So in NS, backup providers are not common than Racheal? The dc has to close if she is not the one watching them?
Not common at all.

Agency registered providers can apply to their agency for someone to come in and cover the day care. Providers can do this for two appointments per month - but medical/legal type appointments, not for getting your hair done or anything. LOL

Non agency providers/unregistered can apply to an employment agency and have a qualified cover person come in and we would pay for that out of pocket. That cover person would need their police checks and criminal records check physically with them because parents will ask for it. Obviously too, we'd need to tell our day care parents in advance because some will choose not to come until we are back on the premises.


Unqualified/unannounced/family members as cover - heck, no. Really not common and if it happens, I'd say it was on the sly - like under the table type arrangements.

What we have to do, is close BUT, I have a great network here of providers. So, if I know I have an appointment coming up, I'll shout out and see if anyone has spots open that day and then, if parents need a backup carer, I can pass on the information. Then it's up to the parent if they want to use that space for the day. We all tend to try and offer cover for each other like that.

However - I don't close lightly. There was a thread recently where I was really surprised when carer's closed a few hours early, and didn't refund any fees. That wouldn't wash around here. LOL If I have an appointment, then I close but I take it as a personal day. I have 10 in my contract which are paid. As you can see, with limited time off, I really, really try not to close.

I don't have a partner but my day care children love my teens. They see them every day for years and are very comfortable in their presence. My oldest did Child Studies as one of his HS credits, so he knows what he's doing more than most. Well, next week is exam week here. So other than Thursday, both my boys are home all week because most of their exams are progressive (done in the classroom the week before exam week), My oldest (18) will graduate early providing he passes 2 of his 4 courses, so after after Thursday, he's done HS completely. It would be super useful if I could schedule some appointments in the next couple of weeks when he's home because his course doesn't start for a while. But, there's just no way it would be tolerated.