Upholding Contracts - Anyone taken legal measures to enforce contract terms???

[Big Hearts]

If you do small clams court you can also ask for the legal feels back but you need to pay 150 up front, and then ask the courts for it back. good luck.

[motherhubbard]

Thanks all

I do have a detailed contract (pretty rock solid...its the enforcement issue Ive never had to address) as I have been doing this for years now and have learned over time that its really there to help not only me as a provider but for the families that bring their little ones to me.

I generally have a great group of parents, but this last few months has been a test of my love for this job I have had a "drama mama" issue myself, this I have been lucky enough to avoid up until now, who knows the contract she signed in and out but simply responded to me "what can you do about it really if I dont pay"
A parent who gave notice but then decided to stop payment on their final cheque (that one I just dont understand how you bring yourself to do that) and really Im just frustrated with the thought of them thinking this acceptable.

What is the point of having this contract if there is limited to non-existent recourse for parents who simply choose not to oblige the terms of the agreements they sign.

I'm not sure if I can use a collections firm or am I limited a small claims court suit?

I'm really torn, part of me is "live and learn" and will be much less tolerant of any "parent issues" and warning signs no matter how much I adore their little one, the other part of me thinks that if these parents are not shown that contracts are enforceable and binding that they will just continue to do this to more and more providers.

There should be some sort of service that allows dayhome providers to report parents (at minimum) for non-payment. I am lucky, even though these parents combined cost me $1,300.00 in lost income, I wasn't in a position where I was absolutely counting on my income. Dayhome providers work so hard for what works out to a few dollars per hour per child, I would hate to think of their next provider in the same situation who is counting on every bit of that income.

Ive debated a security deposit but didn't think that a parent would be willing or even able to put upfront additional fees. But have debated the possibility of holding back all receipts until either tax time once per year or once the care space is terminated and final fees and cheques have been paid and cleared. Does anyone know if that is an option? If they are terminated for non-payment or they give inadequate notice can I hold back receipts until the outstanding balance is cleared up?