Summer Vacations, Holidays?

[PitterPatter]

Do any of u take summer vacations, Christmas vaca. etc off?

For those of u who do take Vacation, do the parents find their own back up provider for that time?

I just found out today I am required to provide my state paid clients with back up care for ANY time I take off including summer vacations and hoildays etc. I always knew I had to supply an alternate for illness in my home or appointments, classes etc. I have always thought it was up to the client for scheduled days I take off in my contract but nope. I told the state supervisor that all of the clients have all signed my contract that states they are to find their own back up care for vaca and hoildays. She told me " it doesn't matter the contract u have with us trumps your contract with them. If u want to do that with private paying clients that's fine but when u accept state paid clients through us then it is up to u to provide for them if u want a day off. It's not fair to the parents to have to worry about finding a provider." What the heck? If they paid on their own and went to a center or other providers they would have to find their own for any closed days. Also centers get paid for holidays off even. I get nothing and now am required to supply a provider or I can't have a day off. What a bummer the rest of my day was. Now I may not be able to take any more Holidays or vacation.

[SandeeAR]

I would no longer be taking state pay clients. I would get out of it. That is why I'm unlicensened by choice. I don't want the government telling me how to live my life.

[cheerfuldom]

I have never heard of this before. Did she give you anything in writing outlining that requirement? I don't take state pay because while I have heard my state is not as difficult as others, I have no desire to make my job harder than it already is. I have not had a problem finding private pay clients and find that the state pay clients asking about my daycare are people I wouldn't want to work with anyway. I am sorry if that comes off bad but I find that most of the people that are paying by state pay ask for a million exceptions to my policies, mostly involving not having to pay for anything whatsoever (including their own childs supplies) or having crazy amount of daycare hours and options available.

[PitterPatter]

I have never heard of this before. Did she give you anything in writing outlining that requirement? I don't take state pay because while I have heard my state is not as difficult as others, I have no desire to make my job harder than it already is. I have not had a problem finding private pay clients and find that the state pay clients asking about my daycare are people I wouldn't want to work with anyway. I am sorry if that comes off bad but I find that most of the people that are paying by state pay ask for a million exceptions to my policies, mostly involving not having to pay for anything whatsoever (including their own childs supplies) or having crazy amount of daycare hours and options available.

Yes she is mailing me a copy of the policy. I tried to take 1 day for Easter and a DCM is raising a stink saying no one wants to watch her kid and she's tired of her family saying how bad he is so she will need to bring him to me. She heard I am required to take him in even on a holiday. I thought oh yeah we will see. I called in and asked my general supervisor and she wasn't sure but thought that it was required also, even if on a hoilday. She called the big boss and they both conference called me with forms in hand. I was very unhappy and venting because I already do so much for these parents that isn't even required like giving a couple bags of groceries here and there so some kids can have food. The state only charges parents a very small amount. Current client gets at least $1,800 every month and only pays $2.00 a day for care! What a crock of S***! I just find it very unfair for the state to put it all on the providers plate. We don't get any bonuses either. 1 of her examples to me was Christmas. If I can't find a back up for Christmas and a parent works that day I am screwed and will have to have the child for a lousy $20 and allow him to attend our Christmas dinner etc. Show me 1 person that will work for $2.00 an hour on Christmas? I guess me now.

[Unregistered]

Wow that's ridiculous! There is no way I'd take state paid ppl. I cannot believe the difference. I get paid holidays through the state which can be up to 14 days, my choice. If I require private pay to pay me on my vacations the state would pay me too, which I do not require. I only require payment of holidays.

[Mandy_Jane]

Tygerluv, you don't have to work for $2.00 an hour on Christmas. You will only do so, if you CHOOSE to do so. I would drop all state pay children if what you are saying actually turns out to be true. That is beyond absurd that they would or could force you to not ever take a day off. Surely there is some kind of mis-communication going on here somewhere. I know firsthand, that states have some pretty insane rules and laws, so this may actually be true. You can find a replacement if you lose your state pay kids. I certainly would not want to be forced to work on a holiday like Christmas. I just plain wouldn't do it. No way. I NEED to have my days off for my own mental health and for my family's well being. You need to make the choice for yourself as to what's more important for you and your family.

[PitterPatter]

Tygerluv, you don't have to work for $2.00 an hour on Christmas. You will only do so, if you CHOOSE to do so. I would drop all state pay children if what you are saying actually turns out to be true. That is beyond absurd that they would or could force you to not ever take a day off. Surely there is some kind of mis-communication going on here somewhere. I know firsthand, that states have some pretty insane rules and laws, so this may actually be true. You can find a replacement if you lose your state pay kids. I certainly would not want to be forced to work on a holiday like Christmas. I just plain wouldn't do it. No way. I NEED to have my days off for my own mental health and for my family's well being. You need to make the choice for yourself as to what's more important for you and your family.

Oh I am allowed to take any holiday off I want as well as a vacation but I it's on me to find a back up provider for these people. THAT is my problem. I can't find anyone and I feel I shouldn't be expected to. I have 1 for the day I wanted this Easter now but no one will want to take kids to family dinners on Christmas and Thanksgiving. I know most people can get those days off but some of mine can't. The past 5 years I just had in my contract that they were responsible for finding their own care for vaca and holidays as they have literally a years notice usually because they know from the day they enroll. State says that's not fair to them. I tried to stand up for my rights too but she said it's my option I can leave the program if I like.

I only have state paid clients but not by choice. I accept everyone (as long as the people seem ok that is) It's rare for me to have a private paying client. Especially with parents being able to make literally thousands a month and still receive almost free care through the state. THAT is what really gets me. If they changed it I would have more private pay but they hand out free child care lvery easily around here.

No miscommunication unfortuanatley, I flat out asked "and what about special holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving that's not fair to ME and MY FAMILY." That's when she told me Christmas too. She also told me it was my choice to sign up to accept state paying clients and if I feel it is unfair it is my choice to quit at any time. Seems fair that I have the option, IF they hadn't raised the bar so high by allowing just about anyone free child care. So I have to stay and accept the terms. The income guidelines is just a joke! A family of 4 (my new family) is permitted to make $3,400 and still only pay $2.50 per day for care. So no wonder there are no private paying clients. Why pay when u can get it for free and have the state pay. AND LEGALLY!

Thank u everyone for the help and advise I would REALLY love to drop the state I just can't as I have no choice.

[countrymom]

um isnt it law that you have to be closed. I would either drop them, or look further into this. So if the daycare office is closed for christmas then why are you open. Why do you have to provide back up, i would hand her a list of numbers (including teenagers) and then its up to her whether or not she wants to use the back ups that she provided, you did your job, just because they don't want him is not your responsibility.

[boysx5]

nobody tells me when I take my vacations I take two weeks off every summer when my kids are off and any other days within reason. I give plenty of notice and they find there own back up care

[Meeko]

Yes she is mailing me a copy of the policy. I tried to take 1 day for Easter and a DCM is raising a stink saying no one wants to watch her kid and she's tired of her family saying how bad he is so she will need to bring him to me. She heard I am required to take him in even on a holiday. I thought oh yeah we will see. I called in and asked my general supervisor and she wasn't sure but thought that it was required also, even if on a hoilday. She called the big boss and they both conference called me with forms in hand. I was very unhappy and venting because I already do so much for these parents that isn't even required like giving a couple bags of groceries here and there so some kids can have food. The state only charges parents a very small amount. Current client gets at least $1,800 every month and only pays $2.00 a day for care! What a crock of S***! I just find it very unfair for the state to put it all on the providers plate. We don't get any bonuses either. 1 of her examples to me was Christmas. If I can't find a back up for Christmas and a parent works that day I am screwed and will have to have the child for a lousy $20 and allow him to attend our Christmas dinner etc. Show me 1 person that will work for $2.00 an hour on Christmas? I guess me now.

I would try and rally other providers together and get that changed.

It is quite frankly obscene that you are required to do so much for the state parents. Required to tend kids on Christmas??? I know darn well, that you will end up with partiers, who dump their kids on you and love the fact they can party the day away with friends. Contact sympathetic local newspapers and see what the general public think of you all being forced to watched welfare kids over Christmas. Any state hates embarrassment.

I hate to sound bad, but may of these state moms (not all) are irresponsible girls who have 2 or 3 kids (or more) with various just as irresponsible men and then expect the state to take care of them for the rest of their lives.

Providers here in Utah "revolved" some years back. We were tired of being paid after care had already been given. We were tired of reams of paperwork. The parents used to have to go to an ATM or bank and get CASH off their welfare cards to pay the provider. Well guess how many providers didn't get paid because parents suddenly saw a bunch of cash in their hand and thought it was OK to spend it and tell the provider they didn't get it, or that they had to pay their rent etc etc. I ran into this a few times. I told them it was mis-appropriation of government funds and a felony and that I would report them if I didn't get my money ASAP. I got it....but it wasn't worth the hassle.

After the state were forced to listen us providers, the whole system was changed. The parents don't even see the money. It's put on their cards, but they can't touch it. Providers punch in a code and it gets transferred to our banks automatically. And we get paid in advance, just like self parents have to. And we get paid even if we take vacation, holidays etc. If the parent is a pain and we can them...we can keep however much money we need for notice etc.

Your state is being so unreasonable. They are pandering to the welfare parents. If they decide to have kids, they have to take SOME responsibility for them! Good grief!

[momma2girls]

I stopped taking state children about 5 yrs. ago. It totally was not near worth everything to me!!!! Plus I only received $14.00 per day, per child!! I charged $25.00 per day, per child. I tried to have her pay the difference, but I found out this is illegal!!

[Lilbutterflie]

Have you called your licensing office and spoken to them about what the state told you? Maybe there is something in the licensing rules about being required to be closed on major holidays (like Christmas and Thanksgiving) or something?

I can maybe understand the state requiring that you provide backup care for the vacation that you take, but I think it's absolutely ABSURD that they would require you to provide backup care for holidays.

Have you spoken to any other daycare providers who accept state clients about this? Do they KNOW about this? If you can get the word out and meet other daycare providers with state clients you can all do one of two things:

1- Terminate all state clients and make it CLEAR why you are doing so and ask them to take it up with the state and file complaints. Pretty soon the state is going to get some angry phone calls from parents asking them to drop that rule. What does the state think is more FAIR; providing a wide selection of daycare providers who are willing to take state pay OR providing very few daycare providers and allowing state clients options for holiday care?
2- Work with the rest of the daycare providers in maybe doing a rotation on holidays. Say you find 5 other providers who take state clients, and use each other as backups on holidays on a rotation. Who cares if the provider is one hour away? You are still providing backup!

The other option is to ADVERTISE ADVERTISE ADVERTISE and drop one family at a time as you get new clients that are not state paid.

So sorry you are dealing with this. I too am not licensed for exactly things like this.

[Unregistered]

It's not fair to the parents to have to worry about finding a provider."

Sure. They don't have the responsibility of paying you, why should they have to find a backup? Sheesh.

[PitterPatter]

I would try and rally other providers together and get that changed.

It is quite frankly obscene that you are required to do so much for the state parents. Required to tend kids on Christmas??? I know darn well, that you will end up with partiers, who dump their kids on you and love the fact they can party the day away with friends. !

Well there is a catch for the parents too as far as that goes. They are only permitted to bring them to care during work or school hours. So come Christmas many places close but some remain open, fast food, groceries etc. If a parent is required to work then I have to make sure she has care if not me then I supply someone else a friend a fellow provider etc then I pay them. The DCM will sign in on my sheet for that day and the state will pay me. I then pay the person I sent her to in return.

Some DCMs dont actually go to work every day it's just a matter of busting them. 1 Parent was busted at an amusment park 3 years ago nice huh.

To reply to someone else who mention the daycare office being closed. The daycare office they go through CCRC and Dept of welafre close on many holidays. Just because they are closed doesn't make a difference. As I said I am permitted to close BUT I am the required to have a provider for the parents to go to.

[PitterPatter]

I stopped taking state children about 5 yrs. ago. It totally was not near worth everything to me!!!! Plus I only received $14.00 per day, per child!! I charged $25.00 per day, per child. I tried to have her pay the difference, but I found out this is illegal!!

I get $20 per day for preschool and under. It turns to $15 per day for school aged up to the age of 12. Yep same here, I cannot charge anything else. The state did recently allow for late payment fees and late pick up fees though but they can't be much.

I also get NO pay upfront. At the end of the month I send in my sign in sheets and the state tallies up the days and makes a deposit in my bank for those days.