Change in Policy Due to Frequent Call Offs

[irishrose]

I give parents 7 days vacation per year. I require 2 weeks notice. I've never had anyone say anything.

Hi guest! You are very lucky! It sounds like you have some great parents!! Our parents get 20 vacation days per year - 10 from Jan 1 to June 30 and then 10 from July 1 to Dec 31. These are free of charge - provided we get a week's notice.. although that doesn't always happen, hence our current dilemma.

[Thriftylady]

Hi Blackcat - I like the way you think. So many parents think that we are doing a favor for them. But - this is our business and it is how we make our living.

Not all the parents are bad at giving us notice, in fact, some are truly wonderful and will let us know weeks in advance! There are three families though that will tell us the day before that they are taking the next few days off. All three moms are in the healthcare field. I do not know much about being in that field - maybe they have quite a bit of flexibility in their jobs?? However - when they first started with us - we were told that their schedule would be Mon-Fri, full-time. Sometimes, that's not always the case and we do not find out about changes until a day or two before. And by then, it's too late to fill the spots with some of our part-time children. Then, either I tell staff that they aren't needed or I cut my own hours. I didn't think advanced notice was too much to ask. Are we being too picky?

Well most people in health care know their schedules well ahead of time. They, like us in child care have to have proper staffing in most cases. Now I know there are times if a nurse has to call off another must be called in because they have to have that coverage. But I find it hard to believe that they can just call in off work so easy. Now if they are in billing or something who knows, maybe?

[irishrose]

Well here's the update:

DCM came in this morning and as she was heading to the door to leave, I pulled her aside and I explained to her that a staff member told me she was upset about the change in policy and I wanted a chance to explain it to her. I told her that the policy wasn't directed at her specifically, but to all parents in general. I told her that we had a few families who would give us a one or two day notice before going on vacation and when that happens, I either tell my staff members that they are not needed or I cut my own hours. When this happens, we struggle to keep an income. Although we love what we do, it is our job and this policy change helps us to stay in business. She replied that she understood but she still would not sign the policy change agreement. Her issue with it was that because she was in the process of changing jobs, she might be let go two weeks early, and that she didn't want to pay for those other two weeks she would be between jobs. I explained to her that that was something that we could work around and if you talk with us and explain what happens, we could work something out so you wouldn't be responsible for paying during that time. I repeated that this policy is in place to protect myself and other staff members from when parents decide to go on vacation with a 1-2 day notice. I also told her that I didn't foresee this being a problem with her because she in the past two months, she has given us a heads up when her children will be out. She said she understood my point, but she still refused to sign because it was contractual. I told her that we would be sticking with our policy and that I didn't want to lose her two children, but if she needed to look for another provider than I understood. She said okay and then walked out of the door.

I am sad that we will be losing her two kids, they are truly wonderful kids and being in childcare has helped them come a long way. I truly, truly hope I did the right thing - part of me feels bad - but the other part of me is proud for standing by the policy. Ahhh. Running a business is not easy... I'm not looking forward to tomorrow morning when she drops the kids off. :/

Was I right or wrong?

[Thriftylady]

If you make a policy you have to stick to it or what good is the policy? I would require her to give her notice in writing though so you can begin to fill the spot.

[irishrose]

If you make a policy you have to stick to it or what good is the policy? I would require her to give her notice in writing though so you can begin to fill the spot.

Thank you. You are absolutely correct. The policy is in place for a good reason and I must stick with it. It's just so hard to be 'tough' sometimes, but if I don't, then I'm going to be the one who is struggling for an income. Thanks again for all of the advice!

[Blackcat31]

Thank you. You are absolutely correct. The policy is in place for a good reason and I must stick with it. It's just so hard to be 'tough' sometimes, but if I don't, then I'm going to be the one who is struggling for an income. Thanks again for all of the advice!

"When you say yes to someone else, make sure you are not saying no to yourself"

That's important advice in this line of work since a majority of providers are natural caregivers and always wanting to help. Sadly there are a few types of parents that will take advantage of that and push boundaries.

The child care relationship between parent and the child care should be a two way street. The goal shouldn't always be doing what's best for the parent's finances/budget but doing what's best for everyone.

I charge families the same rate 50 weeks a year REGARDLESS of attendance. My rates are based in enrollment not on attendance so parents can take as much time off as they want but I still make the same income.

I view rates like rent. You don't get to go away for the weekend and then ask your landlord for a discount or break in rent. Your apartment was still there. You just CHOSE not to use it but it was still there in case you did.

Also, keeping your child care provider informed and up to date on your days off and vacation times is a courtesy that I would think all parents did simply as a respectful gesture to their provider. Imagine if their medical field employers refused to give them notice of what days and times they were suppose to work a shift but instead called them up the night before and said to show up? ::

I also want to point out that this DCM's refusal to sign this simple agreement is her way of saying she has no respect or concern for your income, your role in the child's life nor your mental health... she is concerned about HER finances and HER wishes only. She may say the words "I understand" and she may really understand but she doesn't care. Personally I would rather care; even if I didn't understand...kwim?

Good luck.... these kinds of situations usually reach a boiling point and then either go bad real fast.... hoping that is not the case here.

[Unregistered]

We charge a flat rate regardless of whether they come or not. In August and December we charge the flat rate plus a supply fee.

[renodeb]

I have in my contract that I need one week's notice for any vacation days taken with 1/2 of the regular fee paid in advance. Payment is based on enrollment not attendance. Maybe tell those parents that you rely on a certain amount of income a week in order to pay staff and make a living. Also, when I make any changes to my contract I give a month's notice for them to get used to what ever change it is. Most parents hate change and most especially hate sudden change. Good luck .
Deb