Holding fee

[Goldilocks]

Just curious to see if someone has encountered a similar situation. I have a family that has paid me a holding fee for a spot that starts in January. The mom and her child has spent a morning with me this month to see what my daycare was like. Last week she left her child with me for a few hours while they went to a funeral. This week she wants to leave her child for a full day. My handbook states I only do full time care. How should I charge this family? Full time for December or for each day she leaves her child? Holding fee was 50% of full time rate. Mom paid me the holding fee for four months.

[Lee-Bee]

If they have paid 50% for 4 months and are only using a small handful of days I would likely just leave it be. If they are paying to hold that spot it is kind of theirs. As long as they don't attend more than 50% of the days it is not costing you anything to have the child for the occasional day.

[BlueRose]

What does your holding free contract say? Mine says the holding fee is to hold the spot only. No care is offered. So she would have to pay my daily drop in fee.

[Goldilocks]

Mine says its to hold the spot. It doesn't specifically say it isn't for care. I guess I should add that in.