Charging parents for holidays

[horsegirl]

I charge the parents as if it is a 4 week month, when there is actually closer to 4.5 weeks in a month. For example full time parents only pay for 20 days of care and the extra days they have not paid for I take as my holidays. This way parents pay the same amount every month and it is easier for the bookkeeping. I am flexible with my holidays and I ask the parents to let me know if they are planning a special holiday and I will gladly change my holidays to suit everyone. Parents pay for stat holidays if there day of care falls on the holiday.
I have also added 5 sick/ emergency days per year in my contract without the fees varying. I guess I am immune to all the illnesses now as I do not get sick.
If parents decide to take time off from daycare or Grandma is in town and will look after the child they are still charged. I feel that this is a contract just as having a mortgage or car payment is a contract. If you go away you still have to pay the mortgage and the car payment. The bank will not give you a deal or tell you that payment is not needed if you're away.
As Mrs Laurie stated if you are self employed you make the contract and rules for your daycare. The right families will find you and become part of your daycare.

[Sunflower]

Being a subsidized daycare in quebec means my daycare parents only pay 7$ a day.
I am closed 2 weeks at christmas and 3 weeks in the summer as well as all stat holidays .
All my time off is payable . The only time I do not charge is when I close the daycare (due to illness/appointments )
When I was a private daycare (25 day) I took 3 weeks vacation and 2 were payable.
It really does matter what the norm is in your area and is very much so a personal choice

[FS2011]

I charge the parents as if it is a 4 week month, when there is actually closer to 4.5 weeks in a month. For example full time parents only pay for 20 days of care and the extra days they have not paid for I take as my holidays. This way parents pay the same amount every month and it is easier for the bookkeeping..

Love this idea of 20 business days for full time, I did the math and that leaves approx 20 days in 2011 that you could call your time off and parents are not paying for, yet you still get the full monthly fee. Really great idea. Thanks!