Power Outages

[monkeymama]

So today due to the nasty storms weve been having, my power went out at 5am and didn't come back on until almost 1pm...I contacted all my dcp and they chose not to send their children...we had candles, a fireplace and gas stove so I was really sufficient but glad parents made that decision....However, I do not have an conditions in my contract about power outages...As it is beyond my control and not really my choice to close the daycare, how does everyone else handle it? paid day or not?

I re-sign all contracts in September and am planning to add something in for power outages.

[torontokids]

I think if you were planning on being open then they pay, however I would have closed without pay as I think it is a safety hazard to remain open in a power outage, especially with candles.

[torontokids]

And yes, it is beyond your control but the reality it is beyond the parent's control as well. I wouldn't send my daughter's to a dc without power and I wouldn't want to pay

[crafty]

Well I have it in my contract that in case of power outage closures fees are still due. However, since you do not currently have it in your contract ... I would tend to agree with the others and not charge until you have it in there.... for arguments sake.

[daycaremom9]

What if the power went out after opening for the day. Also a few years ago we had no power for 3 days. I believe that I didn't charge since at that time I wasn't charging for missed days (silly me!)

[monkeymama]

I did not plan to open, nor did I plan to charge....was just wondering what others did

[playfelt]

We have had outages before and I remained open - most families were in the same situation so child would have been too cold or too hot at either place and parents were still expected at work in most cases. Parents when asked were told to dress child in extra layers and/or supply extra stuff.

Expectations obviously have to be adjusted. We have a main floor play area we kuse for part of the day so we just used it all day, made sandwiches and snack type foods cheese and crackers, granola bars, fruit, etc. for meals. Was glad to get the milk used up as the day went on.

Parents were expected to pay for the day and never had complaints even from those choosing to stay home.

[mommylove]

NOT OPEN......HAZARDOUS hmmmmm.......My power was out today and I remained open and will in the future.......I don't really think its a big deal, takes a long time for a house to get really cold Id put sweaters on them, and candles for what? open your curtains and let the light in it wasn't dark here for me all day, and the power is out if anything its alot safer no? I personally need the money and cant close for every little situation......and If the parents don't want to bring their kids here to play with the other kids and stay home with them in the same situation and miss a day of work then so be it but I will be open and therefore will still be paid

[torontokids]

NOT OPEN......HAZARDOUS hmmmmm.......My power was out today and I remained open and will in the future.......I don't really think its a big deal, takes a long time for a house to get really cold Id put sweaters on them, and candles for what? open your curtains and let the light in it wasn't dark here for me all day, and the power is out if anything its alot safer no? I personally need the money and cant close for every little situation......and If the parents don't want to bring their kids here to play with the other kids and stay home with them in the same situation and miss a day of work then so be it but I will be open and therefore will still be paid

I was referring to needing candles and this being unsafe. I would close because my daycare is in the basement and it would be too dark and therefore unsafe

[daycaremom9]

We're required to close in the event of a power outage. And definitely not supposed to use candles.My 4 yo dcg got really upset when our power went out this past year. But I guess she hadn't experienced a power outage before, not one that she could remember.