I understand why have to pay though, the centers have to pay their staff.
In principle I get this, but everyone else seems to manage ... I can't think of any other places that doesn't build it into the general cost...? eg: hotels don't kick guests out on public holidays and charge for the room anyway ... The cost of paying the wages, utilities etc are absorbed into the running costs, and the expenses that don't get used those days (supplies, nappies, food, etc) aren't accounted for.

Anyway, question asked and answered. It looks like it's a standard (albeit highly frustrating) reality of daycare.