Daycare - declaring what days you'll send kiddo?

[vanillacourage]

Did you have to say which days over the next two weeks your kid(s) will attend daycare?

We just got asked what days they'll attend from 12/21-1/6. I said we knew for sure they'd be home on Christmas Eve but we'd play the rest by ear so mark 'yes' for now - and the teacher got sort of huffy about it. DH and I are both off work all week but are planning to have "day-dates" where the kids will go to school at the usual time and then get picked up early. I understand they're trying to plan staffing, but we are paying full-price for that week and will send them if we want. If they offered partial-week we would take that option.

[CloudBee]

That would really annoy me. They should expect many people to be in a similar boat, taking it one day at a time. Yes, it's a business and you are paying full price. I think it's fine that they specifically asked, as people may be out of state, etc. But to get annoyed when you tell them you will take it a day at a time? That's wrong.

[Ashley&Scott]

We have not had to declare. Our center is closed 12/24, 12/25, 1/1. They are closing early on 12/31. Tuition is still full price.

I'm jealous of the day dates. I'm excited for the new year when my PTO starts replenishes

[jackie011]

I don't think it's wrong that they asked, but no one should have an attitude. We're only closed on 12/25 and 1/1, but have asked parents when children will be attending. We have a lot of staff off through that time (me, included, WOO HOO!) some classes will be so small that they will merge together for the few days. I see nothing wrong with responding "yes" for all the days- you ARE paying for it!

[anna7602]

We had to do this at a previous preschool of DD's. Even though they were open during some holidays (and we were paying for it), we did have to tell them ahead of time so they could plan. It wasn't just staffing, it was also to plan things like specific activities for the kids. I didn't think it was a big deal. Generally, I knew ahead of time if I had to work or if I was just going to keep DD home.

[Deleted]

As far as I know, we do not have to declare. Like others, our daycare is closed 12/24, 12/25, 12/31, and 1/1 and we need care for the days in between.

[BAMFMrsB]

Yep, same here. There's a sheet on the classroom door with every day from now - 1/4/13. I'm bringing in babyBAMF on NYE to have a day off for myself. Its not like I'll stop paying for the days he's out between now and then, ya know? And I'm working 1/2, 1/3, & 1/4.

[jessnpaul]

They asked me about next week but I don't mind. They deserve some time off too and there's no need for extra teachers to be there if not necessary.

I'm off 12/31 and I'm dropping him off at daycare anyway... it's his last paid day there (my MIL is going to be watching him for a few months so we can get through the winter/RSV season) and I'm taking full advantage of it! Mama needs a day off too

[CloudBee]

Dec 18, 2012 12:06:32 GMT -5 jessnpaul said:

They asked me about next week but I don't mind. They deserve some time off too and there's no need for extra teachers to be there if not necessary.

They do deserve time off, but not free time off. They shouldn't be relaying attitude or pressure to the "client" just to staff can get some extra days off. Holidays are known 12 months in advance, and centers manage just fine with planned vacation days at any other time, correct?

My entire department can't take a week off at the same time. Why should a daycare be any different when clients are paying?

It's fine to ask if your child will be in, but to huff and puff when you are unsure is completely unacceptable, IMO.

[drloretta]

Yes, we expect there will be a sheet. But they're pretty chill about it if we aren't firmed up yet

[schrodinger]

SD's daycare used to ask you to declare every single month. But, they did that so that they could commit to "drop-ins" which were especially common during school breaks. I guess I thought this was normal. Not okay to pressure you though . . .

[mrssandro]

I never got much of attitude about this. Asking isn't a big deal but if giving attitude when you pay full price I would have a problem about it and tell the director.

[cjeanette]

We declare. I understand that it helps with staffing and allowing people the time off who want it. That said, if you aren't working and want to have a day date mark yes. I wouldn't be tenative about it though.

[aspentosh]

Nope. I'd be annoyed that they were annoyed.

Our in home daycare gets the 25th and 1st off, otherwise we are free (and encouraged) to drop off DD, which we will be doing for much of the week.

[takeonyou]

I run a home daycare. I ask because I have a lot of requests for drop ins that week for school aged children. I ask so that I can accommodate other kids if needed. Also, of I end up with a day off, it would be nice to know ahead of time so I can plan it.

It really helps them to know so they can plan lessons, crafts, food, activities, etc. The attitude isn't necessary though. If someone said maybe, I would count it as a yes and move on.

[jade]

Ours asks, but we only pay half price if he is out for the whole week.

[Deleted]

Dec 18, 2012 12:03:35 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

We had to do this at a previous preschool of DD's. Even though they were open during some holidays (and we were paying for it), we did have to tell them ahead of time so they could plan. It wasn't just staffing, it was also to plan things like specific activities for the kids. I didn't think it was a big deal. Generally, I knew ahead of time if I had to work or if I was just going to keep DD home.

Yep, our school does this too in the summer. I get why they want you to plan ahead. That's no reason to be rude though.

[Deleted]

I was only asked for Dec 24, but they are only open half a day. I'm surprised to see previous responses since our DC will be closed for an extended period, from afternoon of Dec 24 until Jan 1. Yes, we still pay the same monthly cost. I assumed most DCs will be close for a week.

[water*drop]

They asked, so I told them the days that I'm sure DD won't be there. I also told them there might be a couple of days here and there that she isn't there or is only there for a couple of hours (I'm off for the next 3 weeks, but I have some stuff that absolutely has to get done in that time), and I'd let them know about those at least a day in advance. They were fine with that.

[starlily]

Yes, they asked. I didn't mind. I know that they need to plan staffing. Also, our center wouldn't charge if we were indeed out all of Christmas week.

[cjeanette]

Dec 18, 2012 12:53:14 GMT -5 d0ri said:

I was only asked for Dec 24, but they are only open half a day. I'm surprised to see previous responses since our DC will be closed for an extended period, from afternoon of Dec 24 until Jan 1. Yes, we still pay the same monthly cost. I assumed most DCs will be close for a week.

Ours only closes for the major holidays. They don't even take snow days. So around Thanksgiving and Christmas I have no problem filling in these sheets. If a light day means someone gets the day off then I think it is smart to plan ahead.

[jessnpaul]

Dec 18, 2012 12:21:43 GMT -5 mrssandro said:

I never got much of attitude about this. Asking isn't a big deal but if giving attitude when you pay full price I would have a problem about it and tell the director.

Exactly. They asked me but they didn't give me attitude about the fact that some days he'd be there and other days he wouldn't. If they had given me attitude, different story.

[vanillacourage]

FTR, I totally get why they're asking and don't mind in principle. It's the huffiness that is no bueno.

[cjeanette]

Dec 18, 2012 13:28:42 GMT -5 vanillacourage said:

FTR, I totally get why they're asking and don't mind in principle. It's the huffiness that is no bueno.

True. Out sheet is outside the door. The teacher doesn't see us sign it at all.

[takeonyou]

Also, a lot of teachers request off these days. Generally in a center only 1-2 people can take off the same days because of enrollment. So if they know ahead of time that only X number of kids will be there, they can approve vacation time for additional teachers.

Once upon a time I was that teacher away from my family at Christmas. I made vacation by 2 kids that year. I was so grateful!

[Deleted]

yes we had to fill it out. I see no problem with this, the teachers deserve time off if ratios are met with less students.

[Redpoppy]

When we got the letter with holidays for the year, I totally missed that they are closed the full day Christmas Ever AND New Year's Eve. I understand Christmas Eve, but am pretty annoyed about New Year's Eve. In no way is it a holiday. They did some shuffling and were open Veteran's Day and Columbus Day when they usually close for one. It's the YMCA, and they rarely close. You'd think they would of pointed out specifically that they had changed the dates they are closed and are now closed two days they have always been open. Now DH has to take New Year's Eve off. I'm just going to hang out with DS while working from home on Christmas Eve since we just have a half day and my boss doesn't care.

[huskymom]

Mine is closed all of next week and dec 31-jan 1. I too thought this was normal!

[Deleted]

Dec 18, 2012 23:12:02 GMT -5 huskymom said:

Mine is closed all of next week and dec 31-jan 1. I too thought this was normal!

I'd flip out. I could never use a daycare like that, I'm working Wed-Fri. Thank goodness my MIL can babysit on the 31st bc I have to work but DC is closed.

[definitelyO]

We had to give our December dates by Nov. 20th and our January dates by Dec. 10th. they need to know what to expect in order to staff. but for us now we pay per day - so if we say DS will be there we will pay regardless of whether or not we take him or not. I think that it's pretty reasonable.