Deposits?

[cfred]

Hello! This is my first time starting a new thread and am soooo disappointed that I even to for something like this. Here's the situation:

I had a client whose little girl had been coming to me since she was 10 months old. Of course, I became attached to the little girl and the family, as I tend to do. The mother soon was expecting a second child and was didn't want to lose her daughter's spot. Typically, I have a minimum attendance requirement of 3 days per week in order to hold the spot. Since she couldn't afford that, I offered to hold it for 2 days per week in addition to holding a second spot for the new baby, at no extra cost. To me, it seemed a win win situation. I'd definitely have the clients, her daughter (who's a pretty sensitive little gal) wouldn't have to lose her spot in the daycare she was so comfortable in and it would greatly help out a young family just starting out. They were to come full time in 3 weeks. I was informed last week, by another client, that they would not be coming and had enrolled elsewhere. In addition, she had convinced this other client to follow her so their girls could stay together. It was stressed that it had nothing to do with my performance or the children's happiness in my care. Fortunately, the second client changed her mind and decided to stay with me, for which I'm so grateful!

I'm so hurt by the actions of this other person as she was aware that I had turned away quite a few people who were interested in those spots. She didn't ever say anything to me, and even discussed how we would handle the transition, even after the decision to move had been made. I thought I was doing such a nice thing and was quite generous in my actions. Needless to say, it won't happen again. In the future, I will require a non-refundable deposit in order to hold spots. Does this sound reasonable? What amount should be charged in order to hold spots? Has anyone else ever been in this situation before? Any guidance in this situation would be most appreciated.

[Crayola kiddies]

Yup been there ..... I even had a non refundable deposit but apparently just not big enough .... Now I charge $ 250 a month and from what I have read on here even that is low.... But a lot of providers don't save spots .... You want it you pay for it in full ..... I been hit with the swing twice in that department..

[MunchkinMinder]

I've only held a spot for someone once, it's not a practice I like doing, and I charged them a deposit of 1/2 months fees that would be held and credited against their last months fees. In addition they had to pay $200/month they wanted to hold the spot in full (4 months = $800 paid upfront to hold it). Also I generally try to limit the number of months I offer to hold a spot for as it is lost income monthly. And usually when parent hear they have to pay to hold a spot they usually decide to call back within 2 months of needing care to re-inquire about availability.

[Dayhome Mamma]

I charge $300 per month to hold a spot but only when its convenient for me....ie, It's not that important for me to fill right away because I am transitioning another child in those months and I really like the family.
I also have a scenario, where I have one little girl that comes here once a week for 3 hrs only and her mom has had another baby. She has kept her coming here now that she is on Matt leave too to keep her "spot" and has also told me that she would like her next daughter to come here too come january. I had initially told her no problem but now am rethinking the whole plan and how I could make it work as I have decided to restructure and no longer take part time. I would normally just keep this going and be ok with squeezing them in, but I really dread taking care of her older daughter each time she comes because she is just so hard to deal with at the door. She also has the craziest tantrums. I haven't thought of charging her a holding fee for her baby though because their care is so infrequent and just a little extra addition for a few hours once a week which doesn't take away from an actual spot.

[sunnydays]

I don't hold spots unless I don't have an opening until that time. If the space is open now and someone wants it held, they will have to pay full fees. I understand that it is difficult for parents, but I cannot afford to take a cut in my income like that.

[cfred]

Thanks everyone. I see that deposits are the way to go. Traditionally, I don't hold spots for more than a few months. This was a favour.....one that cost me $15, 000 in lost fees. NEVER AGAIN! She feels she's being 'gracious' in paying me an extra 2 weeks to fill the spot. All I can really say to that is, "wow, so very generous." I'm feeling it would be fair to charge a full month's pay ($760) to hold the spot for 3 months. This will be non-refundable and will be counted as their first month's payment to me when they start. If they go elsewhere, I have a month's pay to cover things while I find someone else. I live in a rural area and it can be a little more difficult to fill spots, so I'm inclined to be less rigid about charging full fees to hold a spot. This seems a reasonable compromise. I have a feeling I'll be starting with contracts soon too, as much as I hate doing it. I've always liked to keep it casual and haven't had much need for such a thing. This has been such an eye opener and learning experience!

[sunnydays]

Always have a contract!!! It is for your protection as well as the parents'! Plus it makes your business much more professional and organized.

[Sandbox Sally]

I charge 20% of my full time fees. It is not refundable, nor is it used for anything other than to line my pocket.This is my income while they are gearing up to take their spot. I don't know why any of you would put these fees toward any future care, as you are losing money by holding the spot, and therefore in my opinion, entitled to some kind of compensation for being so flexible. If the parent wishes, they may send their child twice per week during that time to acclimatize the dck to me and my home. I also insist on a signed contract as well as my normal two week deposit, which is applied to the last two weeks that their child is in my care.

[Inspired by Reggio]

I do not hold a spot either - I am currently advertizing for a spot coming open for May 7th and you need care June 1st ideally you offer to start paying for it on May 7th or I keep looking for a client who is a better match and the spot goes to them ... now if they were the PERFECT match I might be willing to meet in the middle and use the time between May 7th and June 1st to slowly transition in babe - so they'd pay 'part fees' and wean up from couple hours a day to half half to nap to full day to starting type thing but they PAY for those hours of care used and it is a nice compromise cause it is always better on babe when they can wean into care slowly verses BAM 9 hours a day with a stranger!

[Crayola kiddies]

I am the same as alphagetti ... My holding fee holds the spot nothing else