Vacations

[Country Kids]

I was wondering what everyone takes for their own vacation time and how long you have been a childcare provider. This is my 14 year of doing childcare and never had set vacation times. The last 3 years I have had summers off, this is my first one back to working. My whole schedule has changed with parents and such so I want to have it in place what I'm taking.

My thought is at a job outside the home you would have at least 4 weeks vacation, week of sick time and possibly a week of personal time. Is this an unreasonable amount for a childcare provider that has been in it this long. I would start all of this in September when I put out my new contracts. I do have it that I take all Federal Holidays off bacause my husband and children have those off so should those be included in vacation time? Nothing is ever open on those days so it seems hard to make appointments for things.

If I could get some feedback on this that would be great. I'm thinking if I have set time off we could start saving up for vacations and actually going.

[Country Kids]

Also to add to the above, I do not charge my parents for any time off that I take but if they take time off I do charge them. I learned that early on with college students and was loosing to much on them so started charging everyone on their time off.

[Meyou]

I take 10 holidays pd and up to 3 weeks unpd. I take a week in the summer, days to make a week at Christmas and then long weekends here and there. I tell my families as many of that dates as I can in January but I reserve the right to add days off with 4 weeks notice for 3 days or more and 2 weeks notice for 1-2 days.

I added 2 days this year because my bf and I got Metallica tickets for July!! The concert is on a Thursday so I took Thurs and Fri off that week. He's more excited that I am (not a metal fan) but it's his favorite band so I'm glad to get to see them with him. I expect the same from him if Green Day ever comes back here and I try and get on the stage. :P

[cheerfuldom]

I take all major holidays plus two weeks vacation, all paid. This is my fifth year.

[DCMom]

I have been doing this for 22 years. I have 10 paid holidays, 10 paid vacation days and 10 paid personal/sick days. Any other days that I am closed are unpaid to my families.

For several years, I added time off instead of raising my rates. One day a year. Now I'm finding that at interviews, parents raise their eyebrows a bit at the amount of time I take off. Part of that might be because I schedule my time off for the entire year and give them the list. But I don't provide back up care, so the way I look at it, I am being pro-active. But overwhelming when you are looking at it all on one page I guess

[boysx5]

I have been doing daycare for 16 years I take two weeks paid and five paid personal days

[Country Kids]

I have been doing this for 22 years. I have 10 paid holidays, 10 paid vacation days and 10 paid personal/sick days. Any other days that I am closed are unpaid to my families.

For several years, I added time off instead of raising my rates. One day a year. Now I'm finding that at interviews, parents raise their eyebrows a bit at the amount of time I take off. Part of that might be because I schedule my time off for the entire year and give them the list. But I don't provide back up care, so the way I look at it, I am being pro-active. But overwhelming when you are looking at it all on one page I guess

What is funny is that is probably how much time they get off. I'm finding that out with my bunch, I already have parents running out of time off and I have probably only taken a total of a week off in 6 months-4 or 5 days off and then two sick days. What is hard is I guess is them scheduling all their time off and then we come along and our time off is different then theirs. Sometimes I find that when I have had teachers that is the best client because you get so much time off with them and it is actually nice. You could actually set all time off with their schedules.

[Justamom]

I'm a parent and I only get two weeks of paid vacation a year and two sick days. I don't know many people who get four weeks off plus sick and personal time.

[Unregistered]

I've been a licensed daycare provider for 25 years. When my 3 children were little I took 2 unpaid weeks off each year. One in February to go skiing and another in the summer to spend at our cabin. I have always taken 10 paid holidays...New Year's Day, President's Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, December 24, 25, & 26.
My thought is that if the parent's get paid for these, then I should too. I allow each family one week unpaid vacation time and then expect payment after that. I have seriously thought about redoing my contract to add some paid sick time, but I very seldom get sick. I have also considered adding paid vacations as well, but feel guilty having the parents pay me and have to pay someone else as well. I admire those that pull this off! The past few years I've just taken a few long 4 day weekends and give the parents one month's notice.

[Unregistered]

I have been doing this for 22 years. I have 10 paid holidays, 10 paid vacation days and 10 paid personal/sick days. Any other days that I am closed are unpaid to my families.

For several years, I added time off instead of raising my rates. One day a year. Now I'm finding that at interviews, parents raise their eyebrows a bit at the amount of time I take off. Part of that might be because I schedule my time off for the entire year and give them the list. But I don't provide back up care, so the way I look at it, I am being pro-active. But overwhelming when you are looking at it all on one page I guess

Ditto here - licensed 9 years. I have the same families long term so they love when I add a vacation day or two instead of raising rates. This coming Dec though I will raise rates a little and not add any paid days off as my kiddos are aging out/moving etc and I am getting a new group. I really stress the need for back up care and give my list of closure dates for the year at interview so there are no surprises. Families with school age kids are used to most of the days because their older kids are out more than that!

[Crystal]

I have been in business for 14 years. I take 5 paid vacation days, Federal holidays and 4 "floating holidays" each year. I typically do not use all of my floating holidays, but they are available if I really need them. I have taken 2 sick days in 14 years and only because I HAD too.

I do think that 4 weeks of vacation time is too much and parents are likely to balk at the thought. I know none of my families have four weeks of vacation time. With the economy the way it is right now I have had parents actually lose some of their vacation benefits and take pay cuts as well.

[Ariana]

I'm new and have only been operating since October 2010 but my contract states 4 weeks of vacay. 2 weeks in the summer and 2 weeks at Christmas. For summer I give at least a months notice before taking the 2 weeks. I also gave myself 10 days of sick and personal days that are paid. Any days needed outside tose 10 days is unpaid.

[Mom_of_two]

I have been providing care for two years.

I take paid holidays (Thanksgiving is 2 days and Christmas 3.)

I alsohave 5 days paid vacay and 5 days unpaid. I have yet to take this all together, and usu do not use them all.

I also give families 5 days ezch year to use how they choose (vacay or sick) but only one family has used it! I charge for all sick days or their vacay etc.

I do not charge if I have to close for my illness or kids illness.

[Blackcat31]

I have been in this business for 17+ years. I took my first vacation sometime during my 13th year of business.

I am closed on all major holidays if they fall on a regular week day. I adjust my vacation days each year according to what the needs of my current group are. Last year I closed for a week during the 4th of July and 2 days around Christmas to give myself a long weekend, (all unpaid). I try to make sure that if I am going to close, that it effects as few families as possible.

I also allow each child 8 days off with no fees charged per calendar year. Anything above and over that is handled on an individual basis dependent on many factors such as the current situation, the amount of time off they are asking for, my ability to temporarily fill the space, and my willingness to agree.

In this business, I think it is extremely important to be flexible enough to accommodate the needs of the families you are serving AND meet your own needs at the same time.

[Country Kids]

I'm a parent and I only get two weeks of paid vacation a year and two sick days. I don't know many people who get four weeks off plus sick and personal time.

How long have you been at your job? I know all companies are different with their policies also. My friend just started a new job and receives two weeks paid vacation, all federal holidays, 1 week sick time and so many personal days, plus 6 unpaid days.