It's not at all uncommon to find this in home daycare. I also charge clients when they aren't here, including stats. You are paying for the service AND the space. She cannot fill that space for the short time that you're away, so it's generally a complete loss of income for the provider, who already has a very modest income. I do not offer time off for clients, though I don't charge for my own vacations or sick days, but will be adding a few sick days with my next round of clients. Our income is quite modest once you factor in the expenses (food, supplies, equipment, insurance, etc, etc) and we work loooooong hours for it. To lose a few weeks of pay from 5 clients each year can be financially crippling and will, undoubtedly affect the quality of supplies and/or the provider's own family finances. And she needs a vacation, just like everyone else. It's a great job, but also quite all encompassing and stressful. Providers will burn out quickly if they don't get a break. No one wants that to happen, least of all the parents.