Changing The Wording On An Agreement

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Can you revise the wording on an agreement from "Failure to abide by the rules set forth in the Parent Handbook will result in the termination of our services." (what they originally signed) to "Failure to abide by the rules set forth in the Parent Handbook will result in the termination of our services with no refunds of any kind given." (what I would like for them to sign)?

Would that be considered "underhanded" to change it now for existing clients? I just got burned pretty badly and have changed the wording in my Parent Handbook to say "no refunds of any kind will be given" several times throughout it including a specific section about refunds. I would like for them to sign a new agreement stating that they read The Parent Handbook (with its revisions) and will agree to abide by it. I did this in August but the revisions did not include financial matters.

I'm trying to cover my own bottom but don't want to be doing something people would consider shady since that wasn't in there when they originally agreed to come here. Obviously, this is a non-issue for any clients I sign on in the future since this wording will have been there from the beginning.

[jessrlee]

I would. I'm pretty open though, so I would hand them the paper and say "due to getting burned I had to change the wording" please sign here

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would. I'm pretty open though, so I would hand them the paper and say "due to getting burned I had to change the wording" please sign here

:: Maybe I could word it nicer. "Due to being placed in a financially distressing situation, I have reworded the agreement and need it to be signed by __ date." Hmmm.

[jessrlee]

Sounds good I'm super blunt. Gets me into trouble ::

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Anyone else know?

[e.j.]

Can you revise the wording on an agreement from "Failure to abide by the rules set forth in the Parent Handbook will result in the termination of our services." (what they originally signed) to "Failure to abide by the rules set forth in the Parent Handbook will result in the termination of our services with no refunds of any kind given." (what I would like for them to sign)?

Would that be considered "underhanded" to change it now for existing clients?

I don't think it would be considered underhanded as long as you call attention to the fact that you've made the change and ask parents to agree to it in writing. Whenever I've had to make a minor change to my handbook for existing clients, I provide them with the new rule on a separate piece of paper entitled, "Addendum to Parent Handbook". I have them sign it and then I add it to their file. New clients get the revised handbook.

When my state updated child care regs a couple of years ago, I rewrote my handbook and gave existing clients a sheet that explained the new regs, how they affected my policies and where they would find them in the handbook. Everyone then signed a new contract which states they agree to the policies in the handbook.

[momofsix]

I agree with the others. I think it's really smart wording and will help avoid any future "misunderstandings".
I would be sure to point our the change to the parents that need to sign it so you are sure that they know what they're signing.