Time off

[LSD]

I am just wondering how much time everyone takes off during the year? I am revising my contract for 2017 . I currently take 1 week off during Christmas and New Years and 1 week off in August I don't charge for the weeks I am off. Thank you

[Busy ECE mommy]

I take 4 weeks off. Some is paid and some is unpaid. None of my parents question the amount of time off. I used to get 5 weeks of paid vacation and personal days at the centre I worked at.
If you can afford more time off, I would take it. This job leads to burnout very quickly, and you need some rest time to decompress.

[LSD]

Yes well I am realizing I would like a little more time off with my family but I am only in my first year . I am afraid if I add two more weeks I will lose some clients. How much time do you take paided?

[Crayola kiddies]

I take all stats, 3 weeks, and up to 7 personal days ( not to be used for sick days and must be booked in advance) I usually only ever use 2 personal days a year. .... This is all paid

[5 Little Monkeys]

I take 2 weeks in the summer and then a handful of days for appointments if needed because they are out of town specialists.

I've been open 5 years. I may increase it to 3 weeks next year. I don't have a set amount of time in my contract but let parents know the above info.

As long as you can afford it, give plenty of notice and don't think you'd lose clients over it, I'd say take whatever you want. Anything over 2-3 weeks I'd state in my contract though. Many parents get the standard 2 week holidays but if you're taking 4+ weeks off they should know upfront as some may have to choose another hdc if they can't find alternate care for that time.

[LSD]

Thanks for the feedback!

[jupadia]

I take up to two weeks per year I let parents know at least 1 month in advance of my vacation but uselly give more time then that to let them know when. Sometimes I'll take a hole week or add a day onto a weekend for a family getaway. This year I took a couple extra days on top of that but since some of my vacation time was "maturity leAve time" my parents did not care since the daycare was keept running for the most part then. My vacation time is unpaid.
I also take the stats off plus two days that are not stats but are long weekends. Those I get paid for. I've stated evert hung accept the mat leave in my contract (did up seperste agreement at time for that). Also in the future I plan to say I only do half day on Christmas eve and close at 5 instead of 6 on Halloween. Those days will be at regular pay.

[bright sparks]

I do not put a limit on my vacation time. Burn out occurs quite frequently and I'd hate not to be able to take time off when I need it because I'd put a cap on it. I take 1-2 weeks off over Xmas and New Years every year. I always take at least 1 week off in the summer, sometimes 2. My average time off is 4-6 weeks. I tend to go to Europe every 2-3 years at which time I take a 3 week break. But then I'd still take the Xmas and new year break in addition to another week somewhere along the way. It's not that I want to inconvenience the parents, but after 10/11 years in this business I know that limiting my time off on paper is a huge mistake. I should mention too, that other than stat days, parents do not pay for any days when I am closed for business.

[MommaL]

I take 3 weeks off paid. However, I also have it written in my contact that any additional time off will be deducted from their fees (i.e. will be unpaid). I haven't had to do this yet, but agree with bright sparks that it's good idea not to completely limit oneself. One never knows what might come up in the year that wasn't initially planned but may require a few extra days off.

[BlueRose]

I don't have a set amount of vacation/sick/personal days. I take want I need when I needed within resin. I typically take March break and two weeks at Christmas every year (until my kids are grow) and a long weekend in June (when hubby gets time off).

I do have an occasional assistant that sometimes can cover when I have an appointment, so that helps keep my personal days down.

I also have a tentative schedule/calendar on my website for the next few years. So parents can see what my typical days off per year are before they even contact me.