Charging on Holidays

[Leigh]

as you say we pay for the "slot" that would mean that for a holiday that the daycare is closed there is no "slot" they are closed, that would be like paying for a reservation that doesn't exits.

There is no slot on Saturday nor Sunday (at most daycares). Would you expect a discount for those days, as well? Why not? It makes no sense to me that a person can not understand the logic to this.

I figure out what I need each year. I divide it by the number of children I am allowed to have in care. I plan for being closed for certain holidays and a few sick days. Maybe a few vacation days, if I am lucky. My rates are set based on this number that I must have yearly.

I certainly COULD let parents have days where they don't pay for closures, illness, vacation, etc. BUT, that number that I NEED does not change. So, I would just raise my rates to cover those closure days to ensure that I made my goal income. My clients are going to pay that number that I need to hit whether they pay it in higher rates with "free" days (that aren't truly free) or whether they pay it with a lower weekly fee that is the same every week.

Either way, my business needs to make a certain amount to stay solvent. I am going to get to that number or I won't stay in business.

If you don't like paying the same amount weekly, why not ask to pay a higher rate so you can feel like you're getting something for nothing?

[kathykats]

Taxes

Our daycare provider charges only for the days my daughter is physically there so long as we tell them by the Sunday evening of that particular week. So we do not pay for holidays, we do not pay for our vacations, and we don't pay for any days I know in advance that she won't be there. They use this open communication system of scheduling to give their caretakers more flexibility in their own schedules. So no, not all providers charge for the "slot." Some actually charge for the care that is provided.

Does you provider give you a receipt for taxes? I give a receipt for taxes to my parents. They get about 35% back of what they pay me throughout the year. I also pay taxes on what I charge, so I charge a weekly fee as well, unless I am closed. They get 1 week a year off for vacation and I schedule my vacation then, they don't pay for that week. But it is 1/2 pay for any additional weeks, unless they bring the children a day or two, then it is full rate.

[Unregistered]

As a college educated (BA, Psych, emph. on Development), group family child care provider of 30 years, I charge a weekly set rate, whether your child is in attendance or not. I also have paid Holidays, (honored either the Friday before or Monday after if they fall on a weekend), 10 paid vacation days (equivalent to two weeks paid vacation), and 9 paid PTO days, accrued by industry standard formula based on hours worked. This equals 28 paid days off! I offer a coupon for one free week of care annually. An advance schedule of time off is provided for the year to allow for alternate caregiver arrangements, however, I reserve 4 PTO days for illness or emergency. Thank you to all of my families who over the years have supported my professionalism, and helped me sustain my longevity and commitment to my career. I especially want to thank former daycare children, who are now bringing their children to my in -home child care. And lastly, I thank my grown children, ages 30, 27, and 24 for their many sacrifices of home, personal space, and, too often, me; my husband, who listens, but never interferes, nor complains; my custodial grandchildren, ages 9, 5, and 4, who have learned to love caregiving, made valuable friends, and help out alot!

[Josiegirl]

as you say we pay for the "slot" that would mean that for a holiday that the daycare is closed there is no "slot" they are closed, that would be like paying for a reservation that doesn't exits.

With that train of thought, how would you feel if your 'slot' was all of a sudden taken by another family, if it's not saved? Then it becomes drop-in care and that could be even a higher rate, plus you'd have to confirm it all the time. What family wants to work around that sort of unpredictable plan??

[amberrose3dg]

With that train of thought, how would you feel if your 'slot' was all of a sudden taken by another family, if it's not saved? Then it becomes drop-in care and that could be even a higher rate, plus you'd have to confirm it all the time. What family wants to work around that sort of unpredictable plan??

The ones that are too" cheap" to pay when they aren't there.

[hwichlaz]

In your car scenario, the car is still available to the owner. This is the difference. Their spouse/friend/roommate or whatever could drive them around, they could sit in the driveway playing their car stereo if they chose, whatever. The lein holder is not going to come reposses the car for 6 weeks so the car can have a little vacay time while demanding that payment still be made. If this happened you'd all be here crying in the forums, while continuing to charge your customers for services not rendered.

I still have to make my car payment when it’s stuck in the repair shop

[Unregistered]

Wow! These childcare workers seem super bitter and confrontational. Also why do you also assume that all parents who pay for childcare get paid days off? Some people own and operate their own businesses or work for themselves so if my child is only going to the facility 2 out of the four days we pay for due to a holiday; it definitely doesn’t feel fair to parents. Prorating makes more sense. To answer most of your question “why should we get a paid day off?” The answer is, you probably only have an associates and work for a private facility or yourself. So maybe you should stop complaining and get and actual salary/union job if you want paid days off. That being said my son’s preschool teachers are great and I’m glad that at least some of the money all of the parents are paying is actually going towards their paid holiday.

[Blackcat31]

Wow! These childcare workers seem super bitter and confrontational. Also why do you also assume that all parents who pay for childcare get paid days off? Some people own and operate their own businesses or work for themselves so if my child is only going to the facility 2 out of the four days we pay for due to a holiday; it definitely doesn’t feel fair to parents. Prorating makes more sense. To answer most of your question “why should we get a paid day off?” The answer is, you probably only have an associates and work for a private facility or yourself. So maybe you should stop complaining and get and actual salary/union job if you want paid days off. That being said my son’s preschool teachers are great and I’m glad that at least some of the money all of the parents are paying is actually going towards their paid holiday.

They aren’t bitter or confrontational
They’re probably just frustrated that even after 4 pages of explanations parents still don’t see the answer.....

Don’t sign the contract if you don’t like the policies.

There are many child care options available.
Choose the one that works for you.

That’s not bitter or confrontational.
It’s simple logic

[Michael]

They’re probably just frustrated that even after 4 pages of explanations parents still don’t see the answer.....

True that! ^

[mommyneedsadayoff]

Wow! These childcare workers seem super bitter and confrontational. Also why do you also assume that all parents who pay for childcare get paid days off? Some people own and operate their own businesses or work for themselves so if my child is only going to the facility 2 out of the four days we pay for due to a holiday; it definitely doesn’t feel fair to parents. Prorating makes more sense. To answer most of your question “why should we get a paid day off?” The answer is, you probably only have an associates and work for a private facility or yourself. So maybe you should stop complaining and get and actual salary/union job if you want paid days off. That being said my son’s preschool teachers are great and I’m glad that at least some of the money all of the parents are paying is actually going towards their paid holiday.

So you DO agree that childcare providers should get paid days off. Glad you got your negativity out before admitting you actually agree with paid time off. Also, you should tell your provider they need an actual job if they want the time off. Because caring for your child in a center versus caring for a child in an in-home daycare makes all the difference in being deserving of paid time off. One's an actual job and one is not according to you. Just make sure you tell them that up front before signing the contract.

[amberrose3dg]

So you DO agree that childcare providers should get paid days off. Glad you got your negativity out before admitting you actually agree with paid time off. Also, you should tell your provider they need an actual job if they want the time off. Because caring for your child in a center versus caring for a child in an in-home daycare makes all the difference in being deserving of paid time off. One's an actual job and one is not according to you. Just make sure you tell them that up front before signing the contract.

Exactly! Pick a daycare that doesn't charge when the child isn't there. I have had families not enroll with me because of this. I rather not enroll them then have them getting rude everytime a paid day off comes up!

[Unregistered]

Unfair

To me if you take in the fact that we gotta find another person to watch our child or children to me it’s unreasonable. I feel like mandatory Holliday’s like Christmas NewYears Thanksgiving July4th etc are time my problem is taking up to 5 days off around theses days and still getting paid. Or when you have a family emergency and can’t work you still get paid that’s bull. Everyone deserves vacation time just be reasonable.

[Blackcat31]

To me if you take in the fact that we gotta find another person to watch our child or children to me it’s unreasonable. I feel like mandatory Holliday’s like Christmas NewYears Thanksgiving July4th etc are time my problem is taking up to 5 days off around theses days and still getting paid. Or when you have a family emergency and can’t work you still get paid that’s bull. Everyone deserves vacation time just be reasonable.

What one person considers reasonable is debatable so like it’s been said 100X’s already the answer to this dilemma is to find a provider or child care solution that works for YOU.

There are so many options out there and so many providers that charge/don’t charge for vacations, closed days and off time that it’s unreasonable for you to think that everyone should have the same policies or have policies that work for only you.

The reasonable thing to do would be to find a provider or a care solution that fits YOUR needs.

[springv]

Our center charges a set price based on their age and they pay even if we are closed. We only close Thanksgiving and the day after, new years, Christmas eve and Christmas day, memorial day, 4th of July and good Friday. If we close for bad weather our parents pay and if they are on assistance to help pay for childcare they have to swipe an absence for the day that we are closed

[Rockgirl]

I looked to see if “dead horse” was a tag for this thread. Yes, it is!