Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve Daycare Hours

[pink]

I was thinking of closing at Noon on Christmas Eve and on New Year's Eve. What are your daycare hours on those days. Your feedback is appreciated. :)

[5 Little Monkeys]

I have it in my contract that I will close early on those days, at 1 pm, unless otherwise noted. I charge my stat rate for those 2 days.

This year I will have no children the week of Christmas and possibly only 1-2 the following week. If my one child does come New years eve I won't be closing early and have told mom that the regular fee will be due if she wants the full day or otherwise she can pay the stat rate and pick up early. I don't think she will be here now though.

[kimg]

I'm closing at 1 and charging a reduced rate. I'm taking the whole week off after that, so I'll be closed on NYE.

[Fun&care]

I'm closed for the week of Christmas and then I reopen January 2. So almost two weeks, and I get paid vacation days for the 24, 25, 26 and January 1st. I probably will NEVER be open during the holidays because we have to travel 6 hours to visit family. And even if we didn't have to travel I would not be open dec 24,25,26 and New Years for sure.

[dodge__driver11]

I am always closed the weeks surrounding Christmas and New Year's and this is paid time for me, so it isn't something I have had to think about in a while :)

[Spixie33]

I also need the break so I close from December 22 - January 2nd. I get paid the 25, 26 and January 1st. So three of the days are paid and about 5 are unpaid. It is worth the break though. I am really looking forward to that time with my own family at home. **Bliss**:D

[mickyc]

I am the only poor sucker working by the looks of things LOL. I ask my families to give me their schedules and to see if there are any days that I have only one or two. Nope not this year! So I am working until 3 on Christmas eve and new year's eve. This year my husband works both those days too so it isn't a huge deal. I am closed the 25th and 26th and Jan 1st. I decided to close on the 27th this year as well. 5 days off in a row! That is a long time off for me! It is business as usual around here otherwise.

[mom-in-alberta]

Not to rub salt on the wound, but it has worked out this year that I am off from closing time on the 21st, until opening time on Jan 6.
I have been very lucky in the past, and this upcoming year, that my families tend to take some time off as well. And they don't bring the kids over this period. If they did not take the time off, I would be booking it off. I work for myself for exactly this reason.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Mom in alberta...that is how I look at it too! I opened up my hdc so that I could take off holidays when I wanted too. At my previous job, I had paid holidays but would have too take them off when it fit around other schedules most of the time. Now I can take off when I want (within reason of course) but it's unpaid. However, I wouldn't go back to my other job for anything!!

I ask for my parents schedules by Nov 15th so I can decide if I want to close or not. I have been lucky that almost all of my parents in the past 3 years have taken holidays over Christmas so I technically am not closed and am still getting paid my holiday rate. It is nice to have a break every now and then :)

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year's, Happy Holidays everyone!!

[bright sparks]

My last working day is Thursday 19th of December and I am reopening on Monday January 6th. 17 days off!! I am still paid stats for 25th, 26th and the 1st. I don't wait to see what the parents plans are as I take this time off regardless of whether or not they are working. This will be my 3rd year of taking this time off and in past years I have felt like the spirit of Xmas is over so quickly if I am straight back to work. My sons birthday is the 24th so I like to have extra time with him once school is done and then inbetween Xmas and New Year we tend to have marathon days of new and old board games and lots of pj time and Xmas movies. I just love this big chunk of time off as a family...I've been counting down for a few weeks now lol

[Wonderwiper]

I'm also in the group off Christmas Eve until January 2nd....can't wait!!

[mickyc]

lol. well I guess I am a sucker for punishment. Oh well. The reason I don't take more time off is because I really can't afford to. I was hoping more families would have time off this year and I could have some paid kid free days but not in the cards for me this year. Oh well.

[Secondtimearound]

I took the 24,25;26,27 off and jan 1 !!! I am so excited!! Lol my one dcm is taking her 2 kids out from dec 18 - jan 6 !!! She was not happy with me because I drive her dd to school and have her 3 yr old sister all day and she 'thought' because I wasn't driving her 7 yr old to school I would look after her for 3 weeks at the same price !!! Um nope !! I told her it would be $35 a day if she wanted to use me for drop in . Soooo long story short I still get paid but do not have them both !!
Merry Christmas to me !!!

[2cuteboys]

I used my 3 weeks already (definitely changing that for next year) so I'm technically open for all but the stats, but my families all enjoy their kids so I doubt they'll bring them if they don't have to. One is off from the 22-6, and even with one less it's a vacation.

[playfelt]

I'm only closed officially on the three stats (Dec 25, 26, and Jan 1) Most of my families have vacation time during that time and will be keeping their kids other days so looks like I will have extra paid time off. My contract says I reserve the right to close early on Christmas Eve to facilitate family plans but haven't used it in 10 years - not since my own kids were in church choir and sang at the 5 pm church service.

[bright sparks]

I used my 3 weeks already (definitely changing that for next year) so I'm technically open for all but the stats, but my families all enjoy their kids so I doubt they'll bring them if they don't have to. One is off from the 22-6, and even with one less it's a vacation.

I don't have a set amount of time I take off per year. I don't want to restrict myself. I had surgery this year and had to take 2 weeks off but it certainly wasn't a vacation time for me. I had 2 weeks off in August for a vacation and took March Break off to be home and then time off from the 20th to the 6th. Seems like a lot of time when I write it down like that but typically I like 4-5 weeks a year to avoid burnout. Next year I already have 10 days planned in March after the first week off and will take time in the Summer and Xmas too. Also I don't work Fridays so when there is a long weekend it is not uncommon for me to take Thursdays and Mondays off too to get a 5 day break by only being off two days.

[mickyc]

I don't have a set amount of time I take off per year. I don't want to restrict myself. I had surgery this year and had to take 2 weeks off but it certainly wasn't a vacation time for me. I had 2 weeks off in August for a vacation and took March Break off to be home and then time off from the 20th to the 6th. Seems like a lot of time when I write it down like that but typically I like 4-5 weeks a year to avoid burnout. Next year I already have 10 days planned in March after the first week off and will take time in the Summer and Xmas too. Also I don't work Fridays so when there is a long weekend it is not uncommon for me to take Thursdays and Mondays off too to get a 5 day break by only being off two days.

Wow this is a lot of time off! That is wonderful you can do it. I don't take much usually 5 or 6 days a year and it is usually just a day on top of a long weekend. I might be on the fast track to burn out! lol ah well, I would rather have kid stress than money stress - can't afford much more time off than that.

[bright sparks]

Wow this is a lot of time off! That is wonderful you can do it. I don't take much usually 5 or 6 days a year and it is usually just a day on top of a long weekend. I might be on the fast track to burn out! lol ah well, I would rather have kid stress than money stress - can't afford much more time off than that.

The two weeks off for surgery was not something that I could foresee at the time that I booked my summer vacation otherwise for sure I would have only take a week at that point. The biggest lesson I have learnt in the 8 years I have been doing home daycare is to look after myself first. In the role as a caregiver I need to be in top form and the only way I can do that to the best of my ability is to take regular time for myself. I budget well in advance to be able to afford to take time off and I do not get any paid days off beyond stat holidays so it's not like I have that advantage. In the last 12 months my earnings have been the lowest ever so I have learnt to live on much less. When I went to FL this summer we chose to rent a villa with a pool and spend many days there relaxing versus going out everyday eating out and spending money on expensive theme park tickets and other mad money activities. We just wanted a change of scene and a place to relax. So when I go on vacation I am out of pocket financially and we have to think harder when planning activities but it forces us to actually spend time together as a family versus doing "stuff" which detracts from being focused on each other. Board games, swimming and family cooking is my kind of fun.

[daycaremom9]

I generally close on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's also. I have no idea what days most of my clients are on holidays, only 2 of them have told me so far.

[Sassygirl]

Even though I am closed for our trip Dec 19-26 all my other kiddos will be off the two full weeks as parents have the 2 weeks off.
Unfortunately my time will be unpaid... Its the norm in my area to not charge for sick, vacation or stats. Sucks big time!

[bright sparks]

Even though I am closed for our trip Dec 19-26 all my other kiddos will be off the two full weeks as parents have the 2 weeks off.
Unfortunately my time will be unpaid... Its the norm in my area to not charge for sick, vacation or stats. Sucks big time!

It's the norm in my area too not to be paid for sick or vacation but paid stat holidays is a legal entitlement.

[Other Mummy]

I have taken the entire Xmas week off. I need to recharge my batteries. I will be getting paid for the 2 stat holidays (xmas and boxing day).

[2cuteboys]

I don't have a set amount of time I take off per year. I don't want to restrict myself. I had surgery this year and had to take 2 weeks off but it certainly wasn't a vacation time for me. I had 2 weeks off in August for a vacation and took March Break off to be home and then time off from the 20th to the 6th. Seems like a lot of time when I write it down like that but typically I like 4-5 weeks a year to avoid burnout. Next year I already have 10 days planned in March after the first week off and will take time in the Summer and Xmas too. Also I don't work Fridays so when there is a long weekend it is not uncommon for me to take Thursdays and Mondays off too to get a 5 day break by only being off two days.

I'm going to change it as my contracts roll over as well. I don't get paid for my time off (as of now, I might change it for future clients), so I'm going to change it to "up to 20 days per year." I'm also Monday-Thursday except for a friends daughter so that would be up to 5 weeks. I'm taking an early ed course by correspondence starting in Jan, so I don't want any days off I need to take for exams to cut into my vacation. Because driving and writing exams is NOT a day off lol.

[bright sparks]

I'm going to change it as my contracts roll over as well. I don't get paid for my time off (as of now, I might change it for future clients), so I'm going to change it to "up to 20 days per year." I'm also Monday-Thursday except for a friends daughter so that would be up to 5 weeks. I'm taking an early ed course by correspondence starting in Jan, so I don't want any days off I need to take for exams to cut into my vacation. Because driving and writing exams is NOT a day off lol.

Would you mind sharing the early ed course you are doing online?

[2cuteboys]

You bet. It's from Lakeland college (in Lloydminster, AB). It's called curriculum planning. The description is:

Explore children’s literature, language arts, math and science curriculum planning, implementation and evaluation. Research, design and implement interactive activities with children. Emphasis supporting developmental needs of children in preschool, school and community settings.

I've been feeling in a bit of a rut, I have my ed degree, but haven't taught since my practicum (in 2009). One of my practicum schools doesn't exist anymore, and one of the 2 teachers I taught with at the other is retired. To apply anywhere in AB they require references from 3 teachers who have seen you teach. So I'm going to have a tough time there. Taking a few early ed courses will both help me with my program planning and will help me in the future, opening me up to other organizations that work with children.

[MonkeyPrincess]

I am the only poor sucker working by the looks of things LOL. I ask my families to give me their schedules and to see if there are any days that I have only one or two. Nope not this year! So I am working until 3 on Christmas eve and new year's eve. This year my husband works both those days too so it isn't a huge deal. I am closed the 25th and 26th and Jan 1st. I decided to close on the 27th this year as well. 5 days off in a row! That is a long time off for me! It is business as usual around here otherwise.

Nope, i am working over the holidays too :) although It's a much reduced workload. 3 of my DCparents are teachers and have chosen to keep their children home with them. of the 2 kids that i will have, I will only have to work 4 days over the 2 week span. I close at noon on Christmas Even and New Years Eve, and I have Christmas day, Boxing day and New years day off. Can't wait :)

[Monro]

Italy is a great country for relaxation and excursions. I really liked ancient Rome with its amazing architecture. I advise you to immediately rent a car https://cars-scanner.com/en/airport/adelaide_airport_car _rental.htm to get around the island, because the taxi in the resort is very expensive and public transport is always crowded. Have a good trip!