Provider's PAID Vacation?

can a daycare legally charge you for their vacation when you have to find dayceare somewhere else for that time, plus child care assistance won't cover that extra charge.

If a provider gave you a handbook, was her vacation listed in the handbood as..Provider gets PAID for her vacation, and if so and you signed a contract, then yes you are required to pay your provider.

In my handbook it states that Provider will take 2 weeks vacation and 1 week is a PAID vacation. So all my parents sign my handbook and are aware BEFORE they sign that I do take a 1 week vacation and it is paid.

[Cat Herder]

Absolutely.

Assistance is just that...it was never intended to pay the full load....

Sorry, it should have been in your handbook with plenty of notice to save money in advance though.

If not, you may have a chance of getting the provider to work with you a bit. If not, it falls on you.

Good luck and I hope everything else about your child's care is going well?

[kendallina]

It's absolutely legal and as others have said, if you signed a contract that states you have to pay when provider is on vacations, then you have to pay.

That is why reading your contract before you sign is SOOOO IMPORTANT!

Some providers charge for their vacation time, some do not. I honestly, cannot imagine asking parents to pay for my vacation time when they still have to pay for someone else to watch their children during that time. But, that's just me.

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

can a daycare legally charge you for their vacation when you have to find dayceare somewhere else for that time, plus child care assistance won't cover that extra charge.

I think if it is in the handbook and you signed (agreed to it) then yes, they can charge for it. Providers charge/bill in many different ways to accommodate their business. It is your responsibility as a parent to ask and agree or not agree with it.

Also, assistance is also only intended to assist you in your costs of daycare NOT foot the bill. It is suppose to be in addition to your payments. If they don't cover vacations then you have to do it. I have several childcare families who get assistance and whenever the assistance doesn't cover a total bill for whatever reason, it is the parents responsibility to pay. This includes vacations, late fees, costs outside the covered hours etc.

So, ultimately, if you signed a contract saying vacations are to be paid, then you have to pay it.

[lil angels]

Oh yes I have 12 days plus my holidays that are paid per year. I need to recharge as much as anyone else does and I look forward to it and nobody says anything to me about it. I let them know at the interview and most say I understand you need your days to.

Maybe you need a center them you wouldn't ever have to worry about daycare closing or being off for vacations.

Some providers charge and others don't. If it's in the contract you signed and in the handbook, you have to pay. If you don't like paying when they're off, you should try to find another provider that doesn't charge when closed. I understand your frustration, because in my area, you have to pay a registration fee, supply fee plus the tuition and fill out all state required paperwork. I interviewed a number of home providers and this issue is the #1 reason I chose center care instead - I don't have enough vacation time to cover my area's home daycare provider's closings each year and cannot afford to pay 2 providers at one time. I recommend that you try a center instead. You may actually get vacation days where you don't have to pay when you don't have your child in care.

[jen]

Of course!!

[ccmom]

Being a licensed provider and self-employed business owner, if I do not charge for days off each year....then the monies paid during that time would have to be offset by higher tuition. Providers are very limited in numbers as to how much their business can take in, because state's dictate how many children we can care for and what ages.

Think about it, though. You get paid time off through your employer..why shouldn't a self-employed person have the same benefit? Providers need time to recharge. I choose all of my days off (paid and unpaid) a year ahead of time...so my families have plenty of time to plan.

On the flip side, I also allow my families up to 10 days of family vacation time in which they must give notice...but do not have to pay tuition. Works great for the annual family vacation in the summer, or Christmas break. funny, though....not many of my families ever use more than 3 or 4 days.

You can't please everyone. You just have to pay the bills and keep your sanity in the end.

[Symphony]

Also think about if you took a weeks vacation and stayed in a hotel with your family. Would you call your landlord/bank and ask to not pay that weeks rent/mortgage since you weren't there and had to pay someone else?

[daycare]

Originally Posted by Symphony

Also think about if you took a weeks vacation and stayed in a hotel with your family. Would you call your landlord/bank and ask to not pay that weeks rent/mortgage since you weren't there and had to pay someone else?

love it.....well said....

[Amy]

ccmom,

That's the first I've heard of a provider giving the family vacation time--I think that's a great reciprocal policy!

[Cat Herder]

Originally Posted by Amy

ccmom,

That's the first I've heard of a provider giving the family vacation time--I think that's a great reciprocal policy!

I think it is pretty common, actually.

I personally am closed two seperate weeks a year, posted 12 months in advance, unpaid. (yes, I am that organized ) I take full-time kids, only.

I also offer two weeks, per family, per year unpaid. I do require a 30 day minimum notice so I can adjust expenses. Vacation must be taken a full week at a time to minimize disruption for the other infants and toddlers.

Simple math; they could have a month out unpaid if they planned it right or they could plan their vacations with mine to minimize time off work/with alternate care.

I do expect payment for all other absences including weather and sick days. If I am open, payment is due. I am dependable and I expect them to be as well.

Sadly, even with this I have parents show up at the door when I am closed, calling me on vacation and who try to find loopholes. It is not possible to please everyone.

[SilverSabre25]

I also take paid vacation of my own, but give the families unpaid vacation days. I get 14 days off, paid, in addition to normal holidays, also paid. The daycare families get 14 days off, unpaid.

Originally Posted by Symphony

Also think about if you took a weeks vacation and stayed in a hotel with your family. Would you call your landlord/bank and ask to not pay that weeks rent/mortgage since you weren't there and had to pay someone else?

VERY well said! The biggest issue I have is paid time off and if kids are sick do parents have to pay!

A friend of mine has 3 kids in day care, the provider has 3 weeks paid vacation, 11 paid holidays and like 7 sick/personal days, all paid! I'm a SAHM and honestly I think that is ridiculous!
Plus, her daycare increased the rate 30% (and she got the list of the days the provider will close for summer vacation, july&august, each time 1 week). My friend came to me crying bc she will be broke! That means MDF has to pay daycare and pay somebody else for her 3 kids! So she'll pay almost $500/week(!) for daycare alone.
Btw, not to many people can afford a family vacation, MDF with her 3 girls spends her vaca days at home. I don't see to many families going on vacation in my neighborhood and most of these families do have a pretty good income (that's for the comment: not paying rent or mortgage, if you go on vacation).

[littlemissmuffet]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

A friend of mine has 3 kids in day care, the provider has 3 weeks paid vacation, 11 paid holidays and like 7 sick/personal days, all paid! I'm a SAHM and honestly I think that is ridiculous!
Plus, her daycare increased the rate 30% (and she got the list of the days the provider will close for summer vacation, july&august, each time 1 week). My friend came to me crying bc she will be broke! That means MDF has to pay daycare and pay somebody else for her 3 kids! So she'll pay almost $500/week(!) for daycare alone.
Btw, not to many people can afford a family vacation, MDF with her 3 girls spends her vaca days at home. I don't see to many families going on vacation in my neighborhood and most of these families do have a pretty good income (that's for the comment: not paying rent or mortgage, if you go on vacation).

My paid days off average about 25/year. That is the norm for home daycares in my area. And we eran each and every one of those days

If your friend had 3 children enrolled in my daycare, she would be paying close to $500/week as well - that's BEFORE the additional money she would be paying to an alternate during my days off (although, in all my years of doing home daycare, all of my families have taken their vacation time from work, when I choose my days off each January. It's pretty simple, really). So I think her daycare is actually pretty cheap, at least where I live.

You're right that not too many people can afford a family vacation. I know alot of the providers on here can't. I can't. I stay home when I close the daycare for vacation. So what? I deserve a break from my job just like anyone else... perhaps moreso - childcare is very demanding, difficult and often thankless work (albeit, very rewarding) that not too many people are cut out to do... well.



You have to remember that parents aren't paying for TIME, they are paying for a space...

If your friend doesn't like it, she can forfeit all the dvantages of home family care and go for a center, then she doesn't have to worry or cry any more.

The difference is that when most small business owners go on vacation, they don't just close down. They hire people to keep it open. They don't expect you to pay for your bread and milk anyway even though you don't get it and have to go buy it somewhere else, too.

[Cat Herder]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

The difference is that when most small business owners go on vacation, they don't just close down. They hire people to keep it open. They don't expect you to pay for your bread and milk anyway even though you don't get it and have to go buy it somewhere else, too.

Well...true, but we don't have a store filled with goods to sell.

We offer a service. One with all vacation days and holidays listed PRIOR to enrollment. It is not a surprise.

Private Secondary Schools/Colleges close. Daycares/Pre schools close. Government offices close.

It is a fact of life.

[SandeeAR]

I have 5 paid days I use through out the year, for illness, dr appts etc. I don't use it for vacation. I offer my parents one full week of vacation time. Must have 2 weeks notice and be taken all at one time.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

The difference is that when most small business owners go on vacation, they don't just close down. They hire people to keep it open. They don't expect you to pay for your bread and milk anyway even though you don't get it and have to go buy it somewhere else, too.

About this quote, the type of small business owners, such as you are refering to, have a store front, they don't operate from the home. I'm sorry, But I wouldn't want anyone, but my family to have total free access to my home for a week, while I was gone. Also way to much liability of things can happen when kids are involved for such a long period.

[WDW]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

The difference is that when most small business owners go on vacation, they don't just close down. They hire people to keep it open. They don't expect you to pay for your bread and milk anyway even though you don't get it and have to go buy it somewhere else, too.

Would you REALLY want the provider you screened and worked so hard to find, to hire someone else to watch your kids? These are kids, not bread and milk. Would you even leave your kids with the person we hired? Probably not... you'd probably complain we hired the wrong person and still whine about paying. Maybe talk to your provider about not paying when she is closed. I'm sure she's willing to bump your rate the other 51 weeks a year to make up the difference of one week.

No, of course children aren't bread and milk. The point I was trying to make is that all of you like to refer to yourselves as business owners/being self-employed. Yet many self-employed people do not get vacations. Heck, many who are employed by others don't get vacation. Yet daycare providers are entitled to it because they work so much harder than everyone else. Whatever. Same attitude, different day.

[AfterSchoolMom]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

No, of course children aren't bread and milk. The point I was trying to make is that all of you like to refer to yourselves as business owners/being self-employed. Yet many self-employed people do not get vacations. Heck, many who are employed by others don't get vacation. Yet daycare providers are entitled to it because they work so much harder than everyone else. Whatever. Same attitude, different day.

They may not necessarily work HARDER, but most do work LONGER.

Most full time daycare providers work a minimum of 50 hours per week, and many work 60 or more. That's not counting paperwork, cleaning, their own housework, shopping, or their own child/family responsibilities. A good many don't get breaks either, due to conflicting nap schedules, drop offs and pickups, etc.

Unregistered poster, how many hours do you work and how many breaks do you get? Do you get a lunch break?

[daycare]

Originally Posted by SandeeAR

I have 5 paid days I use through out the year, for illness, dr appts etc. I don't use it for vacation. I offer my parents one full week of vacation time. Must have 2 weeks notice and be taken all at one time.




About this quote, the type of small business owners, such as you are refering to, have a store front, they don't operate from the home. I'm sorry, But I wouldn't want anyone, but my family to have total free access to my home for a week, while I was gone. Also way to much liability of things can happen when kids are involved for such a long period.

In my state I could not hire someone and leave my house for more than 20% of the time that I operate.... So this would not even be possible...

Bottom line, unless you have done daycare yourself, you wont understand the importance of a provider having off some family time or time to them self. You may not see us as teachers, but we are. Teachers get 3 months off over the summer to regroup and have time to spend with their families. We don't get this and we know this going into it, so I don't think its too much to ask to take off a few days a year....paid or unpaid.......

[littlemissmuffet]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

No, of course children aren't bread and milk. The point I was trying to make is that all of you like to refer to yourselves as business owners/being self-employed. Yet many self-employed people do not get vacations. Heck, many who are employed by others don't get vacation. Yet daycare providers are entitled to it because they work so much harder than everyone else. Whatever. Same attitude, different day.

Ok, maybe many self-employed people don't get vacations, maybe even some who are employed by others don't either - but some of us do, and yeah, I do think we are ENTITLED to it. Get over it. If you don't like it, then don't go to a home daycare - it's so simple.
I work 60 hours a week - I eat breakfast early in the morning before my dck's arrive and I eat supper very late at night after my dck's are gone home and after I have all my paperwork, house keeping and prep done for the next day... I don't get any meal breaks, as a matter of fact I get NO breaks during the day - I am still working when my dck's are napping... would you expect a meal break or coffee break in an 11 hour work day? Of course you would. Many of us forfeit that. I'm not about to give up my days off as well

I charge my clients $600/month - that's about $27.25 a day. If I close an average of 25 days/year that's about $682. The average daycare in my city, home or center charges $700/month. That's $1,000 more than I charge... so actually, my parents are saving $318.00 a year by going with me - and get much higher quality of care
And like I said, my parents don't NEED to pay another provider when I close... they take their vacation days when I take mine. This is all discussed in their interview... and all of my interviews have resulted in enrolments - imagine that!

But I do support coming to a totally agreed upon arrangement prior to accepting care.

I know a lot of providers charge every week of the year and close, but usually they do make this very clear up front. In a lot of states right now, any family seeking assistance is required to place their children in care - one in four American children are in this situation. The additional charges come out of the small amount of assistance those families receive, including overages - or charges that are more than the state average charge. I could not afford to have my child in a home daycare on childcare assistance. I think that option is for large families who have a provider who needs the money but would be caring for their children anyway and for rich families who want socialization or are home days and want their kids to have a place to go. I think it is pretty clear that a lot of providers here do do this job as a way of being able to provide care for their own children. It is also true that this is a pretty small, tightly knit group and does not represent a vast majority of providers.

If the vacation charge is not discussed and you do not have a signed contract that spells it out, you do not have to pay - but - be prepared to find a new provider if you balk at any charge.

[littlemissmuffet]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

But I do support coming to a totally agreed upon arrangement prior to accepting care.

I know a lot of providers charge every week of the year and close, but usually they do make this very clear up front. In a lot of states right now, any family seeking assistance is required to place their children in care - one in four American children are in this situation. The additional charges come out of the small amount of assistance those families receive, including overages - or charges that are more than the state average charge. I could not afford to have my child in a home daycare on childcare assistance. I think that option is for large families who have a provider who needs the money but would be caring for their children anyway and for rich families who want socialization or are home days and want their kids to have a place to go. I think it is pretty clear that a lot of providers here do do this job as a way of being able to provide care for their own children. It is also true that this is a pretty small, tightly knit group and does not represent a vast majority of providers.

If the vacation charge is not discussed and you do not have a signed contract that spells it out, you do not have to pay - but - be prepared to find a new provider if you balk at any charge.

Most centers close on stat holidays... even when alot of parents (retail!) work on stats, and the parents still pay. You are paying for a space - not time!

You say you couldn't afford to have your child in a home daycare on childcare assistnace. Fine, go to a center then. It's unfair for providers to have to drop their prices or go without pay during hard earned days off because of a portion of people who can't afford the care. I'm not trying to be rude, but that's not my problem. MY bills, MY rent, MY income is MY problem - I chose childcare as a way to make an income - and I love my job, but I'm certainly not giving my valuable services away, nor am I giving away my right to run my business how I choose. Again, their are countless centers from people like you to choose from that don't think in home providers deserve paid time off.

For the record, I don't have any children of my own. Yet, I still own and operate a home daycare. I don't "do this" so I can stay home/stay home with my own kids (though I don't think there is anything wrong with those who do), and none of my parents are rich. They're all middle class folk who all work hard for their cash, just like me.


We'll just have to agree to disagree.

I have heard this every-time summer comes or Christmas
PAY your childcare providers for vacation!!!!
THEY take care of your precious kids!
People care more about their cars, houses,lawns, tattoos, and jewelry more than the person that's shaping your child's future!!
We are not just babysitters!
If you want a babysitter to push around, just go get a teenager pay them $2 an hour and they will sit them in front of the tv , talk on their phone and little johnny will learn all about the world that way!!
"preschools" have more closed days than a lot of family day cares and you still have to pay when they close!
I wouldn't want someone to take care of my kid that didn't get a break once in a while,
we are not robots, we are people with families too.

If this is something that really bothers you, then maybe you should look around for another option. You could probably find a large dc center that will fit your needs. They are out there... you just have to do a little research. For example, with the exception of the usual holidays, our center is open all year and we give parents 2 tuition-free weeks for vacation. As a dc employee, I also get 2 weeks, but without pay. And not all dcs close more than schools. This past winter, we received a historic amount of snow and although we had a few delayed openings (to plow our lot), we only closed once - when a state of emergency was declared. In my area, the elementary schools had so many snow days that the kids will be starting summer vacation a week later than usual.

That being said, if your contract states that your caregiver gets 2 weeks pd vacation, then you must abide by that. And the law will back her up all the way. Your provider doesn't have to justify her conditions or argue her case... it was all in the contract which you agreed to when you signed.

Originally Posted by littlemissmuffet

For the record, I don't have any children of my own.

Judging from your posts here, I think that's pretty obvious.

[AfterSchoolMom]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Judging from your posts here, I think that's pretty obvious.

Unregistered, I feel sorry for you. I can't imagine what kind of life someone must have that the most interesting thing they can do with their day is go onto a forum and insult people while hiding behind the anonymity of "unregistered" status. Anyone else notice that these "unregistered" posts are often one or two lines, all negative, condescending, and insulting?

Rather than trolling, why don't you join and have some meaningful debate with us?

[daycare]

Originally Posted by AfterSchoolMom

Unregistered, I feel sorry for you. I can't imagine what kind of life someone must have that the most interesting thing they can do with their day is go onto a forum and insult people while hiding behind the anonymity of "unregistered" status. Anyone else notice that these "unregistered" posts are often one or two lines, all negative, condescending, and insulting?

Rather than trolling, why don't you join and have some meaningful debate with us?

wheres that troll spray!!! lol

[littlemissmuffet]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Judging from your posts here, I think that's pretty obvious.

Aw, did I hurt your feelings by being right?
Amazing how adults can act so much more immature than most children ever could... whats worse is you should know better.

Have a great day.

Originally Posted by AfterSchoolMom

Unregistered, I feel sorry for you. I can't imagine what kind of life someone must have that the most interesting thing they can do with their day is go onto a forum and insult people while hiding behind the anonymity of "unregistered" status. Anyone else notice that these "unregistered" posts are often one or two lines, all negative, condescending, and insulting?

Rather than trolling, why don't you join and have some meaningful debate with us?

No parent would say the things she said about being more/as important to the children as their parents. You couldn't say that if you understood what it was like to have a child of your own, unless you were very cold-hearted.

And no, you did not hurt my feelings by being "right." You holier-than-thou attitude disgusts me.

[littlemissmuffet]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

No parent would say the things she said about being more/as important to the children as their parents. You couldn't say that if you understood what it was like to have a child of your own, unless you were very cold-hearted.

And no, you did not hurt my feelings by being "right." You holier-than-thou attitude disgusts me.

Poor you. Can't even get your facts straight. I didn't say I was more or as important to children as their parents... we were talking talking money. But for the record, I am a very important figure in my dck's lives... otherwise, their parents and the kids themselves wouldn't stay in touch with me years after they've left my care, would they?

Your fighting a losing battle.

[littlemissmuffet]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

No parent would say the things she said about being more/as important to the children as their parents. You couldn't say that if you understood what it was like to have a child of your own, unless you were very cold-hearted.

And no, you did not hurt my feelings by being "right." You holier-than-thou attitude disgusts me.

Oh, and assuming I have never been a mother just because I am childless now is pretty cold-hearted yourself.

Originally Posted by littlemissmuffet

Poor you. Can't even get your facts straight. I didn't say I was more or as important to children as their parents... we were talking talking money. But for the record, I am a very important figure in my dck's lives... otherwise, their parents and the kids themselves wouldn't stay in touch with me years after they've left my care, would they?

Your fighting a losing battle.

Hahahaha, right. You're doing a good enough job of making yourself look bad, I don't need to do it for you! Full of yourself much?

And with that, I'm not coming back here again. You're right - I do have better things than to try to change attitudes of people who are obviously not willing to change. I just could NOT believe the attitudes of some of the daycare providers who post here. It makes me sad for the families you work with.

[littlemissmuffet]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hahahaha, right. You're doing a good enough job of making yourself look bad, I don't need to do it for you! Full of yourself much?

And with that, I'm not coming back here again. You're right - I do have better things than to try to change attitudes of people who are obviously not willing to change. I just could NOT believe the attitudes of some of the daycare providers who post here. It makes me sad for the families you work with.

Toodles, darling.

[busymomof2]

Personally I don't see why parents complain about having to pay for days off, vacation or holidays. They received a contract and signed it. Question is...did they read it? If they don't agree with it go some where else.

[Michelle]

Originally Posted by littlemissmuffet

Toodles, darling.

You go girl!


It's called get a life!!! lol
I think most unregistered posters are jealous, failed or shut down day care providers!

[WDW]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

No, of course children aren't bread and milk. The point I was trying to make is that all of you like to refer to yourselves as business owners/being self-employed. Yet many self-employed people do not get vacations. Heck, many who are employed by others don't get vacation. Yet daycare providers are entitled to it because they work so much harder than everyone else. Whatever. Same attitude, different day.

"all of you" is a bit of a generalization. For the record, I do not take any paid vacation. Aside from a few major holidays, if I am closed, I am not paid. And my families all get mulitple "free" days. I love this forum but I will admit, I'm taken aback by some of the attitudes on here as well. Not "all of us" feel that way, nor act entitled. Furthermore, I think it's funny the number of people who come on here unregistered and have negative opinions. Have you ever run an in home daycare? If you have, you know that it is a hard job. I do work hard. Never said I work harder than you, but it seems the flip side of the generalization is that "all" non providers think we lay around and watch tv all day, which is NOT the case. You would be better served to find a provider that you are happy with for your children and not worry about what "all of us" are doing.

[busymomof2]

Well said WDW. I too do not get paid vacation, however, I go back to my original statement, if you read and signed the contract that means you agree. If you don't, stop complaining and GO SOME WHERE ELSE!!!

[jen]

I don't take paid vacations either...but my hats off to providers that can and do! Good for you! Parent's: For the love of God, read the freakin' contracts!

[WDW]

Originally Posted by jen

I don't take paid vacations either...but my hats off to providers that can and do! Good for you! Parent's: For the love of God, read the freakin' contracts!

LOL! I am considering adding a day or two paid.. just so I can take a day here or there to go to my son's class without messing up the budget. I may just add it into my rates though, seems like less drama.

[CheekyChick]

I have been open for four years and wouldn't dream of asking my parents to pay for my time off. I wish I had the "guts" to do so - I SO need a vacation.

[cheerfuldom]

I like the idea of working the vacation pay into the weekly rate but around here, people look for a specific rate range and it will be harder to get them to understand that a higher rate/unpaid vacation is the same thing as a lower rate/paid vacation. Most providers around here do get some paid time off so I personally have never had a parent fight me on that too much because my weekly rate is still lower than some other providers.

[Meeko]

Would you buy a car, sign all the paperwork, take it home and then complain it didn't have a sun roof?

Why sign up for day care, do all the paperwork, bring your child and then whine about what you just agreed to?

If you signed the contract, you AGREED to pay her for her vacations. Done deal.

Always read the contract!!!!!!!! Most day care providers do not physically force clients to sign up!

Originally Posted by busymomof2

Personally I don't see why parents complain about having to pay for days off, vacation or holidays. They received a contract and signed it. Question is...did they read it? If they don't agree with it go some where else.

Actually we all do want to complain just don't have any choice in the matter. I have always been in business for myself and have never had a paid sick or vacation day ever. Not saying that childcare providers don't deserve it but please to an extent. You are in a corporate office i'm sorry your home at your house all day. I pay my provider extra on holidays and would probably pay anyway but the fact all these vacation and personal days are expected is crazy. Easy for the lady that has no kids to judge when she has never had to pay for childcare herself. My provider acts like she is cheap nearly $300 a week which isn't to to bad but when you take into consideration all the personal, sick days and vacation days its not at all. Only people in the public sector get all those days off. Many of us that work in the private sector do not. Us people in Boston call it hacks. MLK off are you kidding me.

[AnneCordelia]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Actually we all do want to complain just don't have any choice in the matter. I have always been in business for myself and have never had a paid sick or vacation day ever. Not saying that childcare providers don't deserve it but please to an extent. You are in a corporate office i'm sorry your home at your house all day. I pay my provider extra on holidays and would probably pay anyway but the fact all these vacation and personal days are expected is crazy. Easy for the lady that has no kids to judge when she has never had to pay for childcare herself. My provider acts like she is cheap nearly $300 a week which isn't to to bad but when you take into consideration all the personal, sick days and vacation days its not at all. Only people in the public sector get all those days off. Many of us that work in the private sector do not. Us people in Boston call it hacks. MLK off are you kidding me.

You always have a choice.

[DaisyMamma]

I don't mean to be harsh but the reality of it is that if you don't like it then find another daycare. Those are the rules for your current daycare.

[momofboys]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Actually we all do want to complain just don't have any choice in the matter. I have always been in business for myself and have never had a paid sick or vacation day ever. Not saying that childcare providers don't deserve it but please to an extent. You are in a corporate office i'm sorry your home at your house all day. I pay my provider extra on holidays and would probably pay anyway but the fact all these vacation and personal days are expected is crazy. Easy for the lady that has no kids to judge when she has never had to pay for childcare herself. My provider acts like she is cheap nearly $300 a week which isn't to to bad but when you take into consideration all the personal, sick days and vacation days its not at all. Only people in the public sector get all those days off. Many of us that work in the private sector do not. Us people in Boston call it hacks. MLK off are you kidding me.

You do have a choice - why not go to a different provider who doesn't charge for the days off?!?! Seems simple to me! And you are wrong about people who aren't in the public sector not getting certain days off - my DH works for a privately owned company & he gets all the nat'l/bank holidays off in addition to 5 weeks of paid vacation. For the record I don't charge for days I don't work but I do think I deserve it. If you aren't happy with the contract you signed find someone else!

[saved4always]

Originally Posted by momofboys

You do have a choice - why not go to a different provider who doesn't charge for the days off?!?! Seems simple to me! And you are wrong about people who aren't in the public sector not getting certain days off - my DH works for a privately owned company & he gets all the nat'l/bank holidays off in addition to 5 weeks of paid vacation. For the record I don't charge for days I don't work but I do think I deserve it. If you aren't happy with the contract you signed find someone else!

I totally agree...there is always a choice. I personally did not charge for any days that the dck's were not in care when I provided childcare in my home. That was my choice to write my contract that way. Another provider may have paid holidays and vacations in thier contract. It is the parents' choice whether they wanted to choose me for childcare based on my contract. If you did not like the provisions of the contract, you should not have signed it and should have looked elsewhere for childcare.

[Meeko]

This thread is starting to irritate me!!!

No need to go back and forth and drag on and on about whether providers "should" or shouldn't" take paid days off.

It all boils down to contract. READ IT!!!!!

Nobody forces a parent to sign a contract. If you read and signed it, then there is no room for argument afterwards.

It's very, very simple. If you signed, you agreed to it.

Originally Posted by Meeko

This thread is starting to irritate me!!!

No need to go back and forth and drag on and on about whether providers "should" or shouldn't" take paid days off.

It all boils down to contract. READ IT!!!!!

Nobody forces a parent to sign a contract. If you read and signed it, then there is no room for argument afterwards.

It's very, very simple. If you signed, you agreed to it.

Exactly. If you failed to read it, that's your problem. If you had a big issue with some of it but still signed it.. that's your problem too. You could have kept looking for someone whose policies are closer to what you think is fair/right. You would pay less, but just remember.. you get what you pay for.

[texascare]

Well if it is in the contract that you signed then absolutley! I am sure she deserves the paid time off too!

[renodeb]

Yep, absolutely legal although I dont do it that way. I dont charge for my vacation and 1/2 for theres. It may have been wedged into the contract/handbook but not in a clause by itself.
Deb

I DON'T charge when I take days off (except a handful of paid holidays) but I do charge if I am open and a child is absent (illness, vacation, etc.). My reasoning is that if I am going to take a weeks vacation I plan on not getting paid that week and budget accordingly, I also know that some of my parents will have to pay another provider so I do not want their expenses to be double. On the other hand I DO charge if they are gone and I am open. I figure they already budget their weekly daycare cost and paying me shouldn't be a problem if they plan a vacation, their child stays home sick or if grandma comes to town and wants to keep them for the day, etc. Another factor to this is that the state only allows me so many children. If a family says they are taking a week off I am not going to be able to find another family to fill that slot and make up the lost income. When I first started I didn't charge if children were sick, had vacation but then all of the kids got sick in one week right before Christmas....I couldn't afford the bills let alone Christmas presents. I have been debating charging for a few paid days off every year that are not paid holidays, my reason is because my family gets sick a few times a year and it is usually because a parent brought a sick child and exposed us (of course they masked the child's symptoms with Tylenol so I wouldn't know they were sick until mid day).

Originally Posted by Little People

If a provider gave you a handbook, was her vacation listed in the handbood as..Provider gets PAID for her vacation, and if so and you signed a contract, then yes you are required to pay your provider.

In my handbook it states that Provider will take 2 weeks vacation and 1 week is a PAID vacation. So all my parents sign my handbook and are aware BEFORE they sign that I do take a 1 week vacation and it is paid.

How about if your kids only go part time and never on Monday. Why would a daycare charge for a Monday. My week at the daycare is Tuesday thru Friday. I don't see why should pay for Mondays over and over again that she is taking off.

[Truly Scrumptious]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How about if your kids only go part time and never on Monday. Why would a daycare charge for a Monday. My week at the daycare is Tuesday thru Friday. I don't see why should pay for Mondays over and over again that she is taking off.

The bottom line is this: They can charge for Monday because it's their business and they can run it like they want to. If you think that's unfair, then you find someone who doesn't charge for Mondays.

Its not about how many days your child attends its about her operating a business five days a week. Once your child is enrolled there is an overhead to pay and if you are not paying your portion of the fee in full then the provider suffers.

[SilverSabre25]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

How about if your kids only go part time and never on Monday. Why would a daycare charge for a Monday. My week at the daycare is Tuesday thru Friday. I don't see why should pay for Mondays over and over again that she is taking off.

See, if that's truly what your provider is doing then something is wrong. Perhaps you are misunderstanding...are you saying that she charges you EXTRA for the weeks she takes off a monday? Like, you regularly attend (are contracted for) Tuesday through Friday and pay $100/week ($25/day), then on a week she takes off a Monday are you charged $125?

If that's how she's doing it then that's a really crappy policy IMO.

But if you regularly attend Tuesday through Friday and she takes Monday off and you're still charged $100 then you're not paying for her day off. If she takes off Friday you would still pay $100, not $75.

[Hunni Bee]

Originally Posted by SilverSabre25

See, if that's truly what your provider is doing then something is wrong. Perhaps you are misunderstanding...are you saying that she charges you EXTRA for the weeks she takes off a monday? Like, you regularly attend (are contracted for) Tuesday through Friday and pay $100/week ($25/day), then on a week she takes off a Monday are you charged $125?

If that's how she's doing it then that's a really crappy policy IMO.

But if you regularly attend Tuesday through Friday and she takes Monday off and you're still charged $100 then you're not paying for her day off. If she takes off Friday you would still pay $100, not $75.

The way I read it was that the provider charges for full weeks, but the parent only chooses to send her kids Tuesday through Friday. Her kids are using 5-day slots, but she only wants to pay for four days. That's why she feels she's paying for her provider's "day off".

[SilverSabre25]

Originally Posted by Hunni Bee

The way I read it was that the provider charges for full weeks, but the parent only chooses to send her kids Tuesday through Friday. Her kids are using 5-day slots, but she only wants to pay for four days. That's why she feels she's paying for her provider's "day off".

Well, she said her kids are part-time and her "week" is T-F, but provider frequently takes off Mondays. I was honestly curious what their arrangement was, which is why I asked--even though I don't really expect a response.

You can't argue with a signed contract.

My handbook states I get 2 paid weeks of vacation and 5 paid sick days. BUT I also have an option in my contract that gives the parents the right to pay a small percentage extra each week to cover those times or just pay a regular weekly fee and pay me during those times. I have yet to have a parent take the option of paying a little more so they don't have to worry about paying me during vacation times. But the option is there.

I've held many positions, including in the corporate world for almost 7 years. I got 5 paid weeks of vacation, national/bank holidays, and 3 weeks of sick leave each year. Let me say this, I have NEVER worked as hard as I do now that I'm in the home daycare world! It's insane the toll that it takes on my body and mind! I need and deserve a break from the chaos of my kids. I love my kids... Soooooooo much! But dang! I even need a break from my own child from time to time! Can I get an amen?

What about when the daycare "changes" after having signed a contract. Not to worried personally because I only have 1 child in daycare and only for another 6 months. There are benefits to staying at home that I don't have. I also have benefits that my daycare provider doesn't have such as paid vacation. As for being self employed, what about other service industries that are self employed? Such as dog grooming and hair stylists? They don't charge when your not there.

Originally Posted by Symphony

Also think about if you took a weeks vacation and stayed in a hotel with your family. Would you call your landlord/bank and ask to not pay that weeks rent/mortgage since you weren't there and had to pay someone else?

What a ridiculous argument. A daycare is a business. If a business owner wants to go on vacation and closes, he should take his pay for those weeks out of his profits. Do you pay tuition fees in school even when school closes? No.

Originally Posted by busymomof2

Personally I don't see why parents complain about having to pay for days off, vacation or holidays. They received a contract and signed it. Question is...did they read it? If they don't agree with it go some where else.

Someone should sue daycare providers and force regulation by child care services. Parents having to PAY for the providers VACATION!!!???
If it were true as some providers here state that I am 'renting space', then when the daycare is on vacation, I should be able to take my child there to play with the toys.
And No, Unregistered simply means, I have a busy job and don't want to waste my time arguing.

[MarinaVanessa]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Someone should sue daycare providers and force regulation by child care services. Parents having to PAY for the providers VACATION!!!???
If it were true as some providers here state that I am 'renting space', then when the daycare is on vacation, I should be able to take my child there to play with the toys.
And No, Unregistered simply means, I have a busy job and don't want to waste my time arguing.

If you get a gym membership and pay a monthly fee and they close they don't let you go in when they are closed even even though you paid for a full month.

As it was already stated before ... some provider charge for vacation and other's don't (I for one don't charge my families when I close due to vacation but I do however charge if they go on vacation/sickness etc.).

I think that your argument to collectively sue and force regulation on child care providers (business owners) is outlandish and juvenile. We have freedom to enterprise as we each see fit without regulation for a reason ... and by we I mean all business owners. It is the responsibility of the consumer to be well informed about the product or service that they are "purchasing" and then deal responsibly with the consequences if they choose to be uninformed in what they are "purchasing".

This argument reminds me about the woman who sued Oreo because her son was fat (who was purchasing and allowing the child to eat the Oreos?) and the elderly woman who sued Mc Donald's because she ordered a coffee, spilled it on herself and got burned (who's responsibility was it to properly handle a hot beverage?) ... what ever happened with common sense? You can't honestly believe that it is anyone elses responsibility to make decisions for you without you putting in any effort on your part, I would hate to live in a world like that.

In the case of provider's charging for their vacation time: It is the consumer's responsibility to read the contract and policies, understand them, ask questions and then decide whether or not they believe the program is a good fit for their needs or not and to decide whether they agree with the terms or not. If not then they are free to continue their search for child care until they find a program that they agree with ... not everyone charges for provider vacation, all programs run and work differently. If a child care provider changes the policies after a client signs up then the consumer can terminate services (with proper notice as the consumer agreed to) and then find alternative child care that better suits their needs. It's that easy.

[littlemissmuffet]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Someone should sue daycare providers and force regulation by child care services. Parents having to PAY for the providers VACATION!!!???
If it were true as some providers here state that I am 'renting space', then when the daycare is on vacation, I should be able to take my child there to play with the toys.
And No, Unregistered simply means, I have a busy job and don't want to waste my time arguing.

If you don't like how daycares operate (who do you think pays for DC provider's vacations at centers?) then stay home and raise your own child by yourself. If you don't value the people who help raise your children (which includes understanding they DESERVE a break from YOUR children now and again without the stress of going broke over it) then you don't value your child. Plain and simple.

I'm so sick of loser parents complaining about paying for daycare. Deal with it OR STAY HOME AND DO IT YOURSELF!

[Country Kids]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

What a ridiculous argument. A daycare is a business. If a business owner wants to go on vacation and closes, he should take his pay for those weeks out of his profits. Do you pay tuition fees in school even when school closes? No.

Yes, tuition is still do when schools close. Our school still charges the same amount through Nov. (Thankgiving break) Dec. (Christmas break) and March (spring break). The teachers get the same amount of pay those months as they do the other months. Thats why its called Salary pay.

Also, public schools still collect tax dollars even though they are open 9 monts and have about 1 to 1.5 months off even during those 9 months.

[butterfly]

I do agree with the recent comments, but do you guys realize this thread is 2 years old? Don't let this unregistered poster get you all worked up.

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by butterfly

I do agree with the recent comments, but do you guys realize this thread is 2 years old? Don't let this unregistered poster get you all worked up.

The thread may be old but the members are responding to an unregistered poster who made comments yesterday.

The topic of paid time off and provider "perks" will always be a relevent topic and one that will never be agreed upon by both sides of the argument.

[MarinaVanessa]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

The thread may be old but the members are responding to an unregistered poster who made comments yesterday.

The topic of paid time off and provider "perks" will always be a relevent topic and one that will never be agreed upon by both sides of the argument.

Exactly, and even though I myself don't charge my clients when I close due to illness, vacation, or personal days even then I still believe that this should be a choice that each provider should be able to make for themselves. Child care options and programs are so different that any client should be able to find an option that they are comfortable with.

I like to compare daycare shopping to home shopping. What you look for a home to purchase you start off with a list of wants and needs and have an idea of what your budget looks like and as you go visit each house you get a feel of whether your list is realistic for your budget or not. You may find out that you might have to sacrifice some if the "wants" on your list in order to find something that's more realistic to your budget or might even want to go ahead and spend a little more to get that perfect dream home that you fall in love with.