A question for those who provide day care at home - What do you ladies do when you're sick?

Simplebeliever wrote: I have a question for those who run day cares out of their homes. What do you guys do when you wake up in the morning and you're sick? Do you watch the kids anyway or do the parents have some sort of back-up plan?

I watch two little ones during the week and so far I haven't run into this problem. Now that it is cold and flu season I think it might be a good idea to figure out what to do if that happens.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
It really depends on how sick I am. In the last 2 1/2 years I have not had to worry about this. Being home has actually kept me a lot healthier. However, if I did run into it and I couldn't physically do my job then I would call the parents and tell them they need to find back up care. That is all in my handbook. My families pay me regardless if their children are here or not, and for holidays, vacations, and personal days, BUT I do not charge them if I am sick or have to call in sick or with an emergency, since they will most likely have to find back up care at a very short notice. If I had to, I would also call them that evening to let them know if I will be able to return the next day or not.

ETA: To be honest and not to sound insensitive, if I am really sick or my child is really sick, then it really isnt' my problem. It happens to everyone and they should be understanding, as long as I am not taking advantage of it and only calling when I really am sick, or when my son really is sick. In any instance, I would try to call as soon as I know.

Maddy'sMommy replied: I only watch one other girl besides my dd. If something happens and I can not watch the little girl I just call them as soon as I can. Things happen and I can not feel bad for not being able to watch their little girl occasionally. I think they have a back up plan anyways just in case!

Hillbilly Housewife replied: Since I'm with an agency, the agency usually provides backup care, so it's not a big deal... but to be honest... since I have kids of my own to take care of ANYWAYS, no big deal.

3_call_me_mama replied: Well in 2 years I have been sick 1 day. I called the parents as soon as I woke up sick and told them that I was really sick and they'd have to find alternate care for the day. I do not charge them fo rmy sick day. If i have a cold or am not feeling well but can still care for their kid I give teh them option to come and charge them regardless. Basically I let them know that I"m not feeling the greatest btu I'll watch teh kid anyway if they want. and if they choose they cna find someone else for the day but otherwise I watch teh kid. That way they can avoid having he kid around the germ but I'm not losing out on pay if they choose that option (in all reality the kid is already exposed and they might as well come) Although DH would take a sick day or 2 if needed if i was out with the flu or something and watch the kid I watch. (So I'd get help with my own adn we'd both still get paid) Sounds cheap but ya gotta do what ya gotta do!

Simplebeliever replied: Thank you all for answering this. I really appriciate it! I'm rarely ever sick, but when I am the last thing I want is to feel obligated to baby sit some one else's kids.

Boo&BugsMom replied: I also tell the parents that it is for the best they stay away, because if their kid ends up getting that sick then it is that much more time they will have to find other care options, because I do not take sick kids.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I do this too if I am under the weather but not too ill to take care of them. They usually don't care, but I give them the option as long as I can function on a certain level.

Did you take a maternity leave when you had your baby? Just curious, with expecting in April. I have a policy for one, but I always wonder what others do about that too.

Jolyn replied: It's a good idea to put sick days in your contract. I have five sick days a year. I hardly ever have had to use them but this way they know that if you are very sick you will be taking a day off. They should have back up care available.

Boo&BugsMom replied:
I've thought about doing that for a long time now, but then I hesitate because I don't want people to think that I am going to take advantage of them and use them when I don't need to. I'm on the fence about that one. I do take 8 personal days a year and 1 weeks vacation though, all paid. I am also closed 13 other days for holidays, which are paid.

Simplebeliever replied:
See - that's it. I don't have a contract. I'm only watching the two kids for now to help their mother out. It's sort of an experiment & if it goes well, then I'll start watching other kids and being a bit more professional.

That's why this question was really important to me - if I run into this problem and she has no back-up, the last thing I need is for the situation to cause a lot of trouble for her or myself.

(Thank you all so much for your input).

Boo&BugsMom replied:
Then I would probably feel less obligated to feel bad, to be honest. You have no binding contract or anything so I say if you're sick, you're sick and need to take care of yourself. You shouldn't have to worry about it.

Jolyn replied:
Then just be honest with her. Sit down and say i have one concern. What if i ever get sick and can't watch the kids what is your plan. I don't want to feel horrible if i have to call you because i am too sick to watch them one day and you don't have back up at all. I don't think she should get upset over this. It's a legitimate issue. Just be honest with her and upfront and i think it should be fine.

Hillbilly Housewife replied:


Seems the best solution to me...

b&bsmom replied: In the 7 years I have been doing this (sometimes nanny at someone elses house, but the last 5 years at home) I have not run into this problem. My policy is if it is my fault you don't come ( day off, sick, emergency) you don't have to pay, however, I do have if I let my parents know in Jan what week I want off I get that week paid, I also have written for maternity that I take 3 weeks off, with one week paid. (that is what I did when my son was born) I try to have back up if they need it, I have a friend up the street that watches childern as well, my dh has taken off to help watch children, and so on, I kind of give them the opiton of what they want to do, that goes the same when my kids are sick, they have the choice of bringing them or not, I call them as soon as I can and let them decide what they want to do. Most of the time, they bring them anyway. Hope that helps.