Home Daycare and Bad Weather

I dont think you should close just because the schools do. As a working mom if the roads are not bad bad and I can still make it out I will go to work. You do not have to travel to get there if you are already at home so it should be up to the parent if they go out or not. Not all parents can take time off just because of a snow day. If know if I have to miss a day of work I am leaving my work one less person and its something I really cant afford to do.

I would follow the local schools, but since it is tomorrow, it seems a little late to spring that on parents. With 24 inches I would be surprise as to who can get to you. I would send a letter home tonight saying that you will be open, but let them know whether or not you expect your roads to be plowed and accessible. I know my parents in Maryland are still waiting to be plowed and it snowed on Friday. FYI, you can make them sign a paper saying you aren't liable for slips and falls on your property, but it may not work. In most areas you can't waive neglect. And if you don't clear your property, it can be consider neglect and even if the parents sign a waiver, it may not hold up and then you will have to either pay expenses or file a home owners claim, and you have to be careful with homeowner's claims, because the insurance company can raise your rates or drop you over one claim.

When my boys were younger I took them to a wonderful home daycare. She always closed if the local school district closed. If the district delayed opening, she delayed opening. It was an easy way for parents to know exactly what to expect.

Edited to add: I guess I should clarify that I am a teacher, and the home daycare provider kept mostly teachers' children. It made sense for her. If more of her families weren't teachers she may have done things differently.

I have been involved with organizations that say the following to parents:

Use your judgement on what is safe for travel. Do not put yourselves or your children at risk needlessly. You are welcome to call and see what the conditions are like here in the morning.

you should add: I am not liable for slip and falls or accidents that occur as you travel to/from my front door in extreme weather.

hi i am a daycare provider as well and saftey is first i have been in business for 14 years and i think pernets should always have a plan b one year we had a ice storm and my furnace blew out and i had ten kids and it was hard getting in contact with perents to pick up there children so in my case i close when my local schools are closed

I don't know how home daycares do it, but I think that following what your local schools do would be fair. If these were school aged children, they'd be going to those schools anyways! I would tell your parents that if X City Schools are closed or delayed, that you will follow the same schedule.

Many commercial day care places are open in bad weather so they can take the kids whose schools are closed so their parents can go to work. As part of your business, I'm not sure but you might be able to write off the cost of paying someone to shovel and sand your sidewalk so as to provide a safe path in / out of your home. If it were me, I'd do that anyway in case rescue or fire personnel had to make a call at your house.

I on the other hand am a provider. I have never closed because of the weather although I have opened later. As for tomorrow.....it concern me more that maybe my road is not going to be plowed early enough for my parents to get here. If they ask my opionion on whether I feel like they should bring there child to me, I will be honest. Also: I add...if you close due to weather, you may not charge them, but if you are open and they choose not to come, you must get paid for that day. My contract is very strict, and I except nothing less.

You are one of the ones who does not have to go out in the weather. The parents who are able to get to you still need your services, so why would you turn them down? Are you wanting/needing a day off? If so, then schedule it in advance and let the parents know. If you're concerned about liability, you can get the parents to sign a waiver in advance. They'll work with you if you let them know what your needs are--or they'll go somewhere else. Most likely they'll stay with you if they like the rest of what you're doing.

Many parents choose home day care so they don't have to worry about schools and day cares closing. Most day cares (home and public) do NOT close when the schools close. Unless the Governor closes the state, I see no reason for you to close. If the roads are clear enough for the parents to get to work and for their employers to stay open, then the roads will be clear enough for them to drop off and pick up their children.

As far as liablity you should contact your insurance agent.

I with the other poster. If the school closes then you should close too. Make sure to add that to your contract! Being a provider myself, I know how parents are and many will try and get their way! Stick to your guns... I know it's hard sometimes. Good Luck.