Quote Originally Posted by Alphaghetti View Post
Here is what my contract states:

I reserve the right to immediately terminate for the following reasons:

- Non-payment
- Failure to abide by my policies as outlined by my handbook
- Physical or verbal abuse of any person or property
- If a child becomes a danger to the other children
- Failure to complete required forms
- False information given by parents either verbally or in writing

Do I have to have it in my contract that the deposit is forfeited by failure to follow policies? Because isn't that what the deposit is for? Lost wages in the event that they skip out, or in this case, in the event that I have to terminate immediately? The deposit is, essentially for the last two weeks care, but the reason that we secure it is to avoid losing wages in the event of abrupt termination of agreement. I just can't figure out if this is worthy.
You have it clearly outlined right there and they have broken the contract by not paying on time and by verbal abuse (bad attitude and rudeness). Since they broke the contract I don't see how you owe them the return of the deposit. In my contract it says that the deposit MAY be applied to the last week of care if all conditions are met. In other words if the client has kept their part of the contract policies. That is not the case here.

However, if you can afford to refund the money to try to keep peace if they start to cause problems for you it might be best to be done with them quickly and quietly. Then, if I were you I would keep my ears and eyes open to make sure they aren't slandering you in any way because it sounds like they are a couple of immature idiots!