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  1. #1
    Starting to feel at home...
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    They cancelled!- Deposit


    I filled my last 2 spaces 2 weeks ago with sisters. The mom gave me a deposit for their start date. I was so relieved to finally be done interviewing. She sent me an email last night saying her mom got laid off and has offered to watch her girls. She also asked for her deposit back because she feels she has given me enough notice to still fill the space (Sept 1st). I really don't know if I'll be able to fill them by them and am not too excited to be looking again. The only way I'd even consider giving it back is if I do fill them both for September but I still in no way have to.
    Would you ever give a deposit back? - ISn't this the point of the depost

  2. #2
    Expansive... Play and Learn's Avatar
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    Nope, no deposit back in my opinion - BUT...only if you have it in writing that the deposit is NON-refundable. Remember, in this line of work, you can't depend on anything or anyone!

    I use a 2-week non-refundable deposit, which becomes their first 2-weeks of care (which is also the trial period). This deposit saves the child(rens) spaces, and prevents me from advertising that space. I tell them this at the interview, and it's also in my manual.
    Last edited by Play and Learn; 07-25-2012 at 07:46 AM.

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  4. #3
    Starting to feel at home...
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    This is exactly what I do. I do feel a bit bad for the family though but they are going to be saving money by using a family member to watch her children so I don't think it's that terrible. Also, I explained how it works and have it written in their contract.

  5. #4
    jec
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    I agree with play and learn ~ do you have non refundable deposit in your contract? If so, then no.

    I have it written in my contract as my deposit is one week, non refundable to help advertise if a family backs out and it also is my client's first week of care.
    I would advise her that you understand why she has decided to not have the kids come. Having said that you also have to now advertise for 2 spots which requires more time and money

  6. #5
    Euphoric ! Inspired by Reggio's Avatar
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    Yes my deposit is worded a similar way ... it is meant to secure the space in the program until their start date, it is non refundable and can only be applied to the LAST TWO WEEKS OF CARE provided proper written notice has been received ... so you have to already be in care if you change your mind before starting you technically forfeit.

    I worded it this way cause it gives me the control to CHOOSE based on the scenario and my 'mindset' about the clients. So in this case she had no clue her mother would get laid off and offer to care for the girls in exchange ~ and well supporting 'family' is an important value to me so the daughter being able to help her mother out by sending the girls to her is something I would not be 'upset' about cause it is good supportive family decision! So with 'good faith karma practice' .... if they give LOTS of notice and if I am able to FILL the spot with a new client without ever being out income than I would do the good faith gesture to return the deposit minus any paperwork cost I might have invested in them and attempt to keep the relationship positive .... they might than engage in positive word of mouth about you to other people so win win ~ you are not out any $$$ and you've sent good karma for future business your way!

    Now if they told me this a week before September that they got into a 'centre' or some other scenario and that is why they are needing to pull ~ yup deposit is forfeited cause that is something that was IN their control and they chose to use me as a back up plan or what not ... there is no moving forward wanting to have any sort of relationship with them or anyone they night 'know'
    Children construct their own intelligence. The adult must provide activities and context, but most of all must be able to listen. Children need proof that adults believe in them. Their three great desires are to be listened to, to understand, and to demonstrate that they are exactly what we expect."
    Loris Malaguzzi

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  8. #6
    Expansive... Judy Trickett's Avatar
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    NO REFUND. The entire point of the deposit is to protect you from this exact scenario. Hello???? What part of that does a parent not understand???

    There is NO way I would refund a cent of that deposit.

  9. #7
    Starting to feel at home...
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    The problem is, wont' they just come in September and use there two weeks of daycare they already paid for and then give their notice and you will have to start advertising and interviewing again anyways!

  10. #8
    apples and bananas
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    That's a tough one. Unfortunatly in our business word spreads. In my area I get referalls all the time because I'm fair. Although my policy is the same, if they gave me this much notice I may be inclined to refund it. I know it goes against my policy and we wonder why we have these policies if we don't stick to them, but, some of it is customer service too. I think this is a reasonable amount of time, I would love for that client to refer someone else to me, I wouldn't want to burn a bridge. September is easy to fill in my area so I wouldn't be out money... but your area might be different.

    Think of it from both sides and how the "bad press" might affect you in the long run. Only you know if you can afford to give it back and if it would affect your name in your area if you choose not to.

  11. #9
    Euphoric ! Inspired by Reggio's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DaycareLulu View Post
    The problem is, wont' they just come in September and use there two weeks of daycare they already paid for and then give their notice and you will have to start advertising and interviewing again anyways!
    LOL ~ yup perfectly within their right to do this too ~ and if you than REFUSE service to them you would HAVE to refund it anyway because now YOU are breaching your contract

    I had a client do this to me when I first started out and I refused to refund the deposit cause A) she had used the family emergency to delay starting the kids and I followed my heart instead uf business hat and LET her delay and B) she had only given me two days notice of changing her mind because she got into a centre she had been on the waiting list for which totally opened my eyes that there had likely NEVER been a family emergency she had just 'stalled' hoping to get in ... so yes to avoid loosing out on $320 she sent both her kids for the two weeks notice period ~ thankfully they were 'easy' kids for me and it gave me the two weeks income secure replacements for them ... but there was no way I was refunding and I did not want to risk a lawsuit if I had 'refused' to serve her for those two weeks cause I would not have had a leg to stand on .... which is why my contracts NOW read that you must already be attending care IN the space before giving notice or you forfeit the deposit but still it would than mean the kid spends a three weeks in the program instead of two and if they are having a HARD time is the income really worth it
    Children construct their own intelligence. The adult must provide activities and context, but most of all must be able to listen. Children need proof that adults believe in them. Their three great desires are to be listened to, to understand, and to demonstrate that they are exactly what we expect."
    Loris Malaguzzi

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  13. #10
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    I agree with Reggio's first comment. I would refund the money IN THIS SITUATION. It's totally annoying that she would do that, but she is right. You do have plenty more time to fill the spot. The reason for my deposit (that I tell the parents) is to hold their spot. It IS non-refundable, but it's rare that I have someone make a deposit for a start date so far away. I use the deposit for things I need to buy for the child - potty, playpen.... so usually, the money is spent before the child comes into care. I don't know. Part of me says DO NOT REFUND, but it's more as principle. As consideration and KARMA goes, I would refund the money

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