What Do You Do If Client Suddenly Stops Coming And/Or Communicating?

[trix23]

I'm paid for this week. But last week I sent out a probation letter that was effective immediately and haven't seen her or heard from her since. I figured she may withdraw so I have a backup that is already attending (I wasn't at capacity anyway). My contract states that they need to give 2 weeks notice for withdrawal and pay the last 2 weeks. She was the last one that didn't have to pay it up-front cause I needed clients.

[Blackcat31]

Did you discuss the probation letter with parent or was it via email or done blindly?

Honestly, if they've had no communication with you at all this week and have not shown for scheduled days of care I'd probably just let it go.

Lesson learned.

[Ariana]

Sounds like she has ghosted you which is the new generations way of dealing with things

Either way I would not allow her to return so give the space to someone else.

[daycare]

I would require a deposit up front so that if this ever happens again you are not out money.

I would just move on. Do you have anything in your policy that states if they fail to communicate their absence to you for 3 days or such you will fully terminate their spot and fill it?

[AmyKidsCo]

If you're paid for this week but the child hasn't attended and you haven't heard from them I'd assume they're done. If you don't hear anything by Friday send them a termination notice effective immediately.

Good thing you had a back up plan in place! That'll give you a little breathing room to fill the new opening.

[trix23]

I've enrolled 3 families since this one and have done a 2 week deposit of sorts for them.

I'll have to see what my handbook says in regards to this. I will be billing for the 2 weeks if she is indeed withdrawing

[CityGarden]

This is the one you wanted to term on the spot but then didn't have the heart correct?

If that is the case I would be thankful! You are not out of money since she paid for this week and you have already replaced that income with a new person lined up if I read your post correct. You could go after her for the 2 weeks of no notice but I am not sure it would be worth the hassle. You learned and adjusted all your other contracts to require the deposit up front so unless you really need the $$$ I would be thankful she is not there and move on.

[trix23]

I've not enforced this with 2 families already. I feel it's time I did.

It's not that i didn't have the heart to term, it's that I wanted to make sure it was fair and that I wouldn't have a lawsuit against me for discrimination or anything. (She's a minority and a single mother).

I had issued text/verbal warnings and this was the first written warning. (To cover myself if i termed at-will to leave a paper trail). Also, I wanted to let her know that she could still come here IF she shaped up the problematic behaviors.

[trix23]

I handed it to her at drop-off on Friday last week and told her what you said, BlackCat. Never heard a comment about it.

[AmyKidsCo]

Originally Posted by CityGarden

This is the one you wanted to term on the spot but then didn't have the heart correct?

If that is the case I would be thankful! You are not out of money since she paid for this week and you have already replaced that income with a new person lined up if I read your post correct. You could go after her for the 2 weeks of no notice but I am not sure it would be worth the hassle. You learned and adjusted all your other contracts to require the deposit up front so unless you really need the $$$ I would be thankful she is not there and move on.

Honestly, if it were me and I'd already replaced the income I'd send the termination and forget the last 2 weeks. It would't be worth the hassle to me. Besides, if you ask for the payment, what if she decides to bring the child back for 2 more weeks? Unless your contract/policies say no attendance/no communication means termination she may have the right to bring the child back. I wouldn't want to mess with it.

[trix23]

I will be adding that clause to my Handbook. But I want to pursue this one

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Originally Posted by trix23

I will be adding that clause to my Handbook. But I want to pursue this one

You may chase this and get absolutely no where. It likely won't be worth the hassle.

Definitely require an enrollment fee when they begin that is their final two week's tuition since you require a two week's notice. This has saved me many times since I implemented it about 4 years ago.