Thoughts on Closing Early for Sports?

[lblanke]

I would close early but not give a reason. There might be a parent who feels their need for childcare outweighs your plans and will try to convince you to stay open. Just say on x and y dates, we will be closing early. You don't want a debate on whether they think you should be closed for any reason.

[lblanke]

If you still have doubts about closing early, read the first post on the burnout thread. Then, take that time to do what you want. Be with your child. You may come to resent your job if you do not have some time that is yours.

[amberrose3dg]

I grew up with a mom that had this mindset. Now that we are adults she regrets missing our events. Work and professionalism are not the important things in life. I don’t know about you but I didn’t start this business to be a slave to my job.

OP, close early and watch your kids. They’ll appreciate it as adults.

This.
My mom had that mindset and we are NOT close.
She is a sad lonely person because she put everything else before her kids.
close early and do not feel bad about it! It is two stinking days.happyface

[Cat Herder]

I'd close for the day because experience has taught me that parents will be late any time it was important for me to leave on time. FTR, I don't charge if I close.

If you can't close for the day at least make it a couple of hours before you actually need to leave to prevent any "miscommunication". :hug:

[littlefriends]

I once had a court date that I absolutely could not miss. I decided I’d close early instead of taking the day off. A parent locked their keys in their car (likely story) and was then 3 hours late to pick up. I ended up desperately begging my sister to come hang out so I wouldn’t be late. I have always just taken the whole entire day off since!

[KiwiKids]

I would close early. I also only accept families that are understanding that I will be flexible with them when I can be, but it is a two way street and I need them to be flexible with me at times. I have 4 kids and a husband who works 3pm-1am. They are great about me needing to close early for soccer etc and when one daycare parent is sick or out of town, I help them out by adjusting my hours where I can to make things easier. But my families also prefer to use their extended family as back up care vs me bringing in a substitute.

[Rockgirl]

I’m with the posters who have said do it! Give them the dates now, and do it.

As far as only ‘wanting’ to go, but not ‘needing’ to, well, it’s okay to do some things we want to do. I don’t always ‘need’ to close and go on vacation (although it’s definitely good for my sanity), but I still do it. Does that make me unprofessional? I don’t think any of us can determine what is an appropriate reason for another provider closing early, or even closing for the day. We have to make those determinations for ourselves.

[Blackcat31]

I agree with Colorful Sunburst.

IF you can afford to lose clients I'd close.
If you can't afford to, then you need to make whatever decisions you need to make to meet your needs.

There is nothing wrong with meeting your needs (by setting your own work days/hours etc) and putting family first.
That's why most in-home providers are in this business.

However, it's important to understand that it will effect your client base.
Those that aren't able to make alternate accommodations may need to make alternate care arrangements that are permanent. Some clients may even refrain from recommending you/your program.

It's all part of the you can't please everyone all the time type of thing. If it's important for you to be at your son's games, then close and be there.

Don't apologize for meeting your needs.

But understand that if clients are unhappy about it, they are doing the same.

If you are looking for other providers to eliminate your guilt....you need to rethink your actions as it's not really up to other providers.
We don't pay your bills nor do we have a stake in your business.

Does it make you unprofessional?
Perhaps. But again that has more to do with how each person defines professional.
There is no one answer.

Only YOU can decide if it's worth it or not.
Only you know how your clients will react.

[Cat Herder]

It is only two days. Most have at least 5 paid personal days, per year, in their contracts, so this should be a non-issue. Unless you are closing too often or without notice parents should not have a problem with it.

[CountryRoads]

I will definitely be closing early. It's TWO days. And only closing an 1.5 hour early at the earliest. I've realized it's no big deal

Thanks for all the input!

[Blackcat31]

I grew up with a mom that had this mindset. Now that we are adults she regrets missing our events. Work and professionalism are not the important things in life. I don’t know about you but I didn’t start this business to be a slave to my job.

OP, close early and watch your kids. They’ll appreciate it as adults.

I share that mindset too.
It's not always a negative perspective.

My children participated in many activities during their school years. Some activities I was able to attend and others I wasn't. Neither of my kids are scarred due to my absence at times and as a matter of fact both my kids have said they viewed it a healthy work ethic on my part.

I believe in balance. My life is not 100% my kids and their life is not 100% me so balance is key.

Like I said in my previous post. It's really an individual decision. OP already stated that she knows she WILL (not that it might but will) inconvenience all her families.

Only she knows how this will play out.

We can all support her, defend her and encourage her to do just close but she's the only one that will feel the outcome (whether worth it or not) to her choice.

[CountryRoads]

I miss out on literally almost everything that my son does at school. I have never been to a school party, assembly, awards ceremony, or field trip since I started daycare. So, my son knows about balance and "needs" and "wants".

I will actually only close early ONE day now due to a conflicting event with one of the games. I also offered not to charge for that day if they use a back-up.

And I DON'T feel bad

[Blackcat31]

I miss out on literally almost everything that my son does at school. I have never been to a school party, assembly, awards ceremony, or field trip since I started daycare. So, my son knows about balance and "needs" and "wants".

I will actually only close early ONE day now due to a conflicting event with one of the games. I also offered not to charge for that day if they use a back-up.

And I DON'T feel bad

glad you were able to make it work happyface

[Alwaysgreener]

I miss out on literally almost everything that my son does at school. I have never been to a school party, assembly, awards ceremony, or field trip since I started daycare. So, my son knows about balance and "needs" and "wants".

I will actually only close early ONE day now due to a conflicting event with one of the games. I also offered not to charge for that day if they use a back-up.

And I DON'T feel bad

If I never closed early for personal reasons, I would never go to a doctor appointment, school conference, school event. And I would have one unhappy family. There is no way I would work 12 hours a day. My kids would never have me. I would be just as bad as the parents that left their kids in my care for 12 hours and never keep them home when they had a day off or got out early.
I would be just like those parents that providers vent about, if I worked hours like 7-7 or 6-6. I would be getting off work in time to put my kids to bed then up again in the morning to put them on the bus. And never see them because I would not be 100% there on the weekends either.


We close early or for the day because we have to. Our children are only going to be young once. My DD will be 7 soon and a week later my ds will turn 1 and I already feel like I miss so much of the life.

Take the time off, write it up in your policies so families know that you will close early x many times a year.

I have added in my policies that I am closed on Valentine's day so I know that I can at least go to one party a year.

DH goes on field trips and I go to the parties.

[ColorfulSunburst]

This.
My mom had that mindset and we are NOT close.
She is a sad lonely person because she put everything else before her kids.
close early and do not feel bad about it! It is two stinking days.happyface

My daughter and I are very close. It doesn't depend on attending kid's school events. There are a lot of other things that help to build great relationships with own kids. I think the school event attending is at the bottom of the list of these things. It is the simplest one to do but isn't most important.