Daycare Provider Paid Time Off

[blandino]

First of all, as a self-employed person you are NOT ENTITLED to paid holidays, vacation and sick days, and I think its greedy to think you do. It is immoral. Private schooling is by no means the same type of "service" you are paying for an education, and at most schools if you have a weather emergency or any other unplanned emergency the day is made up at the end of the year. That's like saying if the teacher calls in sick the parents have to pay the teacher her sick day and pay the substitute for the day. The parents don't the company (the school) does. With that being said, you are running a small company, you are the CEO, you are responsible for paying yourself that sick and vacation time...I hope that make sense.

I'm so sick of seeing people complain about paying for groceries and utilities they use for their business. I also have expenses, like a reliable vehicle, vehicle upkeep, gas, business attire..I don't expect my company to pay for those expenses because its part of the job.

It boils down to this, if you don't agree with a daycare provider getting paid time off, find one who doesn't take any.

I have 12 families who are happy to give me paid time off since they feel I deserve it, and should be able to take the time off without having to worry about finances. I don't take an excessive amount of time off, and when compared to the average working person, I will still total many many hours more in a year. My parents know how hard I work, and feel that they would rather have a happy, semi-rested provider.

I work at bare minimum 55 hours a week, which is 2860 hours a year. I take 10 paid holidays a year, and 5 paid vacation days. Amounting to a whopping 15 days off per year. Once you subtract those days out, that is 2695 hours a year - which is still 51 hours a week. So 10 hours more a week than most working adults, A FULL EXTRA WORK DAY EACH WEEK. Yes, I am the CEO and yes, I choose to do this for a living. But I would hope you see how much more time I am spending working that the average full-time worker. And how some would argue that we deserve a little time off while being paid.

[TheGoodLife]

It boils down to this, if you don't agree with a daycare provider getting paid time off, find one who doesn't take any.

I have 12 families who are happy to give me paid time off since they feel I deserve it, and should be able to take the time off without having to worry about finances. I don't take an excessive amount of time off, and when compared to the average working person, I will still total many many hours more in a year. My parents know how hard I work, and feel that they would rather have a happy, semi-rested provider.

I work at bare minimum 55 hours a week, which is 2860 hours a year. I take 10 paid holidays a year, and 5 paid vacation days. Amounting to a whopping 15 days off per year. Once you subtract those days out, that is 2695 hours a year - which is still 51 hours a week. So 10 hours more a week than most working adults, A FULL EXTRA WORK DAY EACH WEEK. Yes, I am the CEO and yes, I choose to do this for a living. But I would hope you see how much more time I am spending working that the average full-time worker. And how some would argue that we deserve a little time off while being paid.

happyfacehappyfacehappyface

[TheGoodLife]

I agree with what someone said earlier.... If you want these extended paid vacations, sick time, or holidays you should go back to school. Pay for a few school loans. And, get a teaching degree. Problem solved. You're still around children...taking care of children...and you have all your paid vacations!![/QUOTE]

I have 3 degrees- my Bachelors, Masters in Education, and ESL endorsement. I got a full ride to college to pay for my bachelors degree. I chose to leave my classroom to start a home day care. I do not appreciate your belittling our profession and saying we do not deserve any paid leave days. You don't agree with it, don't sign a contract with someone who does. But you are extremely rude and arrogant to say that no one in our profession has the right to paid holidays. And those that are saying we "work for" (i.e. are employed by) the parents would then have to admit that the employers of most jobs also pay for employees' vacations. Those that say self-employed people do not get paid vacations- it's out business to run the way we want to. Whether we add it in to the weekly rates or lower the rates and include paid days off- it's our right to put into our contract as we want to run our business.

[Rachel]

It boils down to this, if you don't agree with a daycare provider getting paid time off, find one who doesn't take any.

I have 12 families who are happy to give me paid time off since they feel I deserve it, and should be able to take the time off without having to worry about finances. I don't take an excessive amount of time off, and when compared to the average working person, I will still total many many hours more in a year. My parents know how hard I work, and feel that they would rather have a happy, semi-rested provider.

I work at bare minimum 55 hours a week, which is 2860 hours a year. I take 10 paid holidays a year, and 5 paid vacation days. Amounting to a whopping 15 days off per year. Once you subtract those days out, that is 2695 hours a year - which is still 51 hours a week. So 10 hours more a week than most working adults, A FULL EXTRA WORK DAY EACH WEEK. Yes, I am the CEO and yes, I choose to do this for a living. But I would hope you see how much more time I am spending working that the average full-time worker. And how some would argue that we deserve a little time off while being paid.

I agree. I get paid the same 12 months a year. I actually don't have paid sick leave, I pay backup, but my personal days, vacation days, and holidays are all paid.

[Unregistered]

Really?!?

Many, many companies pay for someone else to do a job that needs to be done when someone is on vacation or off of work sick.

In fact, I can't think of many companies that don't.

Do you have a paid vacation? Do you have paid sick days at work?
Why shouldn't a provider have those same benefits?

This is nuts! Everyone else gets Paid time off, paid vacation and paid sick days but a childcare provider who works MORE than 40 hours that cooks for your child, cleans for your child, nurtures your child, encourages your child and teaches your child gets questioned about why they get all that time off?? the question is why did the parent sign the contract for their child to be there...THEN complain about policy? So I agree with you MOST companies pay their employees vacation time while someone else does their work.

[seebachers]

can someone throw the OLD POST icon up here???

[Blackcat31]

can someone throw the OLD POST icon up here???

[Hunni Bee]

Yeah but there's still plenty of these people.who think "oh you're just my babysitter...you don't need anything but air and water and to scrape up the chump change off the floor that I throw you..."

so its still relevant.

[Unregistered]

I am a day care provider
most day care here in BC Can do have paid holidays, sick days ex....and I used to follow that myself
though I did take pay for sick days but never used them , had subsitute, and didnt take holidays which i never ask for pay then , and had a monthly rate and that was where the pay for BC hlidays came in
over time I realized where I live full time work wasnt always there for clients, scheduals changed, lots of part time kids in my care
so I made changes too
I never get paid well for any of these days now and charge only daily rates no matter full time or part time and my contract states this
I also have no security in this biss and have no medical benifits, holiday pay EI insurance ex.......so it is a scarey biss of self emplyment
and I have be ripped off
so some who charge for these days get a sence of security that many working parents have

[Unregistered]

Not everyone gets paid vacations and as a self employed person that is one luxury you do not get. My husband has been self employed for years, if he doesn't work he doesn't get paid....period. Why is daycare any different than any other self employed person?

Parents have to find other means of childcare for their kids on the week you are gone, so basically paying double for that week. I hate paying daycare for days they don't watch my kids then have to pay someone else as well. I don't mind the holidays but have a huge problem with days they are closed and I have to pay.

[Unregistered]

The question isn't whether you deserve the time off or not. The problem is that the week you guys are closed we have to hire someone else to watch our kids, so we are paying double for that week. We are not made of money and can't afford to pay someone who isn't even watching our kids!

[Play Care]

THIS IS THE THREAD THAT NEVER ENDS
YES IT GOES ON AND ON MY FRIENDS!
SOMEBODY STARTED POSTING IT NOT KNOWING WHAT IT WAS
AND THEY'LL COMTINUE POSTING IT FOREVER JUST BECAUSE

THIS IS THE THREAD THAT NEVER ENDS
(Sing it with me! :: )
YES IT GOES ON AND ON MY FRIENDS
SOMEBODY STARTED POSTING IT NOT KNOWING WHAT IT WAS
AND THEY'LL COMTINUE POSTING IT FOREVER JUST BECAUSE...

(THANK YOU Sherri Lewis and Lambchop RIP!)

[Blackcat31]

The question isn't whether you deserve the time off or not. The problem is that the week you guys are closed we have to hire someone else to watch our kids, so we are paying double for that week. We are not made of money and can't afford to pay someone who isn't even watching our kids!

Then that is the time to call on family and friends....

It has NOTHING to do with deserving a vacation, taking one because others get one too or with being paid a minimal amount for the long hours we work but it has EVERYTHING to do with the fact that as a small business owner I get to choose which services (and when) I offer and you as a parent get to choose whether or not you sign on with a provider that charges for her/his vacation time.

If you don't want to pay double, find a provider that doesn't charge for days she is closed or use a center that is open all year round.

I choose to charge a flat weekly rate 52 weeks a year.
My clients choose to agree to this before enrolling.

EVERYONE has a choice.

If you are double paying and not liking it, then it's YOUR issue to fix not your providers job to edit or alter her policies simply to meet YOUR needs.

[Thriftylady]

Then that is the time to call on family and friends....

It has NOTHING to do with deserving a vacation, taking one because others get one too or with being paid a minimal amount for the long hours we work but it has EVERYTHING to do with the fact that as a small business owner I get to choose which services (and when) I offer and you as a parent get to choose whether or not you sign on with a provider that charges for her/his vacation time.

If you don't want to pay double, find a provider that doesn't charge for days she is closed or use a center that is open all year round.

I choose to charge a flat weekly rate 52 weeks a year.
My clients choose to agree to this before enrolling.

EVERYONE has a choice.

If you are double paying and not liking it, then it's YOUR issue to fix not your providers job to edit or alter her policies simply to meet YOUR needs.

THIS.

It isn't even really being about self employed, even though we are. It is about we run our own business the way we want to. OUR name is on the door. The same as you get to pick what store you buy groceries in, or clothing in or whatever you get to choose what childcare you use. I don't charge for my days off right now, but I am not saying I never will, I will review my policies yearly and do as I see fit at the time.

But do you really want the provider who never takes time off because she can't afford to caring for the most important thing in your life? You don't really think that a tired, overworked, underpaid provider is the best place to leave your precious child do you? If so go find one, but be prepared for the things that could happen. Things could go great for years. Or, she could just not open the door one day, and then again a week or two later. Leaving you in a bind. At least a provider that tells you ahead of time leaves you some options.

[Miss A]

Paid Time Off

Before choosing to open my own daycare, I worked in a state licensed center. This allowed for me to learn the ins and outs of daycare, and to also get a feel for how a daycare best runs smoothly. While in the process of setting up my home childcare, I have talked to many home providers in my area, both registered and non-registered. I am finding that in my area parents are paying a flat rate for an entire week, should they choose for their child to attend or not. I am also finding that many providers choose to have paid holidays, as well as a short paid vacation.

I am choosing to build in 3 paid vacation days, all in a row. I have stated this in my contract, and I have had no issue with parents accepting this policy. It is my belief that Quality Childcare is not cheap, and that you get what you pay for. If you don't mind having a daycare provider that is frazzled, stressed out, over whelmed, and burnt out, then that is your choice. I choose to build these 3 paid vacation days into my schedule so that I am able to provide the best possible care to the children in my daycare.

It comes down to what each family chooses. A daycare provider should never change their contract to appease families and sacrifice themselves. If you are providing quality care, you will be able to fill those spots with families who are more understanding and are willing to accept your policies.