Originally Posted by childcaremom:
One of the things I do is charge a holding fee that is non-refundable for any reason. You could apply the fee to the last 2 weeks. I apply it to the first two weeks.
It helps to make sure that families are invested when they accept the spot.
Then, if you go through all the work, and they change their mind, you are not out the money or the time you have invested.
Is that sort of what you were aiming for?
eta: I also get supplies for a new child and reassess the environment so I don't want to do that unless the family is 100% committed.
Yes...this is what I do. The problem in my head is that if a child is starting quickly, unless I ask for the deposit the day I meet them, it doesn't cover me if they back out three days later after I've done everything, but before I've received the check. I guess I just need to work up the guts to say hand over the cash now! :-)