Do You Ask, or Just Tell?

[Shell]

If you need to close early one day (giving about a month of notice), do you ask the parents if they can make other arrangements, or do you just tell them when and what time you are closing, and leave it at that?
I have one family that always gives me the sob story that they have no family nearby, and I always cave and call my assistant in so they don't have to leave work. I also print out a schedule and they know of early closings well in advance, so this is unusual for me, and I am dreading the, "well, I have a meeting, and can't get out early...blah, blah" excuse dcm is sure to give me.

[Play Care]

If you need to close early one day (giving about a month of notice), do you ask the parents if they can make other arrangements, or do you just tell them when and what time you are closing, and leave it at that?
I have one family that always gives me the sob story that they have no family nearby, and I always cave and call my assistant in so they don't have to leave work. I also print out a schedule and they know of early closings well in advance, so this is unusual for me, and I am dreading the, "well, I have a meeting, and can't get out early...blah, blah" excuse dcm is sure to give me.

With that much notice, I inform that families that I WILL be closing early on X date. The only time I would ask, would be for short/sudden notice, which happened this week. On Monday we had a sudden death in our family and I asked the dcp's if they could pick up early last night so I could attend the wake. Everyone was more than willing to make that happen.
In your case the second mom claimed hard ship I would probably say "well I'm sure you can work something out because I will be closed."
Good Luck!

[butterfly]

I must be getting too old and jaded. I would never even CONSIDER asking the parents if it was ok for me to take some much needed time off. I'd TELL them - with as much notice as possible.

[CraftyMom]

No it isn't an option. "I will be closing early at xx:xx on ___." And that's all I say. My contract states they are required to have a back up for such situations. Only once did I ask and it was for a last minute appt the next week, all found backups.

[Blackcat31]

I don't ask.

Asking implies that parents have a say in my decision.

Sometimes I will ask if one day or another works better for a family but I usually only ask something like that so that I can make a decision base don what is best for the group as a whole.

Other than that, I do what I need to do, when I need to do it.

THAT ^^^^ is one of the best perks about being self-employed.

[Cat Herder]

I would most likely close for the day instead of early. IME, it gives them too much power to ruin your plans for the day whether purposeful, or not.

30 days notice of a closing is perfectly reasonable.

It is a parental responsibility to have back up care.

[mema]

I would just tell them. If mom has a problem getting off early or finding someone else to pick up early, then maybe she needs to find a sitter for the whole day.

I try not to close early and just take the day and get other things done. Because like Cat said, they are usually late then for an early close and you miss whatever you were closing for

[drseuss]

Everyone needs time off once in a while. A month is more than sufficient notice, and the parent should have a backup plan in place.

Sometimes I think that as providers, more is expected of us in regards to bending for others because of our gentle/nurturing personalities that land us in this profession. Sometimes it takes a few years of learning the hard way that we are human too, we have doctor's appointments and emergencies just like everybody else, and we deserve that understanding.

[MCC]

I tell them.

A serious past boyfriend of mine was killed in a car accident last Saturday, the funeral is this Saturday, 8 hours away. I emailed parents Monday evening telling them I would be closing at 12pm on Friday so that I can drive up, and to let me know if they did not need care for whatever reason. I got very sweet responses, and everyone understood.

[drseuss]

I agree with just closing for the day, as mentioned above!

[lovemykidstoo]

I have left a few times early during my sons cross country season and track season so I can get to the meet in time. I always tack on an extra 15 minutes to when I really need to leave just in case of traffic issues. I've never had anyone complain. I don't discount for that, but if I take the whole day off, I wouldn't get paid for that.

[Blackcat31]

I have left a few times early during my sons cross country season and track season so I can get to the meet in time. I always tack on an extra 15 minutes to when I really need to leave just in case of traffic issues. I've never had anyone complain. I don't discount for that, but if I take the whole day off, I wouldn't get paid for that.

I don't close for the whole day either. I feel it's easier to close early and still charge a whole day since I don't discount those days either.

I give myself a lot more then 15 minutes though.....the last time I closed early it was for a 3:30 appt, so I closed at 2:00.

Late fees still apply for early close days so unless a parent wants to use up one of their 3 strikes (before being termed) they usually are never late.

I think parents would rather use part of a day (both at work and daycare) verses not having the whole day.

[Shell]

Great advice as always. Thank you everyone!

[melilley]

I tell them.
I don't close for the whole day either, that way I don't have to use a personal day and I still get paid for the whole day.
I think 30 days is plenty of notice! I have to close early, coincidentally today, and I told my parents at the end of March. I also reminded them yesterday and wrote it on my calendar.

This is my first time closing early. I have an appt. at 5 and close at 4:30. I should have closed a little earlier, oh well, we'll see if everyone gets here on time!

[MotherNature]

I don't ask.

Asking implies that parents have a say in my decision.

Sometimes I will ask if one day or another works better for a family but I usually only ask something like that so that I can make a decision base don what is best for the group as a whole.

Other than that, I do what I need to do, when I need to do it.

THAT ^^^^ is one of the best perks about being self-employed.

Yup, exactly. Especially, with a month notice-I tell, not ask. That's plenty of time for them to have a backup.