Holidays at Daycares?

[kcromley]

Yes, OP, some of us are highly-educated lawyers as well, and we STILL value child care workers and the extraordinarily important work of that industry,and show our appreciation through paid holidays and other decent working conditions. The two are not mutually exclusive.

 

[tlh0726]

Looking thru the post it seems that the majority agree with the following
Daycare centers/providers deserve
1.to be paid for holidays
2.should not charge for days that they choose to be closed (non-holidays due to you having to pay for alternative care)
3. to be paid normal rate if your child is not there whether it is due to your child/children being sick or being on vacation



Now to add another question to this, anyone out there have to pay a seperate activity fee for offsite field trips/activities?

 

[Strangeite]

I think you are being a bit rude and condecending here, We may not all be lawyers, but we are certianly not stupid. You are purposely setting yourself up as superior and I think that is a pretty low blow. Almost as bad as those who are "making themselves look ignorant." I refuse to throw my intellect around like a badge of honor in a discussion like this. I think it is tacky.

First. I never said anyone is stupid. I said that stating that I am somehow a bad parent for questioning an industry that charges its clients for non-holidays, makes one look ignorant. There is a difference.

If you really think that my questioning an individual's knowledge of logic arguments is more tacky than someone questioning if I am a good parent, then we obviously are from different planets.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Last but certainly not least. Being Monday, I needed to give the daycare a check for this week's services. When asked how much we owe, I was told I needed to pay for four days. The director of the center said that parents shouldn't pay for Friday because it isn't a holiday.

Well there you go - this whole discussion was pretty moot, wasn't it? You aren't paying for a non-holiday day off.

Now I would make sure you go back on Monday and ask for a complete list of closings and confirm that you only pay for actual holidays - then you won't have any question in the future.

 

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

Also, I resent the implication that I'm little more than an uneducated babysitter. I have a BS in Early Childhood Education & I'm looking to go back to school for my Masters in probably 3-4 years. I am NOT uneducated & many of the people I work with have some form of higher education. Many of them choose to work in childcare because they have preschool children & like working down the hall from their kids.

Oh dear-- I hope this implication wasn't in my post?? You quoted me and responded to what I had said and then included this... but please know that I sincerely didn't mean to imply anything negative about early childhood teachers! It is a tremendous amount of work, I know!

 

[Camno's Mama]

Not all people have Black Friday, Xmas eve or the day after off. There are A LOT of people who have to work those days. Is it just Laywers and Bankers who use Day Cares and have those days off?? What about Hospital workers? Anyone working in Retail? Service people? Small business employees? My dh works for a VERY LARGE automobile dealership, and they are open every single one of those days. And our day care is closed every single one of those days.

We did get a list at the begining of the year, however they added xmas eve off in October.

I guess i see it as......that is the employment position you choose. If you desired to be a manager at Walmart, chances are pretty darn good that you knew you would not be having the day after thanksgiving off, and as most walmarts are open 24 hrs, you would probably be working on xmas and xmas eve. Well, as a Day Care Worker, chances are good you don't get the "extra" holidays off either. Want a lot of paid holidays off, be a bank teller.

Okay, here's my problem with this statement. And it's not only directed at you as I have noticed that many people share your opinion. Most teachers (I never knew anyone who liked being called a "day care worker" as they do much more than that) choose this career because it is something they feel called to do. Yes, there are those that do it because it is convenient, but I knew far more that did this because they are good at it and they love it.

While I agree that every profession has its ups and downs...I would not, on any day, compare working with children to working in retail. Many of these teachers stay at these centers because they are attached to the children and believe in what they are doing. Day care is a business, but the teachers are not in it for that. Think what you want of your office staff, but don't insult teachers by acting like they get what they get.

They may not have a job that you respect. Maybe they didn't have the opportunity to go to school past high school, and this is a way that they can still work with children. Or maybe they have their master's degree in early childhood and this is the path that they chose, even with an advanced degree.

But it's not like retail...you don't get to just move from store to store. Money is not the bottom line for the teachers. If it was, quite simply, you would not have anyone to take care of your kids.

I ran across attitudes like this when I was still teaching and they always surprised me. The nicest parent could have a bad day with the office, and they would take it out on us. My recommendation to anyone that thinks this way is, treat the office like the business. And if you have a home day care provider...remember that they have to wear two hats to do this job.

I understand that it's difficult working around the days off. The truth is, being a parent is much like having a job. The downside of being a working parent is that you are at the mercy of your childcare. There isn't one parent on this thread complaining that didn't realize that when they signed their child up for school. Sometimes, I think people forget that once they get comfortable in their center and have nothing else that worthwhile to complain about.

 

[princessmom29]

First. I never said anyone is stupid. I said that stating that I am somehow a bad parent for questioning an industry that charges its clients for non-holidays, makes one look ignorant. There is a difference.

If you really think that my questioning an individual's knowledge of logic arguments is more tacky than someone questioning if I am a good parent, then we obviously are from different planets.

I have no problem with you finding the behavior of those who question your parenting objectionable. What bothers me is the superior tone put forward on the post. You come across as throwing your intellect up in people's faces and I think that that is stooping to their level and is not necessary. And seriously, how can we be from different planets? As far as I know scientific knowledge has only proven the existance of life on one? (see how obnoxious it can be???)

 

[jensen]

I haven't read through all the posts here, but I didn't see anyone mention whether any other daycares give "vacation (unpaid) days".

My preschool/daycare closes on the major holidays and then maybe a few extra days (like Black Friday) and other Fridays after a major holiday... it changes from year to year, but it's typically 8 days per year.

I pay a flat weekly fee, but am allowed 8 days per year - of my choosing - that I can take as vacation days where I don't have to pay. I can use these days so that I don't have to pay for holidays or I can use them when we take our annual family vacation or when my child is ill and doesn't attend... I simply mark the sign-in sheet with a "vacation" notation and then they deduct it from my bill that week. I typically use my vacation day allowance for our family vacation - makes the vacation seem cheaper.

It works great for us!

 

[princessmom29]

I haven't read through all the posts here, but I didn't see anyone mention whether any other daycares give "vacation (unpaid) days".

My preschool/daycare closes on the major holidays and then maybe a few extra days (like Black Friday) and other Fridays after a major holiday... it changes from year to year, but it's typically 8 days per year.

I pay a flat weekly fee, but am allowed 8 days per year - of my choosing - that I can take as vacation days where I don't have to pay. I can use these days so that I don't have to pay for holidays or I can use them when we take our annual family vacation or when my child is ill and doesn't attend... I simply mark the sign-in sheet with a "vacation" notation and then they deduct it from my bill that week. I typically use my vacation day allowance for our family vacation - makes the vacation seem cheaper.

It works great for us!

We get a week's vacation or if you are a teacher, student or other 9 month employee you can take a 3 month leave without paying to hold a spot. There is also a maternity option for when a mom is home with a new baby, but you only get one of the three in any given year. A week's vacation OR summer leave OR maternity.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

I haven't read through all the posts here, but I didn't see anyone mention whether any other daycares give "vacation (unpaid) days".

I am a home day care provider (not licensed - I don't have to be with the number of kids I have in my state) - it is a part-time thing for me that I will do while my kids are young. BUT - I have a detailed contract with each of my clients.

Each family is given 5 "vacation" days as unpaid - if they choose to use these for sick time, a day with grandma, or a real vacation they may. Basically, 5 days unpaid time off. Any additional vacation time is 50% of the rate.

Now I only have part-time kids - some of my kids pay a weekly fee and some pay daily - it depends what I contracted with each family for. I allow the reduced time off for one main reason - I am first a mom to my own kids, and while I need my income, I LOVE when kids don't come I get to enjoy time with my own kids. But the 50% keeps people from randomly calling off and not paying me at all. In most cases, if they know they have to pay 50%, they'll use my services or reserve that time off for real vacation time.

And, FWIW, I do childcare right now not because it's the only job I could get. I have a degree and was previously a librarian. I made the choice to stay home with my 3 children - last year I opted to earn a meager income by caring for other kids. It's how we're paying for Disney this year. I am not sure how long I'll do this - because the hours are terrible and the pay is even worse, but I am home with my own children, which is important to me! But, if I do find myself going back to work in the near future and need to arrange childcare for my own kids, I certainly know what to look for in a provider - and to give them the utmost respect!!!!!!!

 

[29apr00]

Okay, here's my problem with this statement. And it's not only directed at you as I have noticed that many people share your opinion. Most teachers (I never knew anyone who liked being called a "day care worker" as they do much more than that) choose this career because it is something they feel called to do. Yes, there are those that do it because it is convenient, but I knew far more that did this because they are good at it and they love it.

While I agree that every profession has its ups and downs...I would not, on any day, compare working with children to working in retail. Many of these teachers stay at these centers because they are attached to the children and believe in what they are doing. Day care is a business, but the teachers are not in it for that. Think what you want of your office staff, but don't insult teachers by acting like they get what they get.

They may not have a job that you respect. Maybe they didn't have the opportunity to go to school past high school, and this is a way that they can still work with children. Or maybe they have their master's degree in early childhood and this is the path that they chose, even with an advanced degree.

But it's not like retail...you don't get to just move from store to store. Money is not the bottom line for the teachers. If it was, quite simply, you would not have anyone to take care of your kids.

I ran across attitudes like this when I was still teaching and they always surprised me. The nicest parent could have a bad day with the office, and they would take it out on us. My recommendation to anyone that thinks this way is, treat the office like the business. And if you have a home day care provider...remember that they have to wear two hats to do this job.

I understand that it's difficult working around the days off. The truth is, being a parent is much like having a job. The downside of being a working parent is that you are at the mercy of your childcare. There isn't one parent on this thread complaining that didn't realize that when they signed their child up for school. Sometimes, I think people forget that once they get comfortable in their center and have nothing else that worthwhile to complain about.

Perhaps where you are that is the case, but we have been at our current center for 14 months, and DS is on his 5th teacher. Turn over rate in this industry is extremely high. And the day care across the street for our house is constantly advertising for new lead teachers! If it was a job that they loved, and not in it for the money, then why aren't the teachers staying??

 

[Juliet25]

While I agree that every profession has its ups and downs...I would not, on any day, compare working with children to working in retail. Many of these teachers stay at these centers because they are attached to the children and believe in what they are doing. Day care is a business, but the teachers are not in it for that. Think what you want of your office staff, but don't insult teachers by acting like they get what they get.

They may not have a job that you respect. Maybe they didn't have the opportunity to go to school past high school, and this is a way that they can still work with children. Or maybe they have their master's degree in early childhood and this is the path that they chose, even with an advanced degree.

But it's not like retail...you don't get to just move from store to store. Money is not the bottom line for the teachers. If it was, quite simply, you would not have anyone to take care of your kids.

So well stated. This whole discussion is cringe-worthy. I hope child care workers who truly care for the kids they spend so much time with don't come away from this thinking all parents look down on them.

 

[tinker&belle]

Perhaps where you are that is the case, but we have been at our current center for 14 months, and DS is on his 5th teacher. Turn over rate in this industry is extremely high. And the day care across the street for our house is constantly advertising for new lead teachers! If it was a job that they loved, and not in it for the money, then why aren't the teachers staying??

Even for people that love the job, it is a difficult job. Imagine trying to do one task and having 20 different request of you while trying to get that one task done. Then somebody starts bleeding. Then somebody pees on the floor. Then a parent comes in a complains that you didn't get the first task done.

It is a hard job. It is also difficult when people ask questions like why teacher get paid days off.

I love childcare. It is just very demanding. A little respect from parents goes a long way.

 

[Juliet25]

Perhaps where you are that is the case, but we have been at our current center for 14 months, and DS is on his 5th teacher. Turn over rate in this industry is extremely high. And the day care across the street for our house is constantly advertising for new lead teachers! If it was a job that they loved, and not in it for the money, then why aren't the teachers staying??

Because it's hard work! And they are underpaid for it. But not all centers are like that. The lead teacher my DD started with in 2006 is still at the center 3 years later, and several teachers have been there for 5+ years. And when the teachers she had did leave, they did what they could to make the transition easy on the kids.*

I imagine the low turnover is because they are paid decent wages and perhaps given perks like paid holidays.

*ETA: the lead teacher in my DD's pre-school room left to take a nanny position. She returned to the school to see her kids "graduate" last May. She loved her little charges but was given an offer of employment that she couldn't refuse. I certainly don't fault her for doing what she needs to do!

 

[brockash]

Perhaps where you are that is the case, but we have been at our current center for 14 months, and DS is on his 5th teacher. Turn over rate in this industry is extremely high. And the day care across the street for our house is constantly advertising for new lead teachers! If it was a job that they loved, and not in it for the money, then why aren't the teachers staying??

I think the problem is lying within the different types of daycares, daycare workers and/or teachers. The ppl. on here that do this for a living seem to be the really dedicated great ones, in which I don't think anyone would have this attitude towards these type of ppl. Having said that there are A LOT of daycares, that are just that, daycares, they are not teachers, it's just a job for them for whatever reason- I saw a ton when I used to live in a different state (maybe it depends on the region of the country you live in ) I'm not sure, but none of them referred to themselves as teachers, nor were they. When I was looking for a provider for my first child, I went through many many centers, and it was very obvious these were just "jobs" for them, nothing they felt called to do or had a passion for ect. I also visited/saw many women who ran them out of there homes, and absolutely only did it because it was an easy way to make some money- I saw some who would leave there 9 year olds in charge of the children A lady I used to work with decided to run a daycare from her own, and she bluntly told me that the only reason she did it was so she didn't have to "get a job"- her words and it was easy- and then she wondered why I wouldn't let her watch my DS I absolutely agree that there are some out there that are,and to those they have my up-most respect, because it is a very hard job, and if they are teaching and caring about the children there's nothing better or more valuble. My mom ran a at home daycare for over a decade, and I know how hard she worked and what a great job she did, and her kids' parents also seemed to know how lucky they were. I just think the different attitudes are coming from ppl. that may have different experiences ect.

 

[RMulieri]

Perhaps where you are that is the case, but we have been at our current center for 14 months, and DS is on his 5th teacher. Turn over rate in this industry is extremely high. And the day care across the street for our house is constantly advertising for new lead teachers! If it was a job that they loved, and not in it for the money, then why aren't the teachers staying??

Because the same reason us nurses are on shortage...professional burnout .Not enough people entering the field.I love my job and my patients but I would be lying to myself if I said I wasn't looking for a career change.Between unrealistic demands from families , restricting federal requirements ,facility requirements etc...it mentally wears on you. Anyway,I am sure people do lots of jobs for the money...not everyone gets paid to do things they love, and even those that do get burnt out.I have to say I pay for childacre, i pay for the insrvices and days the daycare is closed.it is money well spent.But I love it there,my dd loves it there.They take excellent care of her and I commend them. I think our teachers should be praised.they are essentially raising our kids when we can't be there, and for realtively peanuts.

 

[RMulieri]

Looking thru the post it seems that the majority agree with the following
Daycare centers/providers deserve
1.to be paid for holidays
2.should not charge for days that they choose to be closed (non-holidays due to you having to pay for alternative care)
3. to be paid normal rate if your child is not there whether it is due to your child/children being sick or being on vacation



Now to add another question to this, anyone out there have to pay a seperate activity fee for offsite field trips/activities?

Yes.For summer camp ( summer daycare)I pay a flat one time $175 activity fee that covers i day per week field trip,1 day per week pooltime,1 day per week bowling and 2 camp tshirts in addition to my tuition. I also pay for fieldtrips throught the year.Anywhere from 5-10$ per trip depending where they are to.

 

[lntsmom]

Every sitter/daycare I used required me to pay for Thankgiving, Easter, and time at Christmas. I'm a teacher, so I always ended up paying for full weeks that we weren't there.

In addition, one sitter required us all to pay her for one week of vacation...and we had to find someone to cover for her for that week!

Unlike many teachers, I wouldn't pay for the whole summer to save my boys a place. I just quit at the start of each summer and hoped they'd have a place for me come fall. Most of the time I ended up changing sitters.

 

[labdogs42]

My daycare center was awesome. We did pay for holidays, but we also got two weeks of vacation a year that we didn't have to pay for! We had to take it as full weeks and we had to let them know a week in advance if we were taking a vacation week, but it was great. The teachers were also wonderful and many of them had been there for years. I think if you can find a GOOD center that you and your child feel comfortable with, it is worth its weight in gold (and worth paying for holidays for!)!

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Unlike many teachers, I wouldn't pay for the whole summer to save my boys a place. I just quit at the start of each summer and hoped they'd have a place for me come fall. Most of the time I ended up changing sitters.

Hmmm - I care for a teacher's child and I guess I really need to talk to them about their plans for next school year. I was under the impression she would want them to return year after year, but I guess people change day cares frequently. I'll have to look into that!