Daycare Provider Paid Time Off

[BumbleBee]

So my baby just started daycare and the provider said in interview that she doesn't take a lot of time off but I just got the papers and there's 12 holidays (didn't think Black Friday was a holiday but it is at daycare) and 3 weeks vacation and 7 personal days and 7 sick days ... is this normal??

As Josiegirl said each daycare has their own schedule of days off. If the time off your provider takes does not work for you, your best bet is to begin looking elsewhere and specifically ask about provider time off. This may be your first experience with daycare so it may not have been a question you thought to ask. There is nothing wrong with that as I wouldn't think to ask that question either!

Me, personally, I take a week in July and the week between Christmas and New Year's. Additionally I am closed Labor Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and the day after. As for personal days and sick days, I take those as needed. Life happens and as hard as I try to be open and available, it isn't always possible. Examples include last year when I had to close for a week unexpectedly due to having e-coli and I had to close for a day this year when my mom broke her arm and needed surgery. Both emergency situations that I was unable to plan for

[Snowmom]

So my baby just started daycare and the provider said in interview that she doesn't take a lot of time off but I just got the papers and there's 12 holidays (didn't think Black Friday was a holiday but it is at daycare) and 3 weeks vacation and 7 personal days and 7 sick days ... is this normal??

As mentioned above, everyone is different. It is a little strange you didn't get (or read) the paperwork before starting your child at the daycare.

Personally, I take 2 paid days off at Thanksgiving- yes, one is technically "black friday". I really don't care what it's nicknamed, I'm just not re-opening on a Friday after a holiday. It's especially pointless when more than half the crew is gone or traveling anyway.

I personally take 12 paid holidays and 2 weeks annual vacation time (my vacations are unpaid, but rolled into tuition costs) and roughly 5-10 personal days throughout the year. I rarely take sick days, but sometimes a day or two a year is necessary if it's the flu or something I can't work through.

[BrynleeJean]

Your provider could legally take the entire YEAR off and have you pay.

its not about if its legal. none of these questions are about if its legal. Its are you willing to have a provider that has that many vacation days.

They are employees in the workforce of childcare and deserve the time off and thats how they see it PTO just like any other employee but you do not have to stay with that provider.
If its becoming an inconvenience to you, maybe you don't have a close relative that can watch them and its getting to expensive to take off or pay for alternate care then maybe your family and her aren't a good fit. that ALL it is, no blame or anything. :hug:
i believe that paying my provider vacation is a way of me thanking her for taking care of my child the rest of the year, like respecting her as a fellow woman,and mom, and wife, who needs a vacation but also has bills.

GOOD LUCK happyface

[Paul415]

What is a reasonable PTO Policy?

Day care providers deserve PTO - yes.

If we dont like one provider's policy, we have options - Agreed.

But what is a reasonable policy?

Our provider puts out an annual calendar with 6.2 weeks of scheduled paid time off. She also wants unlimited paid sick days, but offered to cap sick days at an additional 3 full weeks. That's 9.2 weeks of PTO per year.

Yes, providers deserve a PTO benefit, but this seems excessive.

Looking for some feedback about the specific time requested.

Thanks!

Paul

[Blackcat31]

Day care providers deserve PTO - yes.

If we dont like one provider's policy, we have options - Agreed.

But what is a reasonable policy?

Our provider puts out an annual calendar with 6.2 weeks of scheduled paid time off. She also wants unlimited paid sick days, but offered to cap sick days at an additional 3 full weeks. That's 9.2 weeks of PTO per year.

Yes, providers deserve a PTO benefit, but this seems excessive.

Looking for some feedback about the specific time requested.

Thanks!

Paul

For some it IS excessive
For others it IS NOT excessive

If she is able to get and keep clients, she's entitled to take as much or as little PTO as she wants.

It's irrelevant as to whether anyone thinks it is or isn't excessive.

If YOU think it's excessive, find another provider.
If you don't think it's excessive then there is no issue.

As you can tell this is a subject that is literally beat to death and there is no one size fits all.
Only what works for each family and each business owner.

I think it's excessive that some of the convenience stores here charge almost double what Walmart charges for milk.

Naturally I buy milk at Walmart.

[boy_mom]

Day care providers deserve PTO - yes.

If we dont like one provider's policy, we have options - Agreed.

But what is a reasonable policy?

Our provider puts out an annual calendar with 6.2 weeks of scheduled paid time off. She also wants unlimited paid sick days, but offered to cap sick days at an additional 3 full weeks. That's 9.2 weeks of PTO per year.

Yes, providers deserve a PTO benefit, but this seems excessive.

Looking for some feedback about the specific time requested.

Thanks!

Paul

My sons nursery school follows the same schedule as the school system, including summer vacation. She is only open from 8:30-12:30, with the option to pay for an longer day until 3pm.

There is A LOT of time off that I pay for. But I love the teachers, I value the service and it feels right for our family. She has been in business for over 25 years, with a long waitlist so it clearly works for other families as well....

But my friends dont send their kids there. Schedules, fees and a million other reasons have lead them to a provider who fits their family's need better.

I'm not being snide, but if you dont like it, it may be time to look else where! There are so many amazing child care options, you should find one that works best for you! As people have said before, there is no right or wrong amount of PTO, you just have to find the best fit for your family

[Meeko]

I find myself shaking my head at the general attitude of
"Why should I follow the contract I signed?"

It doesn't matter if the daycare provider takes half the year off, or is available 24/7. You signed it. You agreed to it. You OK'd it. Now abide by it, or give notice and find another provider.

It's not rocket science. Don't sign something you don't agree with. Good grief.