Paid Vacation Days for In-home Daycare Providers

When i used an in home daycare it was in the contract that she was allowed so many paid days off per year. I think that 2 1/2 weeks seems like a bit much for such a short amount of time. I believe that my daycare provided said one paid week per year and if she needed more she would give me pleanty of notice and i would not be charged. Hope this helps.

I don't use daycare but I would have an issue with having to pay her when she takes off on vacation, I can understand the other ones, although I don't agree, but not when she is taking time off....

Hi K.,
I used to be an in-home care provider. I am shocked that your provider is asking for pay when she is not available to watch your kids. That is the one thing you give away when you are self employed. This is true in any business. My husband is a psychologist. He would never ask his clients to still pay for their session if HE was home sick...that is crazy!!! I do think you should still pay when your kids stay home sick or you go on vacation but NEVER the other way around. If she is comparing herself to a daycare center you could explain that the difference is, the person who gets paid vacation from that center is replaced by another worker so that the service is still provided. And, that benefit is paid for by the business owener, NOT the clients. She is the business owner, NOT YOU.
Take care,
B.

I have watched kids off and on for several years now and I have never asked for paid days off. I do however make the parent pay if they have told me that they would be there and then don't show up (I call them a no call no show) because I was expecting them to be there and they never called to tell me that they wouldn't be. I guess that I am even more easy going than some because if your child is sick I don't make you pay for that day, you pay for those days that you are there, or scheduled to be there, and no more or less. I agree with the other post that paid vactions and sick days are things that you give up when you work from home and for yourself. If I can't be there to provide that service then I don't make you pay and it is unreasonable to ask that you do. I would suggest that you look into finding another provider so you don't have to continue to pay for her vactions.

I do part time babysitting in my home. My rule has always been if their kids are sick and they cannot come or they take time off I still get paid for the scheduled days. If my child is sick however or I take time off personally when they are scheduled to be here, then they do not pay me as they will have to pay someone else to watch their children. Most daycare centers charge regardless so take that into consideration. I would sit down and renegotiate with your provider. If she is just an individual that is doing this it isn't fair you have to double pay. If she is full time and working 40 hours a week for you, then you do have to be somewhat fair and maybe provide her a week paid vacation! That is nice that you do this and I understand how expensive it can be. You owe to both of you to sit down and discuss what is fair for both of you.

After reading the responses, I agree with them. First of all, I have a sitter which works 5 days a week for me. She is wonderful and appreciate all she does for me and my daughter. However, I do not pay her for vacations. I do pay for my daughters sick days and her sick days (which have been two in the last year). I think it is really out ragous that you are paying for her when she is not watching your kids. Reason being you have to pay someone else for them to watch your children which costs you double sometimes triple depending on what you pay. I also see she has taken 2.5 weeks off which is a little much since Oct. if you ask me. But I guess if you are still paying her, why not? If you really like her then I would talk about this and see if you all can come up with a solution, otherwise find another provider cause in my opinion she is not being fair. Good Luck!

When our son was in daycare, our contract stated our provider was to receive 2 weeks paid vacation (for which we received at least 2-weeks advanced notice). However, she was not paid for sick days (since she knew we'd be having to pay for other daycare). However, if our child was sick or we took him out of daycare, we still had to pay.

Did you sign a contract? If so, look over it and see what it says.

I am a childcare provider. I have been for the last 25 years. Taking care of children is my JOB. I work very hard everyday. I care for children while the parents go to their job. I am sure they work very hard. When you take a vacation if you have been there for probably one year or more, you get a paid vacation. The longer you are there the more vacation you get. Why is it that you feel that the person working taking care of your most prized posession doesn't deserve the same as you!!! I get one week vacation the first year of the contract. I also take most federal holidays. I also take 2 personal days per year for personal business, Dr. Dentist etc. After the first year that the child is in my care I get two weeks paid vacation. I have had a steady business for 25 years and a constant waiting list. I in return give excellent care to the children I keep. I also give parents one week per year where they do not have to pay, for their vacation. Childcare providers are in the same boat as teachers. We offer our homes, our care, our love, our wisdom to your child and we are probably the most underpaid profession for the hours we put in. Just take the weekly rate you pay and divide it by the hours that your child is in childcare. I guarantee it is extremely less than what you make per hour.

As a current in home provider, my clients do pay for my vacation time however it is only 7 days per year and generally during the summer. I also take paid holidays and sick days

Did she tell you how much time she would take off when she started? State it in her contract? If not, I would bring it up and see how much more she plans on taking. Many companies offer benefits. Paid time off, vacation, sick days, insurance etc. As a provider, you have to give yourself these things. Some people think of it as unfair because they look at it as another woman, friend etc. asking for money when they're not doing anything. You have to look at it as a company. It's the same for parents who are frustrated when they take vacation and they still have to pay. You are paying for your childs slot not the time there. It's makes the income reliable for the provider. Just because you only watch your cable 15 days a month doesn't mean you only have to pay for 15 days.

Hope that helps!

I can see still having to pay for sick days or YOUR vacation days but not during HER vacation time, that is excessive especially since you have to find other daycare while she is gone that is not your fault. In daycare facilities they have their days off such as holidays but they dont take week long vacations all at once where all the teachers take off and all the kids there have to go elsewhere and still pay that just blows my mind. She just sounds like she is being really greedy I would find someone else.

Ok, reality check. IF you really like your provider and signed a contract, I'm sure it was stated. I believe that providers are intitled to paid vacation like any other working person. When my daughter was in childcare they had several days off. They operated like school, had spring breaks etc. Although, it was tough on me to find alternative providers I was sooo happy and content with the quality of care we were provided, I sucked it up and dealt with it. Before we left, parents were trying to get together a co-op to help each other out when the centers was closed. So that could be an option. I feel your pain but you have to weigh the options and alternatives before denying a provider her (hopefully) well deserved time off.

K. -

First you do need to review your contract. Most working parents to get paid time off at work. As well as your provider should. She cares for your children and deserves a break. This refreshes her. You must keep in mind that she also does have bills to pay and a family to feed. Caring for your children and others can be exhausting and rewarding.
I would agree that 2 weeks per yr, 5 sick days and 7 holidays should be the max. You should also recieve the same from her at a min. of half rate paid to your provider.
She cares for your children, she grows to love your children. You should respect her as your employer respects you. If I get paid. She gets paid ! I do get a yearly bonus as will my provider will get a % of this. My children are my life and I want them to have the best care. Resentment between your provider and youself is not healthy for the children. They will feel the tension. So please do talk with your provider at a private time about your issue and then decide should you move your children. Do find out how much vacation time she is planning on taking each year.

L.-
Mother of 3 (18,8,2)

Please note that I have done in home child care and also do work out side the home in between children. I'm back in the work force. I have been a single parent and understand both side of the fence. Communication is important !

I watch children in my home and I never charge when they go on vacation unless they are mixed weeks such as if I watched thee child mon thru weds and then they went on vacation and I watched the child 2 days the following week. If they took sunday thru saturday in the same week then I wouldn't charge at all. I can't understand how they could charge you for a service that isn't provided when its them going on vacation (its immoral). I know that actual daycare centers do but they are usually always open for you. I would leave them and find something else.