Thanks for all the great advice. I do have a non-refundable security deposit and typically enforce that. with this woman, however, I didn't as she was temporary and I wasn't really expecting to fill the spot any way. I'm not that devastated over the money. I'm more just disgusted by the way some people conduct themselves. I'm unlikely to chase the money hard....just enough to be a pain in her buttt. Last night when I posted here, I had just received the email and was furious. This morning, after some sleep and time to cool off, I realize that, first, I was dreading her child coming here as he was a little stinker, and second, I kind of wondered all along if that's what she was up to. I'm just annoyed because I went to the bother of having 2 interviews with her, put a lot of thought and effort into a contract, just to have her give me the runaround. Oh well.....I suspect wherever she goes, that provider will have issues with her son's behaviour and she'll be left stuck without care