I think the important thing we can do to avoid conflict and worry is to let clients know upon enrollment how many 'weeks' a year you are closed in general so that they can make an informed choice about how much time they will need to find alternative arrangements for either using their own vacation or asking family to be back up and so forth.

So for example my contract states I am close for all public/statutory holidays with a list of the 10 days I take as well as I take 10 days of 'vacation' that comes with 60 days written notice and also take up to 10 days of emergency personal leave with as much notice as possible given. It also states that in regards to Xmas closure I am closed as of December 23 at 4:30 - through to January 1st and reopen on January 2nd normal time ... so it is clear that over the course of the year they need to have at least this many days of 'back up care' planned for ... if they do not get that much vacation than I am not the match for them!

I also tell clients in the interview/contract signing stage that if/when January 2nd falls on a FRIDAY I would take a personal day cause coming back to work for 1 day seems well lame and I do the same thing with Canada Day if it falls on a Thursday I take the Friday off as well or if it Falls on a Tuesday I take the Monday off as well