I charge for any days that they are supposed to be here. If they tell me before payment is due that their child will be out for any reason, they receive a $10/day discount, I call this a holiday fee. I find that it really helps!!

For example, I am off for almost 2 weeks over the holidays because parents are off and are keeping their children home. I have 0 kids for 8 days and only 1 for 2 days. I am technically not closed and all parents are paying their holiday fee. In the end, I only loose $300 total (might be less as one mom may bring her 2 kids the 2 days I have 1 child already) I am happy with the paid days off and am willing to take that decrease in pay. If that is an option for you, I would consider looking into it!