Close or Remain Open?

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  • Baby Beluga
    Daycare.com Member
    • Aug 2014
    • 3891

    Close or Remain Open?

    Wed, Thurs and Fri of next week I have one student scheduled to attend (all others are out because of fall breaks and family vacations.)

    I am closed on Thursday to take my little guy to the GI doc.
    Should I close on Friday as well?

    The family who is scheduled to attend on Friday has back up care although I am unsure if they are able to utilize this on Friday.

    Part of me would LOVE a personal day. I have been sick for 2 weeks and am incredibly worn out. And part of me would be super guilty for closing late minute.

    In the past I have remained open for one child. It's something I don't mind doing.

    WWYD? If you close would you give the parents the option or just simply close?

    ETA: Another reason I am hesitant to close is because I am unsure if DS will need any procedures performed. If he does these would be scheduled on a different day and would require more time off.
  • Blackcat31
    • Oct 2010
    • 36124

    #2
    Originally posted by Baby Beluga
    Wed, Thurs and Fri of next week I have one student scheduled to attend (all others are out because of fall breaks and family vacations.)

    I am closed on Thursday to take my little guy to the GI doc.
    Should I close on Friday as well?

    The family who is scheduled to attend on Friday has back up care although I am unsure if they are able to utilize this on Friday.

    Part of me would LOVE a personal day. I have been sick for 2 weeks and am incredibly worn out. And part of me would be super guilty for closing late minute.

    In the past I have remained open for one child. It's something I don't mind doing.

    WWYD? If you close would you give the parents the option or just simply close?

    ETA: Another reason I am hesitant to close is because I am unsure if DS will need any procedures performed. If he does these would be scheduled on a different day and would require more time off.
    I have a policy that says any time attendance is low or less than 3 children, I will close. With advance notice of course.

    The ONLY exception to that is if I KNOW a family absolutely 100% needs me.....(but my families are required to have back up care) but I usually always fall back to the concept that in this field unplanned days off are a rarity so I take them when the opportunity arises and never feel bad about doing so...

    Comment

    • amberrose3dg
      Daycare.com Member
      • Feb 2017
      • 1343

      #3
      I would try and close asap. I would not be open for one child unless a special need to be. I am closed between Christmas and new years because of this. I was open for Christmas break last year. The only kids that came were parents that weren't even working and just wanted free time. This year is the same I expect only 1 or 2 families so I let them know I would be closed.

      Comment

      • daycarediva
        Daycare.com Member
        • Jul 2012
        • 11698

        #4
        Originally posted by Blackcat31
        I have a policy that says any time attendance is low or less than 3 children, I will close. With advance notice of course.

        The ONLY exception to that is if I KNOW a family absolutely 100% needs me.....(but my families are required to have back up care) but I usually always fall back to the concept that in this field unplanned days off are a rarity so I take them when the opportunity arises and never feel bad about doing so...
        same policy. Close, refund or offer a credit or whatever you need to do. These days happen so infrequently in this field that I think it's important to take those opportunities when they arise!

        Comment

        • CityGarden
          Daycare.com Member
          • Mar 2016
          • 1667

          #5
          I would not close but that is because I follow the local school district calendar and already have a generous amount of paid scheduled days off.

          Comment

          • HappyEverAfter
            Daycare.com Member
            • Aug 2017
            • 421

            #6
            I wouldn't close, even though I would want to. Perhaps with more notice I would consider it but not this close. The past 2 days and today I have only had one child because my others are on vacation. I wish I was off altogether but just having the one child somewhat feels like a vacation. Mine is an infant so that gives me a lot of quiet time since he naps multiple times a day. If your one child is a little older maybe you could plan something special like a movie day that would be fun for the child but allow you some down time.

            Comment

            • Unregistered

              #7
              Close.

              I refuse to feel guilty for taking a much needed R & R day, especially when we already work long days/weeks.

              Comment

              • LittleScholars
                Daycare.com Member
                • Jan 2016
                • 471

                #8
                Originally posted by Baby Beluga
                Wed, Thurs and Fri of next week I have one student scheduled to attend (all others are out because of fall breaks and family vacations.)

                I am closed on Thursday to take my little guy to the GI doc.
                Should I close on Friday as well?

                The family who is scheduled to attend on Friday has back up care although I am unsure if they are able to utilize this on Friday.

                Part of me would LOVE a personal day. I have been sick for 2 weeks and am incredibly worn out. And part of me would be super guilty for closing late minute.

                In the past I have remained open for one child. It's something I don't mind doing.

                WWYD? If you close would you give the parents the option or just simply close?

                ETA: Another reason I am hesitant to close is because I am unsure if DS will need any procedures performed. If he does these would be scheduled on a different day and would require more time off.
                In previous years I stayed open for one kiddo. Now I ask parents to secure back up and try to use these as personal days. The parents are so appreciative that I take so little unplanned time off and are more than happy to try to find back up care. If they can't secure care last minute and I have one kiddo we have pj/movie/baking day, because it completely breaks all of my rules and is special bonding time. I have one kiddo coming on Columbus Day because mom couldn't secure back up and we are having one of these special days.

                Comment

                • Baby Beluga
                  Daycare.com Member
                  • Aug 2014
                  • 3891

                  #9
                  My max group is 4 children, so I have remained open for 1 child plenty of times. And normally it is not something that bothers me.

                  It's just a combination of being sick, still working (my choice) and feeling an overall run down "blah" feeling that has me wanting to close.

                  Normally when I close all day or early I simply tell the parents what I am doing. I drafted this email, but have not sent it. Is it too...unprofessional? I truly don't want to put the family in a bind, but if they are able to send little one with with family (that lives nearby) or just keep her home (both mom/dad work from home) then I would love an unexpected day off.

                  Hi DCP,

                  I hope you guys are having an awesome Friday!

                  Next Friday (10/13) DCG is my only student scheduled to attend; everyone else will be out because of vacations and older siblings fall breaks. If I were to close and take a personal day, do you have backup for DCG?

                  I know next week will likely be a busy week for you since DCD is starting his new job and I certainly don’t want to put you in a bind. If you have available backup care for DCG I would like to close on 10/13 and will credit tuition for that day. However if you do not have backup care for GDCG I will happily remain open and plan a few fun activities for her and I to do.

                  Please let me know your thoughts on this.


                  Sounds like I am asking permission. Which, I kind of am.

                  FWIW - this little one will also be the only child on Wednesday. I wouldn't dare close for both days though. I would find that to be too unreliable.

                  Comment

                  • Unregistered

                    #10
                    In my opinion, I would just email her saying that you are going to closed.
                    Once you open that door of seeking permission, they will expect it, IME.

                    Comment

                    • KSDC
                      Daycare.com Member
                      • Apr 2013
                      • 382

                      #11
                      This would depend a little on the child/family. if they are a golden family, I would send the email just as you wrote it. Give them a choice.

                      If either the child or the parents are "high-maintenance", then I wouldn't give a choice.
                      Next Friday (10/13) DCG is my only student scheduled to attend; everyone else will be out because of vacations and older siblings fall breaks. Therefore, ABC Daycare will be closed for the day.

                      Comment

                      • HappyEverAfter
                        Daycare.com Member
                        • Aug 2017
                        • 421

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Baby Beluga

                        Hi DCP,

                        I hope you guys are having an awesome Friday!

                        Next Friday (10/13) DCG is my only student scheduled to attend; everyone else will be out because of vacations and older siblings fall breaks. If I were to close and take a personal day, do you have backup for DCG?

                        I know next week will likely be a busy week for you since DCD is starting his new job and I certainly don’t want to put you in a bind. If you have available backup care for DCG I would like to close on 10/13 and will credit tuition for that day. However if you do not have backup care for GDCG I will happily remain open and plan a few fun activities for her and I to do.

                        Please let me know your thoughts on this.


                        Sounds like I am asking permission. Which, I kind of am.

                        FWIW - this little one will also be the only child on Wednesday. I wouldn't dare close for both days though. I would find that to be too unreliable.

                        I wouldn't ask them. In the long run it is probably best to just decide on your own and then inform the parents rather than asking.

                        Comment

                        • Max
                          Daycare.com Member
                          • Oct 2016
                          • 447

                          #13
                          Originally posted by KSDC
                          This would depend a little on the child/family. if they are a golden family, I would send the email just as you wrote it. Give them a choice.

                          If either the child or the parents are "high-maintenance", then I wouldn't give a choice.
                          Next Friday (10/13) DCG is my only student scheduled to attend; everyone else will be out because of vacations and older siblings fall breaks. Therefore, ABC Daycare will be closed for the day.
                          I agree with this. If it's a family that's very appreciate, respectful, flexible, etc. then I see no harm in asking as a way to reciprocate those qualities.

                          Comment

                          • hwichlaz
                            Daycare.com Member
                            • May 2013
                            • 2064

                            #14
                            I think this tells clients that they aren't important if they are the only ones in care. I'd stay open, but plan something that I don't get to do with a full house.

                            Comment

                            • Baby Beluga
                              Daycare.com Member
                              • Aug 2014
                              • 3891

                              #15
                              Originally posted by hwichlaz
                              I think this tells clients that they aren't important if they are the only ones in care. I'd stay open, but plan something that I don't get to do with a full house.
                              This is a very good point and not something I want this family to feel.

                              This family is golden btw. Wish I could clone them and be best friends with mom and dad, golden.

                              I think based on the fact that I posted this here for validation tells me it is something I am not 100% comfortable with. Likely because in the back of my head I was worried that they would feel unimportant or guilted into keeping DCG home.

                              I will just remain open and plan some fun activities for her and I to do. If mom notices she is my only child (DCG is my last drop off and first pick up) and offers to keep her home because of this then I will offer to credit tuition. Otherwise, looks like DCG and I will get some fall baking done. I've been waiting to make pumpkin pull apart bread anyway...

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