Day Home - Closed for Halloween? (vent again)

holley79 wrote: The on going CCP saga continues. I swear I can't catch a break for anything. I totally understand the whole being closed/ paid for holidays. I am all for that. What I don't understand is why be closed for holidays that other things aren't closed for. (Does this make a lick of sense, what I just said?)

I went to drop off Annika this morning at her dayhome. I knocked and walked in like I always do. She looks at me and is like what are you doing here? "It's Halloween, a holiday, and I'm closed!" She's like "well you must have forgot it's in the contract (which now I can't find my copy of ) so I will keep her today but you can't bring her tomorrow because I'm going to make up for today."

I just don't get it. I feel like everytime I turn around she is throwing another wrench in the engine for me. Last week she hit me with a HUGE daycare bill, which I was not expecting and was not discussed prior to. One of the things on there was the registration fee. (Which I don't have a problem paying) I asked her about it in the beginning and she never brought it up again and I totally forgot about it. I have to budget for these kinds of things. I provide her with everything Annika needs. I bring Annika food, formula, diapers, wipes, bum creams EVERYTHING. I also have picked stuff up for her at Wal Mart numerous times and never asked for her to pay me for them. Everytime I go to Wal Mart I call her and ask her if she needs anything I never hesitate to see if she needs anything. I even took her hair dresser home for her one day.

I feel like she has me by the you know whats just because Annika loves it there and she knows that is my major concern. I don't want to move her but I just feel like I am being taken advantage of. Now I'm trying to figure out what I'm supposed to do for tomorrow. If it were a normal day I could just take the day off but I have COURT tomorrow. I HAVE to be there. I will get tossed in jail by the judge if I don't show up. Now my LT and I are trying to figure out what the heck we are going to do.

Am I being unresponible? It makes me wonder if she's not trying to get me to leave her day home. I don't know. I'm so frustrated right now I could just cry. I don't take advantage of her at all. If I were doing something wrong then maybe I could understand but for goodness sakes!!!!!!!



Thank you for letting me vent.

kristy-n-chad replied: That stinks! Is there anyway maybe she'll take Annika tomorrow and take Thursday off?

mckayleesmom replied: Im home tomorow if you need me.....then again...Im home every day.......

holley79 replied:
Thanks Bri. Trust me you don't want to screamer at her house.

mckayleesmom replied: I already have 2 screamers...what is 1 more? Russell can scream better then a girl...

C&K*s Mommie replied: That totally reeks!

I would get everything, every charge in writing in advance from this point on. And every so -called 'holiday' should be given advance warning of as well. In case she has forgotten what it is like to be a parent and forget, parents do forget things and need simple reminders (a sign, or a letter).

If there is anything that we could do please do not hesitate to call upon us.

holley79 replied: Well by the tiem you were done with Annika and Rusell you would have the worse headache.


Thanks Nicole. I just wonder if in actuality if she just doesn't want to keep Annika. If maybe she is trying to make it to where I don't bring her there anymore. I just don't know. I'm at my wits end with it all.

mckayleesmom replied:
What could possibly be so bad about her that these sitters don't want to watch her? It sounds like these people just want perfect babies that never make a peep and are constantly good.....These are not all babies and if that is what they expect..then they got into the wrong profession.

Kirstenmumof3 replied: I've never heard of a Daycare being closed for Halloween and Claudia has been in Daycare for 3 years. That's very odd! I would definately talk to her about it and consider finding another Daycare!

C&K*s Mommie replied: A couple of people Chris knows are Wiccans, and have chosen to take this day as a holiday off from work.

Calimama replied: Halloween off?

holley79 replied:
Well she said that she has church all day today but that she will just take Annika with her.

I use to work in a DC and we were open on Halloween. I am considering the switch but Annika likes her CCP. She doesn't cry when I drop her off, she's happy when I pick her up. CCP says she's good. Shawn said maybe she knows I won't switch because Annika loves it so much so she thinks she can just do as she pleases. If that's the case I have no choice but to switch but I don't want to for Annika's sake.

mckayleesmom replied:
That might be.

CantWait replied: You know Holley, it goes both ways for a dayhome to work, and it sounds as if your dayhome lady is the one that doesn't want it to work out. I've never heard of a dayhome being closed on Halloween, it's not a an actual holiday. I could understand if she had asked you to try and have Annika picked up at a certain time, but really now.

As for the amount she charged you. I think she and you both need to starting keeping track of what hours she had Annika, and anything else she may be getting paid for. I'd watch out because I smell a rat, one that's going to be charging you extra no doubt for today (because it's a holiday ).

Get another copy of that contract Holley, and truth be told, I think it's time for you to start searching again. I know that Annika loves her, but goes all ways. The provider, the child(ren), and the parents need to be happy with the situation.

holley79 replied: Thanks Marie. Oh trust me I'm being charged for today and tomorrow. Tomorrow I have to make arrangements for Annika because I have court. I am trying to keep track of everything. I have been making phone calls this morning. A friend of mine and my LT has recommended a daycare center to me. I am going to call them when I go to lunch. I hate doing this stuff when I am supposed to be working. (Not like I'm on PC or anything. ) Now I'm in a funk and I can't seem to be able to get anything done.

TheOaf66 replied: Jennie did not close her daycare today, the kids are having a costume party

mummy2girls replied: that really sucks! I hope thsi doesnt sound like a novel...I am open today and its halloween. The only way i take off if i give 2-4 weeks notice.And i keep reminding the parents of my dayhome closures and i keep a communication book so we can alsways talk that way if not enough time at the end of the day. I know annika like it there but the caregiver has to be happy too because if she isnt then annika may take the bnrunt. I hope i dont scare you but when jenna was in one of her many crappy daycares i had reported the worker to the director because of her lectureing me on how im taking care of jenna wrong the worker decided to take it out on jenna to get back at me so she neglected her and didnt feed her. I have 6 kids in my home and a coupel of them are not so nice and bad seeds, but im working with the kids to get them to be better. its a process for sure.

you should have a copy of the rules and policies again and go over them with her. if she refuses then something is fishy! And if this is has been an ongoing thing for a while i would lookf or another place. Jenna was through 6 diff ones before i found an awesome dayhome prior to me opening my own. yes jenna had adjustment problems but once she hit that awesome dayhome the provider worked with her and she adjusted really good and since has had no problems. i know you have been through alot finding a good place but personally i would look for a better one. ask tons of questions, and sign the contract and ask for a copy, also get one of tjose filing boxes and everything associated with her dayhome keep on file. even if its somethign you dont think is worth saving , save it! because you just never know.

b&bsmom replied: I am a daycare provider and I only close for major holidays. Halloween, my dd is at school she has a half day though, but I took the kids to see the Halloween parade. I don't do a registration fee, sounds like easy money there. If someone picked up something for me I would be so grateful. I wish you were closer I would love to watch her for you. Anyway, my suggestion is to talk to her about tomorrow, say you didn't realize Halloween was a holiday, and you have court tomorrow and really need care, could you maybe switch to another day. Then I would try hard to find your contract and read over it again. I would also stop asking her if she needs things, if you want to donate this or that fine, but I wouldn't call and ask. I provide food, juice, snacks , wipes and all that. I am not a stickler for things and if you talk to me we can usually work things out. Good luck. KUP

Cece00 replied: I dont get why she is closed for Halloween, but if she wanted to be...she shouldve given notice. Even though my kids CCP (when my kids were in daycare, I stay home now...) took off holidays (though not Halloween...) she sent a note home at least 3-4 days before reminding parents that she was not open.

redchief replied: I know I'm an old fart; but when did Halloween become a holiday?

Boo&BugsMom replied: Ok, I have worked in many centers, including running a large one, and the one in my home and I have NEVER used Halloween as an excuse for closing. I am sorry to say, but I find it just plain lazy of the provider and it seems like she is just using it as an excuse to close.

I close on all major holidays and a few others...Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Years, New Years Eve, the Monday after Easter, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, 4th of July, Thanksgiving, and the day after Thanksgiving. Yes they are paid, but anyone who works full time gets paid for those (excluding a couple maybe) so we should not be excluded just because we work at home. Halloween is not a "holiday"! I can't stand when providers do this...it's really just taking advantage of the people they care for.

ETA: Now, I can see if she used it as a personal day or vacation day, but not using it as a holiday pay day. I get one week's vacation and 8 personal days per year to use that are paid, but they are outside of the holiday's. But using it as a "holiday", that just seems wrong.

Our Lil' Family replied:
That's what I'm wondering too?

If the post office and banks are open, so should the daycares!

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I do that too out of respect to the parents, but on the flipside to that, it is the parents responsibility to read the handbook so I can see where the provider is coming from.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: I have a hard time with her making life difficult on YOU b/c she doesn't want to keep Annika. Why wouldn't she want to keep her? My mother is a DCP and has had some pretty difficult children (and picky parents) but she would never take it out on the parents in an effort to get rid of the kid. That sounds so strange to me. My mother does not close on Halloween, either. I've never heard of that. If she is going to be closed for a holiday she reminds the parents, but Halloween??? Crazy.

I'm sorry, Holley. You've had rotten luck with daycares. I hope you are able to find something a little more accomodating. Somewhere that Annika is comfortable.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
About the reg. fee...I have one. I usually use it for supplies and toys for the daycare because I live paycheck to paycheck and can not really use the money I get from tuition payments. This should have been something that should be in the handbook as well. If it's in there, well, then you should expect to pay it no matter if she says something or not. That is what the handbook is for, because we can't possiby remember everything word for word to tell the parents. That's why we print it up.

Did she have a contract for you to sign? I have the parents sign a contract upon enrolling stating what their tuition will be each week. Also, does she have late fees? Read the handbook, they should be in there if she does. Before asking her about any of it and posting blame, make sure you have read the handbook. You'd be surprised how many parents don't and then they look surprised if they are hit with a fee of some sort. It is very important to read it. It is the parents resposibility to read it. Not to sound harsh, but we already are taking care of the children, the parents need to be adults and be responsible for their own actions. We can't be responsible for theirs AND their child's. On the other side though, she needs to use communication with her families. That is of the utmost importance. If she knew you hadn't paid something, then she should have spoke up right then and there.

I hope it works out for you. Hopefully it's just some missed communication. The whole taking Halloween off though does sound fishy. I would just check to see possibly WHY she is taking it off. Maybe it's something at her church every year that she volunteers at? If so I can see, but then again, it should be used as a personal/vacation day...not a holiday.

holley79 replied: I don't have a problem with paid holidays. She has had every holiday that shows up on the calender off and her birthday. I also made arrangements while she had to go to court in AL for her sister. I also paid her for that day.

I just hate to change Annika again. I know I keep saying this over and over again. It was so hard for me to get her to where she didn't scream when I dropped her off. That pained me so bad.

I have also been calling a bunch of places everyone has given me suggestions of. No one has an "infant space" (I hate that term) avaliable. None of the dayhomes in the area are accepting any new children. I am so lost. I guess I'm just going to have to wait till the first of the year for Annika to go to a day care center.

For those who know, how does the 1 year old thing work. I know some say 1 year old as of Sept 1st. (This was for a pre- school.) Does this apply to day care centers?

Boo&BugsMom replied:
It depends on how the center is ran. Some use birthdays as the day the child moves on up. Others go by the "school system" of sorts, which I actually find better for the center, staff, and children to be honest. Every place runs differently so that is something I would ask each place you call. Every place is also set up differently (some ages together, all ages seperate, etc.) so it really just depends on each individual center.

Holley, does it say something in her handbook about getting paid every day no matter if she is closed, off, etc.? Some providers do that. My parents pay no matter if the child is there or not and on my paid days, but if I am sick or if I used up all my vacation and personal days and need off, I do not get paid. OR, if I don't give ample notice either. I would check on that. TO be honest, I think a good provider is someone who is fair to herself AND the parents. There has to be a happy medium. It kind of seems like she is only fair to herself. I don't want to assume though, so I would check all that out first.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Hmmm. My Holidays are only on Holidays where the government is on Holidays too... lol

I do have vacation days I can take though, but I need to give 4 weeks notice.

I do have late fees... 1$ for every minute over the agreed upon time. But, I don't charge the parents, the agency does... so it's at my discretion... and i usually don't bother.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I have a mom who is notorious for coming late, and she knows it too. She just got socked with a $100 after hours late fee bill...$2 per minute...that was between 4 different days. It also comes out of their pocket, no matter what. I always charge. I'd be a fool not to. It's bothersome to have something planned, then have to wait for them to pick up their children and be late. That is my family time and I find it disrespectful when parents don't show up on time. I refuse to be taken advantage of.

Maddie&EthansMom replied: My mom should charge a late fee. When she opens her center she will. She had a mom who milked her for 4 years.

holley79 replied: She knows at the beginning of the week which day will be Annika's late day. I get charged a half day for that day which is fine. I don't take advantage of her at all in that aspect. The only time Annika is there more then one day till 515 is when DH is in New Orleans. I also let her know these days well in advance.

I am going to sit tight for now. When Annika is closer to the one year mark then I will look at a day care center.



I know she is going to have this problem when she starts elementry school but I really don't want her stuck in an "infant" type setting till she is almost two because of her DOB. I will have to find a daycare center that basises age placement on the child's age. Annika would flip if she had to sit in a crib.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Even if a child is in the infant room until that late, most centers will transition the kids to a cot by that time around their one year birthday. Usually, those children are also not the only ones in that age range. There would probably be other kids with a similar birthday. It's more of a "stigma" attached to the room being called an "infant room" than anything else. The kids still get transitioned to things according to their age and abilities. This includes curriculum and transitioning to things like table food, sippy cups, and cots. It's really just the room "name", nothing else. It doesn't mean they will still get treated like babies.

Just my opinion, but the nice thing about it is that she would remain with kids in her "grade" and she would transition with those kids every year. It causes less of a revolving door for the teachers so they are able to offer a steady curriculum throughout the year, less stress on the kids having to transition alone to a new room with kids they do not know, and also makes it easier for the center to keep track of available spots. I actually found it to be wonderful when Tanner was a baby. He was with the same children for 2 years until the center closed. Now, some of those kids are still in my home with him. They become very close and it's very rewarding.

In cases like Annika's, at the large center I ran, if she was struggling being in the infant room that long without other children around her abilities and there was a space available in the toddler room, then she would be bumped up, but then have to stay in that room at the next transition time. There are ways to accomodate if it's the right thing for the child. That may be something to bring up if a center rotates their classrooms by "school year". IMHO, a good center will still accomodate for what is best for each child, if that is what is best for the child...within reason of course.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:
Yes... but I don't bother because the agency is the one that gets the money...

The mom is actually pretty decent though. She's only late when she has a school meeting, which she wil tell me when she has them, but she might only find out the day before... and it's not a big deal for me. She has given me an extra 5$ here and there cash to compensate... that's why I don't bother writing it up.

She keeps the kids home with her when there is a PD day at school though... since she's a teacher... and she still pays for the full day a nyways. So it's all good.

Boo&BugsMom replied: Rocky, that bites that you don't get that late fee money! I wouldn't bother with it either. That not fair to you! Glad to hear she's decent at least. Mine is too, she just shows up late a lot.

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Yep...

I can guarantee though that I would charge late fees if I was on my own though. Not with the agency I mean.

Although it really wouldn't bother me all that much... with the daycare kids here, the kdis all play together and entertain themselves... without them, my own kids beat each other up. And my dh only gets home about 1 1/2 hours after the daycare kids leave... so if she's late, it's actually easier.