Does anyone ever close early due to an appointment/training/etc & still charge for the full day? Or do you simply take the whole day & use personal/vatcation time?

If you do close early w/o using personal/vaca time, do you have a "special" wording in your policy handbook/contract about half days?

I just ran into a situation with a client on this issue. Now I'm curious what others do.

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Any time I have to close early ALL parents know that if the day includes lunch then the rate is still the regular rate.

The only time I would discount or prorate a day is if I closed unexpectedly for the whole day or closed before lunch time.

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When I have closed early, it has been charged a full day. Usually it is about an hour that they miss. If I closed in the morning for some reason, then I would charge only half day. I try to take 1 or 2 vacation days a year to make all appointments (dentist, dr check up, vet check up, etc), but sometimes you just can't predict. A few weeks ago I had to close 30 minutes early one day and once this week I opened a little later. Still charged full day.

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This is my policy as well.

Generally, if I have something going on in the morning, my hubs will run the daycare or I will close for the entire day (and use one of my 5 paid sick days).

One time, I unexpectedly closed at 11am to see my daughter in the NICU because she was having a difficult morning and I wanted to be with her after I was informed. That's the only situation I've ever considered calling a "half day".

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I have closed early (normally no more than 1-2 hrs early) and charge for the whole day. I have not had anyone question me on it, but i dont have it in my handbook so I should probably put it in there.

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Wed I closed at 2:45 instead of 5:00 and charged for the whole day. My families are full time and pay by the week so it doesn't make a difference.

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Thanks for everyone's replies.

Most providers in my area that I have talked with charge a full day if they close early. My client is upset that I am closing 3 hrs early & feels I should have to take a vacation day or at the very least a "half day".

They said that it was "unfair" to have to pay for a full day when I was not "working the hours they have contracted" with me. They were "sorry" but they looked back at my contract & there is nothing in there about "half days".

To be honest, they are right & I have nothing to say other other than I have to take the full day?? I don't allow them to do "half days". I will also have to reword/rewrite/rethink my contract & policy handbook wording.

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My policy is that if there child is at my day care at all, they are charged their fee for the day regardless of the reason they child leaves early. I don't do hourly, 1/2 days, etc. That said, I don't typically close early and use my sub to cover.

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If a client complained about missing 3 of the nearly 2500 hours I am open in a year they would be more than welcome to go elsewhere. As a matter of fact, I would suggest it. That's the beauty of running my own business - my clients don't get a single say in how I run things.

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In my contract I am allowed 5 half days per year paid, usually is a 1pm close time (regular close time is 5:30p). I take these days mostly to attend my dd school functions etc.

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Guess I need to clarify some of this in my policies as well. I don't do hourly, half days, etc for the client (which is why the client is questioning me doing it). Normally my husband would sub, but it's a doctor appt for our DD so we both need/want to be there to hear what the dr says.

Right??! I have gone through a whole range of emotions on this. At first I was aggravated & mad. Then I was understanding to what they were saying. BUT after a full 24hrs to think on it, I'm furious that they are whining over 3 hours. They said they were sorry to complain & they never want to do anything to jeopardize their spot here & that I was like family....but seriously, they are complaining about 3 hours which boils down to $7.50!!!

I guess what burns me the most is that most places of employment allow you to leave early/arrive late/take a few hours mid-day for dr appts/other. WITHOUT having to take a full vacation day. DCM has 5 weeks of vacation. Sorry to vent....I could go on & on, but should stop

I'm just really new to the daycare world. I've only been in business (full swing) for 7 mos.

Thank you. I like this concept.

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I guess I'm the only one who doesn't close early, I bring in a sub if I need to.

If I needed to leave 10 minutes early I would ask the parents to please come 10 minutes early, but anything else I get my sub or don't go.

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No, you're not. I already said in my reply that it's not something I *typically* do.

It also sounds as if it's not something the OP does, and in this case, it's an appointment for her child that can't be missed.

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