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So in regards to this last particular case - they paid on Monday morning for this week and next week already and gave notice today that technically next Friday is her last day even though they arenčt bringing her. Would I be responsible to pay her back her security deposit
That is not a full two weeks notice seeing as today is Thursday ~ next Friday would be only 6 business days not 10 ~ so in my program if they were giving notice today it would have to be for Thursday November 29th at the earliest if they want their security deposit applied to their last two weeks of care .... it would also be in their best interest to make their last day FRIDAY the 30th because to split a week would make their last 4 days be at the PART TIME rate using up more of their deposit on them cause I charge less for a full time space than I do for a 'daily rate' ;)
If they were however giving proper notice ~ aka at least two weeks ~ than I would apply the SD and if there is a credit owning because they have prepaid for a week than yes I would refund that too them on their last day of care.
IME though since they had already paid for the service and the deposit has been budgeted for my clients when laid off have just USED the service rather than asking for a refund in hopes that they can find another job and keep the space after all.
Ouch MeMe, that really sucks! Ah, the first horrible year while you learn the 'red flags' in families you wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole after a few years of experience. Unfortunately, most of us started out that way for the first few years. There's definitely a learning curve when it comes to interviewing and accepting clients and perfecting our contracts. I wish you much luck with your next clients. Always remember that you are in charge of your business and the parents sign contracts and must be held to what they agreed. It's a legal piece of paper, that contract.
Yes the red flags. Actually had one early with this family. First day of care I hand over a invoice for 2 weeks of before AND after school care. They protested - why a bill already, dont you let us pay at the end of the week, what if she is sick then you have to re imburse us etc. I was like huh, no you pay for 5 days of before and after school care, whether she is here or not. If I am unable then you dont pay. They protested that they had never ever seen it done like this before in a child care setting.
Then they wanted to pay weekly. I said no its bi weekly every Monday.
Then after a week they decide that one week she will be before and after and the following week just after school, one parent will be taking her to school in the morning. Ummmm contract commitment says you do before and after school every day 5 days a week.
Then it was - she wont be here this day or this day (they still got charged for all of it as I just gave a set charge for 2 weeks and billed them that whether she was here or not) so as an example she now is only here one day next week, but they paid for 5 days.
And I am seriously considering not accepting only children. Not like 1 yr olds that have no siblings, but I only watch older children for before and after and let me tell you HUGE difference between kids with siblings and only children. (joking I know i can't control that)
And when parents give 4 pages of Kid Information on their child - huge red flag. Ummm the kid is here for 30 minutes after school, I don't need a novel about their likes and dislikes, sleep patterns, pee patterns etc. And when a child is 4 and still in a "bubble" with "rents - another sign. Texting them to say we are going to the park afterschool shouldn't result in a thread of 5-6 messages about it.
The big problem is all over your last post: THEY decided & THEY protested. To quote my spunky 1 year old daycare girl: No no no!!!
This is your daycare business and the contract is between two parties but they are your rules and when a client signs on they are accepting the rules and agreeing to abide by them, ALL of them, without question. All questions should be asked and answered at the interview and when the contract is signed and shouldn't be questioned even once after that time. Now that's a good client/HDCP relationship. Unfortunately, the family in your care does not fit into this category. Good luck finding a great family to replace them. You deserve respect!