Thanks for the pep talk ladies - it definitely boosted my spirits. =) @PlayandLearn - I do not have a manual, but I do send a very detailed e-mail to all of my prospective clients. In it I outline exactly what my policies are regarding sick days, how much parents pay for a deposit, what that deposit covers, (and that it is non-refundable), paid versus unpaid time off, daily rates - like I said, it's a monstrous e-mail with all the information that a parent could need/want. I send it via e-mail because I have had clients try and convince me that "You never said...." This way, I have a paper trail. In this massive note I specify that "I do not offer part time care/reduced rates for a number of reasons. First and foremost, I want my daycare children to have the stability of knowing who's going to be at daycare each and every morning. Secondly, the profit margins in this industry are just not large enough to allow me to provide a la carte services" What this lady did was she took the contract that I had given her and just crossed out the section where I had written down my weekly fee - and inserted her own number ! Can you believe it ? In an earlier e-mail she had already grilled me about my vacation/sick days (they're unpaid - what more do you want ?) What really frosted the cupcake (so to speak) was when she explained her unwillingness to pay full time rates with the following: "My husband and I already pay for my son's food and the expenses of the trips that he goes on with his Grandma - we feel that your fee's on top of what we are already paying for him would be unfair" I mean seriously - I'm not taking your son to the museum - if you choose to pay for your Mum to take him there, that's great. Don't ask me to subsidize your Nana day. =(It never ceases to amaze me what people will try on - unbelievable !