Sometimes as with any parents teachers or not, (more often than not teacher though, due to their schedules) will question Why they need to pay when their child does not attend, as if we have a child we can pull out of our back pocket to fill their spot when they are not there?! I have found myself sort of defending my position, trying to get these "questioning" parents to please put the shoe on the other foot and realize, if I ran things that way...no kids would equal no income. HMMMM, I'm sure teacher of all people employed once explained to or asked to please see things from our position could/should understand due to the fact that they are generally salaried and recieve pay even through the Holidays and summer months, even though they are not working......duh, so you don't deserve the same? maybe they need a little explanation or a non selfish approach to understand completely.
I haven't had too many teachers kids and when I did they were family friends, I offered no pay IF I could fill the childs spot with a school aged kid who needed only summer care and a gaurentee they would return in the fall, out of two teachers over the years, one came back every year for 4.5 years, and the other screwed me about two weeks before the school year resumed, called me to say she was going with another provider. Your choice, but personal I is smart to charge at least a minimum due or hold a deposit, that will be non refundable IF they dont return in the fall. What do people think? our services can be free? just had a mom drop her jaw last week when I explained she had to pay X amount of dollars each week (min due) for her kids who were only coming 2 days per week. Once I explained to her, that I not only need an income but Iwas giving her a SWEET deal and to fill the other three days of the week I am losing by taking her kids part time will be just short of a miracle...she seemed to understand a little better.