Originally Posted by mac60:
Personally, I would never had taken a child to a provider that was open more than 1 shift, as that means that provider never gets a break.

As far as a parent's schedule changing, of course as a provider, we have to be flexible to a point and charge accordingly.

It's not like we have 6-10 kids here 24/7, usually more like one kid in the evening, and we have one that arrives at 3 am and goes back to sleep (she's 8).

Being that we have our own kids, it's like having a friend over playing, or someone visiting our home.

If we had more than one or two kids in the evenings, I think I'd hide in the shop much, much more!:D

Originally Posted by mac60:
Personally, I would never had taken a child to a provider that was open more than 1 shift, as that means that provider never gets a break.

As far as a parent's schedule changing, of course as a provider, we have to be flexible to a point and charge accordingly.

I'm glad there are providers open 2+ shifts. I'd have never made in the world if I hadn't found one. I worked a 12 1/2 hour shift which meant that my kids were in daycare from 7am - 8pm, sometimes 9pm. If I hadn't found this woman I'd have ended up in the poor house due to not being able to keep my job. I loved her flexibility.

When I got out of that career line and opened my home to children, she was my inspiration. I wanted to help and cater to the parents like I used to be.

I AM open 24/7 oh about 355 days a year. Of course closed major holidays and a couple of personal days a year. The majority of my business is NOT m-f 7:30a - 5:30p. Actually there is one day a week that one of my children fall into that. Out of 7 days and 7 kids enrolled. They of course aren't here all at the same time. Some days none of them are here and they are never here all at the same time. I love it this way and wouldn't have it any other way.

All of my parents are very thankful to have found me and are appreciative that I keep the hours I do.

I know in many states there are time restraints that a provider can be open, like only 1 shift, or max of a set amount of hours per 24 hours.

The only reason I say this is because, as a provider, I lose out on so much of our family time/personal time as it is, as my work day now is 11+ hours from set up 6 a.m., arrival at 6:30, then close at 5 pm, then clean up.

I just think for a person to function well, they need personal/family time and caring for children 24/7, or even 2 shifts per week, does not allow for that. I have often wondered how people who do this do their shopping, appointments, school functions for own children, etc. I just think it is way to easy to get burned out this way. Heck, doing it 1 shift has it's issues of long days, and no benefits. At least in the evenings I can get away from it.

I agree with Mac60. Even setting aside, being a childcare provider, everyone needs a little "me" time. My daycare hours are 6am-5pm, and I usually have the 3 kids the whole time. I also have 2 young children of my own. Till we have supper and get the dishes done, it doesn't leave much family time. The kids that I watch are really good, I enjoy having them, but most days I'm almost always relieved when they go home. I did have some calls from parents that needed hours beyond 5pm. I turned them down, because my family needs to come first. I understand that they may have jobs that require them to work 10 + hours per day. But as it is now, I'm already open 11 hours.

Originally Posted by mac60:
I know in many states there are time restraints that a provider can be open, like only 1 shift, or max of a set amount of hours per 24 hours.

The only reason I say this is because, as a provider, I lose out on so much of our family time/personal time as it is, as my work day now is 11+ hours from set up 6 a.m., arrival at 6:30, then close at 5 pm, then clean up.

I just think for a person to function well, they need personal/family time and caring for children 24/7, or even 2 shifts per week, does not allow for that. I have often wondered how people who do this do their shopping, appointments, school functions for own children, etc. I just think it is way to easy to get burned out this way. Heck, doing it 1 shift has it's issues of long days, and no benefits. At least in the evenings I can get away from it.

In our home, the daycare children are treated just the same as our own kids.

What do you do with your own kids when you go shopping, appointments, school functions, etc? You take them with.

We're not talking a full litter here, maybe two DC kids at the most in the evenings, and it's not every night.

The DC kids sit down with us and play games, have "movie nights", go putter in the garden, or go for an evening walk just as if they were our own. It's not such a big deal.

I do not want to pay extra car insurance expense to transport daycare children. I do not transport. Period. I already pay extra homeowners insurance for my business. Still, taking dc children to the store, etc. is not the same as taking your own children, you still are not having that personal family time. It it works for you, fine, it doesn't work for many of us. Just like others in other out of the home jobs.....everyone needs a break from their job, and I doubt that anyone can deny that. Not only that, but most of the families I have had, request that I do not transport kids anywhere. I personally don't want that responsibility.

I do not transport kids. I agree with Mac60. I do not want that responsiblity.
And having 1 or 2 kids in the evening is not the same personal family time. Everyone needs a break from their jobs. Even from just being a mom. My husband usually takes our kids to the park once a week for 1-2 hrs so I can just have me time. Where I can watch a little tv (no sesame st or sponge bob), read, crochet or just take a nap. I can't tell you how that little me time, refreshes me. Once a week my mom usually takes my kids for supper and they are gone about 2-3hrs. It's a nice break.

Originally Posted by mac60:
I do not want to pay extra car insurance expense to transport daycare children. I do not transport. Period. I already pay extra homeowners insurance for my business. Still, taking dc children to the store, etc. is not the same as taking your own children, you still are not having that personal family time. It it works for you, fine, it doesn't work for many of us. Just like others in other out of the home jobs.....everyone needs a break from their job, and I doubt that anyone can deny that. Not only that, but most of the families I have had, request that I do not transport kids anywhere. I personally don't want that responsibility.

Our daycare policy covers children being transported in vehicles "owned, leased or operated by the licensed daycare provider", so the insurance is not an issue.

If someone works odd hours (evenings, weekends, etc) and they get all stuffy about their child riding in a car, well, good luck, hope you find daycare, and best have deep pockets when you do.

I've just never treated or seen any difference between DC kids and my own....I play catch in the backyard with them, they have to abide by the same rules, eat the same meals at the same table, etc etc. There are many times we sit down and help with homework, school projects, etc.

If someone doesn't trust my judgment with their child in the car, I don't want their kid in my home, PERIOD.

I'm not saying we don't have our time off, quite the contrary....we have a couple days a week where there are no kids that arrive before lunch, and other days where there are no kids present after 2 or 3 pm, and at the moment, we have no kids on Sundays at all.

What I'm saying is, if you want to be successful, and generate the best revenue possible during times when people may be getting laid off, losing jobs, tightening budgets, etc and your income may be shrinking because of that, you may want to consider expanding your flexibility to make up for some lost income.

I do understand what you are saying. If I ever get to the point where I have lost families and I have no other choice but to be open hours I don't really want to be, then I will do what I have to to stay afloat. Right now I am in a position to work first shift only and be done by 5:15. As far as insurance here, homeowners daycare ins and car daycare ins would be 2 separate policies/cost. I still agree that being open 24/7 is not a good thing for providers, but I also understand that people do what they have to.

Looking at last week's schedule alone, if I chose to be open say 5am - 6pm, it would have been a losing week. I'd have had a 6yr old Mon from 5:30a - 4p and Tues from 12:30p - 5p. I could have provided care for a 16mo old boy Thurs from 8:15a - 6:30p, oh wait. I closed at 6... Of course that 16mo old boy would have found different care already, as his single mom works two jobs and I have him usually 7am - 8p. This doesn't include my two families that work second shift.

In our area there is an abundance of daycares open from 5a - 6p, it's very difficult to find alternate hours. Like CH said, there are days every week where there are either no kids in the am, or they're all gone by early afternoon. This is my family time with just our kids. Sundays are all ours too. I'm very happy with this arrangement.

Looking for Clarifiaction......
 

Originally Posted by pingaa3:
I charge for ten paid holidays and I am closed for one week of unpaid holiday during the week of christmas.

New Year’s Day
Memorial Day
Veterans Day
Presidents Day
Independence Day
Thanksgiving Day
Day After Thanksgiving
Good Friday
Labor Day
Week of Christmas (Unpaid)

Please remember that most of us are open M-F a minimum of 7am-5:30pm. That's a 10.5 hour day with no breaks for lunch etc. We don't get sick days. Some of us are open 6am-6pm - 12 hours.

We are not the enemy, we are the people you are trusting with your most precious asset, your children. For our mental health and the best interest of your child some of us take paid holidays.

Thanks,
pingaa3

P.S. Also most of us have children of our own that are off those days too!

My child is in a home child care and only goes 3 days a week and is the only child at the time, if a holiday falls on a saturday and they would normally close on friday would it be fair for me to pay an additional day of pay or just not bring my child in on one of the 3 days he does attend for "paid holiday"?????

Taking days off and getting paid for them
 

In my contract it reads, every family must pay me 2 weeks(10 days) vac. from Jan. to Jan. of every yr.
It also reads, if I take a day off, sickness, emergency, etc. I will take it unpaid or out of my vac. days.
Knock on wood, I have never had to just take off a day in over 5 yrs. now.
I also get paid the Holidays as well
In my mind, and I think in quite a # of minds- our job is just as important as anyone else's without the benefits- no health, dental, eye ins. no 401 K, no bonus, sick days, etc.
Everyone diserves a paid vacation whatever their profession!!
I left a nursing job after 7 yrs. to stay at home with my children. I was getting 5 weeks vac. (20 days when I left) I only worked there 4 days a week, but over 32 hrs.
These are some very well said thoughts in here!!! GOOD POINTS!!!!

I'm either nice or an idiot! LOL
 

Since I opened back in Nov. 2005, I have never charged for holidays, sick days, vacations, or days where parents decided to keep kids home. Incidentally, I have never raised rates either. Until recently, I even provided a back-up for my vacations, emergencies and if I was sick. What changed with that is that I kind of realized how little some of the parents thought of the service that they re provided. My daughter, Olivia, got the H1N1 virus and I closed down for 3 days. It's in my contract that I don't provide back up care now. Every family except 2 of them were cool. The 2 mad families don't have a back up. I just gave them a number and told them to call and work it out. I'm sure that I speak for most providers when I say that we bend over backwards to provide awesome care for our kids and it would be nice if that effort was appreciated. So you have to pay for holidays! BIG WHOOP. Does your employer complain about paying you for holidays and sick time (to your face, I mean...) Those 2 mad families also made my life miserable in September when my nephew, Anthony, unexpectedly passed away. He was born on 9/10 and died on 9/11 from pulmonary hypertension. I bent over backwards to try to help eveyone find care because it was so sudden. I have a friend who needs money so she helps out when I give her number out. She couldn't be at my house until 8:30am so the 2 families had to arrange own care for an hour 7:30-8:30. They complained and I broke down and found someone to cover but they didn't like that person. These are also the same 2 families that send their kiddos sick and then say its teething or allergies or what now. Parents, when you have a provider that tries to accommodate your needs and that loves your kids and more importantly, your kids love them back, don't take that for granted. Not every provider is like that. Pay your holiday pay and get over it!!!

I wasn't going to post here, because it seems to have turned into another one of those volatile threads where I, too, have a strong opinion. But here I go...

The best arrangement I've ever had with a provider was this: A flat weekly rate. When the children attend at least 3 days of the week, I pay the full week. (example: Thanksgiving--two off days, but full week paid) If I decide not to bring my child (for whatever reason), full tuition is still paid. However, if the provider closed (always with as much notice as possible, but things do come up at the last minute) and I had to find alternate care, there was no fee for that day.

If you want to call your pay "salary," then keep in mind that you are implying that your parents are your employers. That is most certainly not the case.

I pay for child care so that I can work. I will not pay the provider for a week of paid vacation. (I don't get a week of paid vacation. How much sense does it make for me to hand you money when it means that I will either have to pay double to have someone actually watch my children or lose a week of pay at work, which may even cost me my job?) I will, however, pay for a week in the summer when my children are not attending because I chose to take them on vacation.

To me, it makes sense to pay a full week tuition for a week that contains one or two days off due to a holiday, but a week of paid vacation is just outrageous. Don't get me wrong, you ladies deserve a paid vacation, but I can't afford to finance it.

I've been muddling through issues like this since opening 9 months ago, and I've come to a solution that I like, and that I think is fair for parents. If they choose not to be here, they pay. If I choose to close, they don't pay. My rationale is that if I take a holiday or a sick day, they'll need to pay someone else to watch their child. If I'm open but they choose to take a family day or whatever, they still need to pay their regular rate. The only exception to that are stat holidays, which I require pay for. I know all of my parents have stats off and get paid for them. If I had a parent with a different situation, I'd probably make some arrangement with them for that.

I am running a business, but I'm trying not to gouge parents in the process. But since it is a business, and I'm an "independent contractor", they totally have the right to look elsewhere if they don't like the rates I charge.

And just like any other business, if I'm losing money because parents don't like the way I do things, I'm the one that needs to change. When it gets right down to it, I'm selling a service. If people aren't buying, I'm the one that suffers (along with my family of course). I would encourage any parents that have issues with their provider's fee schedule to do something about it -- take your business elsewhere!

I think the problem is this...

Parents:

I WANT:

Organic/whole foods
No TV
Preschool curriculum
The best toys, the best educational tools
A provider with the patience of a saint
To have daycare available at least 11 hours per day


I DON'T want:
To pay more than the absolutely cheapest rate around.
To provide the provider any type of stable income so that the standards I desire can be upheld.
To respect the provider as a professional.

What I have learned over the last eight years is this...the people who want the most, also want to pay the least. They are the most demanding, leave their children in care the longest, and sadly, thier kids are the most likely to act out and be disruptive.

When you interview people whose biggest concern is how cheaply they can aquire care your best bet is to cut and run. You will save yourself a ton of hassle in the end.

[quote=jen;16177]What I have learned over the last eight years is this...the people who want the most, also want to pay the least. They are the most demanding, leave their children in care the longest, and sadly, thier kids are the most likely to act out and be disruptive.QUOTE]

I totally agree! Couldn't have said it better! Perfect example is, and I hope people don't take this the wrong way, is that the parents on "state aid" are the WORST. I had this one mother years ago who was SO disrespectful it's not even funny. For instance: she would literally throw me a bottle in my hand and DEMANDED "make me a bottle"...no please or thank you. This woman also had 3 kids (would have been 4 since her last child was a twin, she aborted one baby because she couldn't afford 4 kids but that's another story) and paid next to nothing for quality childcare. She isn't the only one I have encounted. There have been many throughout the years that were just as disrespectful.

As for your statement about leaving the child(ren) 11 plus hours a day, I also agree with that. I also believe that the younger the child is, the longer they are in care. I wish TX would change their law requiring that a child can not be in care longer than 12 hours a day. I wish it would go to 10 hours. Parents take advantage of that extra time. I have always said no child should ideally be in care longer than 11 hours. 1 hour to get to work, 8 hour day plus 1 hour for lunch, and 1 hour to get back. That is 11 hours. Another stupid law of TX licensing.

Anyway Jen as I said, I agree with your post!

I am beginning to hate the holidays...
 

O.K. I can see that there is a pretty defined line as to how the parents and providers feel regarding vacation pay, but for crying out loud, holiday pay is an issue? What the heck! Why should a daycare provider not charge for the holidays? I wish that I did because while the parents in my care are taking those days off and getting paid for them, I am closed and not getting paid for them because I wanted to be nice. If I could turn back time, holidays would be included as paid days. I would still not charge for vacations but the holiday, that would be different. And also, why can't parents just do as instructed in the contract and have a back-up provider available in case of illness or vacation, etc.? One of my daycare parents had the sheer nerve to complain because I'm closed on Christmas eve and it doesn't work for her schedule. Some parents expect way too much and are not willing to pay the price for what they are asking for. Sorry to vent and sorry if it's not making sense but I am beyond angry right now.

Originally Posted by Former Teacher:

Originally Posted by jen:
What I have learned over the last eight years is this...the people who want the most, also want to pay the least. They are the most demanding, leave their children in care the longest, and sadly, thier kids are the most likely to act out and be disruptive.

I totally agree! Couldn't have said it better! Perfect example is, and I hope people don't take this the wrong way, is that the parents on "state aid" are the WORST. I had this one mother years ago who was SO disrespectful it's not even funny. For instance: she would literally throw me a bottle in my hand and DEMANDED "make me a bottle"...no please or thank you. This woman also had 3 kids (would have been 4 since her last child was a twin, she aborted one baby because she couldn't afford 4 kids but that's another story) and paid next to nothing for quality childcare. She isn't the only one I have encounted. There have been many throughout the years that were just as disrespectful.

I can't agree more-not only expecting everything, but abusing the system to boot!

Example-one family is alloted XX hours of county paid care per week.....they took the day off from work, dumped the kids at DC, and went deer hunting.

Another one did something similar-allotted a certain number of hours by the county per week, and did the exact same thing...took the entire WEEK off unpaid and dropped their kids at DC and went hunting...all week long.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but if a person is so down on their luck that they can't pay their own DC bill, what right do they have to buy a deer license, ammo, own a firearm, take time off from work without pay, and go hunting (and usually come home empty handed) while the rest of us pay their daycare bills?


Keep up the hard work, millions on welfare are depending upon you!

This is exactly why I never have or never will take state aid families. Most of them (not all) have the "entitlement mentality", you know they think because of (in many instances) they made bad choices in their life, the rest of us should pick up the pieces and pay their way. I don't what those kind of people in my home. While I realize that not ever person/family falls into the category of the "entitlement mentality" if I don't personally know them, there is no way of knowing. I guess being a person who has always worked, paid my own way, and worked my butt off for what little we have, I just don't have a whole lot of respect for many of these people.

A past family that I had, they both worked at the same company. It was a Honda plant that made parts for Honda. While I don't know how much they made at their job, I am certain between the 2 of them they made at least $25per hour combined. They had 2 kids. They had a descent home probably valued about $135,000. In 2005 they bought a brand new Pacifica. In 2006 they bought a brand new Colorado 4 door pick up truck. About 4 months after they bought the truck, the mom came in and in a very abrupt way asked me how many bottles D. drank each day (he was 10 mo old). I told her, and she said, "Yea, they said we make too much money to get WIC anymore and now we have to buy our own formula". OMG, I was so pissed, to think that our system was buying formula for a family that was driving 2 brand new vehicles, and they were not cheap ones. She felt they were "entitled" to free formula for some reason. Gees, no one ever gave me free formula or anything else free. I always paid my own way. I eventually had to terminate this family for not paying on time and severe behavior issues with their 5 yr old. Funny the parents could afford these 2 vehicles, yet couldn't afford to take their child to get help for severe behavior issues. Once again....poor choices.

Ha! Substandard pay? Well then maybe you should find another job! And it is even funnier when you know the policies better than the staff and you have to pull it out on them!

Originally Posted by Unregistered:
Well then i guess your just gonna have to feel ripped off then huh!..........Know you know what a rip off is...............taking care of your children for substandard pay!!!!! I'm entitled to charge for holidays and charge for at least 2 personal days. Its funny how the holidays don't ever seem to be a problem until the week of. Any other providers have this problem. I find myself having to break out the contract over and over again.

It seems I have both ends of the spectrum of state aid parents.

I have one set who are the (sometimes overly) demanding type. One child seems borderline special needs which can be demanding of itself. Many times I feel like even if I could give these parents the sun and the moon that wouldn't be enough. I've quickly learned to just let it roll off my back, though of course I do call the hubby to vent every so often.

I have another family, well single mom, who is still in HS and working at a fast food joint. Should qualify for state aid, yet she's on a waiting list. Quite a ways down on the list too. I feel bad for her because she is paying her way, living with her mom, trying to finish H.S. and yet is working to cover her expenses of her not so good decisions made in life. She is very sweet and she apologizes when she hears that her infant (6 weeks old) had a fussy day or whatever. I laugh because it's not her fault, I just thought she should know how baby was so she'd know what to expect for the night. She's the type who is trying to do something positive with her life and could just use a little help getting up that next step.

Just my 2 cents...
 

Originally Posted by Unregistered:
I just called my daycare provider and although my kids are only going to be there for 2 days for the Thanksgiving holiday, they are going to charge me for the full week. This is a complete rip off! I understand that they need to pay their staff for their vacations and all, but they should factor this into the weekly tuition costs. I am already paying an arm and a leg for substandard care to began with.

Finding a better daycare is obsolete at this point. I am in Atlanta, GA, and they have horrible daycare centers in this area. My kids are at one of the better centers out of the 4 that I pulled them out of.

Why is it a rip-off to pay for a full week when your children will only be there two days? The mortgage or rent on the building has to be paid, as well as utilities, staff wages, etc. - REGARDLESS if your child is there or not. Is it really worth griping over a handfull of school closures per year?

As far as "factoring" holidays into tuition costs... Parents complain about paying $2.00 to $3.00 per hour as it is. I can only imagine your reaction if you were told your tuition rates were to increase to $4.00 per hour to cover Federal Holidays closures. It sounds good "in theory" but I'm guessing you wouldn't think it was such a grand idea if it were to happen.

Originally Posted by HappyCamper:
Why is it a rip-off to pay for a full week when your children will only be there two days? The mortgage or rent on the building has to be paid, as well as utilities, staff wages, etc. - REGARDLESS if your child is there or not. Is it really worth griping over a handfull of school closures per year?

As far as "factoring" holidays into tuition costs... Parents complain about paying $2.00 to $3.00 per hour as it is. I can only imagine your reaction if you were told your tuition rates were to increase to $4.00 per hour to cover Federal Holidays closures. It sounds good "in theory" but I'm guessing you wouldn't think it was such a grand idea if it were to happen.

I agree. They complain regardless of how many ways you try to adjust your policies. The kicker is, I bet unregistered mommy gets paid holidays and vacations but doesn't think her daycare provider should.

Originally Posted by gbcc:
I agree. They complain regardless of how many ways you try to adjust your policies. The kicker is, I bet unregistered mommy gets paid holidays and vacations but doesn't think her daycare provider should.

I bet she does too... We work long hours for slave wages, yet heaven forbid we get one paid day off per year. LOL!!!

The fact is, complaining/ungrateful parents and child care go hand in hand. LOL!!! It always amazes me that parents complain to the very people who love, hug, teach, feed, and basically RAISE their precious children. If life were fair, we'd be treated like queens (by the parents), we'd make triple what we do, and we'd receive benefits, sick pay, and paid vacations. But, as you know, we don't always get what we deserve. :(

Originally Posted by gbcc:
I agree. They complain regardless of how many ways you try to adjust your policies. The kicker is, I bet unregistered mommy gets paid holidays and vacations but doesn't think her daycare provider should.

Amen to this. Why do some parents think we are not deserving.

Good thing we are professionals and don't go by that saying "you get what you pay for" Those kids wouldn't even eat! To them we are disposable, which is really a shame. We are very important to the child's emotional growth.

Originally Posted by gbcc:
Good thing we are professionals and don't go by that saying "you get what you pay for" Those kids wouldn't even eat! To them we are disposable, which is really a shame. We are very important to the child's emotional growth.

very well said!:)

Originally Posted by Unregistered:
Ha! Substandard pay? Well then maybe you should find another job! And it is even funnier when you know the policies better than the staff and you have to pull it out on them!

Yep you heard me right.......Substandard pay! I've been in the daycare field for 16 plus years and don't plan on finding another profession! Maybe you should register and maybe we might just care about what you have to say! Staff??? I have no "staff" sweetcheeks its just me, myself and I!

Originally Posted by Unregistered:
Considering the average home day care provider works an average of 10.5-12 hours/day with no breaks and no lunch to accommodate the varying needs of her clients I find it essential that she get paid for holidays just as any working professional would. I also think it is important that she get paid for vacations otherwise she might not be able to afford to take them. I don't feel it is healthy for anyone to work those hours 5 days a week and to be financially discouraged from taking vacation and holiday time. Do you really want that unhealthy overworked person caring for your child?

Thank You!! I work 12 hr days, with often no real break, and have only taken 2 sick days in 8 years. Still I have occasionally heard griping about my standard paid Holidays. I need to be able to budget, so getting paid consistently regardless of attendance, including those few holidays, is what allows me to pay my bills on time and continue to purchase quality curriculum and materials for the children in care. We are expected to throw Holiday parties, provide Christmas gifts , birthday cupcakes- and generally enjoy it, but it does make one feel unappreciated when you have to argue and justify every penny you charge and every hour you take off. My families were unhappy about me taking the Friday off after Thanksgiving as a paid Holiday, until I explained that the clinics are not open any of my other Holidays (4th of July, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day, New Years Day, and I had not had a physical in 7 years or managed a dental appt in 2. I made at least that committment to myself and my family that I deserve that and will do it every year. You're daycare is blessed to have a client who understands and values them.:)

Originally Posted by Chickenhauler:
I can't agree more-not only expecting everything, but abusing the system to boot!

Example-one family is alloted XX hours of county paid care per week.....they took the day off from work, dumped the kids at DC, and went deer hunting.

I allowed myself to get convinced to work a half day this year on Christmas Eve- I had two moms who said they had to work etc, and tried to be nice. I needed to close at noon because we had put my great grandpa (86) in the assisted living home after falling in the snow and having a close call with hypothermia days earlier, and I promised I'd cook him a turkey dinner and bring it, and my mother in laws ceiling had collapsed in her kitchen while she was at the VA hospital w/ her husband due to a leaky water heater upstairs. Needless to say, I had my hands full taking care of everyone's issues and needed to be done on time. Noon rolled around & 1 family of two still wasnt picked up- the food was ready to go to grandpas and nobody would answer the phone. Two hours later with Grandpas dinner ruined a very happy dad showed up after a great day of ice fishing. Mom had to work, dad just didnt even want to spend a holiday with his kids so multiplied my stress instead. I'll never have the same trust or respect for those parents- because she lied & misled to give him the day off, and he is one who consistently complains about me getting paid holidays, although he gets holidays, sick days etc.

Grrrr

Originally Posted by Carole's Daycare:
I allowed myself to get convinced to work a half day this year on Christmas Eve- I had two moms who said they had to work etc, and tried to be nice. I needed to close at noon because we had put my great grandpa (86) in the assisted living home after falling in the snow and having a close call with hypothermia days earlier, and I promised I'd cook him a turkey dinner and bring it, and my mother in laws ceiling had collapsed in her kitchen while she was at the VA hospital w/ her husband due to a leaky water heater upstairs. Needless to say, I had my hands full taking care of everyone's issues and needed to be done on time. Noon rolled around & 1 family of two still wasnt picked up- the food was ready to go to grandpas and nobody would answer the phone. Two hours later with Grandpas dinner ruined a very happy dad showed up after a great day of ice fishing. Mom had to work, dad just didnt even want to spend a holiday with his kids so multiplied my stress instead. I'll never have the same trust or respect for those parents- because she lied & misled to give him the day off, and he is one who consistently complains about me getting paid holidays, although he gets holidays, sick days etc.

Grrrr

Wow!!!!!! Unbelieveable! I hope you charged them one heck of a late fee & explained how his lateness affected your family!!!! I would have been so hot under the collar. More than likely I would have been so mad that after I collected their hefty late fee I would have terminated services. How did you handle it? I say I would do the above but I am not sure if I truly would.

I let the Dad know he was supposed to be there by noon, & I thought he was working- he totally blew me off. I confronted Mom the following Monday at drop off and demanded the late fee up front, which she paid, but it was still only $25, which didn't make up for the inconvenience. I told her so and that I was very dissappointed in her for lying/misleading that her hubby was at work. She basically pulled the old he's an ******* and resents paying you for Holidays anyway and she was bullied into it excuse. I said this is your one pass, the next time you'll be terminated. If he wants to go fishing on my Holiday he can get grandma to watch or something. She said she felt bad that I was hurt by it she thought he'd pick up on time or send Grandma to do it. I've always really liked her & she pays on time w/ no trouble, usually picks up on time- works for the Postal Service, which is why I agreed to work Christmas Eve to begin with. Now that I'm very clear on how her spouse feels about me and behaves I made it clear there will be -0- excuses or problems in the future because that was beyond inconsiderate. We'll see.

Originally Posted by CharlesReese:

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

Hmm but in this argument we could also say that why should your work pay you on a holiday like Thanksgiving or Christmas if you don't work? Isn't that the same thing? Lot's of businesses are closed on these days and if what you are saying is true then why should anyone anywhere get paid for holidays if they are not working. Unethical? I think not. Everyone gets vacation time and paid sick time no matter where you work. Some places it's based on how much time you put in and in others it's a set amount of time (i.e. two-weeks). Providing child care is also a job. Unfortunately child care providers are looked at as babysitters too often than not and we are more than just that. This is our career. We work long hours without state mandated rest periods and meal breaks and we do it because we love it.

Not all providers charge the same, expect the same things, do the same things or provide the same kind of care. We charge what we think we are worth and it is up to the parent to decide whether they think it's worth that much and pay it. Some providers offer vacation time, some don't. Some offer maternity leave, some don't. All in all what I am saying is that it is up to us to ask for what we want and up to the parent's to decide if our daycare fits their needs or not. If a parent doesn't like how a daycare works there are others that may suit their needs. We have a right to say "this is what I expect" and parents have a right to say "I don't agree".

I myself, allow myself 2 weeks of vacation and don't expect pay. I also allow for each family to take 2 weeks off without pay. I do however, charge a flat weekly rate and a daily drop-in rate. My weekly rate is lower than my drop-in rate when you break it down hourly. I also offer a discount of paid monthly in advance. If a child doesn't come, they still pay for the week. Before I had my own daycare I paid someone to watch my child and it worked the same. It is normal for child providers to conduct business this way because no matter how you dice it, it is a business and no one runs a business if they're not going to make money off of it. We have higher food bills, utility bills, our homes suffer from higher wear and tear and we have to consider that in our fees.

Originally Posted by seashell:
If you are not happy with paying for your providers holidays, then find a new provider. I am amazed at the parents out there who don't read the documents presented to them and then complain.

You need to pay the entire cost to rent a hotel room . . . you can't just pay for the hours you are in the room. It's still your room from the time you sign the register until you check out.

I don't charge my parents for my sick days or vacation. I do charge for holidays as most providers do.

But to make it "Fair" to parents and providers alike, lets try it this way. Parents, you don't have to pay for holidays but you do have to pay your provider at least minimum wage. Federal minimum wage is currently $6.65 per hour and will be 7.25 per hour in July. So to make it easy, lets just call it $7 per hour.

So, if you leave your child with your provider for 40 hours a week at $7 per hour your weeky fee would be $280.00.

I wonder how many of you are paying alot less than minimum wage when you break it down by hour?


Considering the great service they provide you. You child is loved, happy, educated and well cared for. That isn't even worth minimum wage to you?

Most providers care for kids because they enjoy it. They arn't out to screw parents. If they were, you'd be paying more than minimum wage per hour. So whats the compromise for affordable weekly care? Be considerate and appreciative and pay for holidays!

LOL!! This is funny...let's really figure this out if you want to consider minimum wage.
Let's say you are only open 40 hours per week at $7 an hour equaling $280.00 per week. And let's say you have 5 children in your care...so really that would only be $56 per child...per week. That would be really affordable!!! :lol:

Originally Posted by DWTC:
LOL!! This is funny...let's really figure this out if you want to consider minimum wage.
Let's say you are only open 40 hours per week at $7 an hour equaling $280.00 per week. And let's say you have 5 children in your care...so really that would only be $56 per child...per week. That would be really affordable!!! :lol:

Not everyone cares for that many children or all on a full-time basis. Let's see, this fall I will make a whopping $250/week for a total of 45 hrs of care. That is not per child. I will have two full-time kids & one SA B & A school. I only wish I made $7/hr. . . . than I could bring in over $300. As it is I make about $5.50/hr total give or take a few pennies.:lol: Not bad money, I guess considering I get to be home w/my toddler & it's not like I am complaining. I LOVE what I do, I have a four year degree so I could probably easily get a good job & maybe will do that when my youngest reaches school-age. But to me it's more important to be home with my kids. Some providers certainly do make good $$$ doing care but that should not be a determining factor in whether they get a paid holiday or not.

Originally Posted by janarae:
Not everyone cares for that many children or all on a full-time basis. Let's see, this fall I will make a whopping $250/week for a total of 45 hrs of care. That is not per child. I will have two full-time kids & one SA B & A school. I only wish I made $7/hr. . . . than I could bring in over $300. As it is I make about $5.50/hr total give or take a few pennies.:lol: Not bad money, I guess considering I get to be home w/my toddler & it's not like I am complaining. I LOVE what I do, I have a four year degree so I could probably easily get a good job & maybe will do that when my youngest reaches school-age. But to me it's more important to be home with my kids. Some providers certainly do make good $$$ doing care but that should not be a determining factor in whether they get a paid holiday or not.

I just thought it was a bad example to use why daycare providers should get paid for holidays. I think that if a child is usually in care the day of the holiday, then the daycare provider should get the day off paid!!

It's just like a lot of at home businesses...you have to balance everything out to make it work. People usually don't understand what it takes to run a business...for example, I'm starting to photograph weddings and I hear a lot of people complain about how expensive it is to hire a wedding photographer. They don't understand because they only see the photographer there for about 6 -8 hours, but it usually takes on average 30 hours to complete a wedding. So should the photographer only get paid for the 6-8 hours? That's how photography businesses go out of business, they wouldn't even have enough money to cover expenses.

Specific Question
 

There is no way I can read aaalll of the responses on here, but I've got a specific case that I'd like an opinion on from the providers. My mom did daycare out of her home for 20+ years as I was growing up so I am completely sympathetic to having benefits as a provider.

My son is now in daycare and I absolutely love where I send him. Unfortunately, I got the schedule for Oct 2010- August 2011 the other day when I picked him up and was a tad dismayed. There are a total of 17 days where the daycare will be closed in less than a year. I have absolutely zero problem with the daycare being paid for regular holidays such as Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day and Good Friday even. I even understand 2-3 teaching days for the teachers to have training. But this year they are taking Dec. 23, 24th, and the following Monday off for Christmas, and the same with New Year's Eve. Also, they are taking two full days off for Mardi Gras. We are in Louisiana but NOT in New Orleans so none of the surrounding businesses will be closed for Mardi Gras. They are also scheduling around 6 days of training this year. As I said earlier, I really truly have no problem with them getting paid holidays. But I do know for a fact that the women who are employed there are not being paid for all of the holidays they are closing. So when it comes down to the it, the daycare is making pure profit while I am forced to find other means. My husband and I typically can work something out with a family member because we are *lucky*. What do parents do who live in a city that they have no family? Am I wrong for thinking they are being excessive? I know I really don't mind them being closed and being paid for days that I am also off of work...but it gets to be very challenging when they are taking days off that most normal people do not have off of work.

If you do agree with me, how would I approach the daycare without offending? I am very, very happy with the services they provide, just wish I didn't feel as though the parents there are being taken advantage of.

I'm glad there have been so many replies to this.

I found this with a search in Google - ""legal to charge" "daycare" holiday ontario"

Neither I nor my wife get paid holidays. Neither I nor my wife get benefits. I have in the past, with a few former employers, but it's not the case now.

I do not believe that it is right to charge for holidays. I understand you are running a business (from all estimates around here a lucrative one I might add) and you deserve to make money too for services offered. It's option to add it to your contract, and it's a parents option to accept the contract, or move on.

But, I think you can use your own judgement and cut some of your clients some slack. Not everyone has got it so easy at the moment. People are out of jobs all over, if you don't ease off and continue to think of the parents who come to you as "whiners" (as some of you have put it) than you might very well be faced with unemployment as well.

In my province, in Canada, I think there needs to be more regulation. I also think that the government needs to kick in financing to offset the costs to parents.

That way you get your paid vacation that you assume I get as well, and I will be able to pay my bills and feed my kids and hope to get some stress free days in the future.

Todd I agree with you from a provider, I do charge for holidays, But I would also choose to not charge someone, if they told me they did not get paid that day at their work, However for the parents that do get paid holidays, I would expect them to pay me, I have one child here who is on governments assistance, And they do not pay for holidays, so I could charge the family, but I choose not to, because I know that the mom does not recieve paid days off, A couple weeks ago, I had a family that had to take their kid out for the week because they couldnt afford daycare, And though it can't be a regular thing, because I could fill that spot with someone else, I was fine with it that time, I also agree that there is alot of harsh talk towards parents here!