Charging on Holidays

[dEHmom]

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I am not money hungry but I did just watch a Diners, Drive-ins and Dives episode and they showcased a place that made wild rice french toast with blackberry sauce and now I am starving!!!!

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[ProudMom2evry1]

Both experienced taking my child to a daycare and having my own daycare

I personally don't own a day care, nor do I ever plan on it. However, I do understand that it is a business, but any business should know what is ethical and unethical or does anyone have a conscious these days.

After reading some of the post that had been written some time ago, I wonder how you think you should be paid for holidays and for inclement weather when you don’t watch children.

My problem is this, if you watch a child then you should be paid for those services. If you don’t then there should be no charge. My wife and I have to deal with her brother and his wife. They don’t have a day care, but they sure do operate their home like it is. (Of course there home can be treated as such.)

Earning my Master’s and learning more and more about businesses and how they operate helps me understand what is ethical and not ethical. So again let me ask the question, why should daycare’s be paid for services not rendered for bad weather, holidays, or when children can be watched by their parents?

Just saying, “you get paid holidays why shouldn’t we” is not an valid argument.

It’s dishonest to charge parents when you don’t watch children. I do agree that policies should be up front and in writing. But again are your policies honest? If they are, then I’m sure parents will enjoy doing business with you, if not your probably still going to have that migraine.

Companies still have to take out federal income tax, state income tax, health care fees, retirement, S.S. fees, and disability. Of course some of these are mandatory while others are voluntarily. So as a daycare are you doing all of this? Do you offer retirement for your employees, paid holidays, paid time off, and sick leave?

Again, why should parents pay a daycare for services they didn’t provide?

If someone on this blog can give me an honest and valid argument then maybe you can persuade me to understand why you should be paid for services not provided?

Before I start, I would like everyone to know that everything I mentioned here concerning child care is based in CA.

When I was taking my child to a day care provider some years ago, all I know is that I'm paying her for taking care of my child and that's it! I worked at a retail store and the word "holiday" does not really exist so, I was a little bit upset. I thought that it was really not fair for me to pay her when I can't bring my son in due to her vacation or paid holiday. I thought that it was not fair that she's getting paid for relaxing and spending time with her family while I have to go to work and leave my child to some other stranger just so she can take her "day off".

Well, after a few years I decided to open up my own day care and learned a few things on how to run this business. Well, I did not know about the capacity limit and the restrictions set by the state. So, here's how it works:

Capacity limit of 6-8 kids for small day care - this means that 3 kids can be ages from 0-24 months and 8 kids if u have 2 school aged kids with only 2 kids that are 0-24mos of age

If you had you small day care license for over a year, you can request for a large license meaning your capacity limit will be changed from 6-8 to 12-14 kids with age restrictions.

Capacity limit of 12-kids are allowed if you have 4 kids ages 0-24 months. If only 3 kids are ages 0-24 mos, you can have up to 14 provided that at least 2 of them are school aged. You are also required to have an assistant.

Now, going back to the question. Why do parents have to pay their child care providers even if their child is not present? Because child care providers don't get paid by the hour. If we do, then it's only fair not to charge for the time or days that their child is not in our care.

If we at least get paid the minimum wage, no child care provider will complain.

This is how I make parents understand and realize that they are paying for the spot and not for my time:

I offer the "drop-in basis". This means that parents don't have to pay me for the days that their child is not here, but since the spot is not guaranteed for their child, they have to call me the day before they wish to drop off their child. Of course, if I have the spot, I say sure... but, if I don't... then I just say "no".

Parents are our clients, not our employers. We don't have employees' rights but, we set our own policies. We don't get paid by the hour but we charge for the child's spot.

Just like a retail store, if you don't like their return policy or their prices... you just simply have to move on. We are a business and not employees. I hope this helps.

[Christian Mother]

I think you def. do have to look at it as a "case by case" issue. Although it is not illegal to charge for holidays or days not there. You do need to put a lot of time looking for a provider... To be honest, I think person(s) looking for care for their child(s) need to do a lot of investigating on what they want in a provider/facility. There are going to be compromises on both ends. But you need to make sure you make a list of things you are looking for. Your child is the most important thing to you so why not take the time to really go in and look for that "perfect" care your looking for. Take in consideration that this is a business to us and we work soooo very hard on making sure your child is safe, loved, entertained, taught, encouraged, I could go on and on. I am willing to bet that your not happy where your at bc you wouldn't question at all pay. You would be sooo over happy where your leaving your child that money would never be a issue. If you think your paying to much you need to be in communication with your provider. Start looking in your area for what the going rate is and if they charge for days that your child is not there. Some do some don't. I do not but I can tell you. My child care here every day. They don't miss days and the parent provide me with toys, food, gift certificates, little notes of appreciation. They do this with out me even asking. I love it bc it makes me feel appreciated..and I would never ask for more money bc these parent go above and beyond. I sometimes will care for a child when it is a holiday and I charge double my normal rate. They don't complain or even argue it. I am hardly ever sick. Last yr I had pneumonia and was sick for 3 days and some of my kids stayed home and i had maybe 2 child that my husband came home to help watch since I could not. We all make do as we all care and love each other. It's a group effort but it is still a business. If you agreed and signed the contract your bound to it. If you now feel that you can't continue paying or you now don't agree you need to have a talk with your provider and either try to find a compromise or give your 2 weeks notice but understand that you will still have to pay regardless of whether your child is there or not.

[mismatchedsocks]

I started to reply, but didnt read the whole post. However my take on charging for holidays is this. I charge a rate. Its a weekly rate. You pay this weekly rate to me every week. The only time you do not have to pay me is when I am on vacation, because then I feel that they may have to pay for another daycare.

Here is a way to think about it. or word it.

"I charge a weekly fee of $150 a week ( for example ). This is to be paid weekly on Monday. There is no discount for days off or holidays because it is already worked into the tuition amount. It also covers the food, love, warmth, electricity, ...... etc. that I will provide. Even times/days your child is not here I am planning for them to be here. Food, arts, laundry, gifts, etc."

If you think about how many days we work in a year ( me its 60 a week times 52 weeks = 3,120. Then subtract my week off, and then about 5 holidays. So about 3000 hours. Divide this by 52 weeks is about 57 hours a week, equals to about 2.60 an hour. OR if we did the hourly way, that parents want only when their child was here. I would not charge 2.60 an hour. I would charge about 4 an hour, so pretty much paying $170 a week.

that was a bunch of rambling, but in other words the tuition that a parent pays every week here takes into account the holidays and days off when making the price.

[Unregistered]

ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? (No pun intended)

Yes it is legal.
Why should you get paid for holidays and not us?

If you want PAID holidays then get a job where you work for someone.... you own a day care so put your big boy pants on and understand what going in to businees means!!!

[Unregistered]

Yes it is. A daycare is a business you are coming to someone's business you are not their boss and you do not set the rules, if you want to do that hire a nanny. All licensed daycare's have a contract (if you went to one that is not licensed that is your fault) and you signed that contract so you are abide to follow the rules. If you do not like it, look for another place for your child. And when you do think that daycare providers work 12 to 13 hours a day for less than 3 dollars an hour, that is not even minimum wage so show a little appreciation for the person that is helping you race your child. There is to kinds of daycare the ones that don't do anything with the children just put them in front of a TV and watch them play, and the ones that prepare daily activities, lesson plans, never have the TV on etc...quality daycare is expensive. So again is your decision what kind of daycare you want for your child and how much are you willing to pay for it. I charge by month so I charge for 48 weeks a year instead of the 52 weeks everybody charges so there is my 2 week vacation time and Holidays that I consider I well deserved for my hard work. Any of the parents in my DC complains and they all tell me to have a nice vacation all the time other wise (since I have a waiting list) they would not be in my daycare.

[Unregistered]

daycare fees

can some one tell me why daycares are allowed to charge fees even when they decided to close the center? on stat holidays as well?

[Jewels]

can some one tell me why daycares are allowed to charge fees even when they decided to close the center? on stat holidays as well?

OK SERIOUSLY???? Read The above^^^ 400 replies to same same original question.

[blessedmess8]

I personally take 5 holidays off each year as well as a week at the end of summer. I also usually take 3-4 days off throughout the year as sick days. These are days where I am too sick to care for children properly or days when my own kids have something contagious like strep throat. I charge monthly based on 4 weeks in a month. For example, I charge $440 per month per child, based on $110 for 4 weeks. Therefore parents are only paying for 48 weeks a year instead of 52. This allows me to take my time off without having to lose any money. This also means that parents are not paying twice when they have to pay for backup.

Hey! I like that!

[odskids]

I couldn't have said it better!
Parents need to read, understand, and agree to the contract they are signing. If they do not agree to the paid days off, then find care elsewhere. We work, long hours and need a break just like anyone else to reenergize so we can be the the best providers for the children that we care for! It's that simple!

[caligirl]

Is it legal to charge for day care for days the children are not at day care or days the day care close because of weather or holidays.

If you put it in your contract and the parent signs it. YES it is legal.

[kayla]

Originally Posted by Unregistered
Exactly my thoughts *Interested*
"Sometimes I think parents whine more than children. You are paying for the slot, not for the hour. If you want it spelled out.... you have a yearly flat rate. It is broken down for your convenience. Or would you rather pay by the year?? The only thing to change this is what the policy makes exceptions to. Have you ever heard of salary pay? No matter how many hours you work, it is a flat pay. It is the same principle. Got a problem? Start your own day care and see what we are talking about, then maybe you would understand better. If we catered to everyones whims, we would watch your precious for free 24/7. "

My, you sound like a provider who really doesn't like parents or children... Maybe time to find a new profession? I am a healthcare professional and think it is completely fair to provide my childcare provider for the same paid holidays that most other professionals receive.. These would be Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.. But, we had one who wanted paid time off for every school vacation day, including the 2 weeks off at Christmas paid! This is an extreme hardship on parents who must pay "double" and find someone else to cover those days. Many of these parents aren't lucky enough to be getting ANY paid holidays of their own... Of the ones who are, only parents who happen to be school teachers are getting as many paid holidays as this childcare provider. (We found someone new). If this woman wants so many paid holidays she should go back to college and get a teaching degree.

maybe you should only have children you can afford. And read a contract fully before you sign..

[kayla]

If you want PAID holidays then get a job where you work for someone.... you own a day care so put your big boy pants on and understand what going in to businees means!!!

good point we own a daycare..hint:we make the rules get over it... please read a contract before you sign it!!!

[renodeb]

Unfortunatly, (sp?) It is legal. I dont do it that way but most places will have it in writting. The dcs I know of where I live dont discount for bad weather. I think its up tp the individual place to make up there policies.
Debbie

[jgpdz]

Really?

It's easy for you to say that parents whine but funny that the money is not coming out of your pocket...you must a provider!