Close or Remain Open?

[Lil_Diddle]

Since it's such late notice, personally I would not close but just tell the parent exactly what you said on here. Just ask if their back up would be available because you would love a personal day. I bet more than likely the parents would understand and try to work with you. Unless it's an emergency I always like to give as much notice as possible so they have time themselves to make a plan

[Mummy101]

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.

Close! Give the reason or don't, either way, your life matters too! I make it clear to my families that they MUST have back up care at ALL times! I used to always stay open even when I should have closed to take better care of my own sick children. Do not feel guilty, guilt is for when you have done something wrong..and you haven't!

PS don't give the option unless you want to be open that day.

[LittleScholars]

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.

I agree. I have *mostly* great families now, and they have appreciated this. They want me to have days off and they've shared that they really appreciate that I try to minimize the impact on families. They know that if they are inconvenienced this time it will balance out when they are benefited another time. If they know they can secure back up care, they do; if they can't, they are honest about that and I stay open. Days that I plan to close in advance and non-negotiable, but I feel more comfortable offering the option when I don't provide much advanced notice (barring an emergency). I do know that I am really lucky to have this sort of working relationship with families, and this would not have always worked with families.

I also acknowledge that this doesn't help draw a hard line between business/personal relationships. Currently, these give-and-take relationships are working well for me, but I learned a hard lesson with a previous family.

[AmyKidsCo]

Since it's such late notice, personally I would not close but just tell the parent exactly what you said on here. Just ask if their back up would be available because you would love a personal day. I bet more than likely the parents would understand and try to work with you. Unless it's an emergency I always like to give as much notice as possible so they have time themselves to make a plan

I'd totally do this with some families - the ones that offer to keep their child home when they find out he/she is the only one coming that day.

But you have to know your families. Sometimes I've tried to hint that they should keep their child home and they say "Oh good, lots of one-in-one time with Miss Amy!"

If it was a family I knew had easy back-up care I'd be more likely to close but if back-up is further away or harder to arrange I'd stay open.