Paid Days Off

Happy St Patties Day to everyone, I hope everyone is having a fun day with the kids.
I'm in the process of amending my contract and handbook and was wondering how many private providers take paid days off besides stats?
If you do how many days a year do you take and do you just use them for summer or winter holidays?
I get all stat and civic holidays off and paid for but have been thinking about taking a few more paid days..
I charge a monthly rate based on 20 working days per month, most months have 22 days or 23 days so I was thinking of banking those extra days and using them for holidays. Is this something anyone else does or does this sound crazy??
Also has anyone ever amended there contract after January?
Any feedback would be great :)
Thanks everyone

I take 14 days a year. I always have. It was not common when I began it but now in this area, some do, some don't. Just up to parent to pick carer who they want and then it mean accepting their terms or not.

I take a week in August. We have a stat so I then take the Tue-Fri so 4 days extra to make full week off. Then other days I use for appointment or sick or what I need. Tend to be odd days here and there. I hold on to couple days always until December in case get sick but use most often for Christmas prep.

I take stat and civic - all paid.

Why you charge for 20 days when you know for sure that most month have more work days? It make no sense to work for free. If not charge for min 2 days a month, that is 24 days a year you working and not being paid. That over a whole months free care. Why?

I don't understand what you mean by bank days. Do you mean that parent owe you that many day off? I not sure parent be too pleased about that. To me, if I understanding this, it make more sense to charge for what you work and add some personal day if you want them.

My handbook get changed when I feel like it need changing. I have condition that I can change with 14 day notice. If they don't like change, then I guess they won't agree and they will leave but I not ever had that before.

I think maybe careful if changing too much and client feel like they paying for lot extra that they were not paying before. Maybe think about big changes happening as new people come into you home and gradual old contract leave.

I take all stat and gov days off paid expect for nov. 11th. I take 3 wks off paid as well. Last wk of July. First wk of sept. And wk between Christmas and New Years.

All stats/civic paid if that's the child's regular day. Also I take 4 weeks off-2 weeks are paid and 2 weks are unpaid. My contract says I can change it whenever I feel like it, so I'm not locked in to a specific time frame.

What are you doing currently when a month has 22-23 days? I'm confused lol

As to you're question...11 stat holidays are paid and that's it. 2-3 weeks unpaid a year usually for my holidays

For the last 5 years I have just charged a flat full time rate $750/month that's $37.50 per day and that's based on 20 days per month. It's kinda the norm in the area to charge that for full time, but I feel ripped off when most months have more then 20 working days.
Do you guys charge per day meaning it's different every month? Or do you have a flat monthly rate?

Yes I charge per day. Not per mth

So at your lowest, you make $32.60 a day...if that is well below the average for your area than I would charge per day instead of per month.

If you want paid days off than I would change your contract to reflect this. I think the carried over days would get confusing and too many...how many per year would that be? Plus the stat days...that's a lot of paid days off. Here it wouldn't fly but maybe it would in your area?

I change my contract at year end but if a new client signs on in June and there's changes I want to make already, I may just start the new family with those changes (depending what the change is)

I charge per day, they pay me biweekly so it is always the same amount each pay.

I get paid stats. My vacation is unpaid.

I'm the same as torontokids, except they pay every four weeks. Paid stats, vacation unpaid.

I charge per day and they pay me on the 1st and the 15th of the month, in advance for services with post dated cheques.

This is what my contract states:

On the first page:
Payment does not vary due to parental vacation, statutory holiday, or illness of the child. If the daycare is open and your child does not attend for whatever reason, or if the daycare is closed for any reason, payment is still expected.


on page 4:

Caregiver's Paid Time OFF:

Caregivers Paid Rest days:
A burned out provider or a sick provider is a dangerous provider. A provider needs time off throughout the year and when sick, (such illnesses such as the flu) to insure she is well rested and well enough to ensure the safety of the children in her care.

The days of Rest: 15-20 days per calendar year. These are paid days. You will get at least 3 weeks’ written notice of this time off. It is the parent’s responsibility to find back up care.

The days of Rest due to illness: These are paid days. I will give as much notice as possible. It is the parent’s responsibility to find back up care. Please note that illness of myself or my children can come on suddenly leaving very little notice; if any. If I or my children have a simple cold the daycare will remain open. You have the right not to bring your child for that day(s).

Caregivers Personal/Emergency days:
These are paid days. I will give as much notice as possible.

Caregivers Professional development time off:
This is paid time off to attend professional development workshops, courses etc.

Other Paid Daycare Closers:
New Years Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Monday, Remembrance Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Eve.

XXXXX’s Home Daycare will be closed on the above Holidays.
All of these holidays are paid regardless if your child normally comes on the day the holiday falls on or not. If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday I can either take the Friday before or the Monday after off.



So I get unlimited paid sick days, but I don't take advantage. I only take a sick day if I or my kids have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. In the 2 1/2 yrs I have been doing dc I have only take 3 sick days.

I get unlimited paid personal/emergency days. I am care full not to take to many. If I can arrange an appointment for my kids when my husband is off or in the evening I do. I try and make as many appointments in one day as I can so I don't have to close often. The emergency days are just for that a family emergency or death.

So far I haven't needed to close for a professional development day, but have them there just in case.

basically I get paid the same every week no matter what.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BlueRose

This is what my contract states:

On the first page:
Payment does not vary due to parental vacation, statutory holiday, or illness of the child. If the daycare is open and your child does not attend for whatever reason, or if the daycare is closed for any reason, payment is still expected.


on page 4:

Caregiver's Paid Time OFF:

Caregivers Paid Rest days:
A burned out provider or a sick provider is a dangerous provider. A provider needs time off throughout the year and when sick, (such illnesses such as the flu) to insure she is well rested and well enough to ensure the safety of the children in her care.

The days of Rest: 15-20 days per calendar year. These are paid days. You will get at least 3 weeks’ written notice of this time off. It is the parent’s responsibility to find back up care.

The days of Rest due to illness: These are paid days. I will give as much notice as possible. It is the parent’s responsibility to find back up care. Please note that illness of myself or my children can come on suddenly leaving very little notice; if any. If I or my children have a simple cold the daycare will remain open. You have the right not to bring your child for that day(s).

Caregivers Personal/Emergency days:
These are paid days. I will give as much notice as possible.

Caregivers Professional development time off:
This is paid time off to attend professional development workshops, courses etc.

Other Paid Daycare Closers:
New Years Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Monday, Remembrance Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Eve.

XXXXX’s Home Daycare will be closed on the above Holidays.
All of these holidays are paid regardless if your child normally comes on the day the holiday falls on or not. If the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday I can either take the Friday before or the Monday after off.



So I get unlimited paid sick days, but I don't take advantage. I only take a sick day if I or my kids have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. In the 2 1/2 yrs I have been doing dc I have only take 3 sick days.

I get unlimited paid personal/emergency days. I am care full not to take to many. If I can arrange an appointment for my kids when my husband is off or in the evening I do. I try and make as many appointments in one day as I can so I don't have to close often. The emergency days are just for that a family emergency or death.

So far I haven't needed to close for a professional development day, but have them there just in case.

basically I get paid the same every week no matter what.

---

WOW, that is crazy...but if it works for you then good on ya.

In the nearly 10 years I have done this, no way would the majority of parents go for paying me if I am sick, let alone sign a contract that leaves it so open ended to basically pay me for any length of time, no restrictions, for any reason that I was closed. Personally, I think that is too much to ask. I understand you haven't taken advantage of that policy, but for a family coming to an interview, this could be very off putting. I don't know anyone who is employed with this kind of benefit. My husband works for a corporate company out of Quebec which is trade unionized and he gets 15 weeks short term sickness benefit paid at 100% which I believe is outside the norm, but I don't know anyone else who gets more than a week of paid sick and I know a tremendous amount who get none. That's the benefit of being a business owner I suppose, we can set our own terms.

To the OP, in my mind it makes no sense to charge a flat rate if it doesn't actually pay you for every day you work. Why are you working for free? That is not the norm either for this industry. Some providers do charge a flat rate, but its for the week not the month where business days vary. Majority of providers I know, and I know a lot, charge a daily rate.

I only charge for the days the child is in care, and stat holidays if it falls on the childs regular day. I do not charge for sick days mine, or theirs, nor do i charge for vacation days. In the nine years I have been doing daycare, I have not had issues. I do state in my contract that extended time off (more than a week) will be subject to review.

I too only charge for days that I am open and available. I wish it was normal in my area to have paid vacation time and sick days off, but unfortunately that's not the case and parents would definitely not go for it.

I get paid stat days (11 per year) and that is it. I charge by the day, they pay 2 weeks in advance. Any closures due to my sickness or holidays are unpaid. I usually only take 10 days off scattered throughout the year.

One thing I will be including in my new contract effective in December is I want a paid day off yearly to take my CPR course.

I don't think I would get too many families if I charged for holidays or sick days. Just not normal in my area.

Thanks everyone I appreciate all the great feedback!!
I'm going to amend my contract for April and Im thinking rather then taking a week vacation paid I'm just going to scrap the monthly rate and start charging by the day.
I have had the same family's for 3 years now, hopefully they will see and understand why I'm doing this. It's not fair for anyone to work days for free...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tania

Thanks everyone I appreciate all the great feedback!!
I'm going to amend my contract for April and Im thinking rather then taking a week vacation paid I'm just going to scrap the monthly rate and start charging by the day.
I have had the same family's for 3 years now, hopefully they will see and understand why I'm doing this. It's not fair for anyone to work days for free...

---

If your current families have all been with you for 3 years it sounds like it might be the perfect time to make this change. I assume you will be needing to fill their spots soon if they will be going to Kindergarten in September so you can also start a fresh with this new pay schedule when interviewing new families.

BlueRose....HOLY COW....SERIOUSLY! LUCKY YOU...AS I MENTIONED IN ANOTHER POST....PARENTS DOCKED ME FOR THE TWO DAYS I TOOK OFF WHEN MY MOTHER DIED...GET EVEN 1 SICK DAY FROM THEM....YA RIGHT...NO

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tania

For the last 5 years I have just charged a flat full time rate $750/month that's $37.50 per day and that's based on 20 days per month. It's kinda the norm in the area to charge that for full time, but I feel ripped off when most months have more then 20 working days.
Do you guys charge per day meaning it's different every month? Or do you have a flat monthly rate?

---

I charge per day and then get paid bi-weekly in advance.

Some provider charge monthly but that based on a daily rate.

So daily rate x number days per week child registered = weekly rate
Weekly rate x 52 weeks a year = Annual fees
Annual Fees / 12 months = Monthly Fees (if you want same income every month)

This result in you getting paid for every day you work and also any days leave you take. :-)

If I had to charge Monthly and parent not want flat rate calculated like above, then I would charge different rate every month. Don't care if it's a hassle to figure out. The hassle is better than working 2-3 days each month for free.

I get my 14 personal day and stat and public holiday, all paid. My contract says this :

Quote:

---

Days and Hours of Operation
The daycare will be available Monday to Thursday from 8:00a.m. To 5:00p.m. with the exception of the days listed below which are also detailed within the contract. Variation to these times, if agreed to, will be stated in the individual contact. Late collection of children will incur an additional fee of $1.00 per minute per child. Late fees are due on collection of your child, in cash.
I understand these are steep but the objective is to deter habitual late collection.
Please notify me by your usual arrival time if your child will not be arriving for one of their contracted days so that we are not waiting before commencing the day’s activities.
The daycare will be closed on the following holidays: New Years Day, Heritage Day, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Natal Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day. We also close at noon on Christmas Eve. Should any of these days fall on a weekend, the Provider reserves the right to close the day care on the next business day. These are paid holidays.

---

So this add up to 12 and half day paid. Then have too...

Quote:

---

Fees and Payment Procedures
Please note that the daily rate is paid regardless of the attendance of the child. This rate reserves the child’s space within the day care. You are paying for the space that your child is occupying not the number of days which they actually attend. No refunds or reduction in fee are given for late arrival/early departures, extended vacations or any reason your child did not attend on their registered day(s).

---

So this cover payment for if child not in on their day. And final...

Quote:

---

Day Care Provider’s Own Sickness and Vacation and Unavailability
The Daycare provider is entitled to fourteen paid personal days per calendar year. Vacation accrues monthly from January to December with entitlement calculating as number of days/12 months, each month. No payment is required from the parents for vacation periods which exceed the contracted 14 day period. Should you leave the day care at a time when provider leave has been accrued but not yet taken during that calendar year, then payment will be required for the accrued days. No credit is given if you leave the day care and more vacation has been taken than accrued at the time you depart.

---

14 paid personal days

Wow! Some lucky providers out there. My area would not support this unfortunately

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mickyc

Wow! Some lucky providers out there. My area would not support this unfortunately

---

I hear ya. Not here either...NO WAY!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mickyc

Wow! Some lucky providers out there. My area would not support this unfortunately

---

one of my current families interviewed another daycare (because they wanted two spaces, and I only had the one available for them at the time). This other daycare had 4 paid sick days each month, and will roll them over to next month if she doesn't use them all. And she doesn't seem to have a problem filling her spots, even though her fees are the highest I've seen lately.
I never would have believed it was true, but it works for her.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by superfun

one of my current families interviewed another daycare (because they wanted two spaces, and I only had the one available for them at the time). This other daycare had 4 paid sick days each month, and will roll them over to next month if she doesn't use them all. And she doesn't seem to have a problem filling her spots, even though her fees are the highest I've seen lately.
I never would have believed it was true, but it works for her.

---

Wow, that surprises me!! 4 is a lot!! My husband gets 2 and I thought that was quite good lol.

I'm in the same city as superfun and mickyc. It's not common to have paid sick days or vacation days. I can't honestly say what I would do if it was though. I don't feel as business owners that it's common in many jobs and I don't know if I think it's even fair to ask. It would be great for sure and it's definitely something I miss from working out of the home....I just don't know if I could ask parents for this.

I do think it's great for those who can find Parents willing to agree to it tho!

Hmmmm superfun. Interesting! That's a lot of sick time as a parent I would never take my child to a provider who could potentially take 4 sick days monthly as notice for sick time would be short. At least if it was paid holiday time there would be plenty of notice. So by December she could potentially have over 40 paid sick days accumulated?!?! Maybe they misunderstood?

I will say that a common occurrence when getting calls from parents is that their provider is not reliable. I am too reliable lol.

I just signed on a family for sept and not anticipating any spots opening up for some time but something I might add into my contract eventually for future families is a few paid holiday days. We'll see how it goes lol! I just wish I quit seeing the $25 a day providers or only pay for the day your child is here providers!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mickyc

Hmmmm superfun. Interesting! That's a lot of sick time as a parent I would never take my child to a provider who could potentially take 4 sick days monthly as notice for sick time would be short. At least if it was paid holiday time there would be plenty of notice. So by December she could potentially have over 40 paid sick days accumulated?!?! Maybe they misunderstood?

I will say that a common occurrence when getting calls from parents is that their provider is not reliable. I am too reliable lol.

I just signed on a family for sept and not anticipating any spots opening up for some time but something I might add into my contract eventually for future families is a few paid holiday days. We'll see how it goes lol! I just wish I quit seeing the $25 a day providers or only pay for the day your child is here providers!

---

I have seen several daycares on kijiji advertising $20 per day, all snacks and lunch included! Don't know how they make any money at the end of the day!?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mickyc

Wow! Some lucky providers out there. My area would not support this unfortunately

---

Mine would not when I began either. But gradually, I change contracts and gradually, the market change too.

When I start, long time ago, I just charge for day children show up.
Then I change to parent pay for days child registered but not if I unavailable.
Then, I add in 5 personal days paid. No objections and so other local provider start to do it too. Then it become industry normal in this area.
Then I add in public holiday as well as stat, all paid. And no one object to that either. So that become industry standard. Gradually, I increase personal days.

But remember, had years and years doing it without day's off like some newer providers are facing now. I am over 20 years running my day home and it was over 10 year before I had any paid extra.

You not know what local area will support until you try.

If you have good name and good rep, there are always some people who want come to you as long as you not crazy prices. Keep fees in the low to mid range and then with good rep, better position to gradually introduce paid days off.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mickyc

Hmmmm superfun. Interesting! That's a lot of sick time as a parent I would never take my child to a provider who could potentially take 4 sick days monthly as notice for sick time would be short. At least if it was paid holiday time there would be plenty of notice. So by December she could potentially have over 40 paid sick days accumulated?!?! Maybe they misunderstood?

I will say that a common occurrence when getting calls from parents is that their provider is not reliable. I am too reliable lol.

I just signed on a family for sept and not anticipating any spots opening up for some time but something I might add into my contract eventually for future families is a few paid holiday days. We'll see how it goes lol! I just wish I quit seeing the $25 a day providers or only pay for the day your child is here providers!

---

No, I checked with a mutual friend that knows the provider. I don't think she rolls them over much, from the sounds of it she closes often. Last week she was only open 1 day.

Wow! And she keeps clients??

I just find so many parents that I talk to in our area upset because their home daycare is always closing and unreliable. She must have a high turnover I imagine!

I have slowly increased my rate since I started. Will work towards a few paid days off in the next few years! Lol

I don't know about her turnover. I would be frustrated if I was a parent. I know the family that's leaving is about to have their 3rd kid, and can't afford to have all three in her daycare.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mickyc

Wow! And she keeps clients??

I just find so many parents that I talk to in our area upset because their home daycare is always closing and unreliable. She must have a high turnover I imagine!

I have slowly increased my rate since I started. Will work towards a few paid days off in the next few years! Lol

---

I wonder what her turnover rate is like too!!

I don't find too many complain about unreliability (but there are definitely some!) but that more complain about how so many are unclean, unorganized, unsafe and no structure. It drives me crazy that so many low quality daycares are opening and running in our city!! As much as I love being private, I think it's too easy for some to open and fly under the radar with terrible methods and habits. I find a lot of parents are asking about the rules so I think that's a good sign that parents are finally doing their research!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mickyc

I have slowly increased my rate since I started. Will work towards a few paid days off in the next few years! Lol

---

It take a little time but worth it (or is to me). I am really reliable. I think I been off sick maybe 3 times in 20 year and was tummy upset so only closed so babies not get sick too.

But I think parent willing to pay for some day off, if they know from the beginning how many, if they get lot of notice and if you open door every morning, on time, with smile, and not mess parents around.

Mine all know from day they sign contract that stat and public are closed. Them all set days and so have all the notice that I am closed. I always take first full week in August, with Labour Day so they know every year to plan for that. I pick that one too because it also school holiday so can arrange camps if need be.

Then I use days for appointment or long weekend. But I book appointment at least month in advance so lot of notice and if I know a long weekend really cause issue on date planned for someone, then I can switch date. Not big deal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Suzie_Homemaker

It take a little time but worth it (or is to me). I am really reliable. I think I been off sick maybe 3 times in 20 year and was tummy upset so only closed so babies not get sick too.

But I think parent willing to pay for some day off, if they know from the beginning how many, if they get lot of notice and if you open door every morning, on time, with smile, and not mess parents around.

---

I think you are spot on, suzie. The reliability factor is very important. I too, haven't taken many days, I was sick once for 2 days and closed a couple of years ago in Jan. when the furnace broke. I tell this to parents when I inverview, that I have a provision in my contract that I might close for a good reason but I've only done it twice in nearly 10 years. Rules about time off are different here, and we aren't required to write the closures in our contracts, but I do. We have to close on 8 stats and we also have 17 mandatory vacation closures every year. I put them all in the contract so they have the dates for my two week holiday in the summer a year in advance. That doesn't mean they pay attention, and still ask throughout the year, "when are your holidays?" But at least I know they've had their notice.

Think i have been unfair to myself...if a stat holiday falls during your vacation...do you still charge for it.?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sandylynn

Think i have been unfair to myself...if a stat holiday falls during your vacation...do you still charge for it.?

---

Yes.

I tend take week when there is stat on Monday. So then I book Tuesday to Friday as vacation. If you book it clearly, then it's a non-issue. If for instance stat was on Wednesday, then I would book Monday and Tuesday as leave, have Wednesday as stat and then book Thursday and Friday as leave. One stat = paid. 4 personal days = paid.

Bear in mind too, I never "close early" or expect parent to pick up mid-afternoon with no refund like some do. As I have personal days, I use respectfully so if I had a 3pm appointment, I would book half day and that come off my entitled personal days. I think it would get old fast if carer in habit of closing early when needed plus also took leave.

The stat holiday falls right in the middle of my 2 weeks...i also booked the friday before my 2 weeks start... maybe i shd b paid for the single friday instead of the stat holiday

Just charge for the stat even if it falls in the middle of your 2 weeks. A stat is a stat and you shouldn't switch the days

I will need to give a note to the parents...as i havent charged for this stat that has ALWAYS fallen in the middle of my vacation... so it stands right now...the week before i start holidays... they owe for 4 days (as i am taking fri off)....so how would i word note to include stat holiday

Just give them their total they need to pay - 4 days plus one stat day - list days etc so they are clear what you are charging them for