"But....What Do People Do With Their Kids When You're Closed?"

[Blackcat31]

I take off 20 unpaid days... 6 are federal Holidays the others are split into 2 vacations 6 months apart (one of those is Christmas week) and my families are always told by Jan 2 of each year what the years calendar looks like - been in business 15 years in 7 different states

I don't think 20 is unreasonable. Especially since your families are told so far in advance.

Personally, I think 35 is a bit excessive.

Definitely not something I would agree to as a parent.

[LysesKids]

I don't think 20 is unreasonable. Especially since your families are told so far in advance.

Personally, I think 35 is a bit excessive.

Definitely not something I would agree to as a parent.

Mine are unpaid including the 6 Holidays... that one provider was taking PTO; much different

[Play Care]

Eh, without knowing the situation, I wouldn't think anything. I have mostly teachers kids and mainly work a school calendar schedule. As honest and upfront as I am during interviews with parents about my schedule, I still have parents who work more traditional jobs want to sign on because of the other aspects of my program. I have turned some of these away in the past because I knew as soon as they realized I meant it when I said school calendar schedule, the poo would hit the fan.
I'm sure the dcd who just left last June probably complained about my days "off" even though he begged me to take dcg because I transport to preschool and am one of the few providers who do. Initially I had told him no.

Between my vacations, holidays, snow days, etc. I'm sure I'm pretty close to what some would consider unacceptable.

[midaycare]

As a parent, I get that this is a business and has to be run accordingly.

However, after being the backup care for my oldest goddaughter I realized that I would absolutely have to have a center rather than an in-home care provider. My BFF's in-home care provider kept increasing the number of days each year that she was taking as PTO. By the end it was something like 35 days a year (if I remember correctly it was 10 holidays, 2 weeks in the summer, the week of her birthday, the week of her anniversary, the day of her husband's birthday, and the day of each of her 4 kids birthdays). I understand that it is her right to run her business the way she wants, but I'm also guessing that cost her quite a few families in the end. I'm lucky enough to now have a job that gives me PTO/holidays, but I don't get that much.

The only time I have seen this amount of time off is because a provider is starting to retire.

I take 10 days a year, but all of my parents have them off. Thanksgiving and the day after, 24th-26th of Dec, and Dec 31st and Jan 1st. And Dec 31 because it's my bday. Then Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. I may take up to an additional 2 weeks, but I've always had a sub, and last year used only 6 of those days. So parents didn't lose any daycare except the 10 days; most of those holidays for all of them.

I see very few providers take enough vacations and we often get worked to death!

[Sugaree]

The only time I have seen this amount of time off is because a provider is starting to retire.

I take 10 days a year, but all of my parents have them off. Thanksgiving and the day after, 24th-26th of Dec, and Dec 31st and Jan 1st. And Dec 31 because it's my bday. Then Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day. I may take up to an additional 2 weeks, but I've always had a sub, and last year used only 6 of those days. So parents didn't lose any daycare except the 10 days; most of those holidays for all of them.

I see very few providers take enough vacations and we often get worked to death!

BFF actually assumed that retirement was the case when all this went down. This was almost 7 years ago and she's still taking a few kids here and there. I know at the time she was complaining about all of her families "abandoning" her.


She's also a bit of a nutcase, so there's that.

[DaisyMamma]

Every time I see this thread, I think with my sarcastic side and think I would tell someone "Oh I dunno, maybe they lock them in the closet", Of course the professional side of me would never say that.

In my mind I say...not my effen problem. Then I smile and say ...

[midaycare]

BFF actually assumed that retirement was the case when all this went down. This was almost 7 years ago and she's still taking a few kids here and there. I know at the time she was complaining about all of her families "abandoning" her.


She's also a bit of a nutcase, so there's that.

Tee hee. Better she not be watching bff's kids then, I think!

[BabyMonkeys]

I had a the same woman ask all three of these questions in an interview:

You won't hit my baby because the bible says "use the rod to make the child be good" will you? Can you make your house a God free home while my baby is there? - I don't preach to the kids, but I'm nothing to make my home God free

Is your husband Spanish or black. Does he hit you? What color is your husband? Does he hit you?

You have to keep your dog outside so it doesn't eat my baby. I will call licensing on you if you don't! I told her to hold on and I would get her the number. She hung up.

* One of the very first things I tell people is that I have a dog that has access to the entire house, and that it is non-negotiable. I don't want to waste either of our time.

[aemcclane]

My dh always asks what dcp's are going to do when I take off time. He always says to "put myself in other people's shoes." I always tell him, "Well time off comes with the territory. I'm not a drone and my family comes first. I don't care what they have to do. If they can't figure things out and they leave, I have a waiting list of others hoping to get in."

YES! Mine too and it drives me bonkers!!! My DH takes time off without a second thought but freaks out when I consider vacation time or sick time.