Which Would You Choose To Run If Given The Choice???

[Crazy8]

a 4 day per week (M-Th) full year daycare
OR
a 5 day per week program with summers off???

I have thought of going teachers only w/summers off now that my kids are older but right now I am doing the 4 days a week and LOVING it!! It means working thru the summer but with Fridays off plus spreading out my vacation days I am hoping it wouldn't be too horrible this year (first summer doing it).

If I go teachers only I have to offer the 5 days a week to get filled up so doing 4 days plus summers off isn't an option.

[NightOwl]

Ugh... I hate you little right now. :: Sounds amazing. I think I would do 4 days weekly if I had to pick. I think I would get bored in the summer with no kids here. And by Wednesday, I'm counting down to the weekend. So it would be awfully nice if it came a day sooner.

[nannyde]

Summers off

[spinnymarie]

I take summers off Not to mention the teacher schedule that includes Spring Break, two weeks at Winter Break, and several other holidays
It's such a nice break, and by the time the kids come back after break, I'm itching to get going again!
Plus my own kids have the summers off too, so we get to do fun things together without DCK.

[Crazy8]

Ugh... I hate you little right now. :: Sounds amazing. I think I would do 4 days weekly if I had to pick. I think I would get bored in the summer with no kids here. And by Wednesday, I'm counting down to the weekend. So it would be awfully nice if it came a day sooner.

Sorry!! LOL! I have had the fridays off since November and oh do I love it!! I have run my daycare for over 13 years and this is the FIRST time I've ever had this happen and I am just not so sure I want to give it up, but now that my kids are older being tied to the house in the summer is hard too. But I think by using my vacation days split up (since we don't have a true vacation planned this year) it will really help to "extend" my weekends even more and it won't be too bad. Plus if DH can have a weekday off that I am working he could be available to get my own kids out of the house too.

In terms of "days off" the 4 day week schedule actually gives me more days off, school gets out so late in June so I am basically thinking I'd just be closed July & August.

[Crazy8]

I take summers off Not to mention the teacher schedule that includes Spring Break, two weeks at Winter Break, and several other holidays
It's such a nice break, and by the time the kids come back after break, I'm itching to get going again!
Plus my own kids have the summers off too, so we get to do fun things together without DCK.

the problem with breaks is I get teachers from all different school districts with different weeks for breaks and even my own kids go to 3 different schools (2 different districts) so I'm not sure I'd get a whole lot of extra time off for those. I already close between xmas and new years and that is really all we get off for break that time of year.

[Thriftylady]

I would do summers off, but only because then I could spend some time on semi with hubby in the summer. I don't enjoy riding, but it gives us some time together and it really lifts his spirits.

[Baby Beluga]

I would chose to have Friday's off.

[Josiegirl]

If I could make the same wages for the year, I'd love a whole summer off!! Heck, I'd love a whole week off.

[Crazy8]

If I could make the same wages for the year, I'd love a whole summer off!! Heck, I'd love a whole week off.

You know I didn't calculate the money difference until reading this post! I would make less having summers off (about $1,800 less if at capacity in both scenarios) but I am at a stage in life where I could get by with the less money to have the time off so that wouldn't be a big deal to me. Ironically I'd have more days off and make more by doing the 4 day a week schedule.

I'd like to wait until after the summer to make the decision, just to see how this summer goes, but I can't wait if I want to enroll a few teachers for September!

[childcaremom]

Really is not an easy choice. I would love Fridays off as a chance to have a really great (and early) start to the weekend with my family, as well as leave it open for appointments and what not. I probably would have picked this if my kids were younger and still in daycare. They are all school aged now so I would take summers off.

I am trying to get teachers to enroll but know it will take some time. I will close over Christmas and March Breaks and then through the summer.

I charge them more, to make up for the reduced income over the breaks, and would rather spend the time with just my kids.

It will take a while to get there but if I ever do I will be happy and so will my kids.

[Blackcat31]

Without a doubt I'd take the summers off.

Having a 3 day weekend is nice and I get a lot done when that happens but not near as much stuff as I'd get done over a long and sunny summer!!

You really can't immerse yourself in anything worthwhile IMHO over 3 days but the things you could do over a summer.....

.....endless possibilities.

[Unregistered]

M-Th

I actually enjoy summer time child care with all the fun outside activities, sun, sand, water, painting rocks, picnics, messiness, puddles, etc!

[DaveA]

I can't decide. I would love summers off but an extra day off per week would be really productive for me. Snap decision- I'd take the 4 day week but be happy with either.

[originalkat]

I lovethis this question!!!! I would love either one, but since my kids are school age I think I would pick summers off.