Vacation time

[martymonty]

Hi
For any of you dcp that have been doing this for a long time (28 years for me), how much vacation time do you take off. If we had "regular jobs" out on the workforce, after that many years we would be getting a lot of vacation time for sure. I don't take any sick time and I only take 2 one week vacations during the year, the rest of the time I take a Friday or Monday and I don't work stats. I have backup for some of my time as well if my dcp want to utilize this option. Just curious as to how much time others take off in total.

[torontokids]

I take 5-6 weeks which I know is a lot but I find I need it. 2 weeks in spring (this is a new addition this yr), 2 wks in summer and 2 wks at Christmas.

[torontokids]

I also take stats (paid) but my vacation is unpaid. I also have unpaid sick days but I have only ever used 2 days.

[cfred]

I've been in daycare for 20 yrs, but only 13 in home daycare. I take a minimum of 3 weeks and up to 5 weeks. I don't offer back up but send out notice very early of the intended time planned for a holiday. I try to be sensitive to the needs of each family and leave time to discuss timing, though it's not been much of an issue thus far. For any holiday of 2 weeks or less, they get 4 months notice. For over 2 weeks, they get a year. It's never been a problem and parents are all aware of where I stand on vacation time from the first interview.

My holidays are all unpaid, as are sick days. I'm closed for stats and paid in full.

[martymonty]

So if you take 5 - 6 weeks, are your stats over and above this, my two weeks that I take off as full weeks, one in July and one in August are unpaid, but my stats are paid for. I just find I always have that "one" parent who makes a "comment" or two on time I take off, yet they are the ones at a moments notice that will decide to go on a sell off and pull their dck from here. I think with the long hours we work and in my case I don't take any other time off other than what I book, unless an emergency of course, this is not to. Inch to take. I give the schedule in March for the entire year as well.

[martymonty]

That should have said not to much to take, darn autocorrect lol

[torontokids]

It is in addition to my stats

[torontokids]

I've gotten then sense from other posts that the average is closer to 3-4 wks vac

[bright sparks]

I usually work to an average of 4 weeks a year. I typically take a week at march break (not this year), 1-2 weeks in the summer and 2 weeks over Xmas and New Year. I don't work Fridays so when there is a long weekend I typically, but not always, take the Thursday or Tuesday off too which gives me a nice 5 days off and really makes the world of difference. Last year I took more off as I had to take 2 weeks for bed rest after surgery but I am not going to apologise for that as it was for health reasons not vacation time. My vacation and sickness is always unpaid but I am paid for all stats which are in addition to my 4-6 weeks off. This next 12 months will be tight for me as I tighten the belt in preparation for dropping to a 1 income family so I'm not sure if there will be much time off beyond the 5 day weekends during stats. It's not just the cot of a trip but the loss of income is a big deal. Xmas and New Year I am always off...this year for example I will work my last day on Thursday Dec 18th and go back to work on Monday Jan 5th. I will only in fact be taking 6 work days off but will have a total of 17 days off in a row so this is why I typically take this time off annually.

[Lou]

First off, all of my vacation and stats are unpaid.
I take 4 weeks off + my Christmas break between Christmas Eve and Jan 2. Usually I take off two one week stretches, and the others are used for random days off that I need to appointments or my daughter's dance competitions, etc.