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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Two weeks' notice
permanentvacation 01:51 PM 12-19-2014
Do you require a two weeks' financial notice when a child is going to leave your daycare? If so, how do your parents pay that notice? Do you add it to their rate at the beginning of them attending you daycare? If not, what keeps them from just picking their child up one day and never returning as well as never giving you notice?
Blackcat31 02:07 PM 12-19-2014
Originally Posted by permanentvacation:
Do you require a two weeks' financial notice when a child is going to leave your daycare? If so, how do your parents pay that notice? Do you add it to their rate at the beginning of them attending you daycare? If not, what keeps them from just picking their child up one day and never returning as well as never giving you notice?
Yes, I require written notice of withdrawal. Do you require a two weeks' financial notice when a child is going to leave your daycare? If so, how do your parents pay that notice? Do you add it to their rate at the beginning of them attending you daycare? If not, what keeps them from just picking their child up one day and never returning as well as never giving you notice?
When parents want to withdraw from my care they are to submit the notice in writing on a Friday WITH payment for the final two weeks.
I do not collect a deposit when families enroll as of now.
What stop's them from just picking up their child and simply returning? Nothing stops them from doing that. I wouldn't be out any money if they did do that as I am pre-pay so I would have already been paid up until that day but most parents in my area wouldn't or don't do that if they plan on using child care again in the future (with ANYONE in my area) as we are a small enough community that if a parent stiffs a daycare provider, most of the other providers are aware of it pretty quickly.
I haven't had issues with that happening in a really long time. Once I started heavily screening new clients and being really picky about who I do and don't enroll, it hasn't been an issue.
SignMeUp 02:19 PM 12-19-2014
Originally Posted by permanentvacation:
Do you require a two weeks' financial notice when a child is going to leave your daycare? Yes.
If so, how do your parents pay that notice? One week as a deposit at enrollment. Second week is paid before their next-to-last week of care.
Do you add it to their rate at the beginning of them attending you daycare? If not, what keeps them from just picking their child up one day and never returning as well as never giving you notice? Integrity
Answers are in purple Do you require a two weeks' financial notice when a child is going to leave your daycare? Yes.
If so, how do your parents pay that notice? One week as a deposit at enrollment. Second week is paid before their next-to-last week of care.
Do you add it to their rate at the beginning of them attending you daycare? If not, what keeps them from just picking their child up one day and never returning as well as never giving you notice? Integrity
permanentvacation 02:22 PM 12-19-2014
I never had a problem in the 'good area' I used to live in. But here, no one wants to pay it and they will just not show up the following Monday and not answer the phone when you call them to find out what's going on.
permanentvacation 02:23 PM 12-19-2014
Integrity! HA! That's very rare in my area!
Unregistered 02:46 PM 12-19-2014
I require one month written notice. If they pick up and never come back I take them to collections.
permanentvacation 03:05 PM 12-19-2014
I looked into using a collections agency once but decided not to bother. It is easy enough to do, or is it more hassle than it's worth?
permanentvacation 03:06 PM 12-19-2014
I think I'd rather add the notice fee into their first weeks' rates.
jenboo 03:10 PM 12-19-2014
Send a certified letter stating you are going to take them to court. From what I hear, that usually does the trick.
Leigh 03:16 PM 12-19-2014
I collect a 2 week deposit and tell parents that it will be applied to the final two weeks of care or in lieu of the final two weeks. I don't call it "deposit" anymore-I call it "final 2-week's payment", and let parents know (and they sign on it) that it is NEVER refundable.
permanentvacation 03:56 PM 12-19-2014
Here's another question
If you collect a two weeks' notice fee from the parent upfront and then you terminate them later, do you still keep their two weeks' notice fee?
If so, how would you justify keeping their fee if you just boot them out? Or do you give them a two weeks' notice of termination? Meaning you tell them they are terminated, but can keep coming for the next 2 weeks.
If you collect a two weeks' notice fee from the parent upfront and then you terminate them later, do you still keep their two weeks' notice fee?
If so, how would you justify keeping their fee if you just boot them out? Or do you give them a two weeks' notice of termination? Meaning you tell them they are terminated, but can keep coming for the next 2 weeks.
permanentvacation 03:59 PM 12-19-2014
I don't require a 2 wks notice from them or me. If they want to stop coming, they just don't show up anymore. If I don't want to keep watching the child, I can tell them not to come back anymore. That way, neither of us feel 'stuck' with the arrangement for 2 more weeks even though we no longer want to continue the childcare arrangement.
EntropyControlSpecialist 04:33 PM 12-19-2014
I stopped being bailed on by implementing a security deposit fee. This fee is the final two weeks notice (if one child) and final four weeks notice (if two children). It has saved me from families just not paying me at LEAST 5 times now. Oh, and another benefit is that families sometimes don't stay their entire final two weeks since it feels "free" to them...so, I end up making money without working. 
Oh, this fee is how they save a spot here as well. It is only held for two weeks after giving the fee and enrollment form.
Oh, this fee is how they save a spot here as well. It is only held for two weeks after giving the fee and enrollment form.
EntropyControlSpecialist 04:34 PM 12-19-2014
Originally Posted by permanentvacation:
Here's another question
If you collect a two weeks' notice fee from the parent upfront and then you terminate them later, do you still keep their two weeks' notice fee?
If so, how would you justify keeping their fee if you just boot them out? Or do you give them a two weeks' notice of termination? Meaning you tell them they are terminated, but can keep coming for the next 2 weeks.
If I am terminating a contract, I give two weeks notice. I can "stick it out" but if I couldn't I would refund it and be done (even though I don't do refunds and it says so 7 times in my handbook and 1 time in my contract).Here's another question
If you collect a two weeks' notice fee from the parent upfront and then you terminate them later, do you still keep their two weeks' notice fee?
If so, how would you justify keeping their fee if you just boot them out? Or do you give them a two weeks' notice of termination? Meaning you tell them they are terminated, but can keep coming for the next 2 weeks.
Leigh 05:03 PM 12-19-2014
Originally Posted by permanentvacation:
Here's another question
If you collect a two weeks' notice fee from the parent upfront and then you terminate them later, do you still keep their two weeks' notice fee?
If so, how would you justify keeping their fee if you just boot them out? Or do you give them a two weeks' notice of termination? Meaning you tell them they are terminated, but can keep coming for the next 2 weeks.
I also have parents sign an agreement that I may terminate at any time without notice, should I deem it necessary. SOME reasons for termination (not limited to these) may be misconduct by parent, aggression by child, failure to maintain timely payments, failure to supply necessary items as needed (change of clothes for kids, etc.). I reserve the sole right to determine whether a refund will be given in the case of termination on my part. I tell parents that basically, if they or their child don't behave, no refund. If I need to term for a reason OTHER than violating our agreement, I would issue a refund, if **I** choose not to give 2 weeks notice. If I offer 2 weeks notice and the parent refuses, I keep the deposit.Here's another question
If you collect a two weeks' notice fee from the parent upfront and then you terminate them later, do you still keep their two weeks' notice fee?
If so, how would you justify keeping their fee if you just boot them out? Or do you give them a two weeks' notice of termination? Meaning you tell them they are terminated, but can keep coming for the next 2 weeks.
TwinKristi 07:48 PM 12-19-2014
I have a 2wk deposit due at enrollment that is used for the last 2wks of care. If they're terminated for not following the rules/contract I can keep the 2wks and any remaining prepayment. I've had to terminate on the spot before and at the time didn't have that in my contract and paid her back the week she prepaid just to get rid of her. Now I've updated my contract and included that policy but have yet to use it.
AmyKidsCo 01:33 PM 12-22-2014
I require an enrollment fee and first week of care paid upon enrollment. Then payment for the last 2 weeks of care is due within the first month after starting care. That way if they give less than 2 weeks' notice I'm still paid.
And, because everyone is actually 2 weeks ahead in payment I don't freak out if a parent occasionally pays late.
And, because everyone is actually 2 weeks ahead in payment I don't freak out if a parent occasionally pays late.
Unregistered 01:49 PM 12-22-2014
Originally Posted by permanentvacation:
I looked into using a collections agency once but decided not to bother. It is easy enough to do, or is it more hassle than it's worth?
It's super easy. I set up a meeting with the agency (they came to my house) and gave them all my info and then all the info for the families I turned over. They do all the work but they also take a percentage of whatever they collect. I add in fees for an entire month & then turn them over.I looked into using a collections agency once but decided not to bother. It is easy enough to do, or is it more hassle than it's worth?
TheGoodLife 01:50 PM 12-22-2014
I require 4 weeks notice, and 2 weeks tuition as a deposit when they start. I hold that in savings until they leave so I can pay myself those last 2 weeks. I have a strongly worded contract that states I require 4 weeks notice, will send to collections and/or small claims court if owed money, and have quoted my contract the 2 times I had anyone argue about leaving w/o paying the last 4 weeks- both came and paid within a day of that. The deposit is applied to their LAST two weeks after all other tuition and fees are paid. No one has ever argued it with me.
permanentvacation 03:58 PM 12-22-2014
I am going to try to raise my rate and keep the extra as my 'two weeks' notice. That way I can say that they don't have to give me a notice at all which will make them happy. And I don't have to try to get a bulk payment out of them upon hire or go through any other possible headaches and confusion.
My rates are much lower than the going rate in the area. I really think it's time I raise my rates anyway.
My rates are much lower than the going rate in the area. I really think it's time I raise my rates anyway.
melilley 10:47 AM 12-23-2014
I require a 2 weeks' notice. I don't ask for it up front, but may start doing so. I'm just afraid that will scare people away, because that's a lot to come up with at once. I suppose you could break it down.
I am prepay on Friday's so usually I would only be out a week of pay if a family just up and left, but I made the mistake of letting one family pay on Monday's, and wouldn't you know, they called on a Monday and said they couldn't afford to come back. So now, I have sent 2 certified letters and a letter to their house and one text and have received not one piece of communication back. Conveniently they weren't home to accept the letters and haven't went to pick them up. They have until Jan. 5th to pay the 2 weeks, plus late fees. I doubt they will pay so I'll probably have to go to small claims court. SO, no, some people have NO integrity!
I am prepay on Friday's so usually I would only be out a week of pay if a family just up and left, but I made the mistake of letting one family pay on Monday's, and wouldn't you know, they called on a Monday and said they couldn't afford to come back. So now, I have sent 2 certified letters and a letter to their house and one text and have received not one piece of communication back. Conveniently they weren't home to accept the letters and haven't went to pick them up. They have until Jan. 5th to pay the 2 weeks, plus late fees. I doubt they will pay so I'll probably have to go to small claims court. SO, no, some people have NO integrity!
EntropyControlSpecialist 10:53 AM 12-23-2014
Originally Posted by melilley:
I require a 2 weeks' notice. I don't ask for it up front, but may start doing so. I'm just afraid that will scare people away, because that's a lot to come up with at once. I suppose you could break it down.
I am prepay on Friday's so usually I would only be out a week of pay if a family just up and left, but I made the mistake of letting one family pay on Monday's, and wouldn't you know, they called on a Monday and said they couldn't afford to come back. So now, I have sent 2 certified letters and a letter to their house and one text and have received not one piece of communication back. Conveniently they weren't home to accept the letters and haven't went to pick them up. They have until Jan. 5th to pay the 2 weeks, plus late fees. I doubt they will pay so I'll probably have to go to small claims court. SO, no, some people have NO integrity!
It has never scared anyone away from here. I have only had TWO families need it broken up into payments and they paid it off quicker than what we had scheduled. I am the only one out here who does final two weeks pay upfront.I require a 2 weeks' notice. I don't ask for it up front, but may start doing so. I'm just afraid that will scare people away, because that's a lot to come up with at once. I suppose you could break it down.
I am prepay on Friday's so usually I would only be out a week of pay if a family just up and left, but I made the mistake of letting one family pay on Monday's, and wouldn't you know, they called on a Monday and said they couldn't afford to come back. So now, I have sent 2 certified letters and a letter to their house and one text and have received not one piece of communication back. Conveniently they weren't home to accept the letters and haven't went to pick them up. They have until Jan. 5th to pay the 2 weeks, plus late fees. I doubt they will pay so I'll probably have to go to small claims court. SO, no, some people have NO integrity!
melilley 11:07 AM 12-23-2014
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
It has never scared anyone away from here. I have only had TWO families need it broken up into payments and they paid it off quicker than what we had scheduled. I am the only one out here who does final two weeks pay upfront.
I think I'm going to do that with new families!It has never scared anyone away from here. I have only had TWO families need it broken up into payments and they paid it off quicker than what we had scheduled. I am the only one out here who does final two weeks pay upfront.
DaveA 12:07 PM 12-23-2014
from my policies:
If you wish to terminate care of your child from AFCC, two weeks’ notice is required. Two weeks fees can be paid in lieu of two weeks’ notice.
If you wish to terminate care of your child from AFCC, two weeks’ notice is required. Two weeks fees can be paid in lieu of two weeks’ notice.
earlystart 09:53 PM 12-23-2014
Originally Posted by permanentvacation:
I am going to try to raise my rate and keep the extra as my 'two weeks' notice. That way I can say that they don't have to give me a notice at all which will make them happy. And I don't have to try to get a bulk payment out of them upon hire or go through any other possible headaches and confusion.
My rates are much lower than the going rate in the area. I really think it's time I raise my rates anyway.
That's not a bad idea. I get the two week deposit up front when enrolling. But I end up spending the money over the course of 1-2 years the kid is here, then when they leave and I can't get a new kid to enroll right away I'm kicking myself like "why do I even collect the deposit if I'm not gonna save it for when they actually leave?" heh.I am going to try to raise my rate and keep the extra as my 'two weeks' notice. That way I can say that they don't have to give me a notice at all which will make them happy. And I don't have to try to get a bulk payment out of them upon hire or go through any other possible headaches and confusion.
My rates are much lower than the going rate in the area. I really think it's time I raise my rates anyway.