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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>First Year Open. Do You Close for Christmas Eve, New Years Eve and New Years Day?
Cardinal Kids 11:07 AM 12-11-2014
Just curious. How you guys handle the holiday?
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Blackcat31 11:10 AM 12-11-2014
Closed from Monday December 22 through Friday Jan 2. Paid.

Here are some other threads about holidays and closures:
https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...holidays+-+off
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craftymissbeth 11:12 AM 12-11-2014
I close the entire week of Christmas plus New Year's Day.

Actually, I had planned on closing the whole week of Christmas this year, but decided to stay open the 22-24 because I need the money. But the plan is to be closed that week plus NYD every year.

ETA: all of my closed days are unpaid
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Annalee 11:22 AM 12-11-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Closed from Monday December 22 through Friday Jan 2. Paid.

Here are some other threads about holidays and closures:
https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...holidays+-+off
Me too!!!!!
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VTMom 11:29 AM 12-11-2014
I close at 3:00 Christmas Eve, and closed Christmas Day and the following day (12/26).

I close at 4:00 New Year's Eve (because DH and I are actually going out with grown-ups for the first time since having kids), and closed New Year's day.

All holiday closings are paid.
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Jack Sprat 11:44 AM 12-11-2014
My first year I was open Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas, opened NYE and the day after NY day.

This year I am closing at noon Christmas Eve and open again on Monday. I am opened NYE and closed the NY day and the day after. All unpaid.

Next year I will be closed all day Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Years Eve day and the New Years Day. Due to contract changes I will have paid holidays next year!!
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Kabob 11:47 AM 12-11-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Closed from Monday December 22 through Friday Jan 2. Paid.

Here are some other threads about holidays and closures:
https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...holidays+-+off
How many weeks of paid time off do you take?

People around here think 10 paid days plus unpaid major holidays is too much.

OP - I'm closed the week of Christmas paid and then closed just new year's day unpaid.
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Annalee 11:50 AM 12-11-2014
Originally Posted by Kabob:
How many weeks of paid time off do you take?

People around here think 10 paid days plus unpaid major holidays is too much.

OP - I'm closed the week of Christmas paid and then closed just new year's day unpaid.
I can't speak for BC, but I tell my parents I am closed Christmas to New Years....I chose to work Dec. 22 being my last day this year and I am not opening till Jan. 5....Did not want to open on Friday, Jan. 2nd. I explain all this in the interview....parents pay....not sure what they say behind my back but I don't really care as long as they follow the rules... I charge 52 weeks a yr covering all holidays, vacations, personal, emergency, professional days..
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crazydaycarelady 11:53 AM 12-11-2014
I close for the whole week also but I would close or close early at least. If you don't then your dcparents will use the day to get all of their stuff done and a lot of times will come late!
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Blackcat31 11:54 AM 12-11-2014
Originally Posted by Kabob:
How many weeks of paid time off do you take?

People around here think 10 paid days plus unpaid major holidays is too much.

OP - I'm closed the week of Christmas paid and then closed just new year's day unpaid.
I don't take paid weeks off any more. I now only charge when I am open.

I still make the same amount (I raised my rates) as I did over the course of a regular year but for some reason the mere thought that they (parents) don't have to pay for my closed time makes them view the whole topic differently.

A full time family is paying me the same amount as they did before but apparently none of my families have done the math to actually "see" that.
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Annalee 11:59 AM 12-11-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I don't take paid weeks off any more. I now only charge when I am open.

I still make the same amount (I raised my rates) as I did over the course of a regular year but for some reason the mere thought that they (parents) don't have to pay for my closed time makes them view the whole topic differently.

A full time family is paying me the same amount as they did before but apparently none of my families have done the math to actually "see" that.
You know, BC, daycare is becoming more of a mind game.....I think I use things I learned in psychology classes more than the things I learned in early childhood!
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Jack Sprat 11:59 AM 12-11-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I don't take paid weeks off any more. I now only charge when I am open.

I still make the same amount (I raised my rates) as I did over the course of a regular year but for some reason the mere thought that they (parents) don't have to pay for my closed time makes them view the whole topic differently.

A full time family is paying me the same amount as they did before but apparently none of my families have done the math to actually "see" that.
That is interesting! When I was thinking of redoing my contract, I opted to not have a rate increase and go to 52 weeks paid. I thought it might be an easier pill to swallow for the parents. We shall see! I can see one parent having an issue with it.
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midaycare 12:26 PM 12-11-2014
I am only closing the 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st, and 1st. This is my first year so I'm still energized about doing daycare and don't mind. Ask me in a few more years?
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Kabob 12:37 PM 12-11-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I don't take paid weeks off any more. I now only charge when I am open.

I still make the same amount (I raised my rates) as I did over the course of a regular year but for some reason the mere thought that they (parents) don't have to pay for my closed time makes them view the whole topic differently.

A full time family is paying me the same amount as they did before but apparently none of my families have done the math to actually "see" that.
Not to brown nose but that is smart!

I may have to borrow that...it would be much easier and parents haven't fussed about me taking unpaid holidays or personal days...

Ugh and I just sent out new contracts....
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Jack Sprat 12:40 PM 12-11-2014
lol!! I don't think I would say this but, it has crossed my mind. If someone balks at the 52 week paid, say well I could raise my rates instead if that's easier for you...
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Blackcat31 12:48 PM 12-11-2014
Originally Posted by Annalee:
You know, BC, daycare is becoming more of a mind game.....I think I use things I learned in psychology classes more than the things I learned in early childhood!
I know! I think you are definitely on to something because I have used a lot of what I learned in Psych classes too.

Originally Posted by Kabob:
Not to brown nose but that is smart!

I may have to borrow that...it would be much easier and parents haven't fussed about me taking unpaid holidays or personal days...

Ugh and I just sent out new contracts....
I would do it the way you are now and change it next year depending on what your clients do/say over the course of the next year.

I didn't have issues before with paid time off but this new crop of entitled parents view things from a funny angle so...

You could also do a revised contract/handbook and offer the new clients the option of not paying for closed days but paying a higher rate and see what works best for your area.

Originally Posted by Jack Sprat:
lol!! I don't think I would say this but, it has crossed my mind. If someone balks at the 52 week paid, say well I could raise my rates instead if that's easier for you...
That's exactly what happened to me. I said that (about raising rates instead) and the parents replied "I think I might prefer that as it's hard to pay when I am not getting to use the space"

Which made me do a bunch of 's and a couple 's and said "Okay, if that's how you see it."

And I promptly raised rates and implemented the "If I am closed, you don't pay" policies.

Whatever helps them understand I guess...
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Unregistered 03:35 PM 12-11-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Closed from Monday December 22 through Friday Jan 2. Paid.

Here are some other threads about holidays and closures:
https://www.daycare.com/forum/tags.p...holidays+-+off
Same here!
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Crazy8 06:33 PM 12-11-2014
My paid holidays are Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve and New Years Day. Depending on the days they fall on I may close without pay other days in addition to them - this year would have been Friday 12/26 but I don't have kids on Fridays so I didn't need to.
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DaveA 03:58 AM 12-12-2014
I close Christmas Day, December 26th, and New Year's Day. All paid days.

Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve I'm open, but always have only 1 or 2 kids and they leave early.
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Kabob 04:50 AM 12-12-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I don't take paid weeks off any more. I now only charge when I am open.

I still make the same amount (I raised my rates) as I did over the course of a regular year but for some reason the mere thought that they (parents) don't have to pay for my closed time makes them view the whole topic differently.

A full time family is paying me the same amount as they did before but apparently none of my families have done the math to actually "see" that.
How about sick days (yours and theirs)? Do you charge for those? That is the toughest pill for parents to swallow around here.

Also, what about part time families?

Just curious what you guys do for the 52 week pay deal.

Oh boy I kinda got off topic sorry!
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Kimskiddos 06:43 AM 12-12-2014
I am closed w/pay 24 & 25 and the 1st. With the way these holidays are right in the middle of the week, I have used my paid personal days so I will be closed 24-26 and the 31-2. I only have one kiddos scheduled for the 29-30 (M&T), I am hoping I can talk them into keeping kiddo home those days, but we'll see.

I am also paid 52 weeks out of the year. My tuition is paid monthly and yes my dcf's technically get 2 free weeks. But I set my weekly rate at a place where I am happy with the monthly tuition. Just divide weekly tuition by 50 weeks and divide by 12.
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CraftyMom 06:52 AM 12-12-2014
I am close Dec. 24-Jan 2 this year. Last year I didn't do this and regretted it! Since my kids are home from school I want time off with them.

I am paid 52 weeks/year. I've never had any current dcp's complain (out loud). I've had people at interviews not like the idea...they never enroll
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Second Home 08:15 AM 12-12-2014
I will take whatever number of days that my kids are out for winter break . It is usually from Christmas eve until Jan 2nd . I do take this time as unpaid .
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Blackcat31 08:19 AM 12-12-2014
Originally Posted by Kabob:
How about sick days (yours and theirs)? Do you charge for those? That is the toughest pill for parents to swallow around here.

Also, what about part time families?

Just curious what you guys do for the 52 week pay deal.

Oh boy I kinda got off topic sorry!
They pay for the days their child is sick. That part is BEYOND my control so I refuse to take the fall out (financial hit) for it.

I make a point of mentioning that parents DO have control over their child's wellness much more than I do. They an guarantee a good healthy diet at home, a good sound sleep routine and lots of exercise. Since parents have a HUGE input in that area, I won't even discuss it.

Absent days are not discounted.

As for sick days for myself? I don't take any. I am one of those odd ducks that never gets sick so it hasn't come up.
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FullHouse 09:09 AM 12-12-2014
Just want to pop in and say I learn so much from you all. The raising rates/unpaid holidays is such a good suggestion. Its so hard to look at our business like a business, you know? Thanks for the tip! Kathy
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EntropyControlSpecialist 10:09 AM 12-12-2014
Closed Dec. 24-Jan. 2 paid. No one has ever said anything negative about it. The daycare center out here is only closed Dec. 24/25 and Jan. 1. Otherwise, they are open. So, it isn't like they couldn't do a comparison.

I take 16 paid days off during the year (this includes holidays in that #).
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_Dana_ 11:13 AM 12-12-2014
I'm off Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day with pay.

I take off 10 paid holidays and unpaid sick/personal days as needed. I have a clause in my contract if a holiday happens to fall on a weekend, "If any of these holidays fall on a Saturday, the daycare will be closed on the Friday before the holiday. If any of these holidays fall on a Sunday, the child care will be closed on the following Monday."


I do foresee including some paid sick/personal days in the future tho. Who doesn't need a day now and then for a mental/emotional break from work?
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CraftyMom 11:24 AM 12-12-2014
I want to add, not only has no one ever complained, but I also offer two unpaid days per year to each family. It is in my handbook, but not something I point out. No one has ever used them! So either they don't mind paying or they didn't read the handbook!

I use minute menu epay for all parents. Most of them have set up automatic payment so they don't even have to think about it, it just gets paid.
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SignMeUp 01:48 PM 12-12-2014
Originally Posted by CraftyMom:
I want to add, not only has no one ever complained, but I also offer two unpaid days per year to each family. It is in my handbook, but not something I point out. No one has ever used them! So either they don't mind paying or they didn't read the handbook!

I use minute menu epay for all parents. Most of them have set up automatic payment so they don't even have to think about it, it just gets paid.
I'm going to start a new thread to ask about this
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renodeb 07:26 PM 12-14-2014
I'm closed Christmas eve, Christmas day, and the day after, New years eve/day.
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Kimskiddos 07:59 AM 12-15-2014
Originally Posted by Kimskiddos:
I am closed w/pay 24 & 25 and the 1st. With the way these holidays are right in the middle of the week, I have used my paid personal days so I will be closed 24-26 and the 31-2. I only have one kiddos scheduled for the 29-30 (M&T), I am hoping I can talk them into keeping kiddo home those days, but we'll see.
Just a quick update. The above family just let me know they will be out of town next week. So I have to whole week off with pay!
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KidGrind 04:21 PM 12-15-2014
I close at 12:00 PM Christmas Eve.
I close Christmas and day after.

I close at 12:00 PM New Year’s Eve.
I close New Year’s Day.
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originalkat 11:55 AM 12-16-2014
I am closed Dec 24-Jan 2 this year.
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Papa 09:08 PM 12-16-2014
Wow, I guess our area is out of date for days off. I take Christmas Day and the day after off paid. Then just News Years day off paid. I also take 5 paid vacation days a year.
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finsup 09:53 AM 12-17-2014
Christmas is a paid holiday for me. I'm open New Years Eve/Day though. There's no real reason for me not to be. I mean aside from a day off which is great, but I would rather plan a day off when the weather is nice lol.
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Tags:closed for the holidays, holidays - off
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