New to childcare and parent arrangements

[Suzie_Homemaker]

Any help would be nice, as i am new to this really new. I have not had a chance to save for those times when i have no kids.

I not understanding. In opening post, you said you have been in this for 5 years and if that right, then you been very lucky if you keep all children for full 5 years. You have had chance to save for times with vacancies - you had 5 years to save for when some places empty.

I also don't know the rules and right way to deal with situation of having spot open, and lined up of ppl meet you, and the very first one gives you the deposit which i cashed to ensure it was not going to bounce and I don't actually get to spend that money.

Normally a deposit is to hold space for future start. Then, if parent changes mind, it compensate you for time it take to find someone else. But if parent does come as contracted, the deposit usually goes to either first week of care or final week when they leave you in future. Because it goes to these fees, you should not be spending. It okay to bank cheque and make sure it not bounce but it different matter if you spend it because it's not your money until then. What would you do if YOU can't take child when planned because you ill or something happen? In that situation you would have to return deposit because it you breaking contract. If you spend that money, then you have to find it to give back.

It not good idea to take deposit from first person who offer it. You have to vet client to see which one start sooner, which one better fit etc. I never hold a place for more than one month unless person is paying for it. I would never give place to someone wanting care in future because it means until they start, you have no income. Vet people before meeting them. Find out when they need care and then interview only those who suit you. If three people reply to ad, then interview the person you would prefer to have first. And then if it not a good match, then set up interview with next. But people wanting care long into future, you must learn to tell them that you will add to waiting list and contact if something comes up nearer that time, not hold space for ages without income. That not good idea unless you can afford to wait for their start date.

The post dated check i want to get is more to 100 % ensure the spot is filled as the parent is un employed and a single parent. Then i have all these other parents who could have had that spot, but found other arrangements and i am back to square one again. Which i know is part of the whole job, just hoping for some advice, tricks, experiences and ideas.

Agreed, The post dated check is to make sure 100% that the parent is invested in coming rather than no deposit, them change mind and not come. But, if you have concerns about giving the place to unemployed, single parent when you had other parents wanting the space, you did not choose wisely. Just as parent pick and choose which provider they want, we choose which client we want. If a two parent family in employment wants the space and a single parent who doesn't have job wants the space, we have to choose who we think is more likely to show up on day one of care and need us on-going. Why would you ever give a day care place to someone you not convinced will be reliable? Logically you know a parent who does not have job would not need day care so it's risky to sign them into your business.

As small business owner, we have responsibility to ourselves to pick clients who will provide income. Someone wanting care before they have job, someone wanting care outside of business hours, someone wanting shift cover or part-time place isn't best option. Someone not needing care for many months after place available is also not ideal. It makes more sense to turn away these people and continue looking for client who needs care sooner and who has reliable income and regular hours. Once you sign contract, YOU are also legally bound to abide by the agreement.

Why did you give your vacancy to this person?

They not obligated to pay deposit and also full month fee before starting just because you struggling for money. This is your business and you must run it effectively.

How many vacancies do you have?

If you have other to fill, I suggest you seek clients who will start sooner rather than later to minimize impact on your income. I also suggest you learn to turn away those who not a good fit and trust that someone better will come along, provided you offer a quality service.