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I'm closing my daycare at the end of June. I've already given my families notice. In their contract it states that they pay for two weeks of vacation. I haven't taken vacation for this calendar year yet and was hoping to do that the last two weeks of June so essentially I'd close mid-June using the last 2 weeks as vacation. In their contracts families have paid a holding fee that is applied to their last two weeks of care. Some of my families are leaving at the end of May and want their holding fee applied to the last 2 weeks of May but I maintain that the holding fee is my vacation payment. What should I do?
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I think if you want to take a paid vacation you're going to need to do it immediately (within the next 2 weeks) and you're still likely to have some upset clients.
When they enrolled were they told their holding fee was for their final two weeks in care? -
Yes, if this is what they are told, then this is what needs to happen. We expect parents to follow the contract, we need to as well. Now if you had your rate set a little higher so each week they were paying towards your vacation then I could see that, and it wouldn't be applied or refunded. But if it was stated a holding fee or deposit would be applied, it should be applied.Comment
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Has your two weeks of vacation varied every year or have you taken it during the same time(s) each year?
I also think that since you are closing after only half a year, many clients may not feel you are entitled to TWO weeks of vacation since you aren't open a full year.
I think what happens is highly dependent on the exact wording of your contract.
Can you post what wording your contract/handbook states?Comment
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I think it depends on the contract, but if it says the two week fee/deposit is for the last two weeks of care, then I think that is what it should be applied to. What you may be able to do is to add in one weeks worth of paid vacation into your regular fees. This may depend on your contract, but as of the end of June, you would have accrued 7 days of vacation for the year so far, so you could take one week worth of fees and divide it out over how many weeks your dcf have left of care and explain to them why you are doing it and what allows you to do it per your contract.
I wouldn't take the money and use it towards your vacation, though, especially if the contract says it is for something else. The parents may be relying on those funds to cover those last two weeks, and also, if you are only working half the year, I think taking the whole vacation time and charging for it is unfair to the parents. The only exception to that would be if you had already taken the two weeks vacation and then decided to close, in which case, I wouldn't refund any money (and make sure my contract backs me up on that).
So, anyway, this is my ong way of saying the same as PP...what does your contract say?:
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If your contract is written like most, it says that your clients still have to pay their regular weekly tuition when you are on vacation. It probably doesn't say your clients are responsible to pay for two full weeks of vacation regardless of when they leave. (I could be wrong). If your clients only have a responsibility to pay (while enrolled) when you are on vacation, you can't make them stay and pay.
If the deposit is for the last two weeks of care, you would have to honor that. You told your clients really early, so they may leave before June. Unless your contract says they are responsible for any other fees, the two weeks notice would be all they are required to give.Comment
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The exact wording is: Policy/Charges related to the provider's scheduled vacation- two weeks will be paid by all parents.
Then further down on the contract: A holding fee equal to 2 weeks payment is required. This will be applied to the last two weeks payment.
Thanks for everyone who gave advice. I will see if the parents are willing to pro-rate the vacation and compromise on 1 week. I don't want things to end on a sour note.Comment
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For me, I wouldn't feel comfortable asking them to pay any vacation. I realize your contract says they will pay it, but it is not clear when that will be paid and such. As a parent when you closed in the first six months of the year I wouldn't expect to pay that. The two weeks deposit must be applied to the final two weeks according to your contract. Also as a provider, keep in mind they will have to come up with the money to pay a deposit at their next place. I wouldn't want my closing to cause a financial hardship. You might need a reference for something someday, I wouldn't burn bridges.Comment
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Children are little angels, even when they are little devils.
They are also our future.Comment
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That is really vague. I've been to court with a parent over my own contract before and the judge was looking for specifics to enforce it.
Are the parents required to pay even if they only attend a day out of that year? Even if they are no longer enrolled? Under what circumstances are they not required to pay for vacation? See what I'm saying?
If parents aren't going to be there, in your shoes, I wouldn't make them pay if they weren't going to be there. You may end up with a lot of upset parents on your hands.Comment
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This is my thinking... as a parent I would definantly be ticked off if a provider tried to raise my rates to cover even one weeks vacation knowing I was leaving by months end; and if she required my two weeks deposit cover it? Not a wise move especially if OP re-opens a year or two down the line... negatives can hang around longer than a lot of people thinkComment
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