Do you guys thinks its fair to have to pay for daycare when its closed because of bad weather. My daycare closes when school is closed and I dont think its fair to pay when my son isnt there. Especially today when I had to miss work and I dont get paid for it. Does anyone suggest another daycare that you know that wont do that? I hate to pull him out because he loves it there but I cannot afford this either. and by the way it is an in home daycare. It does say that she will be closed in the manual but its unclear if its payed and I am guilty I did not do my homework when I went there. I should have asked those kinds of questions but I was unsure of things to ask and I was a first time mom.
I don't use daycare or work for a daycare, but... I don't think it's fair. They're not working, so why should they get paid?
Absolutely not ... if they are not watching your kids then why should you have to pay.. that makes no sense!!!!
If you have to pay for daycare when it's closed during bad weather, that policy should be spelled out in the daycare's handbook.
Many of the daycares in our area require payment for holidays and also for times when the child is not there the entire day (for example the child goes to pre-school and then comes back).
It is difficult to pay for services when you didn't make any money to pay for them--talk to your daycare provider and see if you can work something out! Even though he loves it there, I would look for a daycare that works for ALL of you; and always read the policy book carefully! Good luck!
I have a sick day policy for the families I care for. If it is an unexpected (sick-last minute day off-bad weather-leaving early unplanned) day off- the parents pay me for the time I was scheduled to be available. If it is planned I do not charge them. I have never been closed due to weather and it's the parent's choice to keep their kids home. If they do decide to stay home, I ask that my pay is not influenced- I was here and ready to have fun!
That is different than a daycare facility- I am a home/person. But as the other mom's said I believe it is in their policy to charge you- so either talk to them OR find an in-home provider. We are a lot more flexible I think!!
I just wanted to remind people that when working with an in-home provider you are working with another mom- talk about days like today and the policy before enrolling.
Lori, did you sign a contract with them? If so, read the policies. If it is there then you pay no matter when your child is there. It is a flat $xxxx.00 per month.
If not, then you can challenge the charge. If you live where the schools are closed alot for snow, then you might want to call around and see if there is another care center close that doesn't do that. Or at least doesn't charge you for it.
Marcia Bostrom
[email protected]
208-344-4544
My son only goes to daycare 3 out of the 5 days we pay for, since I'm off on weekdays, and most of my days off are scheduled around his doctors appointments and physical and occupational therapy. We still have to pay when he's in the hospital and when we or she is on vacation or can't work. We just deal with it because a lot of daycares won't take him because he needs catheterized. It stinks, but it is what it is.
I'm with the other gals, if it was in the policy book, that's a bummer. I did not think it was fair when I was a provider, so it was in my policy book that if I chose to close for the day for illness, weather, personal day, etc, then I did not get paid but if the parent kept the child home, I did. Otherwise, I could be motoring along with a parent who normally would pay $125 per week suddenly coming down sick or leaving a kid with Gramma and losing income, sometimes a weeks worth. It was something ammended into my contract after a parent did that to me a few times, even though I had a two week notice for days off in my contract. I ended up doing a weekly minimum, kids there or not. It's odd that they close when the schools do, is it a center??
No I don't think it's fair but I think it would be hard to find one that doesn't do it. My friend's daycare closed and they were an inhome one! My inhome daycare use to tell me that if I could make it then they would be open. Now I understand the Centers closing because the staff has to drive but I think it stinks to pay for it! I also don't agree to having to pay when my son isn't there once in a blue moon. I use to work a normal forty hour week but once is awhile I would take a half day. I would still have to pay even though he wasn't there, I don't agree with that.
I agree. that if a center chooses to close then it's wrong to expect customers to have to pay for that day....they should issue a credit for one day or something. But if the parent chooses to keep little billy home whether their sick or taking a personal day, then the parent should still pay. If they allowed everyone to say, "oh, were not coming in today", they'd end up losing so much in income if those persons didn't pay it wouldn't be profitable to stay open.
I could see a late start. Because if most people could still get to work there has to be some option for those persons that need care. And if most working people can get to work, then daycare workers should be able to do the same.
Lori,
I can understand your frustration when you still have to go to work but you have no where to take your child. I run an inhome daycare in Kearney, NE and if the parents can get their children to me I am open but I do know of other places that if the schools close they close, mostly the centers though not an inhome daycare. If you are unable to afford the charges then I would just look for a new daycare because your provider probably will not change her policy for you because then she would have to for everyone. Make sure she doesn't have a two week notice or if she does that you are aware before you just switch daycares. I do require a two weeks notice if parents are taking their children out of my daycare. Have you gotten the list of licensed providers from the health and human services website that would be a good place to start or the Chamber of Commerce in Lincoln. Just make sure that you read the policy of the next place you check out thouroughly and also ask for references of the daycare provider and talk with those people about any concerns you may have. I have learned that the hard way but the other way around (getting references on the parents). I know that money can be tight especially through the holidays so I hope that you can find a place that you feel your child is safe, happy, and is affordable. Take Care and God Bless
Susan
We have been with 2 home daycares and are now in a center, and none of them have charged if THEY close. Only one time have we had our daycare close for bad weather and they did not charge. I can understand them still making you pay when your child is sick or you take vacation(though I still don't agree with it), but they do not have the right to make you pay when they are choosing to close. We also had our in home daycare close due to her own children being sick and we were not charged for that either. In my opinion, it's just her way of getting a paid day off. I would talk to her about it since you like it there, but if she's unreasonable then I would look elsewhere. Most daycare providers understand that parents still have to work when school is closed, and if she had to lose her income on those days I bet she'd think twice about closing. Many daycares see school closings as an opportunity and will take extra kids (room permitting of course) as a way to make more money on those days since more parents need child care for the school age children. I would think the other parents there would be upset by this also. Have you talked to any of them?
no not at all i have never heard of that befor i could see if your son was sick and did not go but to pay when they close
I am also an in-home daycare provider and do not charge if it is my decision to close. I have never closed for bad weather, but if I did, I would not charge the parents. I do, however, still charge if it is the parents decision not to bring the children for the day. Hope this helps!
Jennifer
Lori, I do home daycare and I too have a policy of paying when the family isn't there, but NOT when I close for the day. My families also get a number of "free" days to use for illness/ vacation whenever they want. I think you should discuss it with your provider. Just be careful how you approach her. If you are nice about it and honest, you never know. She may be able to change it, she may not due to past experiences. You just never know. Go over your contract and policies and make sure you ahev all your facts/ concerns ready. Before you switch though really think about how happy your child is there and what he's getting from her. Is a handful of days you have to pay for worth the hassle of findng placement for a baby and going through the adjustment? It's hard to find places for babies in our area. Just something to think about.
Lori,
I am a childcare provider and no, it is not fair. As a mother of 6, I learned the hard way a few times. Always read the fine print in the contract and handbook. Communication is key when dealing with your childcare. Always be open with your provider. You should only be charged for days your child is supposed to be there and care is available. Not for the providers days off for any reason. My advice is talk to your provider and try and work it out. If you can't; give notice and move on. Check out this web site:
http://www.childcareaware.org/en/
Lisa,
If it's not clearly stated that it is paid, I would challenge it. I am a daycare provider and I don't close for poor weather (I don't need to leave my home so I don't see a reason to) - but if a child is kept home anyway then I would be paid. Other than that I do receive paid vacation time (per my contract), and paid holidays, other than that I am not paid for days I am closed.
It all depends on how you look at your daycare. In my opinion, my daycare is my employee, and if an employee calls off, they have PTO to cover it, just as with sick days or vacation time. We all expect these luxuries in our jobs, but don't seem to think our daycares deserve the same benefits. Think about it, you don't provide their healthcare, dental, vision, 401K, disability, workmans comp, unemployment, overtime, etc...the very least you can do is provide them with a consistent paycheck just the same as you expect your employer to provide you. Now, that said, I also feel that it depends entirely on your daycare schedule. I work part time, and as such, I don't get the above benefits from my employer. My daycare has the same policy, part-timers are exempt from paying her for days off, vacation, etc whereas full timers are expected to pay those benefits. If it comes down to one day of pay, I would let it go...just look at the service they are providing to you and your child!!
~Lacy
I also am a daycare provider and think its odd that someone closed for bad weather. Also to charge when the provider closes is just rude in my opinion. I admit I do get paid holidays and if a child does not come due to the parents just not bringing them that day then yes I do charge. But to charge when the provider cannot do the service is just horrible.
I understand if its a big daycare and has employees that may be in danger driving but when the woman doesnt even have to leave her own home... thats rediculous. If Im not getting paid, neither are you buddy!