Close or Remain Open?

[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.

[Blackcat31]

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...

[amberrose3dg]

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.

[daycarediva]

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!

[CityGarden]

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.

[HappyEverAfter]

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.

[Unregistered]

Close.

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

[LittleScholars]

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.

[Baby Beluga]

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.

[Unregistered]

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.

[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.

[HappyEverAfter]

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.

[Max]

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.

[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.

[Baby Beluga]

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...