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advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
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Thank you everybody for you responses. I appreciate it. You guys definitely added more stress to my life (lol), but also gave me a lot to consider. I'm gonna work on finding a replacement and shortening my time off when baby's born.
Message edited 5/19/2015 10:45:27 AM.
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Posted 5/18/15 5:06 PM  |
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Mara1017
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/11 696 total posts
Name:
Mara
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
What is your plan for the day care during your leave? Are you going to have someone there to cover your leave ?
If you are planning on continuing the day care after you take a leave I would give the families as much notice as possible. I understand you don't want to loose the money but I would think you would want to give the families enough time to find alternative care because I am sure they cannot go 6 weeks without daycare. The way I look at it is if you don't do the right thing word will get out and you will have a hard time finding new families once you are back from your leave.
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| Posted 5/18/15 8:46 PM |
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
Most companies give their employees 6 weeks for vaginal and 8 weeks for a csection so I'm sure by that point you'll be ok to return back to work if that was your decision. If I were you I would definitely try to find coverage for the time that your out so that the families aren't left hanging without daycare. It's all what your comfortable with.
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| Posted 5/18/15 9:12 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
Posted by Mara1017
What is your plan for the day care during your leave? Are you going to have someone there to cover your leave ?
If you are planning on continuing the day care after you take a leave I would give the families as much notice as possible. I understand you don't want to loose the money but I would think you would want to give the families enough time to find alternative care because I am sure they cannot go 6 weeks without daycare. The way I look at it is if you don't do the right thing word will get out and you will have a hard time finding new families once you are back from your leave.
I agree.
ETA: I was feeling back to normal within 2 weeks or so. Went back to work at 5.5 weeks postpartum.
Message edited 5/18/2015 9:15:33 PM.
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| Posted 5/18/15 9:14 PM |
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nycgirl
Angels!
Member since 3/09 7721 total posts
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
If I was being my DC to a daycare, I couldn't swing even 2 weeks off (people can't time their vacation if they even have it with your childbirth).
Personally, I'd hire someone & pay them a nice sum of $$ to keep your clients if you want to keep them.
6-8 weeks is nice, but obviously, if you are running your own business, you need to think about it.
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| Posted 5/18/15 9:22 PM |
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evrythng4areason
And then there were 4
Member since 1/10 5224 total posts
Name:
Kayla
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
Posted by nycgirl
If I was being my DC to a daycare, I couldn't swing even 2 weeks off (people can't time their vacation if they even have it with your childbirth).
Personally, I'd hire someone & pay them a nice sum of $$ to keep your clients if you want to keep them.
6-8 weeks is nice, but obviously, if you are running your own business, you need to think about it.
I agree with this. I love my babysitter who has something similar to what you're describing, but I wouldn't know what to do as a client. I would hate to go through having to find someone new while you're out, and acclimate my kid to someone new, and then after a chunk of time switch them back. I would just be aware ahead of time that you may lose the families if you don't so something to prevent that
That being said, I was back at work by 5.5 weeks? I could have gone back after about 3 though.
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| Posted 5/18/15 9:49 PM |
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Strawberry2468
It's summatime
Member since 3/09 4739 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
6 weeks is a lot to expect families to find coverage for the I'd say most will just go somewhere else. Unless you are ok with likely having to find all new clients then I'd hire someone to fill in for you.
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| Posted 5/18/15 10:40 PM |
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FirstMate
My lil cowboy
Member since 10/10 7790 total posts
Name:
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
Unfortunately, the line of work you are in doesn't give you much liberty. The only way to really ensure the security of your business is to find someone to cover you for the time you want off.
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| Posted 5/19/15 6:50 AM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
IMO you need to find coverage. If my provider told me I;d have to find coverage for 6-8 weeks I would leave them and find a new permanent place.
Plus just finding a new daycare with availability for these parents is going to be hard. I think you need to tell them ASAP. And you will need to get the replacement person soon so the parents feel comfortable with the change.
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| Posted 5/19/15 8:51 AM |
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NervousNell
Just another chapter in life..
Member since 11/09 54921 total posts
Name:
..being a mommy and being a wife!
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
There is no way I'd find coverage for 6-8 weeks and then go back to you, sorry.
I'd end up finding a daycare center....because situations like this are the main reason I wouldn't even consider an in home daycare.
You need to get someone to cover for you while you are out or expect to lose them all.
I felt back to my normal self within a week. 100%. But I had a relatively easy vaginal birth with just a few stitches.
Everyone is different.
Message edited 5/19/2015 9:11:54 AM.
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| Posted 5/19/15 9:07 AM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
Posted by Strawberry2468
6 weeks is a lot to expect families to find coverage for the I'd say most will just go somewhere else. Unless you are ok with likely having to find all new clients then I'd hire someone to fill in for you.
This. I would not be able to find coverage for 6 weeks, I may be able to swing it for 2 weeks with the help of family.
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| Posted 5/19/15 9:13 AM |
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shapla79
Where Does The Time Go?
Member since 11/07 4619 total posts
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
I would hire someone to cover you. The reason I used daycare was because I needed consistent, reliable coverage so that I would not miss work. The times that I used home daycare and the person knew she would be out, even for a week, she told me who would be watching my kids in her place (which I really valued).
Like some PPs said, you might end up losing clients over this. I think your best bet is to find someone to temporarily take over for you while you are on leave. Good luck!
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| Posted 5/19/15 9:34 AM |
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TyReseGreen
Lil Prince is here
Member since 8/11 6338 total posts
Name:
Theresa
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
Posted by NervousNell
There is no way I'd find coverage for 6-8 weeks and then go back to you, sorry.
I'd end up finding a daycare center....because situations like this are the main reason I wouldn't even consider an in home daycare.
You need to get someone to cover for you while you are out or expect to lose them all.
This is so true; I would just go with someone else if it was my child in daycare. You can always find someone to cover for you.
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| Posted 5/19/15 9:49 AM |
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
The thing is that these parents do not want daycare centers, the one-on-one that I give to their children is very important to them and we've all formed great relationships with each other. I know they also all do have families close by who watch the kids part time (I only have them 3 days a week). So it's always been fine when I've gone away for vacations (which isn't very often, but at least yearly). 6 weeks, however, is a long time. I don't think I could physically cut it any shorter though. Maybe I could try just giving myself a month instead, who knows. I'm looking around to see if I can find a replacement either way to help ensure the parents have care, but I don't know a lot of people in town so it may not work out. I am definitely giving them more than enough notice though. I'm only 10wks now and plan to let them know in another 2-3 so they'll have a good 6 months to figure things out. Hopefully I don't lose them in the meantime. Definitely don't want to have to start all over again in hunting down kiddos. I love the ones I have. Been watching them since they were itty bitty 
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| Posted 5/19/15 10:17 AM |
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Mara1017
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/11 696 total posts
Name:
Mara
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
Posted by Garden-of-Eden
The thing is that these parents do not want daycare centers, the one-on-one that I give to their children is very important to them and we've all formed great relationships with each other. I know they also all do have families close by who watch the kids part time (I only have them 3 days a week). So it's always been fine when I've gone away for vacations (which isn't very often, but at least yearly). 6 weeks, however, is a long time. I don't think I could physically cut it any shorter though. Maybe I could try just giving myself a month instead, who knows. I'm looking around to see if I can find a replacement either way to help ensure the parents have care, but I don't know a lot of people in town so it may not work out. I am definitely giving them more than enough notice though. I'm only 10wks now and plan to let them know in another 2-3 so they'll have a good 6 months to figure things out. Hopefully I don't lose them in the meantime. Definitely don't want to have to start all over again in hunting down kiddos. I love the ones I have. Been watching them since they were itty bitty
I don't think you are being realistic. If their family was able to watch them full time they probably would not be using day care. Being able to cover for a week and being able to cover for 6 weeks are two completely different things.
I understand wanting to take 6 weeks with your new baby but when you own a business you have to think about what is best for the business as well. The good thing is it is not like you are having to drop your baby off somewhere when he or she is 3 or 4 weeks. She will be home with you while you are working. I was out of the office for 3 months (I am not a business owner) but I was on calls and answering some emails about 2 or 3 weeks out. Not ideal but I had my son in one of my busy seasons so it was unavoidable. I am pregnant with my 2nd and again I know I will have to handle some things for work while I am on leave because of the timing.
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| Posted 5/19/15 10:23 AM |
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NYCGirl80
I love my kiddies!
Member since 5/11 10413 total posts
Name:
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
Posted by Garden-of-Eden
The thing is that these parents do not want daycare centers, the one-on-one that I give to their children is very important to them and we've all formed great relationships with each other. I know they also all do have families close by who watch the kids part time (I only have them 3 days a week). So it's always been fine when I've gone away for vacations (which isn't very often, but at least yearly). 6 weeks, however, is a long time. I don't think I could physically cut it any shorter though. Maybe I could try just giving myself a month instead, who knows. I'm looking around to see if I can find a replacement either way to help ensure the parents have care, but I don't know a lot of people in town so it may not work out. I am definitely giving them more than enough notice though. I'm only 10wks now and plan to let them know in another 2-3 so they'll have a good 6 months to figure things out. Hopefully I don't lose them in the meantime. Definitely don't want to have to start all over again in hunting down kiddos. I love the ones I have. Been watching them since they were itty bitty
My son is in DC 3 days a week and home with my mom 2 days a week. If his DC told me I had to find someone to cover 4, 6, 8 weeks - however long - I would find a new DC permanently. The truth is, even though we are lucky and have family nearby, I would never even consider asking my mom to watch DS 5 days a week. And more importantly, I like the socialization aspect. I wouldn't want DS to have to adjust to being home and then re-adjust to a DC setting again.
I'm sure you can find a teacher to hire to replace you for a few months so you can be with your baby. I'm sure it would also help hiring her towards the end of your pregnancy. I know I am 37 weeks pregnant now and taking care of my DS has been a struggle the past few weeks. I couldn't imagine taking care of multiple children this far along.
Message edited 5/19/2015 4:06:50 PM.
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| Posted 5/19/15 10:25 AM |
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
Posted by Mara1017
I don't think you are being realistic. If their family was able to watch them full time they probably would not be using day care. Being able to cover for a week and being able to cover for 6 weeks are two completely different things.
I understand wanting to take 6 weeks with your new baby but when you own a business you have to think about what is best for the business as well. The good thing is it is not like you are having to drop your baby off somewhere when he or she is 3 or 4 weeks. She will be home with you while you are working. I was out of the office for 3 months (I am not a business owner) but I was on calls and answering some emails about 2 or 3 weeks out. Not ideal but I had my son in one of my busy seasons so it was unavoidable. I am pregnant with my 2nd and again I know I will have to handle some things for work while I am on leave because of the timing.
So what are you suggesting? What IS realistic? To plan for only 2 weeks off after baby is born? Like I said, I'm fine with working again since I'm still home, but the problem lies with my healing process, which was the original question. How long do I need to heal? I can't be useless when I come back, ya know? Maybe I should take 2 weeks off (and hopefully find the replacement during that time) then see if that 'replacement' can come over and help me at my house the next 2 weeks. That way everybody's covered, but I'm still able to take it easy that first month. I have to be realistic to myself too. I don't want to lose any clients, but also can't expect to push baby out and get back to work the next day.
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| Posted 5/19/15 10:32 AM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
Name:
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
Do you have an assistant that works with you? I am using a home daycare for my DD in the fall, but what I liked about her that gave me a sense of security, is that if she goes on vacation, or during school breaks, she keeps her daycare open to those that need coverage and has assistants there if needed.
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| Posted 5/19/15 10:48 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
I use an in home where the owner has older children (hs/college aged) so I don't have to worry about her needing significant time off. She is planning a week's vacation for the summer and has already told us so we can find coverage for a week. Luckily my mom is off in the summer so we have coverage but otherwise, I'd have to take the week off (or alternate with DH). It sucks but it's a trade off to having good, very inexpensive childcare. We were made aware of this when we toured.
If we had to find coverage for more than a week, we'd be screwed and would definitely look elsewhere.
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| Posted 5/19/15 11:02 AM |
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Mara1017
LIF Adolescent
Member since 5/11 696 total posts
Name:
Mara
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
Posted by Garden-of-Eden
Posted by Mara1017
I don't think you are being realistic. If their family was able to watch them full time they probably would not be using day care. Being able to cover for a week and being able to cover for 6 weeks are two completely different things.
I understand wanting to take 6 weeks with your new baby but when you own a business you have to think about what is best for the business as well. The good thing is it is not like you are having to drop your baby off somewhere when he or she is 3 or 4 weeks. She will be home with you while you are working. I was out of the office for 3 months (I am not a business owner) but I was on calls and answering some emails about 2 or 3 weeks out. Not ideal but I had my son in one of my busy seasons so it was unavoidable. I am pregnant with my 2nd and again I know I will have to handle some things for work while I am on leave because of the timing.
So what are you suggesting? What IS realistic? To plan for only 2 weeks off after baby is born? Like I said, I'm fine with working again since I'm still home, but the problem lies with my healing process, which was the original question. How long do I need to heal? I can't be useless when I come back, ya know? Maybe I should take 2 weeks off (and hopefully find the replacement during that time) then see if that 'replacement' can come over and help me at my house the next 2 weeks. That way everybody's covered, but I'm still able to take it easy that first month. I have to be realistic to myself too. I don't want to lose any clients, but also can't expect to push baby out and get back to work the next day.
I think realistic is to find someone to cover the time that you want to take off. Have her start at least a few weeks before so the parents can be comfortable with her before hand.
I cant tell you how fast you will heal. That is very individual specific. For me I was ok and would have been ok in 2 weeks but I have friends that a month out they were not back to normal.
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| Posted 5/19/15 11:03 AM |
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Pomegranate5
LIF Adult
Member since 2/11 4798 total posts
Name:
Pomegranate5
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Re: advice on maternity leave for home daycare provider
The most realistic option is to find someone else to work with you until you are physically ready to return full time. And do really want to rush back to a full time schedule of watching multiple children AND a newborn so soon? Care.com or sittercity.com are good resources I'd look into.
I have no doubt that your clients love you, but it is unfair to ask them (and possibly their friends/family) to give up all their vacation time to cover your maternity leave. If my daycare was closing down for 6 weeks, I'd have to find somewhere new and probably would not come back when they reopened.
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| Posted 5/19/15 1:53 PM |
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