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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Thoughts on Closing Early for Sports?
CountryRoads 01:56 PM 04-09-2019
My son is in sports and games have started. To make all the games, I will have to close early a few days. The earliest would be closing at 4.
Last year, I didn't close early at all and missed half of some of his games.
The final straw last year was when I had a DCM tell me she was going to be late picking up dcb. I told her that doesn't work that day because my son has a BB game. Her response? "Sorry, but that's the best I can do."
Um, NO. Dcd ended up coming right at closing time in his pajama pants and slippers. Seriously?? And I missed almost the entire first half.
Help me not feel bad about this! I know it is going to inconvenience all of my families, and I'm hesitant to tell them. Please tell me that you all do the same thing and I shouldn't feel bad at all lol
Last year, I didn't close early at all and missed half of some of his games.
The final straw last year was when I had a DCM tell me she was going to be late picking up dcb. I told her that doesn't work that day because my son has a BB game. Her response? "Sorry, but that's the best I can do."
Um, NO. Dcd ended up coming right at closing time in his pajama pants and slippers. Seriously?? And I missed almost the entire first half.
Help me not feel bad about this! I know it is going to inconvenience all of my families, and I'm hesitant to tell them. Please tell me that you all do the same thing and I shouldn't feel bad at all lol
LittleExplorers 02:40 PM 04-09-2019
Family comes first! How often are these games? You may need to be prepared to loose families. If so, just start advertising for spots with an earlier closing time. Do you have open hours or contracted hours? How many families would it actually affect their work schedule? I close at 4:30 and care for only teacher's kids. I am in a rural area so their other parent typically commutes quite as ways. They figure it out if I have a closed day or early closure here and there but I would not keep my families if I did it regularly. It is worth it for me to have summers and holidays off. My mother in law also helps here and there to cover appointments but she lives 2 hours away so it's only for special instances.
CountryRoads 02:46 PM 04-09-2019
Originally Posted by LittleExplorers:
Family comes first! How often are these games? You may need to be prepared to loose families. If so, just start advertising for spots with an earlier closing time. Do you have open hours or contracted hours? How many families would it actually affect their work schedule? I close at 4:30 and care for only teacher's kids. I am in a rural area so their other parent typically commutes quite as ways. They figure it out if I have a closed day or early closure here and there but I would not keep my families if I did it regularly. It is worth it for me to have summers and holidays off. My mother in law also helps here and there to cover appointments but she lives 2 hours away so it's only for special instances.
Family comes first! How often are these games? You may need to be prepared to loose families. If so, just start advertising for spots with an earlier closing time. Do you have open hours or contracted hours? How many families would it actually affect their work schedule? I close at 4:30 and care for only teacher's kids. I am in a rural area so their other parent typically commutes quite as ways. They figure it out if I have a closed day or early closure here and there but I would not keep my families if I did it regularly. It is worth it for me to have summers and holidays off. My mother in law also helps here and there to cover appointments but she lives 2 hours away so it's only for special instances.
The games are only in April! I would only need to close early 2 days - 4:00 one day and 5:00 another day (I close at 5:30).
LittleExplorers 03:08 PM 04-09-2019
Originally Posted by CountryRoads:
The games are only in April! I would only need to close early 2 days - 4:00 one day and 5:00 another day (I close at 5:30).
Tell them today. The games are only in April! I would only need to close early 2 days - 4:00 one day and 5:00 another day (I close at 5:30).
2 days is way less than I imagined.
gumdrops 03:32 PM 04-09-2019
I would absolutely close. I did it when my daughter was in sports. I always offered that if it didn't work out for them, they were welcome to use a back-up for the day and I wouldn't charge them. That happened a few times, but it was worth it to me to be at my daughter's games.
When I didn't close early, someone was always 5 min late picking up the day I needed everyone out the door right at closing time.
When I didn't close early, someone was always 5 min late picking up the day I needed everyone out the door right at closing time.
ColorfulSunburst 06:00 PM 04-09-2019
would you like if your assistant many times leaves her work earlier than usual just because she wants to go to each sports games of her child?
I used to work as an elementary school teacher and I was not able to attend a lot of my daughter's elementary school events. Just because of having the same kind of event with kids of my classes.
My opinion: to need and want to are not synonyms. You want to attend 100% of your kid's game, but you do not need to. And your kid doesn't need it either. Also, it can be a good lesson for your kid too: not each of our wishes going to happen.
I used to work as an elementary school teacher and I was not able to attend a lot of my daughter's elementary school events. Just because of having the same kind of event with kids of my classes.
My opinion: to need and want to are not synonyms. You want to attend 100% of your kid's game, but you do not need to. And your kid doesn't need it either. Also, it can be a good lesson for your kid too: not each of our wishes going to happen.
lovemykidstoo 06:45 PM 04-09-2019
Originally Posted by gumdrops:
I would absolutely close. I did it when my daughter was in sports. I always offered that if it didn't work out for them, they were welcome to use a back-up for the day and I wouldn't charge them. That happened a few times, but it was worth it to me to be at my daughter's games.
When I didn't close early, someone was always 5 min late picking up the day I needed everyone out the door right at closing time.
Oh my gosh every single time I swear!I would absolutely close. I did it when my daughter was in sports. I always offered that if it didn't work out for them, they were welcome to use a back-up for the day and I wouldn't charge them. That happened a few times, but it was worth it to me to be at my daughter's games.
When I didn't close early, someone was always 5 min late picking up the day I needed everyone out the door right at closing time.
lovemykidstoo 03:32 PM 04-09-2019
Originally Posted by CountryRoads:
My son is in sports and games have started. To make all the games, I will have to close early a few days. The earliest would be closing at 4.
Last year, I didn't close early at all and missed half of some of his games.
The final straw last year was when I had a DCM tell me she was going to be late picking up dcb. I told her that doesn't work that day because my son has a BB game. Her response? "Sorry, but that's the best I can do."
Um, NO. Dcd ended up coming right at closing time in his pajama pants and slippers. Seriously?? And I missed almost the entire first half.
Help me not feel bad about this! I know it is going to inconvenience all of my families, and I'm hesitant to tell them. Please tell me that you all do the same thing and I shouldn't feel bad at all lol
Do not feel bad at all. My son ran cross country and track, my daughter was in poms. The reason I started a daycare was to make time for my kids and family. I gave ample notice, so I didn't feel bad at all. I always thought of all of the times I had kids 10 hours a day when mom and dad were off. Made me feel better lol. Don't miss your kids things, you will regret it. Just make sure to give plenty of notice.My son is in sports and games have started. To make all the games, I will have to close early a few days. The earliest would be closing at 4.
Last year, I didn't close early at all and missed half of some of his games.
The final straw last year was when I had a DCM tell me she was going to be late picking up dcb. I told her that doesn't work that day because my son has a BB game. Her response? "Sorry, but that's the best I can do."
Um, NO. Dcd ended up coming right at closing time in his pajama pants and slippers. Seriously?? And I missed almost the entire first half.
Help me not feel bad about this! I know it is going to inconvenience all of my families, and I'm hesitant to tell them. Please tell me that you all do the same thing and I shouldn't feel bad at all lol
KiwiKids 07:29 AM 04-10-2019
I would close early. I also only accept families that are understanding that I will be flexible with them when I can be, but it is a two way street and I need them to be flexible with me at times. I have 4 kids and a husband who works 3pm-1am. They are great about me needing to close early for soccer etc and when one daycare parent is sick or out of town, I help them out by adjusting my hours where I can to make things easier. But my families also prefer to use their extended family as back up care vs me bringing in a substitute.
Blackcat31 07:52 AM 04-10-2019
I agree with Colorful Sunburst.
IF you can afford to lose clients I'd close.
If you can't afford to, then you need to make whatever decisions you need to make to meet your needs.
There is nothing wrong with meeting your needs (by setting your own work days/hours etc) and putting family first.
That's why most in-home providers are in this business.
However, it's important to understand that it will effect your client base.
Those that aren't able to make alternate accommodations may need to make alternate care arrangements that are permanent. Some clients may even refrain from recommending you/your program.
It's all part of the you can't please everyone all the time type of thing. If it's important for you to be at your son's games, then close and be there.
Don't apologize for meeting your needs.
But understand that if clients are unhappy about it, they are doing the same.
If you are looking for other providers to eliminate your guilt....you need to rethink your actions as it's not really up to other providers.
We don't pay your bills nor do we have a stake in your business.
Does it make you unprofessional?
Perhaps. But again that has more to do with how each person defines professional.
There is no one answer.
Only YOU can decide if it's worth it or not.
Only you know how your clients will react.
IF you can afford to lose clients I'd close.
If you can't afford to, then you need to make whatever decisions you need to make to meet your needs.
There is nothing wrong with meeting your needs (by setting your own work days/hours etc) and putting family first.
That's why most in-home providers are in this business.
However, it's important to understand that it will effect your client base.
Those that aren't able to make alternate accommodations may need to make alternate care arrangements that are permanent. Some clients may even refrain from recommending you/your program.
It's all part of the you can't please everyone all the time type of thing. If it's important for you to be at your son's games, then close and be there.
Don't apologize for meeting your needs.
But understand that if clients are unhappy about it, they are doing the same.
If you are looking for other providers to eliminate your guilt....you need to rethink your actions as it's not really up to other providers.
We don't pay your bills nor do we have a stake in your business.
Does it make you unprofessional?
Perhaps. But again that has more to do with how each person defines professional.
There is no one answer.
Only YOU can decide if it's worth it or not.
Only you know how your clients will react.
CountryRoads 07:56 AM 04-10-2019
I will definitely be closing early. It's TWO days. And only closing an 1.5 hour early at the earliest. I've realized it's no big deal
Thanks for all the input!
Thanks for all the input!
Rockgirl 07:44 AM 04-10-2019
I’m with the posters who have said do it! Give them the dates now, and do it.
As far as only ‘wanting’ to go, but not ‘needing’ to, well, it’s okay to do some things we want to do. I don’t always ‘need’ to close and go on vacation (although it’s definitely good for my sanity), but I still do it. Does that make me unprofessional? I don’t think any of us can determine what is an appropriate reason for another provider closing early, or even closing for the day. We have to make those determinations for ourselves.
As far as only ‘wanting’ to go, but not ‘needing’ to, well, it’s okay to do some things we want to do. I don’t always ‘need’ to close and go on vacation (although it’s definitely good for my sanity), but I still do it. Does that make me unprofessional? I don’t think any of us can determine what is an appropriate reason for another provider closing early, or even closing for the day. We have to make those determinations for ourselves.
Cat Herder 07:54 AM 04-10-2019
It is only two days. Most have at least 5 paid personal days, per year, in their contracts, so this should be a non-issue. Unless you are closing too often or without notice parents should not have a problem with it.
Rockgirl 07:05 AM 04-11-2019
If there’s time to give ample notice, it doesn’t really matter why we close, or close early. Most of my closures are so that I can go to rock concerts with my husband and our friends. I give plenty of notice, and don’t do it too often...one day maybe every 4-6 months. Do I ‘need’ to go? Does it make me unprofessional? I’ve also, with plenty of notice, taken a Friday off for no reason, other than to have a day to myself. I see providers being encouraged to do that to prevent burnout. I don’t see the difference....why do we get to decide for others what is an acceptable reason and what isn’t?
If she is springing it on parents last minute, then I would agree that it’s not the most professional thing to do. With notice, I don’t see an issue.
If she is springing it on parents last minute, then I would agree that it’s not the most professional thing to do. With notice, I don’t see an issue.
Blackcat31 08:29 AM 04-11-2019
Originally Posted by Rockgirl:
If there’s time to give ample notice, it doesn’t really matter why we close, or close early. Most of my closures are so that I can go to rock concerts with my husband and our friends. I give plenty of notice, and don’t do it too often...one day maybe every 4-6 months. Do I ‘need’ to go? Does it make me unprofessional? I’ve also, with plenty of notice, taken a Friday off for no reason, other than to have a day to myself. I see providers being encouraged to do that to prevent burnout. I don’t see the difference....why do we get to decide for others what is an acceptable reason and what isn’t?
If she is springing it on parents last minute, then I would agree that it’s not the most professional thing to do. With notice, I don’t see an issue.
I understand what you are saying but I think what you posted and what OP posted are completely different in my opinion. If there’s time to give ample notice, it doesn’t really matter why we close, or close early. Most of my closures are so that I can go to rock concerts with my husband and our friends. I give plenty of notice, and don’t do it too often...one day maybe every 4-6 months. Do I ‘need’ to go? Does it make me unprofessional? I’ve also, with plenty of notice, taken a Friday off for no reason, other than to have a day to myself. I see providers being encouraged to do that to prevent burnout. I don’t see the difference....why do we get to decide for others what is an acceptable reason and what isn’t?
If she is springing it on parents last minute, then I would agree that it’s not the most professional thing to do. With notice, I don’t see an issue.
OP specifically said it would inconvenience her families.
OP asked others to help her not feel guilty.....indicating she knew it would be tough for her families to accommodate.
I agree that taking ample time off does help prevent burnout.
I also agree that it shouldn't matter why anyone takes a day off.
It seems more than anything it appears that many are offended that someone said she thought it was unprofessional.
Why is that opinion so offensive and upsetting? (not directed at you...)
We all define professionalism differently.
I take time off. Like you, with plenty of advance notice.
I also pride myself on being super reliable and rarely take time off that I think will inconvenience my clients. I structure my off time and my closures so that I can live up to my definition of professional.
I know my definition of professional differs from how others define it but there isn't anything wrong with that.
As an example, any time I say on social media that I think yoga pants are unprofessional it starts a huge drama-fest.
But that's my opinion.
Rockgirl 08:51 AM 04-11-2019
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I understand what you are saying but I think what you posted and what OP posted are completely different in my opinion.
OP specifically said it would inconvenience her families.
OP asked others to help her not feel guilty.....indicating she knew it would be tough for her families to accommodate.
I agree that taking ample time off does help prevent burnout.
I also agree that it shouldn't matter why anyone takes a day off.
It seems more than anything it appears that many are offended that someone said she thought it was unprofessional.
Why is that opinion so offensive and upsetting? (not directed at you...)
We all define professionalism differently.
I take time off. Like you, with plenty of advance notice.
I also pride myself on being super reliable and rarely take time off that I think will inconvenience my clients. I structure my off time and my closures so that I can live up to my definition of professional.
I know my definition of professional differs from how others define it but there isn't anything wrong with that.
As an example, any time I say on social media that I think yoga pants are unprofessional it starts a huge drama-fest.
But that's my opinion.
I do see your point. I give my families 2-3 months’ notice for closures, so there’s really no reason they can’t make it work. I understand what you are saying but I think what you posted and what OP posted are completely different in my opinion.
OP specifically said it would inconvenience her families.
OP asked others to help her not feel guilty.....indicating she knew it would be tough for her families to accommodate.
I agree that taking ample time off does help prevent burnout.
I also agree that it shouldn't matter why anyone takes a day off.
It seems more than anything it appears that many are offended that someone said she thought it was unprofessional.
Why is that opinion so offensive and upsetting? (not directed at you...)
We all define professionalism differently.
I take time off. Like you, with plenty of advance notice.
I also pride myself on being super reliable and rarely take time off that I think will inconvenience my clients. I structure my off time and my closures so that I can live up to my definition of professional.
I know my definition of professional differs from how others define it but there isn't anything wrong with that.
As an example, any time I say on social media that I think yoga pants are unprofessional it starts a huge drama-fest.
But that's my opinion.
I guess we all have something we would not feel comfortable doing in our daycares, and it’s great that we can each do things how we see fit. I actually feel naked in yoga pants, so those are out for me.
knoxmomof2 08:15 AM 04-12-2019
I rarely close, except for up to 2 weeks unpaid vacation (with a months' notice) and I get 5 paid Holidays. My Husband has a weekday off, so he does the kids' appointments, car repair appointments, etc and my doctor has after hours appointments for me. Otherwise, I've closed 3 times in 6.5 years. Once for a medical emergency of my own, once for the death of my Husband's Grandfather out of state and once for a necessary anatomy ultrasound for my last pregnancy. Otherwise, I saw a midwife on Sundays for all of my prenatal appointments, but the ultrasound was a referral appointment at another provider's office and I had to take the appointment they gave me. I had 4 days' notice. That time, I gave them the option of half day or keeping their child with them. Other than that, I am here. That being said, I make it clear in the interview that it is just me here and things do come up so they will need to have a backup plan. If my closing early a couple of times with notice puts them in a bad position, that's due to lack of preparation on their part - or they didn't listen very well at the interview 😁
I saw your update, but my thought is : a day or 2 a year, unpaid, with notice for something important to you is something you should be able to do. I'd give them the choice of not paying and keeping their child out for the day, or only being open for a half day and charging half rate. I wouldn't leave closing right up until you need to leave because that's when someone will flake... Every time....
I saw your update, but my thought is : a day or 2 a year, unpaid, with notice for something important to you is something you should be able to do. I'd give them the choice of not paying and keeping their child out for the day, or only being open for a half day and charging half rate. I wouldn't leave closing right up until you need to leave because that's when someone will flake... Every time....
Laugh and Learn 10:19 AM 04-12-2019
You should not miss out on your sons games if it’s important to you. I think it is perfectly fine to close an hour and a half early only one day a week for 6 weeks ( I forgot how long you said it would be for ) I would discuss it with the parents and most likely everyone would be fine with it. I would not charge less for the day either.
I try not to miss out on things because personally I would regret it. I have a very reliable assistant and an additional back up substitute. I line everything up in advance, so I am always open during my contracted hours.
I try not to miss out on things because personally I would regret it. I have a very reliable assistant and an additional back up substitute. I line everything up in advance, so I am always open during my contracted hours.