Do You Take a Paid Vacation? HOW?

[Annalee]

I currently take 2 weeks vacation, 3 personal days and all the main holidays paid. My families pay 52 weeks per year. I am debating adding a 3rd week in the new year when I hand out new schedules/policies. I worry that 3 weeks is too much? I feel like I need it though-I take one vacation week during the Christmas Holidays and last year between the paid holidays and personal days I was able to take 2 full weeks off. Then a 2nd vacation in the summer and we spend it with my in laws-they take us so it's a free trip. The problem I have is I want to take a week vaca with my family on Spring Break and don't have enough days to cover it...

Spring and Fall break are why I float the extra week, I can use a few days each time with my sons.

[Laurel]

I actually pad my weekly rate to cover vacations. This works well for me (and actually I make more money this way then if they paid for the vacation )

That's a good idea. Then you could even tell them at the interview that you don't charge for your vacation and act like it is a perk they receive.

Laurel

[originalkat]

I let them know at the beginning of the year because I renew my contracts at that time and hand out a schedule of days off. My current parents take the same time off. I charge full rate

A month's notice is sufficient, I wouldn't go less than 3 weeks if you're taking a week off. They need time to make arrangements.

I agree.
I give out a yearly calendar each August before the next school year starts with all holidays and vacations listed.

[Rachel]

I work a set schedule, holidays off, and 2 times in the year a week plus, both paid. One coordinates with Passover (usually 11 days off including weekends) and the second is in August (finish work Aug. 6th and go back to a new school year Aug. 27). Both are paid, but the August one is paid proportionately if a family wasn't with me from the beginning of the year for whatever reason (conversely, if a family leaves early they need to pay out what they owe on August, so I don't lose out except the year I was on maternity leave and only opened in December). In addition, I get 3 paid days off a year I can take whenever I want with 2 weeks notice. Any other time off I pay for backup care for those who want it.