How Do You Tell Parents That You Are Closed?

[DCMomOf3]

I put my days off in my newsletter and then when I hand them the letter, verbally mention that I have important info in there that I need them to read. Usually they will read it on the spot if I say that.

[Lucy]

I try my darndest to have ALL days off planned for next year by the end of this year. Usually by Dec 1st I hand out a list that gives all the days I'm off. It also includes the holidays, just in case people forget which ones I take off. IF I have to add a day off, or a partial day due to a doctor's appointment, I write up a quick little note and give it to each of them. I try to do this as EARLY as possible. As soon as I know I need time off, they know it. When it gets closer, I take a piece of construction paper & some markers and write in large letters: REMINDER: Daycare closed X day. It gets put on the door right above the doorknob. How could they miss it? That way they could never say they weren't told.

[Former Teacher]

I remember one year this father was FURIOUS because we were closed on Thanksgiving! He was one of those parents that wanted his "money's worth" and felt it was wrong because we were closed for that day. We were open that Friday. However since then the day after Thanksgiving became a closed day as well.

I remember another father (a few years later) who was also upset because we didn't tell him when we were closed. He came on Christmas Eve. He was upset because we reminded him that we closed at 12:30. We had to physically show him where the sign was posted with all the holiday closures, which was on the front door.

The following year (and each year after) what we did was make a schedule for all the parents. They had to sign a form stating that they received the holiday schedule. We still posted the schedule on the front door, and we still reminded the parents verbally.

Like the PP said, you don't want to take ANY chances! ::

[MMk9987]

I worked at a pre school back in 2008 and they were closed thanksgiving day but they opened right back up the day after thanksgiving we never really had an issue with any of the parents we sent home a newsletter explaining to them what was going on for the month I think that made it alot easier.

[Crystal]

My handbook states all of the days we are closed for the year, except for our vacation dates and floating holiday dates, of which I take four each year.

On January 2nd each year I give my families a flyer with all of the dates I will be closed for the year, including my vacation date and at least two of my floating holidays, noting that they will be notified at a later date of the additional two days off.

Two weeks prior to each closure, I send out a Parent Memo. I print it and personally hand it to each parent at pick up time on Monday. I also verbally remind them at that time.

The week of being closed, I casually remind them of the day we are closed.

I have never had an issue with closing....my parents always wish me a good day off and happy holiday, and I do the same with them.

[melskids]

i put it in the newsletter, on the parent bulletin board, on top of the sign in sheet, on their daily reports(theones who ge them), and vebally remind them. sometimes i wonder who we're really babysitting...

one month i wrote right in the middle of another sentence on the monthly newsletter...something like this:

"and next weeks them is all about apples. anyone who reads this newsletter and mentions to me you saw this statement receives one free day of daycare. we will be exploring different types of apples, tasting apples, etc....."


only one parent said something

[laundrymom]

I love this!!!

i put it in the newsletter, on the parent bulletin board, on top of the sign in sheet, on their daily reports(theones who ge them), and vebally remind them. sometimes i wonder who we're really babysitting...

one month i wrote right in the middle of another sentence on the monthly newsletter...something like this:

"and next weeks them is all about apples. anyone who reads this newsletter and mentions to me you saw this statement receives one free day of daycare. we will be exploring different types of apples, tasting apples, etc....."


only one parent said something

[busymomof2]

I post y days off in my policy & procedures (that they sign), in my monthly newsletter, a note home to the parents as a reminder and I also post a sign outside the door as they are waiting for me to open stating when I will be closed "Just a reminder, I will be closed Friday due to Holiday". I also have a sign that I post when fees are due "Don't forget tuition is due today...late fee if paid after 6pm". Hope this helps.

[melissa ann]

All of the holidays I am closed are listed in my handbook. I also put a reminder in the monthly newsletters. Plus, it's on the white board where the parents can look. My parents seem to read them. Gramps didnt' but his daughter does and I make sure she gets the letter.
Everytime my daughter got something from preschool or now in kindergarten, I thoroughly read everything. It affects my daughter. If I didn't read them, and she needs to bring something in to school and doesn't, boy, would I hear it from her. I really don't know why parents don't read them. Parents need to be parents and be involved with what's going on with their child.

[SimpleMom]

I include it in my Newletter a month prior to the closed date, have it on my Parent Board, write it in their Daily Communication Books, post a note the week of, AND verbally let the parent's know. This has worked great.