Flakey parents

[Inspired by Reggio]

WOW ... sadly I had a client like that for my very first home childcare experience .... signed a contract and paid a deposit for TWO children and than used manipulation of emotions of death in family, hospitalization of self so boys had to go to grandparents in another city and so forth to delay start day and being new and thinking with my heart instead of my business hat I allowed her to delay and than the Friday before she was suppose to start she called to say she had gotten into a centre and would not be starting and expected a total refund of her deposit and when I said NO that is not how it works security deposit can only be applied to last two weeks of care ~ she sent them for two weeks to get her monies worth forcing me to either serve them or refund the money if I was the one refusing to serve

Do you have a security deposit that clients have to pay to secure the spot ~ if not I would adopt a policy like that for your program so that the ball is at least in YOUR court should they do something like this so you are not having to chase your money!

I prefer the NON REFUNDABLE security deposit and fees paid in ADVANCE of care because like you I do not have time or financial resources to be chasing clients for fees!