Holiday Pay

[mrsnj]

I go through this every year with my before/after cause the closing days change and I never know how to handle certain situations.....

I charge a flat rate no matter if they come or not for before/after. Then when there is a closing, they just add on a drop in rate as needed. BUT, we are closed for two weeks this year for the holidays. I have two boys who are only before/after. I don't normally take them otherwise. Should I charge them for those two weeks their normal rate? I know I will get "But there is no school". On the other hand I made it clear it is flat no matter what. I am relying on their payment no matter from Sept to June. Most of my before/after attend that week so its no big deal. These two I don't know what to do with.:confused: How do you handle these weeks?

[Blackcat31]

I go through this every year with my before/after cause the closing days change and I never know how to handle certain situations.....

I charge a flat rate no matter if they come or not for before/after. Then when there is a closing, they just add on a drop in rate as needed. BUT, we are closed for two weeks this year for the holidays. I have two boys who are only before/after. I don't normally take them otherwise. Should I charge them for those two weeks their normal rate? I know I will get "But there is no school". On the other hand I made it clear it is flat no matter what. I am relying on their payment no matter from Sept to June. Most of my before/after attend that week so its no big deal. These two I don't know what to do with.:confused: How do you handle these weeks?

Flat rate to me means same pay each week no matter what the attendance is or what days you are or aren't open.

Flat rate = same pay. ALL the time.

[TwinKristi]

I go through this every year with my before/after cause the closing days change and I never know how to handle certain situations.....

I charge a flat rate no matter if they come or not for before/after. Then when there is a closing, they just add on a drop in rate as needed. BUT, we are closed for two weeks this year for the holidays. I have two boys who are only before/after. I don't normally take them otherwise. Should I charge them for those two weeks their normal rate? I know I will get "But there is no school". On the other hand I made it clear it is flat no matter what. I am relying on their payment no matter from Sept to June. Most of my before/after attend that week so its no big deal. These two I don't know what to do with.:confused: How do you handle these weeks?

I charged my after-school guys mom the regular after school rate the week he wasn't here for Thanksgiving and charged her the normal after school rate for the holidays. I don't charge for days I close, but charge for days they stay home or are sick. Last week they kept him at grandmas house (probably due to the extra cost of having him here all day) and she paid anyway. But the 2 weeks I'm closing this year are unpaid except the actual contracted holidays which I charged her their usual daily rate not my full day rate.

[Great Beginnings]

How is your contract worded? Mine specifically states that you pay for the spot not the hours and pay is required regardless if they are in care or not. I have a family taking off a week during the Christmas break and I am still charging them the school rate. I have another family who has 5 vacation/sick days to use up yet. They tried using if for the break but my contract states I get paid for Holidays so their bill is only getting prorated and they will still pay for Christmas and the day after.

[Annalee]

How is your contract worded? Mine specifically states that you pay for the spot not the hours and pay is required regardless if they are in care or not. I have a family taking off a week during the Christmas break and I am still charging them the school rate. I have another family who has 5 vacation/sick days to use up yet. They tried using if for the break but my contract states I get paid for Holidays so their bill is only getting prorated and they will still pay for Christmas and the day after.

One of the reasons, I went to straight 52 week full-time pay regardless of days present....no hassle!!!

[mrsnj]

That's how I usually work it but all my kids usually attend full time that wk so not normally a problem. I know I'm going to hear about having to pay for before/after when there is no school. Plus I'm not taking them on top of it for holiday time so just want to be prepared

I have another prek'er who is coming one day over the two wks. I know she's gonna complain too. I know it's not my problem but it doesn't lessen the stress

[Blackcat31]

That's how I usually work it but all my kids usually attend full time that wk so not normally a problem. I know I'm going to hear about having to pay for before/after when there is no school. Plus I'm not taking them on top of it for holiday time so just want to be prepared

I have another prek'er who is coming one day over the two wks. I know she's gonna complain too. I know it's not my problem but it doesn't lessen the stress

I would just try to stick with saying that it all comes out in the wash in the end.

Sometimes you (the provider) go above and beyond and sometimes the parents have to give a little too (paying for time you are closed) and the Holiday season is just one of those times.

It is what it is. If they bring up the no school excuse just say "Yeah, I know it's hard to pay for something you aren't using but look at it as though you are paying for your provider's well being/sanity and in the end your kids will benefit from that." Then SMILE really big.

Good idea about being prepared BEFORE they try and put you on the spot.

Have you considered sending out e-mail invoices for that time WITH a written explanation of why they are being charged BEFORE they ask about it?

[mrsnj]

No. Most of my parents know but I have three new families.

[TheGoodLife]

I don't want to hijack, but I have a similar question I have a temporary DCG who started last month and is here through the Christmas- mom works retail and had to work earlier hours for the holiday.

I charge my full 3 day tuition of $100 a week (She is here from 1-5ish. Was picked up around 3:30/4 last month and is here until 5/5:30 lately. She wanted the spot and I don't do 1/2 days so she pays the full rate) Her last day is the 23rd. They have not asked yet, but would you charge the full week since holidays (Christmas Eve and Day in my contract) are paid? Or give them a discounted rate?

[Blackcat31]

I don't want to hijack, but I have a similar question I have a temporary DCG who started last month and is here through the Christmas- mom works retail and had to work earlier hours for the holiday.

I charge my full 3 day tuition of $100 a week (She is here from 1-5ish. Was picked up around 3:30/4 last month and is here until 5/5:30 lately. She wanted the spot and I don't do 1/2 days so she pays the full rate) Her last day is the 23rd. They have not asked yet, but would you charge the full week since holidays (Christmas Eve and Day in my contract) are paid? Or give them a discounted rate?

She won't be coming anymore after the 23rd or that is just the last day she needs for care that week?

[Blackcat31]

No. Most of my parents know but I have three new families.

I'd still maybe go the e-mail or written notice route BEFORE they ask. That way you can address it before it becomes akward.

[TheGoodLife]

She won't be coming anymore after the 23rd or that is just the last day she needs for care that week?

She is done after the 23rd- Her mom and dad work opposite schedules so they don't have to do daycare, they just needed care for the 2 months her mom had her hours extended for the holidays. She comes M-W, and T/W are my paid holidays.

[Blackcat31]

She is done after the 23rd- Her mom and dad work opposite schedules so they don't have to do daycare, they just needed care for the 2 months her mom had her hours extended for the holidays. She comes M-W, and T/W are my paid holidays.

If that is her last paid week and she normally would pay for the whole week (or her 3 days) I would charge her. Regardless of your closing.

A week is a week.

Either that or you can provide care on that Monday but charge her the drop in rate you have instead of the weekly rate she normally pays.

HTH

[TwinKristi]

She is done after the 23rd- Her mom and dad work opposite schedules so they don't have to do daycare, they just needed care for the 2 months her mom had her hours extended for the holidays. She comes M-W, and T/W are my paid holidays.

I would think she should pay... I have a family leaving the 20th even though the DCB doesn't start preschool til the 6th... I know she's leaving then and farming the kids out to family to avoid paying me the 2 upcoming holidays.

[TheGoodLife]

If that is her last paid week and she normally would pay for the whole week (or her 3 days) I would charge her. Regardless of your closing.

A week is a week.

Either that or you can provide care on that Monday but charge her the drop in rate you have instead of the weekly rate she normally pays.

HTH

I'm now thinking, since she was here 2 months, that I would tell them now that I feel bad that their last week includes 2 of my paid holidays and that I'll offer to only hold them to one of them since they were here for such a short time. That way hopefully I'll preempt their inevitable "do I have to pay" question AND make it seem like I'm doing them a favor (which technically I am as my contract states my paid holidays) That way we both come out a bit ahead, or at least I hope they see it that way Thanks BC!