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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>I Know This Will Come Up: Thanksgiving Pay
wahmof3 11:23 AM 11-13-2012
Ok so I searched this forum to see if I could find an answer, but couldn't find the answer in these terms.

Sorry I know this has been probably asked a million times

Ok so I am closed Wed-Fri next week bc of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The schools here close on Wednesday & all but 1 DCF of mine is a teacher.

At the beginning of the school year I typed up and sent home list of holidays that I am closed and the rate of pay for that week. This week is full rate. I was trying to eliminate any questions regarding fees for holidays.

Last month the schools around here closed for a teachers union meeting and I closed as well. I had listed this as a paid day closed bc of my teachers dcf. The 1 dcf that is not a teacher asked for a reduced rate bc I was closed.

I did give her the rate bc she worked and I was not available.

So I have a good feeling that this dcf is going to ask for a reduced rate next week. I am willing to reduce for Wed but I really don't want to reduce for Thanksgiving and the day after.

Do I reduce for Wed and just tell her that Thursday & friday are paid holidays??

Do I tell her as per our contract it is pay for space and the holiday does not result in reduced fees for the week?

Do I send out a reminder in a letter saying that fees are not reduced?

Ahhh thanks in advance
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EntropyControlSpecialist 11:25 AM 11-13-2012
Originally Posted by wahmof3:
Ok so I searched this forum to see if I could find an answer, but couldn't find the answer in these terms.

Sorry I know this has been probably asked a million times

Ok so I am closed Wed-Fri next week bc of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The schools here close on Wednesday & all but 1 DCF of mine is a teacher.

At the beginning of the school year I typed up and sent home list of holidays that I am closed and the rate of pay for that week. This week is full rate. I was trying to eliminate any questions regarding fees for holidays.

Last month the schools around here closed for a teachers union meeting and I closed as well. I had listed this as a paid day closed bc of my teachers dcf. The 1 dcf that is not a teacher asked for a reduced rate bc I was closed.

I did give her the rate bc she worked and I was not available.

So I have a good feeling that this dcf is going to ask for a reduced rate next week. I am willing to reduce for Wed but I really don't want to reduce for Thanksgiving and the day after.

Do I reduce for Wed and just tell her that Thursday & friday are paid holidays??

Do I tell her as per our contract it is pay for space and the holiday does not result in reduced fees for the week?

Do I send out a reminder in a letter saying that fees are not reduced?

Ahhh thanks in advance
I would send it out in a letter that the fees will not be reduced for any reason and "Thank you so much for your understanding and cooperation!"
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Oneluckymom 11:31 AM 11-13-2012
I am closed wed- friday as well, it is a regular paid week...all my parents know this.

You just have to stay firm...good luck. If you do special once they will always expect it.
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wahmof3 11:34 AM 11-13-2012
Originally Posted by Oneluckymom:
I am closed wed- thursday as well, it is a regular paid week...all my parents know this.

You just have to stay firm...good luck. If you do special once they will always expect it.
This is exactly why I am asking this before it comes up.......

I really wouldn't be surprised if they just took it upon themselves and deducted the days off.
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wahmof3 11:35 AM 11-13-2012
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I would send it out in a letter that the fees will not be reduced for any reason and "Thank you so much for your understanding and cooperation!"
I am going to write a letter & include this in it as well as "per our contract fee is due at drop off on Tuesday" Thanks!
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EntropyControlSpecialist 11:35 AM 11-13-2012
Originally Posted by wahmof3:
This is exactly why I am asking this before it comes up.......

I really wouldn't be surprised if they just took it upon themselves and deducted the days off.
Do you invoice them? If so, invoice them a little early.

Maybe in the letter you can write in the weekly rate just in case they forget.
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wahmof3 11:37 AM 11-13-2012
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
Do you invoice them? If so, invoice them a little early.

Maybe in the letter you can write in the weekly rate just in case they forget.
No I do not invoice, but that is a GREAT idea to add the rate in it. Therefore it leaves no room for negotiation
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allsmiles 12:06 PM 11-13-2012
i see alot of us have this question LOL.. smh.. this is my first year.. next year i will be alot more prepared and firm thanks to this site!!!
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lovemykidstoo 12:20 PM 11-13-2012
So just so I'm clear, you have paid holidays (the actual day) and paid vacation days as well (days surrounding holiday)? If that's what you typed up and they signed, then you're good. You can just show them what they signed. If you're sometimes giving discounts to the non-teacher family, then that might get you into a sticky situation as it should be one way or the other. Either you give them a break or you don't. It's kinda a gray area with them.
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wahmof3 01:30 PM 11-13-2012
Originally Posted by lovemykidstoo:
So just so I'm clear, you have paid holidays (the actual day) and paid vacation days as well (days surrounding holiday)? If that's what you typed up and they signed, then you're good. You can just show them what they signed. If you're sometimes giving discounts to the non-teacher family, then that might get you into a sticky situation as it should be one way or the other. Either you give them a break or you don't. It's kinda a gray area with them.
What they signed was: Pay for space and fees are not reduced for holidays, sickness, vacation, weather, etc.

She verbally asked me about fees and she said you run your daycare like a center. I said yes, but I won't charge for days I am not available with the exception of holidays. I then gave everyone my list of holidays (which is pretty much the school calendar).

I agree about the sticky situation, that's why I posted on here to get some help so that I am prepared to address the question. I really need to clear up any gray areas. I am learning

Ironically, Tom Copeland posted an article about being A child care provider that is too nice....... sorta highlighted a similar situation.
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daycare 02:27 PM 11-13-2012
Here is what I do..

I invoice my parents so that they can review the bill and then have 14 days to report any mistakes.

On the bill, there is a nice little note section that I will type up something cute.

Happy Turkey Time to All, Please don't forget to Mark your Calendars for these paid closed Holiday dates: Then list the dates.

I give the parents their invoices on the 14th of each month. They are due the last Friday of each month, one month in advance.

I also post on my home daycare bulletin board for the parents a reminder about what days we are closed.

I never have issues with anyone asking to a discount. Just like you I also hand my days off notices at the start of each year or as people enroll.
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mom2many 03:59 PM 11-13-2012
Originally Posted by wahmof3:
This is exactly why I am asking this before it comes up.......

I really wouldn't be surprised if they just took it upon themselves and deducted the days off.
I am glad I read this thread! It prompted me to print out a reminder of my upcoming PAID Holidays! I have several p/t families and I know they would have tried to pull this too!
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lovemykidstoo 04:30 PM 11-13-2012
Originally Posted by wahmof3:
What they signed was: Pay for space and fees are not reduced for holidays, sickness, vacation, weather, etc.

She verbally asked me about fees and she said you run your daycare like a center. I said yes, but I won't charge for days I am not available with the exception of holidays. I then gave everyone my list of holidays (which is pretty much the school calendar).

I agree about the sticky situation, that's why I posted on here to get some help so that I am prepared to address the question. I really need to clear up any gray areas. I am learning

Ironically, Tom Copeland posted an article about being A child care provider that is too nice....... sorta highlighted a similar situation.
Even if you do run your dc like a center, she agreed to it when signing up, so she should abide with it. When you gave everyone the list of holidays that you were being paid for, does that include just the actual day of the holiday or do they pay for your vacation time before and after the holiday? I can see where that gets murky for you because the majority of your families are teachers so they're off of work, but the other family probably still is working, so they are paying you and probably someone else to watch their kids. So, I'm getting that you don't want to discount that person anymore? Do you get paid for your vacation time or just holidays?
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littlemissmuffet 06:49 PM 11-13-2012
" Dear Parents,

Just a reminder that (name of daycare) will be closed on Wednesday November 21st through Friday November 23rd 2012. Regular business hours will resume on Monday November 26th. Please note that your usual weekly fees are due on (date) by (time) - as per contracted agreement, there will be no rediced or discounted fees during this closure. No exceptions.

We wish you all a Happy Holiday with your families!

Signed,
Daycare Provider "
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DaisyMamma 07:10 PM 11-13-2012
Originally Posted by wahmof3:
I am going to write a letter & include this in it as well as "per our contract fee is due at drop off on Tuesday" Thanks!
Yes, send home a letter. You could even say, "per our contract full weeks' tuition is due the week of thanksgiving."
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wahmof3 07:18 PM 11-19-2012
Thanks for all of your replies!!

I did not send out a letter last week, but I prepared myself for the question to be asked this week. (Remember the contract she signed was the rate of child care is per space and no discounts are given for holidays, illness, weather, vacations, etc.)

And sure enough DCM made the comment at pick up that tomorrow was the last day this week already. I said yes and have a good evening.

About 2 hours later I get a text asking what the rate is for this week.

I responded that this is one of the few holiday's I take paid, so full payment is due. Thank you.

That was almost 5 hours ago and no response from DCM. I thought she would've said ok thats what I thought just wanted to make sure. But nothing.

So I am pretty sure she is not happy and now I am upset. BUT WHY??? Ugh. I hate this part of my job. She has known since August (when I handed out this years holiday/closing calendar) that I close Wed-Fri this week and that it is paid at full rate.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 07:34 PM 11-19-2012
Originally Posted by wahmof3:
Thanks for all of your replies!!

I did not send out a letter last week, but I prepared myself for the question to be asked this week. (Remember the contract she signed was the rate of child care is per space and no discounts are given for holidays, illness, weather, vacations, etc.)

And sure enough DCM made the comment at pick up that tomorrow was the last day this week already. I said yes and have a good evening.

About 2 hours later I get a text asking what the rate is for this week.

I responded that this is one of the few holiday's I take paid, so full payment is due. Thank you.

That was almost 5 hours ago and no response from DCM. I thought she would've said ok thats what I thought just wanted to make sure. But nothing.

So I am pretty sure she is not happy and now I am upset. BUT WHY??? Ugh. I hate this part of my job. She has known since August (when I handed out this years holiday/closing calendar) that I close Wed-Fri this week and that it is paid at full rate.
Don't fret about her not reading your handbook. That isn't your responsibility. All you had to do was give her advance notice, which you did. I'm sure this caught her by surprise, she is mad, and she will read up to be "in the know" in the future so she isn't caught off guard again. Life goes on and it isn't worth worrying about if she is mad that you are taking off for the holiday. Your time is better spent relaxing!
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lovemykidstoo 04:46 AM 11-20-2012
If she didn't answer you it will be an interesting morning today. Good luck!

So when you say "What they signed was: Pay for space and fees are not reduced for holidays, sickness, vacation, weather, etc." When you say it's not reduced for vacation do you mean your vacation or their vacation?
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KDC 07:09 AM 11-20-2012
Originally Posted by wahmof3:
This is exactly why I am asking this before it comes up.......

I really wouldn't be surprised if they just took it upon themselves and deducted the days off.
I sent a reminder e-mail and one of my families did reduce the payment themselves =( I brought it on myself because they signed up the week before Memorial Day and were only 2 days a week (Monday's & Friday's), and I felt horrible charging them, so I made the concession to not make them pay for Memorial day, but that was all they needed to take advantage of every other holiday, even when a note was sent to them, they just thought it didn't apply to them until I was really specific. It worked! They wrote a new check that night for the following weeks pay & payed behind for the holiday.

It's pretty standard to pay for childcare if your regularly scheduled day falls on a holiday, so just remember -- you're worth it! This is just life with having a child. They signed the contract because you're worth it, and they'll most likely pay you because you're worth it!
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wahmof3 07:15 AM 11-20-2012
DCM came in and everything was fine! DCM was very bubbly and friendly. Not one awkward feeling

Thanks again!!!
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lovemykidstoo 07:20 AM 11-20-2012
Originally Posted by wahmof3:
DCM came in and everything was fine! DCM was very bubbly and friendly. Not one awkward feeling

Thanks again!!!
yea!!!
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Tags:paid holidays, thanksgiving
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