Feeling uspet and tired!

[littlefish]

Sorry, I'm feeling upset and tired, I recently had an interview, it went well, mom signed papers with me starting January she will need subsidy we were in the process of filling papers, I saw so many red flags but I ignored them because I needed the client, she asked me 1,000 questions I answered all of them! she was even asking me what are my holidays for christmas 2016. I saw it strange anyway today, she emailed me saying she doesn't need daycare after january and that she will come by so for me to fill the subsidy papers for one month only, she found another daycare with longer hours and less vacations then mine and that the other daycare don't close for stat holidays, ok, I take only two weeks vacations in summer and all stat holidays omg, I need a break I run a family daycare so its just me. I don't have in my contract that expect parents to stay at least 6 months I should add it to my contract I'm getting tired of the up and downs of this business I have 8 years running but every year it's getting exhausting with the clients demands. any opinion will be much appreciated. thanks :(

[5 Little Monkeys]

Honestly, I'd just tell her that you are no longer able to offer her the spot since she only needs it for a month and you prefer (and need!!) to fill it with someone who is planning on staying long term. I'd even go as far to white lie and say that you will be moving onto the next family that is interested!!

Plus side....at least she was upfront about only needing a month now??

[Lee-Bee]

Luckily you got a head's up and she didn't just up and leave. Use this time to fill the space. Let her know (and have her sign a contract noting) that you will only care for her daughter in January if you do not fill the space before the end of January.

As much as it sucks...it might just be a full month's income, giving you extra time to find a long term family.

[littlefish]

5 Little Monkeys -but, that means I have to return the deposit back and I won't get the rest of the money for Jan, and christmas is coming what an awful decision, I'm mad I wish I can do that and leave her to worry about Jan she now is going to use me for January so she can go on Feb she even said she was in the waiting list for a year. :mad::mad:

Thanks

[littlefish]

Lee-Bee I guess, I have to care for her son for January so I can at least get a full months
income. thanks

[5 Little Monkeys]

I must be feeling grouchy because I'd find it in the budget to just let her go! Lol

[5 Little Monkeys]

I've started asking too homeschool mom. I ask if they're planning on staying long term (aside from a serious or concerning incident happening) or if they think they'll do preschool or if they're on wait lists for centres. I find because we're face to face and they're put on the spot, it's usually easy to read them and/or they're honest with their answers anyways.

I actually did take one last year and mom had said she planned on putting him in ps but when it came time to do it this year, she didn't bother as she didn't think it would benefit him any more than what he gets now plus she wouldn't have to worry about the schedule of getting him there and to a grandparents before or after ps.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I always ask if long term and turn away people planning on going to centre at 18 months. I recently had similar situation where someone sign up, and hand notice on first day on arrival because they realized it 30 min drive to work from my house and they start 7.30am. In winter they not going be at work on time. I was amaze they not think about this but seem they just looked for home they want and not think about travel time.

I change my contact now. I normally apply deposit to last week of care but now I changed it so if they leave in 6 months or less, the deposit is forfeited.

[BlueRose]

I have dealt with this so many times my contract now starts that they have to be with my 52 weeks (1 yr) in order to use their deposit towards their last two weeks of care.
I had it at 6 months, but they would leave around 8 months (child 18m) to a centre. I do ask in my interview wheither or not they are on any waiting lists, but I find most lie or go on list later for what ever reason. I do do temporary care and their deposit goes to securing the spot (I won't replace them with a long term family, before their contract is up) not towards care itself.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

Maybe I change mine to year then. Did any parent even comment on it Bluerose?

[5 Little Monkeys]

That's a good to idea to have a 6-12 month clause regarding the deposit. I wonder if that would work around here...

Thankfully, I haven't had too many families leave before a year but it's definitely frustrating when it happens!

[mickyc]

Hmmmm interesting. Could someone share the clause from their contract? I would be interested to see it

[BlueRose]

I have only had two families complain about the clause during an interview. There where lots of red flags with both families. I end up not signing them on. I found out who they did end up going to and both families end up screwing over their providers in many ways, including leaving after a few months.

A family that really plans on stating around, will have no problems with the clause.

[BlueRose]

Here is my Termination Policy

Please note that my bi-weekly fee is called "Tuition" and what most all a deposit I call an "Enrollment Fee". This is because most people amuse that they will automatically get their deposit back at the end of care. Since they might not, I have simply changed the term I use.

Termination by All Clients (excluding Temporary Care)

• A five (5) week (25 business days) written notice is required and MUST be given on a non-pay week.

• If termination is done within the first 52 weeks [one (1) year] of care (original contract start date), you forfeit your enrollment fee. You will still need to pay the tuition fee for your child’s last two weeks of care. The tuition fee must be paid in full by 5:00pm on the Thursday before your child`s last two weeks of care.

• If the enrollment fee is greater than the amount owed for the two weeks of care the remainder of the money will go towards other expenses.

• If termination is done immediately (with or without notice), or with less than five (5) weeks (25 business days) notice all of the enrolment fee will go towards other expenses. You are still responsible for paying your full tuition fees in lieu of the month notice. The payments can be made in two payments of one lump sum and must be paid in full with in four (4) weeks of your child’s last day of care.

• If you terminate within Five (5) weeks (less than 25 business days) before, or during the providers scheduled days off (not including Stat.’s), you forfeit your enrollment fee. The enrollment fee will go towards other expenses. You will still need to pay the tuition fee for your child`s last two weeks of care. The tuition fee must be paid in full by 5:00pm on the Thursday before your child`s last two weeks of care.

• If you or the provider terminates with notice and you decide to leave before the end of the notice period you forfeit all fees paid (enrollment fees, tuition fee, etc.) and the remained of the notice period of care. Payment is still due for the duration of the notice period.

• If you terminate care before physical care has started you forfeit all fees paid. Such as, but not limited to: holding fees, enrollment fee etc.

• If you terminate care, but wish to return at a later date you will need to sign a new contract, pay new increase fees, and pay another enrollment fee. You are not guaranteed a spot unless a non-refundable enrollment fee is paid.




Termination by Temporary Clients

• Your enrollment fee is non-refundable and does NOT go towards any care. The enrollment fee goes to securing the temporary spot.

• A five (5) week (25 business days) written notice is required and MUST be given on a
non-pay week.

• If termination is done immediately (with or without notice), or with less than five (5) weeks (25 business days) notice all you are still responsible for paying your full tuition fees in lieu of the month notice. The payments can be made in two payments of one lump sum and must be paid in full with in four (4) weeks of your child’s last day of care.

• If you terminate within Five (5) weeks (less than 25 business days) before, or during the providers scheduled days off (not including Stat.’s), the tuition fee must be paid in full by 5:00pm on the Thursday before your child`s last two weeks of care.

• If you or the provider terminates with notice and you decide to leave before the end of the notice period you forfeit all fees paid (enrollment fees, tuition fee, etc.) and the remained of the notice period of care. Payment is still due for the duration of the notice period.

• If you terminate care before physical care has started you forfeit all fees paid. Such as, but not limited to: holding fees, enrollment fee etc.

• If you terminate care, but wish to return at a later date you will need to sign a new contract, pay new increase fees, and pay another enrollment fee. You are not guaranteed a spot unless a non-refundable enrollment fee is paid.


Termination by Teachers

• If you terminate at any time your forfeit your “summer holding fee” part of your tuition fee.

• If you terminate during the last three (3) weeks of school or during the summer you forfeit your enrollment fee.





Termination by Provider

• The provider can give a two week written notice at any time, for any reason.

• The provider holds the right to terminate immediately for the following reasons:

 If there is use of inappropriate words (name-calling, foul language) shaming, humiliating, threatening or frightening a child, another parent, provider’s family or the provider herself.

 If there is any violent behaviour from the parents or child

 If you are caught medicating your child to mask an illness or fever.

 If you or your child breaches one or more of the Health and Safety Policies. (available on line or by request)

 For any reason Valerie’s Play House deems it to be in the best interest and safety of others or your child.


*If the provider needs to terminate care immediately you forfeit your enrollment fee

[mickyc]

Thanks. I really am considering making some changes to my contract. I just don't know how all this would go over in our area. Food for thought though.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I think in principle, it's a great idea. In reality I'm not sure how our area would take it either. I didn't yours fully but I can see some being confused about or feel like their signing a lease they can't get outta of. I also wonder if it would raise suspicions as to why the clause was added.

I do think it's an idea that I should look into better though. I too tired right now lol. I don't have this issue a lot so I'm not sure if it would help or hinder me??

[mickyc]

I have decided to increase my notice period. I now require 4 weeks on all new families (3 on old families).

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I have decided to increase my notice period. I now require 4 weeks on all new families (3 on old families).

I did this last year. I now have 4 week notice and 6 for sibling group/if family have more than one child in my care.

[Van]

I have decided to increase my notice period. I now require 4 weeks on all new families (3 on old families).

I did this too and the 4 wks helped me fill my spot this month so comes in very handy for us

[sandylynn]

I have ALWAYS charged a full 2 week deposit. It does NOT go towards any daycare payment, (IE, LAST 2 WEEKS OF CARE) it is to guarantee them them the spot.