How Much Notice of Vacation Time?

[Dsquared]

My contract states that we take a paid week in the summer in August. I don't give specific dates because with my husbands job it's too soon for me to know now. Last year I told everyone in May the dates for our August vacation. I have this one mom that keeps asking when we are going. She has family flying in from California and she wants to have them come the same week I am on vacation. She is really stressing me out. Any advice ladies?

[Unregistered]

I usually give notice of actual dates a month prior to my vacation time which my contract says. However I do have a clause that says less notice may be given in emergency situations. Similar to you, sometimes I do not know the exact dates months in advance. Do not let this dcm stress you out. Do what your contract says or if there is nothing in your contact then I think 2-3 weeks notice is good.

[Ariana]

My contract states that I will TRY to give at least 6 weeks but that parents may not receive that much and that it is still their responsibility to find alternate care.

I would just tell her that as soon as you know she will know!

[BabyMonkeys]

My contract states 30 days, but I would give as much notice as possible.

[KSDC]

My contract says 2 weeks notice, but I give more if I am able. With your DCM, I would just tell her, "I don't have the exact dates yet. As soon as I know, I will let you know." Rinse and repeat.

[childcaremom]

My contract says 2 weeks notice, but I give more if I am able. With your DCM, I would just tell her, "I don't have the exact dates yet. As soon as I know, I will let you know." Rinse and repeat.

I had a dcm like this and it was driving me nuts. My contract says that I will give at least 4 weeks notice. So I told her a version of above, and reminded her that she will have at least 4 weeks notice of the dates.

[laundrymom]

I have one asking about spring break 2017 already. I've not even looked at the schedule yet. I understand preparation but it's over a year away. I generally give out my schedule in September for the upcoming year. I think that's enough time. I would think a month or two possibly is long enough though.

[DaveA]

My contract says 2 weeks notice, but I give more if I am able. With your DCM, I would just tell her, "I don't have the exact dates yet. As soon as I know, I will let you know." Rinse and repeat.

Exactly. There is nothing wrong with telling DCPs as soon as I know you will.

My contract states 4 weeks notice with emergency provisions. I have to admit my DCPs are a bit spoiled in this because we tend to plan far ahead. After DCPs tried to drop off a child while there was nobody at my house a couple times I also go overboard on reminders. So every quarter I send a list of scheduled closures for the next 6 months. I also send out a reminder the first of the month, 2 weeks out, and the week of any closures.

[Play Care]

I have one asking about spring break 2017 already. I've not even looked at the schedule yet. I understand preparation but it's over a year away. I generally give out my schedule in September for the upcoming year. I think that's enough time. I would think a month or two possibly is long enough though.

Wow! It would be on the tip of my tongue to say "I don't even know if your family will even still be here or if I'll still be doing child care!"

I wouldn't, obviously. But it would probably be what pops in my head.

[happymom]

Your family is trying to plan their vacation around your vacation. Just tell them as soon as you get your ducks in a row, you will let them know the dates.

My home daycare provider and I used to plan our vacations the same week, it was AWESOME, and never a big deal.

[LindseyA]

One month should suffice. My dcfs always take their vacations when I do. We take one week in the summer every year for our camping trip. We book our sites in February since they fill up very quickly where we go. I tell the families the dates as soon as I book them in Feb. But that's for one week. I also give myself another week (sometimes I break that last week up) and give one months notice.

[Play Care]

Your family is trying to plan their vacation around your vacation. Just tell them as soon as you get your ducks in a row, you will let them know the dates.

My home daycare provider and I used to plan our vacations the same week, it was AWESOME, and never a big deal.

That's wonderful it worked out for you.

The ONE time I had a parent suggest we try to work around each other's vacation schedules it became clear that they meant for me to ask permission to take vacation at a time that suited them. I quickly burned out on that idea.

[Michael]

Here are some previous threads that answers your question: https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...acation+notice

https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76029

[Controlled Chaos]

1 month is accomodating I think. I like to put upcoming closures in my monthly newsletter. BUT my contract says 2 weeks, which I like having the freedom to do that.

[Renae82]

My contract states that we take a paid week in the summer in August. I don't give specific dates because with my husbands job it's too soon for me to know now. Last year I told everyone in May the dates for our August vacation. I have this one mom that keeps asking when we are going. She has family flying in from California and she wants to have them come the same week I am on vacation. She is really stressing me out. Any advice ladies?

In my contract I have two firmly scheduled vacations and one that I can take at any time with two months notice. It might help if you can tell mom what date you can give her a firm answer on? Perhaps you have already tried that. That would be my only suggestion.