Daycare contract?

BeetleLinz1125

So DH and I went yesterday to check out an in-home daycare and I came across something that I didn't expect.  We were going over the contract and on weeks that the provider takes a vacation (she takes 2 per year) they still expect 50%.  I thought that was odd because I still will have to find alternate childcare, which will still cost me money.  Plus, I think it's wierd that I have to pay for her to take a vacation, which means that I won't be able to afford one.  Has anyone else ran across this? Is that pretty standard in the in-home daycare world?  

I'm actually not going to send LO to that lady for other reasons (we just didn't get a good vibe from the place and her husband gave both me and DH the creeps...and he stays home to help care for the kids, so it was a no go.) 

*~*Amanda*~*

At my work's daycare we still have to pay for the federal holidays even though the daycare is closed.

For example, I pay the full week's tuition and if monday is memorial day, the daycare is closed and we still pay the full week's cost. Same if I go on vacation and don't need daycare, I still pay for the week

This also includes 1 staff development day a year.

It stinks but its worth it because I love the daycare, there is a 1 year + waiting list and I was lucky to get a spot because LO is going part time and is one of the best daycares in the city and it's at my work which is super convenient!

shellindcwife

From what I heard from other moms in my area about centers, even if they (the center) are closed for a week, you still pay for that entire week.

This is the sole reason I did not choose a center. I get it, if it's one day, a federal holiday, but a whole week? No thank you. 

Bejebus

I have DS and DD in a center, not an in-home, and it's the same as PP- I pay for the full week, whether they are there or not or there is a holiday or not. BUT, I pay for a center for the convenience of someone always being there. If I were paying for in-home care, I would not agree to paying for her vacation time- but if we went on a vacation, I would expect to paying for that week- she depends on me for income, and my choice to take vacation shouldn't take her income away.

KMAXON

I am a teacher and I will be using an in home daycare. I know we need to pay for full weeks, even if she were to go with DH for a day or something and we will be paying through school vacations, since she relies on us for her income. However, those are my vacations. I would not be okay with paying for her vacations.

ITGurl0626

That's one of the reasons why I didn't go with this one lady.  She told me up front that she takes 2 week paid vacation each year.  The 2 weeks aren't sequential but I had issue with paying her & someone else to watch my LO while she was out.  It didn't sit well with me at all.

 

1ht

cpb79

We are doing in-home and don't have to pay the week of spring break or Christmas, but do for the 2 Federal holidays she closes.

august06mom

Normal in our area. In fact, we pay 100% for two weeks vacation. She's running a business -- she deserves a paid vacation, doesn't she? You get a paid vacation don't you?

BeetleLinz1125

august06mom:

Normal in our area. In fact, we pay 100% for two weeks vacation. She's running a business -- she deserves a paid vacation, doesn't she? You get a paid vacation don't you?

I just have a real problem with paying her and still having to find alternate childcare.  Most "business owners" do take vacations, but they only still get paid if their business is operating.  Her business would not be operating, therefore I don't see why she is charging.

I understand having to pay a full week 100% of the time even if there are holidays or if LO doesn't go, I know that is standard.  I just did not expect that with an in-home daycare. 

Bluescarf

Lots of daycares do this, in-home or not. They basically have you paying to save your spot. Some people who refuse to pay it get bumped out and a new parent's child takes their place. I worked in daycare for years, and even though it sucks the good places know they can get away with it because they are, well....that good.

lnelson20

august06mom:

Normal in our area. In fact, we pay 100% for two weeks vacation. She's running a business -- she deserves a paid vacation, doesn't she? You get a paid vacation don't you?

This.