Quote Originally Posted by 5 Little Monkeys View Post
I also can see both sides but IMO, it's not really an unnecessary expense on the parents part. They need care Sept to June and if they can't find a dc that runs/charges those months only, than it is necessary to pay their provider for July/August if they want care the rest of the year. I have had parents who have 6-8 weeks holidays with their job as well but it's spread out throughout the year...they don't get a discount either (aside from my holiday fee I charge if they want to keep child at home) so I don't really see the difference between them and teachers. I do think that dcp's who don't charge them for July/August is of course the better option but I don't think necessarily think it's an unnecessary expense in the grand scheme of things.
I think if they sign up knowing the deal then it isn't negotiable, but from the point of enquiring, it is not a need. If they don't find a provider willing to let them have summers off without any fees and they sign up for a 12 month contract with full pay, then yes it becomes a necessary expense to hold the spot for their child/children. Not really what I was getting at though. I was saying from the perspective of a parent looking for care, not one who has signed an agreement to pay year round to guarantee the spot.