Didn't Read My Contract . . . .

[Cadillac]

I started a new family a couple of weeks ago. The child is fantastic and the parents seemed totally down to earth, had a sense of humour, just great all around people.

I was really excited about this match and so were the parents. Dad couldn't say enough about how happy they were that they found me.

Last week they called me in the morning and told me he had a bit of a cold and wouldn't be coming. I told them children are welcomed with colds unless they are just too sick to participate or are showing signs that its more than a cold. They insisted on keeping him home. On friday the next day they were to come they told me they were keeping him home again and were going to the doctors. Fair enough: I asked them to call me sunday and let me know how the little one was doing.

Sunday night I texted them and asked them what hours they wanted this week (the days were set we were just working out the times that worked best for the family) He told me the days he wanted. I told him that his days are set each week and I was just doing as promised and helping them work out hours. Then he goes to ask what works for me . . . huh? I told him I was open from 8 to 5:30. He decides he'd like to pcik up his child in the middle of nap. . . . . sigh . . . . so I asked him to come for 3:30 so he would be disturbing the sleeping kids and gave him is total for the week.

This is where it went bad. He asked me if he could just use his credits from the week before when his child was sick. I informed him that sick days are paid in full . . . he would have known this if he read my parent handbook (which he signed in the contract saying he had) he then became irritated and told me that he had kept his child home out of respect and brought his nanny in so he was now paying double because he was trying to be respectful. Honestly i didn't think that was my problem. he was welcomed to come with his cold and that family also having a nanny is their decision not mine. I asked him if he had read the parent handbook and he told me he had missed that part . . . I apologized for being caught off guard.

Dad then asked was the deposit was for (also clearly laid out in the handbook) and I explained it to him.

At this point the texting was rediculous and asked if I could call

He texted me back hours later and told me him and his wife needed time to think about all this.

I said I would apply his deposit to the days he is missing and to get back to me

I've lost them due to their own negligence haven't I?

Sigh . . . .

I really like this family

[Dreamalittledream]

I know that I'm going to get jumped on over this...feel free. But for the sake of saving the 'relationship' and the family you really like I would likely have let the 2 days slide with a warning that they will know for next time. The lost income you will incur in advertising, interviewing, filling the space...is it really worth 2 days of pay? Just my 2 cents.
Also, people should definitely read what they sign and be held accountable for it, but parents are often handed a lot of information to read through (when they have a second in busy lives) and perhaps they are new to Childcare arrangements (where sick days are often still a charged day). On key issues I want to alert them to (issues around fees/sick policies) I have a spot for them to initial, just as an extra backup for me so I know they've particularly read those specific sections, might be a thought for your handbook?

[Other Mummy]

It's amazing how many people "say" they've read contracts when in actuality, they probably skimmed thru the document and didn't bother reading it at all.

I agree Dreamalittledream... if they are an amazing family, good dck, etc. then I would have waived the fees. This time. I would make no uncertain terms that next time their child is sick that fees are due regardless.

This is why it is always good practice to go over contracts with parents have them sign/initial the important points (eg. sick days).

[playfelt]

I'm with Dreamalittledream too. Since they just started care even if they did read the contract and handbook it probably hasn't sunk in exactly what some of it meant - now they know. Going forward I would make it clear that there are no more second chances and that in fairness to the others in care you need to enforce the rules in the book. Ask them to please read the book and if they have any questions to ask them now.

If they are as perfect for the daycare as you say then worth keeping. We all make mistakes and sometimes being forgiving is better than enforcing the contract to the letter.

[Dreamalittledream]

Wow, thanks ladies...I was cringing as I typed imagining the response

[mimi]

DLD all opinions are important and should be considered by everyone participating on this forum so I hope no one "jumps" on you for expressing yours
My view on this is that while these parents seem wonderful, they failed to read the important information package you gave them upon enrollment. I find this really disturbing as wouldn't you read this as it was given to you by the person who will care for your child??? They have breached a couple of your policies already. Doesn't bode well to me. So under the umbrella of "respecting" you, they are now trying to change the way you operate. It is not your responsiblity that he kept the child home and paid for a nanny. That was his decision, not yours, and he must bear the responsibility of having to double pay for child care. He came looking for alternate care and needs to abide by the policies. Did he short change the nanny because he was also supposed to pay you? Don't think so. I know how tough it is to get clients, I haven't been full myself for a long time, however I would stand firm regarding them paying for sick days. I have a parent wanted a monetary favour and I just stated I wouldn't do it as it wouldn't be fair to my other clients who pay the full fee.
So my opinion is stick to your policy, no rewards for not reading the paperwork. I hope it works out for you whatever you decide after all it is your daycare/your rules

[apples and bananas]

I agree... if you really like this family waive the fee for the 2 days as a misunderstanding, but I would also sit down with them and review the contract/handbook page by page so there are no more misunderstandings. You don't want to be out money, but you also don't want a misunderstanding to make your business look bad.

Good luck! I hope it all works out.

[Cadillac]

I was thinking about doing that but in the end felt like I should stick to my policies because I have them for a reason and this man did sign beside the sickness agreement. I have parents sign in there contract each most important point such as there fees, overview of policies on vacation, sickness, these parents initial about 7 different things and then SIGN that they've read the agreement.

I explained everything to them in detail and I feel that I shouldn't bend the rules because they didn't listen or read what they were supposed to.

If they even call back i'll try to work something out with them but I really have a feeling they wont. I'm wondering if they assume that I'm on call for them and aren't seeing that their money dollars a day pays my bills.

I agree that it is disturbing that they didn't read the contract. wouldn't you? This is the person I'm entrusting my child to. I dunno. I was totally blind sided . . .

I wouldn't never jump on anyone for their opinion. It's why I posted.

There is such a dry spell out there for care right now but I'm paranoid about being walked all over. the reason I have spaces open is from kicking out a family who did that to me.

[dodge__driver11]

I am the same as you Cad. in this regard. I make a point of going through everything with each family and askinng them if they have any questions, if they say no and sign everything. It is my believe that they are making an informed choice to sign these things.

JMO.

Dodge

[Cadillac]

It's just hard to stick to your guns when the pickings are slim. I've had a lot of crazies come by lately and this two day a week child is the only one ive signed in the past couple months.

I feel like these parents want to treat us like nannies and be able to dictate everything no matter what you tell them.