Stat holidays

[mickyc]

I have 11 paid stat days paid per year. Everyone pays for the stat day's no matter what their attendance is. When I had a part-timer who came 3 days a week I always charged for the stat. If they came 3 days that week plus the stat then they paid for 4 days that week. I find it easier that way - everyone is charged for the stat no matter what!

I don't charge for my personal days off. No daycare's in my area do so gotta go with the flow. I also charge a holiday rate for when families go on holidays (with 1 month's notice only). I don't give that holiday rate to my stat days though. I am closed Christmas eve (with no pay), get paid Christmas day and boxing day. I have no kids on the Mon/Tues (they are paying my holiday rate those days). Finally a whole week off with most of it paid!!

[mickyc]

My part timer's usual day is a Monday but if a stat holiday falls on one of her 3 days a week...she wants to change days????? so she gets her 3 days for the week....should I give her another day plus charge for the stat, ie....charged 4 days...thoughts, thx

Don't allow this!! No switching days. I ran into this all the time that is why I charge everyone for stats now regardless of days attended per week. People try and get out of paying for stat days.

[Rachael]

My part timer's usual day is a Monday but if a stat holiday falls on one of her 3 days a week...she wants to change days????? so she gets her 3 days for the week....should I give her another day plus charge for the stat, ie....charged 4 days...thoughts, thx

I personally wouldn't let her change days. If you are at max capacity on the other days, you wouldn't be able to do that anyway without going over your numbers and risking your business being shut down.

Plus - why would you let her do that? Parents whose children are with you Full-Time aren't given the option to come over the weekend are they? Why would a PT client be entitled to more benefits than the FT clients?

In this situation I would be clear that her three registered days were Monday and whichever two others she contracted for. If Monday happens to be a stat holiday, then too bad. It's the way it goes. If she would like an extra day when this happens, provided you have capacity, then she is welcome to have that fourth day but she will be charged for the extra day.

Simple - and fair to all.


The issue with permitting the arrangement your client is hoping for, is that it sets an expectation from them. If in the future you don't have the capacity to do this, then they will expect you to deduct the stat days fees since they are only getting two days care instead of 3 you facilitated by letting them switch.

If you do this, effectively you aren't being paid for stat days by this client. Is that fair to everyone else who does pay?

[3littlemonkeys]

HI

I like how you approached the parents to do paid holidays instead of an increase!! Something I will definitely do when I must increase rates. I will also include it in my contract for all new families.

Currently I take stats as paid days. All regular days I am closed are unpaid. Now I budget a monthly amount so I take off 2 weeks (10 days) a year.

I hit burn out this year!! Been running my day home for 8 years. I took 1 - 2 weeks off each year including sick days and appointments. I also had 2 of my children during this time and closed a total of 3 weeks for there births. That was tough but you do what you have to, to pay the bills. Defiantly a good idea to include 10 days vacation to avoid burn out!! I do usually tell my day home parents days I plan to take off during the year in January so they too can book there holidays if they want around mine.

[3littlemonkeys]

I have a parent that does that too.
I accommodate once but not every time. Depends if they are flexible too. In my case, when I need to close my day home for a day they will switch days - hence I do not refund them for the day I close.
I would love to know what others do too.

[mickyc]

unfortunately 3littlemonkeys not everyone can take paid time off. There are NO provider's in my area that do this. I would certainly have a hard time filling spots if I did.

I just have to work towards taking more time off for myself and my family to avoid burnout. I am working on it.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Actually mickyc, I've seen and heard about one or two who are charging for paid time off. I will see if I can find their ad for you!!

I still think it's pretty uncommon in our area and I agree we would have a hard time filling spots. I actually would have a hard time charging for it even if it was the norm. If my service isn't available than I don't think it's right to charge. I feel lucky enough to be able to get the stats off with pay.

Taking time off is a definite must though!! I actually laugh when I read an ad saying "I never take holidays"...IMO, I wouldn't want this person as a provider. Can you imagine how stressed they must be!! I agree, time off is needed!! I understand not all can afford it but I would change my budget to allow for it! I would go without something just to have my time off LOL

[superfun]

mickyc and 5lm, I know another provider in town, and she has a few friends that also run home daycares. One of these friends charges $35/day, and gets 2 paid sick days a month. If she doesn't use them in one month, she carries them forward until she wants to use them. She closes spring break, and christmas break, and charges for them. I don't know about summer holidays though... And she's currently full. I never thought something like that would work around here.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I wonder if that's the one I heard about it. I think it was a daycare parent who was telling me about her. I read one on eb though...could be the same person too I guess?

If it works for her, that's awesome! I just don't know how I feel about it for myself....lol

[mickyc]

really? wow...never would have thought.

I just find so many times when I interview people or have current families asking if any spots are available for friends it is because their provider isn't available and closes often. I am very reliable and post time off way in advance (I will likely give my next year's days off in February). Things happen and I sometimes close with shorter notice but not too often. Good for her if she can fill her spots for that price and with paid time off