after NY's so I am open. I am hoping that none of mine will go to work and that they won't bring their kids.