Inclement weather policy

[playfelt]

As far as the power going off - it will likely be off at the child's home too so sending the child home doesn't make it all better for them although they would have access to their own bed, extra clothes etc.

[sunnydays]

I have never and don't plan to close for bad weather...but if my power were to go out for an extended amount of time, I would send the kids home for sure. Even if the power is off at the kids' homes, parents have the option of taking them out to eat and warm up in the mall...etc. I would be stuck in the dark and cold with all of the kids...not fair to them or me. Other than that, I can't see the weather affecting my daycare other than not playing outside...which has happened a lot this winter! My son is the only school ager, so I deal with that on my end, but it doesn't affect the daycare families. Schools rarely actually close where I am, even if buses are cancelled. I leave it up to parents whether they are able to make it...and they usually do.

[sunnydays]

Also, I am somewhat understanding of lateness due to snowstorms, etc. Mostly, I find the parents leave early enough that they do get here on time...but I have actually told all of them that I do understand if there is a major weather event and they get stuck in traffic. The last thing I want is them driving crazy to get here on time and possibly causing an accident. They usually call me to let me know they are stuck, but on their way and I am relaxed about that. I guess it's because I don't have habitually late parents, so I know that in the event of bad weather, it happens. I have also been the parent stuck in a storm trying ot get to daycare to pick up my child...it was so stressful!

[5 Little Monkeys]

I agree with you sunnydays. Last year I had a family with only one car and it was so teeny tiny, it got stuck a lot lol. They were usually later than normal but only once they were passed my closing time. I didn't charge them for that. They don't have a cell and that sort of bugged me but what can you do ha ha.

Yesterday one mom's brakes seized up and she texted to let me know they would be later getting their son but they still arrived before closing time so all was good.

I also agree with sending home children if the power goes out. At first I thought I wouldn't send home but I see your point of them having the option to go somewhere where there is power.

[daycaremom9]

So if you send the kids home due to a power outage sunnydays would you deduct anything? This has never affected me so I'm unsure what I would do if it came down to it! By the way, here in B.C. we're required to close if there's a power outage.

[playfelt]

A lot of these kinds of things comes down to calling the parents to advise them of the situation and most parents will want to get home to their own house and make sure things are ok and use it as an excuse to leave work. I wouldn't be reimbursing the families but truthfully I would be hoping they would come but compared to when a child is sick or injured I would be much more lenient. I have notified the parent of the situation so if their child get chilled and catches cold well they will be off for a few days with the child wont' they - would have been better to come in the first place.

[dodge__driver11]

In my frist year of doing business I closed, but I live in the prairies and we have frigid weather a lot. So that would mean that I am constantly closing.

[nschildcare]

I stay open. The only time I will close is if roads are closed and I feel that emergency services would not be able to reach us in a timely fashion. I still expect my dcks to be picked up on time and late fees still apply.

Same with a power outage. I will remain open unless it is off for an extended period of time and I am worried about keeping food safely or the house warm enough.

Either way, it is my judgement call and these are paid closures for me. If I close due to either bad roads or power outages with kids here, they have a 1 hour window to pick up.

I have remained open during blizzards and had kids show up. Even one whose parents weren't working. So don't ever assume parents will use common sense If you feel you should close, do so.

My major concern is that kids are still able to be picked up at the end of the day. I love my dcks but don't want them stuck here

[Daycare123]

I stay open. The only time I will close is if roads are closed and I feel that emergency services would not be able to reach us in a timely fashion. I still expect my dcks to be picked up on time and late fees still apply.)

This is my main concern. If I feel that we would be stuck in an emergency situation I will not open. I also will not open if the power goes out. Yes, I know the power will likely be out at their house as well-but at that point I need to be setting up the necesarry things for my own family (like this year when our power was out for almost 2 days).

Thanks everyone for the input!

I will be simply using my discretion on a case by case basis.

[Daycare123]

I also consider a weather or emergency closure a paid closure.