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.

[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

[BlueRose]

This is my policy on blackouts:

If the power does out, I will remain open unless I feel it is unsafe to do so. If I feel I need to close I will call/text you to come pick up your child.

If the power is out in the morning, I will try to be in the lobby until all the children have arrived.
If the power is out at pick up, I will try to have all the children waiting for you in the lobby.
If you would like to pick up early, please do so. If possible call my cell or text me. My home phone will not work.

If I am unable to do meet you in the lobby, please very carefully come and knock on my window to let me know you are here and I will let you in the side door.
If the door to the lobby is open please just walk right in.

I have battery operated lanterns, so we will have some light. If its nice out, we will go outside and play all day. If its cold out, please send extra socks/slippers, and sweater to help keep your child warm. An extra blanket is always welcome as well.

Not all parents can take the day off due to a blackout. I will be home anyways so I might as well be open.

[playfelt]

If you live in the country and electricity operates the well pump and means no usable water then yes I can see it being unsafe.

Biggest unsafe is the chance that it gets really bad and parents get stranded and you get stuck with the kids.

Most of us are parents too and we have to cope with our own kids and a few more doesn't really change what we have to do. No candles used here either. I have several flashlights with LED lights I can use to move around with and rely on the windows for light. Mostly we would just play and not do crafts or other close up type activities. Do a lot of singing or read a story I pretty much know from memory anyways or sit in teh dark and focus the flashlight on the book. For nap put all mats in same main floor livingroom on the floor so body heat from breathing helps warm room. Put blankets at the base of outside doors, cover registers to prevent cold air coming up them. It will be noon before the house gets too cold and then it is naptime - sleeping bags work great for putting over them - asked parents to supply one if they could and have a couple extra. Just as with anything we need to have a plan in place to cope in an emergency. This is sort of a planned emergency in that we are going into it knowing a lot of information.

Today is ice pellets and nasty outside. When I cooked on Wed I also made a ham so today's lunch was cold sliced ham as I had planned a meal that didn't need cooking just in case. There are great advantages to knowing ahead that a storm is coming.

[monkeymama]

Apparently I need to clarify....I had one candle on in my washroom at 7am as it was pitch black and my daughter had to go to the bathroom...I did not have numerous candles floating around my house causing any sort of dangerous or HAZARDOUS situation, whatsoever! There was lots of light in the house, I have a gas stove so I was able to light it manually and my children and I had a lovely lunch sans dck