Days Closed for 2023

[Sahm121]

I typically close 12 or 13 paid days (New year day, Good Friday, Memorial day, indep. Day, Labor Day, 3 days for thanksgiving, and 5 days for Xmas).

for 2023, I was going to do 16 paid days since New Years is observed that Monday. I wanted to also add 3 Paid training/profesional development/personal days. So 16 total. Is going from 12/13 to 16 too much? I am part of a fellowship team and 2 of the 3 personal days will be for all day meetings, this year I closed 3 days but did them unpaid and financially that hurts. The third personal day would be only if I needed it.

thoughts ? I also close for up to 2 weeks a year but those are unpaid and this year I’ll close 2 weeks, but last year I closed one week and the previous years I rarely closed.

i guess I’m looking for permission to pay myself 3 days cause I tend to feel guilty about that

[Alwaysgreener]

This is my list, I am only open Monday through Thursday so I don't technically get all of these.

• New Year’s Day
• Valentine’s Day*
• Good Friday
• My Daughter’s Birthday*
• My Anniversary*
• My Son's Birthday*
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Day after Independence Day*
• My Husband's Birthday*
• My Birthday*
• First Day of School*
• Labor Day
• Day after Halloween*
• Thanksgiving
• Day after Thanksgiving*
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• Day after Christmas*
• New Year’s Eve

[Snowmom]

If you're a bit apprehensive about the jump, why not list that extra day as a "flex day" and will be used as discretionary if needed.
I would also highlight that X days will be used to better your early childhood education. Parents seem to put so much emphasis on preschool these days that it really should come with the territory of choosing a provider who offers a program!

[Sahm121]

This is my list, I am only open Monday through Thursday so I don't technically get all of these.

• New Year’s Day
• Valentine’s Day*
• Good Friday
• My Daughter’s Birthday*
• My Anniversary*
• My Son's Birthday*
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Day after Independence Day*
• My Husband's Birthday*
• My Birthday*
• First Day of School*
• Labor Day
• Day after Halloween*
• Thanksgiving
• Day after Thanksgiving*
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• Day after Christmas*
• New Year’s Eve

Are they all paid?

[Alwaysgreener]

No, the * means unpaid.

[Annalee]

I went with 52 weeks pay years ago.....covers ALL state Holidays; 3 days at Memorial Days, 3 days at July 4, 3 days at Thanksgiving. Week at Labor Day, 1.5 weeks Christmas-New Years. Child Care Training Days, personal, emergency days (weather, funerals, sickness). No exceptions. It took me a few years to get to that point but I've run like this since 2000. I firmly believe if a client want your services they will make it work. My constant reply is "I understand, but this is how Ms. xxxx runs, therefore feel free to give me a two week notice if you wish to move on". You only have to say it ONCE.

[Annalee]

And two days during spring and fall break....My sons are grown and out of school but I still need the break!

[GirlMomma]

I get paid these holidays:

• New Year’s Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving Break (Thanksgiving & Black Friday)
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day
• New Year’s Eve

I am closed one week in the summer and the week after Christmas with the option of a third week - unpaid.

This year, I am closing for Veteran’s Day (paid) since it falls on a Friday and it is the weekend of my birthday.

In 2023, I am trying to decide if I want to transition my program to a 52 week paid program. With inflation and other programs in my area being 52 week paid programs, I think it’s time I do the same.

[Annalee]

Inflation is crazy! I have had an opening for a while because the child has to be over age 2 due to state regulations. Every one has a baby right now. 3 pages of waiting list babies and I currently have five clients expecting for April, May time-frame. I really haven't stressed over it as I've been more selective with my enrollees but no matter how selective I am, this generational parenting is ????

[GirlMomma]

Annalee I’m tired of this generation of parenting 😂

[PitterPatter]

Wow I wish I could charge for days I take off but my private paying clients wouldn't go for that. Maybe if I had doctors or lawyers. Any days I take off our non-paid which is why I don't take very many. I went many many years without taking a vacation because I couldn't afford to lose a week's income. Enrolling a lot of subsidy children really helps with that because currently we're paid whether they're here or not. I wish people in my area would see it like you all do.

[Blackcat31]

Why wouldn't they be accepting of paying a flat weekly rate no matter your time off? Don't they all accrue paid time off at their jobs? Either way you deserve to paid days off as you don't get multiple daily breaks or an hour long lunch hour to run errands etc which again I assume most your clients do.... I would start charging 50% for closed days and work your way up to paid closed days and charge each new enrollment full paid days off and start replacing those clients that don't appreciate what you do. I feel bad for providers that have been in this business a while and aren't being paid for their time off. My families all pay 52 weeks a year regardless of their absent days or my closed days and I don't have all doctors/lawyers. I have warehouse workers, plumbers, social workers, lab technicians, administration assistants, therapists, insurance sales reps, self-employed business owners and bank tellers, Only one of my clients is a doctor and when she started with me she paid 52 weeks a year and was still doing residency/interning.

[TwinMama]

I understand how you feel because I felt the same way, but as difficult as it may seem...you are in charge...if someone doesn't want to pay you for a day off as long as you give them a reasonable amount of notice then you don't need them. I presented this to my families and i had one Mom get mouthy and lose her garbage with me. I simply texted her and said "I'm sorry you're upset about this new change in the service that I provide. There won't be any hard feelings if you choose to find another daycare." She immediately backtracked and doesn't say squat when I ask for a day off now. Do it!!! Even the State lady told me to ask for paid days. Everyone deserves paid time off.

It's very frustrating when parents are like "I went golfing today so I took.the day off" or "DH and I are going to go downtown shopping and go.to lunch and have a nice day together". These are the same people that say "Nope. I'm going to do that and get paid, but we don't like you doing that." No way!

[Sahm121]

Quick update - decided to do 18 paid days: I have 3 new families starting in the next month or 3 on my waitlist just waiting to start:

this past year was hard and I’m tired of being asked for discounts and having to ask to be paid.l every week, they can adapt or find new daycare. I know I’m worth it 😄

[Annalee]

Good for you!

[Blackcat31]

Good for you!!! You deserve the time off and if anyone can't manage it then you are not the right child care program for them! Parents seem to do anything and everything they can to get time off away from their child(ren) and of course, daycare is where the kids end up so time off for us is precious and every single provider deserves to take time off without guilt!! Lord, knows we work harder than most any other profession out there!!

[Annalee]

Every Federal Holiday, Professional Day, Vacations, Emergency Days, Fall Break days, Spring Break daysFamily Time Days.....52 weeks pay.......every day I can feasibly fit into my contract....