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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum Daycare Center and Family Home owners, Directors, Operators and Assistants should post and ask questions here. |
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#1
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Holding Fee?
I have two girls (cousins) signing up tonight. My opening begins on the 10th but they don't want to start until the 24th (vacations ect). Would it be ridiculous to charge a holding fee of some sort? What's reasonable?
I am just a little burned from the last person who signed up and just decided to bail without telling me. I will be not earning anything from those spots for almost a month and that feels a little unfair. I will be requiring deposits at signing now, so I also don't want to overwhelm them with fees (registration, deposit, holding fee). What say you? |
#2
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If a space is open and available I charge full rate for it. If a parent didn't want to start when the opening is available then it goes to the next person wanting it. I refuse to take a financial loss due to someone else's circumstances. I cost myself enough money. If you are wanting to save the space and since it's only a small time period, I would suggest offering the space at 50% its regular rates maybe... If you want to go lower than that, I have no advice. I've never done that as I'd rather continue looking than to wait on someone else. |
#3
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I have them pay me a deposit equal to one week's pay at the time they turn in their contract. That holds their spot. It is applied to the LAST week of care. Payment for the first week is due at arrival on Monday, and every Monday thereafter.
For infant spots, I do two weeks deposit. A, because I can get it, and B, because they are primo spots and it often involves waiting 6-8 weeks. |
#4
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#5
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I'm probably way overthinking it because I have pretty low rates for what I offer (new in the business). I could probably find someone to start on the 10th if I honestly tried. |
#6
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Yes, I think that asking for all that wouldn't fly, but maybe in your area it would? |
#7
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I actually changed my policy because of that parent. Before the deposit was due on the first day. Now it's due on signing. |
#8
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Make sure you point that out to them if they give you a hard time about all the upfront fees. |
#9
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Off topic, where in LA are you? I'm in the Pasadena area
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#10
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Same area I live in San Gabriel.
I tried to take a holding fee, 50/week but they were extremely against it and I gave in. Sigh. No backbone. But I did get a deposit so I'm going to assume they WILL show up on their first day. |
Tags |
holding fee, holding spot - fee, holding spots |
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