Inclement Weather Policy

[Unregistered]

Not traveling to and from shouldn't influence your policies for emergency closures.

Many liability insurance policies do not provide coverage for times outside of your normal operating hours.

Licensing in my state recommends closing because you are not legally suppose to be caring for kids outside your licensed hours...even in emergency situations.

Also if the weather is bad enough that parents really shouldn't be traveling also means emergency vehicles can't get to you either.

I know not all states have those rules and suggestions etc but my point is, check with licensing and with your insurance and/or home owners to be sure that keeping kids in situations like this is okay and covered.

They wont be here outside my business hours because i require them to pick up on time they need to have enough common sense. If its snowing, leave work early. If you wake up and its a blizzard outside, dont put your child at risk. Weather channels warn you ahead of time of weather warnings, parents need to think ahead. We had a bad snow storm here that was going to start at 2pm. So all the parents picked up by 2pm because they knew the weather was coming.

[Rockgirl]

My part of Tx gets a fair amount of snow and ice. It takes quite a bit to close schools in our town, so if school is closed, it's pretty bad. My street isn't plowed, so if anyone says they are coming, I do let them know the condition of my street before they head out.

I had a mom once, during a big snowstorm, insist she would be bringing her 2 yr old. Her office was closed, but she "needed to study". I told her that dcb would be the only one here--still coming. Told her my street was about 18" deep--still coming because Dad's hummer could make it. Finally she called and said she'd keep him home since her Saturn might not make it for pickup.

[Blackcat31]

They wont be here outside my business hours because i require them to pick up on time they need to have enough common sense. If its snowing, leave work early. If you wake up and its a blizzard outside, dont put your child at risk. Weather channels warn you ahead of time of weather warnings, parents need to think ahead. We had a bad snow storm here that was going to start at 2pm. So all the parents picked up by 2pm because they knew the weather was coming.

I have the same rules and expect the same type of common sense to be used.

Unfortunately, there seems to be less and less adult blessed with that characteristic so I am starting to slowly take the option of "using your best judgment" from parents as they don't seem to use it much these days.

[Unregistered]

I changed my weather policy a few years back when I had a DCD bring his daughters in and got stuck in my driveway. It was so bad out and they were the only family to show. Come to find out later at pick up that DCM didn't even go to work that day, and DCD worked nights so he'd be home but he'd be sleeping. He risked driving because they had already paid for care. So I had changed my policy that if schools close due to inclement weather that I would remain open as I will be home, but if they stay home I do not charge for the day. It was/is great because just like my kids I too now get excited about snow days as most parents do stay home. However, it stresses me out now too because of the financial burden in causes especially if it's a bad winter.

Thinking about changing it, most of my DCP are teachers so they won't work those days anyways. Would it be wrong if me to close those days and still expect payment?

[Unregistered]

I forgot to mention as well that when DCD got stuck in my driveway he also almost took out my mailbox. Luckily a neighbor came to the rescue and pulled him out. I tried not laughing because the neighbor looked at him like he was a fool and said "if I pull you out and there's any damage to your car, I better not hear anything about it" Hope

I changed my weather policy a few years back when I had a DCD bring his daughters in and got stuck in my driveway. It was so bad out and they were the only family to show. Come to find out later at pick up that DCM didn't even go to work that day, and DCD worked nights so he'd be home but he'd be sleeping. He risked driving because they had already paid for care. So I had changed my policy that if schools close due to inclement weather that I would remain open as I will be home, but if they stay home I do not charge for the day. It was/is great because just like my kids I too now get excited about snow days as most parents do stay home. However, it stresses me out now too because of the financial burden in causes especially if it's a bad winter.

Thinking about changing it, most of my DCP are teachers so they won't work those days anyways. Would it be wrong if me to close those days and still expect payment?

[childcaremom]

They wont be here outside my business hours because i require them to pick up on time they need to have enough common sense. If its snowing, leave work early. If you wake up and its a blizzard outside, dont put your child at risk. Weather channels warn you ahead of time of weather warnings, parents need to think ahead. We had a bad snow storm here that was going to start at 2pm. So all the parents picked up by 2pm because they knew the weather was coming.

This is me, as well. If the roads are questionable and they decide to come, regular drop off and pick up times apply.

Schools here have questionable closures. Sometimes they close and we wonder why because the roads are clear. Other times they stay open and we keep our kids home because the roads are terrible. So I don't use school closures as a guideline at all.

If I was having issues with late pick ups due to weather conditions, then I might revisit this policy, but as it is, I haven't had problems.

[debbiedoeszip]

Who closes or delays when local schools close or delays for inclement weather?

I just recently made this policy. It went over well with 6 out of 7 parents. A few days ago we had a delay. We had tornados watches all night, flooding, trees down and high winds. It was the first time since making this policy.....and 3 kids showed up. I posted on my FB page a reminder and I also said that next time I will send out a text. That one mom....who argued when I first made the policy......wrote a comment....for just rain??????? Oh goodness! One dad had to have his truck towed because he drove through high water, 1 mom had to take an alternate route because of downed trees.....and a grandma also had to take an alternate route...the grandma is the mom of the complainer.

Anyway.....Although it's for their own safety....for me there is another reason why I implemented this policy,....I don't not want "spend the nighters", and I don't want just one kid to show up.

What is your policy? I know in this area most daycares have this policy.

I only close (due to weather) if I lose power and it's likely going to be out for more than a couple of hours. My clients pay in advance and my policy is that if I make the daycare unavailable to them (I close) then I refund their money. I don't want to do that very often (never, if possible) so the situation has to be pretty extreme before I close.

If a client decides not to risk traveling due to weather and keeps their child home, then there is no refund, but it's at their own risk if they come. I don't take responsibility for their decisions.

[debbiedoeszip]

This is me, as well. If the roads are questionable and they decide to come, regular drop off and pick up times apply.

Schools here have questionable closures. Sometimes they close and we wonder why because the roads are clear. Other times they stay open and we keep our kids home because the roads are terrible. So I don't use school closures as a guideline at all.

If I was having issues with late pick ups due to weather conditions, then I might revisit this policy, but as it is, I haven't had problems.

I'm in eastern Ontario, Canada and our schools almost never close. Buses are cancelled but schools stay open (lucky teachers ). None of my dckids are school-aged so we aren't even affected by school bus cancellations.