I just changed my contract for the new year. I have been running into issues of parents not giving much notice if their child will be away and also with some parents never taking any time off because they are paying me. I have decided to offer a fee reduction of $5 a day for children when they are away but only if I am given 1 months notice. I am really hoping that this will be an incentive to keep their child home when they have a day off, to give me notice of days off in advance and hopefully just to take more time off which gives me a break.

Maybe that is something you can think of doing. That way parents will think they are getting a bit of a deal but will keep the child at home if possible (or get grandma more often) but you will still get paid majority of your wage.

I am really hoping it works!