Daycare Holiday Closures: How to Plan 2026

Daycare closures for holidays and staff training days catch many parents off guard. Understanding typical closure schedules and having backup plans ready helps you manage these gaps without work emergencies.

Typical Daycare Closures

Major Holidays

Usually closed:

• New Year's Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving (1-2 days)
• Christmas Eve and Day
• Sometimes New Year's Eve

Additional Closures

May also close:

• MLK Day
• Presidents Day
• Good Friday/Easter Monday
• Columbus/Indigenous Peoples Day
• Veterans Day
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas week

Teacher Workdays

Common additional days:

• Staff training days (2-4/year)
• Planning days
• Professional development
• Between semesters
• Deep cleaning days

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Understanding Your Center's Policy

What to Ask

Before enrolling:

• How many days closed per year?
• Which holidays observed?
• Any teacher workdays?
• Any summer closures?
• Early closures ever?
• Full closure calendar?

Get It in Writing

Request:

• Annual closure calendar
• Policy on closures
• Notice requirements
• Refund policy for closures
• Any closure fee structure

Comparing Closure Policies

By Provider Type

| Provider Type | Typical Annual Closures | |---------------|------------------------| | Home daycare | 10-15 days | | Daycare centers | 10-20 days | | Preschools | 15-25 days | | Nannies | Negotiated (typically 10-15) |

Center Variations

Some centers:

• Minimal closures (6-8 days)
• Stay open most holidays
• Designed for working parents
• May charge premium

Other centers:

• Follow school calendar
• More closures (15-25 days)
• Preschool-focused
• Summer break possible

Planning for Closures

Annual Planning

At year start:

• Get closure calendar
• Mark on your calendar
• Compare to work schedule
• Identify coverage needs
• Make backup plans

Building Backup Care

Options:

• Family members
• Babysitters
• Backup care services
• Trade with other families
• Work flexibility
• Personal days

Backup Care Options

Family and Friends

Primary backup:

• Grandparents
• Relatives
• Close friends
• Neighbor network

Benefits:

• Free or low cost
• Trusted relationships
• Flexible usually
• Personal attention

Professional Backup

Options:

• Backup care agencies
• Care.com/Sitter apps
• Employer backup care programs
• Drop-in care centers

When useful:

• Family unavailable
• Last-minute needs
• Regular occurrence
• Professional reliability needed

Employer Programs

Some employers offer:

• Backup care subsidies
• Emergency care programs
• Flexible work policies
• Work from home options

Managing Specific Holidays

Thanksgiving Week

Common issue:

• Wednesday early close
• Thursday-Friday closed
• Some close whole week

Planning:

• Travel plans?
• Family available?
• Take days off?
• Backup needed?

Winter Break

Variations:

• Some close only Christmas/New Year's
• Others close 1-2 weeks
• Preschools may follow school calendar

Planning:

• Know dates early
• Plan vacation time
• Arrange backup
• Consider stay-cation

Summer

Possible issues:

• Reduced hours
• Teacher vacation weeks
• Program transition gaps
• Preschool summer break

When Your Work Doesn't Close

The Challenge

Reality:

• Daycare closed, you're not
• Must work holidays
• Backup essential
• Advance planning critical

Solutions

Options:

• Use personal/vacation days
• Trade shifts with colleagues
• Work from home if possible
• Reliable backup care system
• Family coverage for holidays

Financial Considerations

Do You Still Pay?

Common policies:

• Full tuition during closures
• No refund for holidays
• You pay regardless
• Part of annual rate

Why This Policy Exists

Reasoning:

• Staff still paid
• Fixed operating costs
• Standard industry practice
• Keeps your spot

If Excessive

If closures seem excessive:

• Compare to other centers
• Factor into total cost
• Negotiate if possible
• Consider other options

Building Your Backup System

Create a Plan

Steps:

• List all closure dates
• Identify which need coverage
• List backup options for each
• Rank by preference
• Have contingencies

Maintain Relationships

With backups:

• Give advance notice
• Be reliable yourself
• Show appreciation
• Reciprocate when possible

Key Takeaways

Know before enrolling:

• How many closures
• Which days
• Any additional fees
• Closure calendar

Plan ahead:

• Annual planning
• Mark calendar
• Arrange backups early
• Don't wait until last minute

Build backup system:

• Multiple options
• Family primary
• Professional backup
• Reciprocal arrangements

Financial reality:

• Usually pay during closures
• Factor into total cost
• Industry standard
• Plan accordingly

Be proactive:

• Get calendar early
• Make plans immediately
• Communicate with backups
• Have contingencies

Holiday closures are predictable—use that to your advantage by planning ahead and building reliable backup care systems.

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