Quote Originally Posted by susansmith View Post
BlueRose If I can ask...4 weeks vacation...are these paid weeks ....and is it the same for sick, personal, bereavement and emergency days? I realize we can all put whatever we want in our contracts, but I will say...it's not easy to find clients that will pay for all that....my clients frown about paying for when they take vacation, let alone me!
Hi, from my own experience I can tell you to write anything you want on your contract but, you must consider pros and cons. I am very friendly and open during my interviews or meeting parents on parks, playgroups etc.

I like to stay in touch with my community that also gives me a first hand feed back of what other provider's do or don't do. (Word travels, and especially bad news or negative ones sooner than good ones)

I had heard parents talking about pages and pages of contracts, I have heard parents especulating about certain contracts which played a huge role on their decision making process, I had heard parents complaining about caregivers cutting any communication channels but only emails (raising red flags to them), sometimes they ask me or refer me as to explain if our contracts are somehow regulated or if they can be negotiated.

I always said my contract is only three pages point form 1 1/2 spaced and really clear (not complex terms etc) and simple.

I'm just crossing my fingers for the Ministry of education not to also step on this subject and create an guidelines for an universal contract (many contracts are really ridiculus, poor parents in some cases due to their desesperate need they sign and then struggle).

So, I think it is standard for all of us to have 10 days more or less payed Holidays.
I have 10 days summer break (payed but, in Ontario you cannot write in your contract as vac pay. Because you're self employed) so, I clearly explain parents during my interviews that I do close my daycare for 10 days in summer and I do my best to coordinate those at the beginning of each year so they're able either to take work vacations the same dates (so they do not have to deal with other childcare arrangements) and if they really need childcare I give along a list of different options.

In many years no one used the list everyone got to book the very same days of vacations (every beginning of the year also is asked if they have any suggestions for dates and we just go with the majority), I also close during Christmas and new year (I think at the most 3 workable days); I used to be open but I had only one or non children coming due to family visits, trips etc. So I close it and it is payed. I have the 5 day sickness leave (but as I mentioned I have only used 1 day in nearly 20 years of work).

That's it. I place all this point form and it is clear and understandable. I've noticed that being my contract clear made some of my clients sign on the spot (because and they told me they got some contracts to no end obviously mostly on benefit of the caregiver than a equitable parts parents and caregivers).

They also told me that to refer by any situation to those contracts gets complex and short and concise form is easy to remember and refer . (I'm simple so I guess that applies to me&#128521