To answer your questions:

Any days that I'm open, they pay. If I'm closed, they don't pay (unless it's on a Stat).

Now, for the teacher families that I've had in the past, and they didn't want to come over the summer: I've offered them the time off without pay BUT they had to pay a non-refundable 2-week deposit to keep their spot. I've also let them go from f/t to p/t for the summer, knowing full well that they're coming back f/t.

I'm closed for 2 weeks over Christmas holidays and the week of March Break. I'm also closed maybe 2-3 weeks with random days here and there over the 2 month summer break. I try to find families with great family support systems or teachers. I do have providers in the area that are willing to take my clients if they wish when I'm on holidays.

I don't mind, and we're not hurting for the income (although it's nice to have extra to do special things). Hubby is a teacher, and I choose to have 5-10 weeks off from my daycare to be at home with my hubby.