Would You Take This Day Off?

[Shell]

I have a dcg starting next week, pt Wed and Fridays. My whole group is pt, and As it so happens, my only regularly scheduled Friday dcg isn't coming next Friday, which NEVER happens!
If I remain open next Friday, I will only have one dcg (the new one) and of course, my own. I'd like to take the day off, as it never happens that my Friday dcg takes off- does this make sense?!

I also have to take a Friday off in April for a wedding, and am going to give her that date with my contract when she arrives next week.

Is this too many days to ask for, at the beginning? Should I **** it up and open for just dcg? If no- how would you word it? I don't want to seem unreliable. Thanks!

[Blackcat31]

I have a dcg starting next week, pt Wed and Fridays. My whole group is pt, and As it so happens, my only regularly scheduled Friday dcg isn't coming next Friday, which NEVER happens!
If I remain open next Friday, I will only have one dcg (the new one) and of course, my own. I'd like to take the day off, as it never happens that my Friday dcg takes off- does this make sense?!

I also have to take a Friday off in April for a wedding, and am going to give her that date with my contract when she arrives next week.

Is this too many days to ask for, at the beginning? Should I **** it up and open for just dcg? If no- how would you word it? I don't want to seem unreliable. Thanks!

If I find myself in the position to take the day off due to only a couple kids being in attendance, I do it.

ESPECIALLY if it's part time kids

I make sure to let part time families know that it IS a possibility that I may take a non-scheduled day off if attendance is low and since I don't make a ton off of part time kids, I want them to be aware that their daycare needs do NOT trump my need to sneak in a day with family or doing personal errands.

Don't feel bad.... just give them notice as soon as you can and if you have in your policies that parents are required to have a back up provider, then it's all good.

Do what YOU need to do and don't stress about the part time DCF's schedule.

[Blackcat31]

As for wording I'd go with:

Dear DCF

An unexpected opportunity (or situation) has come up that requires me to close on Friday, February 27.
If you were scheduled to attend on that day, please make alternate arrangements for services as I will not be available.

Thank you!

Provider

They do NOT need to know anything more than you are closing. period.

[butterfly]

I would work it, personally. Especially with it being their first week.

[Crystal]

Personally, I wouldn't do it. It is her first week and it will likely not be appreciated. I'd use it as an opportunity to work on building a relationship with the child.

I think Mom might consider finding care elsewhere if you are willing to close on the child's second day in care.....she may think it will become a pattern and parents expect their provider to be reliable.

[KayB]

Is there a possibility of her coming a different day that week and explain why?

[daycare]

I also would not do it especially with the family being so new.

You need to start things out on the right foot and in my eyes that would not be the right one if the family first week in is already needing to find back up care.

I would either **** it up or I would see if they would be interested in coming on another day.

I would compare it to how reliable would you think of a parent if they came in on their first week and said oh can I pay you later? does not set the tone right...

[KiddieCahoots]

Funny how things work out like this......always!

I'm gonna use my personal hind sight to try and answer this.

At the time of the situation, like you, I'm always wondering if I should or shouldn't take the day off, and go through all the pros and cons.....while feeling guilty that I'm even considering it.

But.....

Once the opportunity has passed, if I hadn't taken the opportunity to be with my family, which is more important to me, then I regret that I didn't.

So, I take that time off when I can to be with family now. And when I'm in that moment with my family I take the time to think of what I'd be missing if I hadn't.

[laundrymom]

This!!!!!!!

as for wording i'd go with:

dear dcf

an unexpected opportunity (or situation) has come up that requires me to close on friday, february 27.
If you were scheduled to attend on that day, please make alternate arrangements for services as i will not be available.

Thank you!

Provider

they do not need to know anything more than you are closing. Period.

[Unregistered]

I don't think that I would do it, either. I would have looked at it like a bonus that I get to bond with the newbie, without other kids around. On the other hand, don't you love how daycare works? They finally take a Friday off, and it's the week that you find a new Friday kid. (My open to closing dck finally left, and my shorter hours dck has been open to closing, since.) The universe never seems to align in this job, so sometimes you do have to force it to avoid burnout.

[spinnymarie]

I wouldn't do it either.
However, since we run on a school-year calendar, we have many scheduled days off.
I think I would be more likely to do it if I only took a few holidays across the year.

[Blackcat31]

I wouldn't do it either.
However, since we run on a school-year calendar, we have many scheduled days off.
I think I would be more likely to do it if I only took a few holidays across the year.

This is probably why I WOULD do it.

I have never taken a sick day and I close VERY little over the year.

I have also been flexible with my vacation weeks to accommodate my families so I feel very justified in taking advantage of an unexpected opportunity to have a free day with my family.

[Second Home]

For me it would depend on whether you gave her you scheduled days off yet . If not then add it in , if you already have given her the days off schedule then I would not change it to add in the extra day .

I took last Friday off to go visit colleges with my dd and it felt good to be able to do something for her .

[daycare]

This is probably why I WOULD do it.

I have never taken a sick day and I close VERY little over the year.

I have also been flexible with my vacation weeks to accommodate my families so I feel very justified in taking advantage of an unexpected opportunity to have a free day with my family.

I 100% agree with this with those clients that know your history of good business.

but a new client has not gotten to see that yet.

[Rockgirl]

If it were me, I might just say to dcm, "Looks like Suzy will be the only one here Friday!" Dcm might decide not to send her. Otherwise, if you're set on taking the day off, just do it.