Unhappy Parents, Are My Policies Unfair? How Would You Respond?

[jamiem]

I recently gave my daycare family an updated handbook and contract and they are questioning some changes. I have given myself 10 days of paid vacation and 3 paid sick days, and I gave my daycare families 5 days of unpaid vacation days and no unpaid sick days. (Before this I had 10 paid vacation days, no sick days, and they had an unspecified number of unpaid vacation days but I think they assumed 10 as well) Now they are questioning why the numbers don't match. I want to say because this is my business and I make the rules! but that doesn't sound very nice...how would you respond and do you think my policies are unfair and I should change them so they match? Being around kids I want to have sick days available. I also think it is important to have vacation days to prevent burnout so I can get a break and come back refreshed. I thought it would be nice to give them a week unpaid too but this is my income and to go unpaid for 2 weeks would be a hard. What do you think?

Do you have paid vacation days and how many?

Do you have paid sick days and how many?

Do you allow your daycare families to take unpaid days off and how many?

Do you think these numbers need to match?

If not, how would you explain the discrepancy to questioning parents?

[MotherNature]

The only time my parents get unpaid days off/a credit towards next week is if I call off sick/suddenly. will credit them.I give them 2 weeks a year vacation days they don't have to pay, and I also take 2 weeks paid vacation. It evens out. Plus I hve about 6 paid holidays...next one coming on Monday-Yay!

[NightOwl]

I have 5 paid vacation days.

All sick days, within reason, are paid. I wouldn't expect them to pay full price if I have the flu for two weeks.

My families also get 5 days, but it must be taken as a vacation week. Not one day here, one day there. Too much to keep track of.

I think your numbers should match. I realize you can't afford to lose 2 weeks payment, but they probably can't afford to pay double for two weeks either.

And if you're looking for a way to explain the discrepancy, maybe that's the problem. You can't explain it because it's not truly fair. With all due respect....

My parents are fine with mine because I explain to them that it essentially equals out concerning vacations. They pay me for my week, but then they get a free week when they take theirs. They're happy with that.

As far as sick days, I explain that most employers give their employees paid sick days that accrue over time. It's the same concept. The parents likely get paid sick time and vacation annually, so why shouldn't you?

My dcfs, however, do not get free sick days. This is because, elsewhere in my policies, it states that they are paying for enrollment, not actual attendance. Sick days fall under that same category. I shouldn't lose income because their child is sick.

[sahm1225]

I don't get paid for my vacations (I take 2 weeks a year) or my sick days.
I do get paid for major holidays (8 days). Most of my families try and plan vacation around the same time as me, so it works out well.

My families contracts are different, but basically out of my 10 families - one gets one week vacation at 50% off, one gets 3 sick/vacation days unpaid, and the rest pay regardless of attendance (I have mostly part timers).

My situation is different because I have two assistants so we can usually cover for each other.

Have you thought of giving them 50% off for up to 2 weeks vacation? Basically the same as you are doing now, but sounds better to them. I don't think the numbers need to match, but you are doing quite a jump from having 10 days (or so they thought) unpaid to specifying that it's only 5.

[MarinaVanessa]

Do you have paid vacation days and how many?
Yes, 8.

Do you have paid sick days and how many?
No, if I close because I'm sick I credit them for the day.

Do you allow your daycare families to take unpaid days off and how many?
No, I charge based on enrollment not attendance. If they are absent due to illness, vacation or otherwise they do not get credited for those days. If I am open, they pay. If I am closed, they don't pay (except for paid holidays).

Do you think these numbers need to match?
I think providers should do what they feel like doing, if clients don't like it they can find alternative child care.

[Leigh]

When you THINK you're giving a perk, they want more.

I charge full rate EVERY week. It doesn't matter if I am sick or on vacation or if the child is. They payment is the same every time. It's SO much easier, and it eliminates parents trying to negotiate my rates and policies.

Last year, I started a new family, and on day THREE, I came down with a knock-down infection. I couldn't get out of bed for 3 days, let alone care for my own child or someone else's. I credited the new family for these days, because I felt that I hadn't yet "paid my dues" with them, and because I was afraid they would pull the kids when I called out the first week (a RARE occurrence, but horrible timing). No parent will complain if you bend the rules in their favor-but charging full price every week allows me control over such situations.

If you're giving 6 kids 10 days free every year, and you charge just $25/day, that's $1500/year that you're losing. IF I were to ever do such a thing, I would build those free days into my base rate ($5+ per week more)-no way would the be truly "free".

[craftymissbeth]

Do you have paid vacation days and how many?
No, my vacation days are unpaid, but I take up to 3 weeks each year.

Do you have paid sick days and how many?
I don't specify how many sick days I can take each year. They're also unpaid.

Do you allow your daycare families to take unpaid days off and how many?
No. The only unpaid days they get are if I am closed.

Do you think these numbers need to match?
No

If not, how would you explain the discrepancy to questioning parents?
I think if they insist on an explanation, I would just tell them that this is the way that works best for me business-wise. Like MV said, if it's a no-go for them then they should simply go where they agree and will follow all of the policies.

[NeedaVaca]

I take 2 weeks paid vacation, 3 paid sick / personal days and all major holidays paid. My families all pay 52 weeks regardless-they do not get any free vacations.

You could just tell them after researching they have actually just been getting a great deal in the past This is a standard practice for many daycares, not at all out of the ordinary.

[Heidi]

MY vacations are unpaid, but parents pay for theirs. So, if they take it when I take it, they don't have to pay. Otherwise, they do.

I get the major holidays, plus the day after Thanksgiving. Changes a little each year because if a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, I take that extra day too (paid).

I also get 5 days per year to use as sick days, personal days (scheduled ahead), or training days (conferences or classes). I prorated that to 3 for my newest family.

[spinnymarie]

Do you have paid vacation days and how many?
No, none.

Do you have paid sick days and how many?
No, none. I have back-ups who will provide if I'm sick.

Do you allow your daycare families to take unpaid days off and how many?
No.

Do you think these numbers need to match?
No. However, I changed the numbers to look like they do match - instead of having 'paid holidays' of my own, I would take unpaid holidays and raise my rates. ... In someone else's example, you could charge $125/week and take 10 days of paid vacation (client pays for 52 weeks of care) or charge $130/week and take 10 days UNpaid vacation (client pays for 50 weeks of care). Either way you make the same amount ($6500) each year per child

[TwinKristi]

Do you have paid vacation days and how many?
No, my vacation days are unpaid, but I take up to 3 weeks each year.

Do you have paid sick days and how many?
I don't specify how many sick days I can take each year. They're also unpaid.

Do you allow your daycare families to take unpaid days off and how many?
No. The only unpaid days they get are if I am closed.

Do you think these numbers need to match?
No

If not, how would you explain the discrepancy to questioning parents?
I think if they insist on an explanation, I would just tell them that this is the way that works best for me business-wise. Like MV said, if it's a no-go for them then they should simply go where they agree and will follow all of the policies.

This I me to a T. I don't charge for days I close but I do charge for days they're absent from care and I have 6 paid holidays. New Years Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas I'm closed 2 days, one paid one unpaid.

[cheerfuldom]

I allow 10 paid vacation days but rarely take more than a few. I also have paid holidays. no paid sicks days as i just never close. If I had to close, I would take it unpaid.

Parents pay for everything regardless of attendance.

No matter what you do, someone is going to complain. I would just say " I understand that you are unhappy with some of the changes but my contract is not negotiable. If you feel you have to find alternate care, that is your choice to make but dont forget to allow two weeks notice period."

[Second Home]

Do you have paid vacation days and how many?
No paid vacation days , I take about 2 weeks a year both unpaid. I do have 6 paid holidays per year that are paid - BUT many times those days fall during my vacations so in reality they only pay for 2-3 holidays .

Do you have paid sick days and how many?
No paid sick days .

Do you allow your daycare families to take unpaid days off and how many?
I do not give them any unpaid days off . They pay for me to hold their spot .If I have to close due to weather I do give a credit for the next week .

If not, how would you explain the discrepancy to questioning parents?
To date I have not had anyone question my policies that much . Maybe a "do I have to pay when I go on my vacation " , I answer yes .

[e.j.]

Do you have paid vacation days and how many?
No, my vacation days are unpaid, but I take up to 3 weeks each year.

Do you have paid sick days and how many?
I don't specify how many sick days I can take each year. They're also unpaid.

Do you allow your daycare families to take unpaid days off and how many?
No. The only unpaid days they get are if I am closed.

Do you think these numbers need to match?
No

If not, how would you explain the discrepancy to questioning parents?
I think if they insist on an explanation, I would just tell them that this is the way that works best for me business-wise. Like MV said, if it's a no-go for them then they should simply go where they agree and will follow all of the policies.

This is me, too.

I learned a long time ago that I can't be all things to all people. I set my policies according to what works best for me. When I make policy changes, I do try to grandfather current families in whenever possible to avoid hard feelings. If I felt strongly enough that new policies had to include current families, though, they would have to agree to them or look for someone else to care for their kids.

[TwinKristi]

I think you're probably going to have some people who dislike it, but that's their choice. If they're happy with your care and value your time they will understand this. Some people don't get paid sick days (I've never worked at a job that had paid sick time) or more than 1-2 wks vacation. When someone is giving their provider more paid days off than they get at their job it creates a rift. It's important to let your families know this is non-negotiable and if they don't agree there is a 2 week notice required to end the contract.