Those With Trial Periods

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

If you do trial periods, do you do security deposits?
How do you inform them that they are in a trial period/probationary period?

I require that their final two weeks of care be paid upfront prior to care beginning. Prior to their first day of care, they also pay the bi-weekly payment since I do not allow clients in without having paid upfront. If I did a trial period, would I wait until that trial period was over with to require that security deposit?

[daycarediva]

I do trial periods. 2 weeks for part time, and 4 weeks for full time. It gives me an easy out if I KNOW it isn't going to work out. I have a trial contract, essentially the same as my regular contract, it just says TRIAL at the top and has a few extras. For instance, if I decide not to keep them during the trial period, there is no refund of fees. It is usually a really BIG reason as well. Parents pay for their first week of care +registration fee at signing the trial contract. Once the trial period is over, we sit down again. At that time I would get a deposit and sign a complete contract.

I have not taken on two kids and let them go without refund during the trial, and I have extended one trial, to disastrous consequences. So yup, LOVE the trial.

Gyms, tanning salons do something similar where you pay for a week to 'test it out'. No refunds, always the option to pay more=stay.

*ETA* I go over the trial period during interview. I have NEVER had a parent dislike it.

[wdmmom]

I have a 4 week introductory period for anyone new to the daycare.

Upon the family hiring me, I require a full months payment up front. Half is applied to the first 2 weeks and the other half is applied to the last 2 weeks.

There are NO refunds provided with any deposit paid.

I explain to families that the deposit is their guarantee that the spot is theirs and they can utilize the services per our agreement of hours/days per week/etc. Should there be any issues that arise within the introductory period, there is no refund for any reason and it is written on the receipt.

[butterfly]

I do a two week trial period. My contract states during this time the provider or the parent have the option to discontinue services without notice and the contract then becomes void. I collect a one week's rate as an enrollment fee. I tell my clients that this is then applied to their last week of care, but is nonrefundable if they discontinue services with me. I actually have my parents pay at the end of the week for that week's services. (essentially after I've provided care, but technically since I collected that enrollment fee they are always paid one week in advance... - clear as mud?) My contract states a 2 week notice to discontinue services, but really if someone isn't happy with me, I could care less if they left immediately...

[mamac]

I do trial periods. 2 weeks for part time, and 4 weeks for full time. It gives me an easy out if I KNOW it isn't going to work out. I have a trial contract, essentially the same as my regular contract, it just says TRIAL at the top and has a few extras. For instance, if I decide not to keep them during the trial period, there is no refund of fees. It is usually a really BIG reason as well. Parents pay for their first week of care +registration fee at signing the trial contract. Once the trial period is over, we sit down again. At that time I would get a deposit and sign a complete contract.

I have not taken on two kids and let them go without refund during the trial, and I have extended one trial, to disastrous consequences. So yup, LOVE the trial.

Gyms, tanning salons do something similar where you pay for a week to 'test it out'. No refunds, always the option to pay more=stay.

*ETA* I go over the trial period during interview. I have NEVER had a parent dislike it.

Out of curiosity, why the longer trial period for FT and shorter for PT? I would think that it would be better the other way around because FTers are there consistently so you shouldn't need that extra time to figure out if they are a good fit, whereas with PTers it takes longer to see a pattern of potential issues. What is your reasoning for this?

[MarinaVanessa]

If you do trial periods, do you do security deposits?
How do you inform them that they are in a trial period/probationary period?

I require that their final two weeks of care be paid upfront prior to care beginning. Prior to their first day of care, they also pay the bi-weekly payment since I do not allow clients in without having paid upfront. If I did a trial period, would I wait until that trial period was over with to require that security deposit?

I do a 2 week trial period (but have an "at will" termination cause which means that I can still cancel the contract at will with no notice) and require the 1st week and a 2 week deposit to be paid up front at the time of signing. If by the end of the 2 weeks I decide not to continue the contract and they have already paid for those two weeks I refund the 2 week deposit.

I explain the probationary period to them in person several times throughout the interview process and at sign up, also have it in my contract and policies.

[earlystart]

If you do trial periods, do you do security deposits?
How do you inform them that they are in a trial period/probationary period?

I require that their final two weeks of care be paid upfront prior to care beginning. Prior to their first day of care, they also pay the bi-weekly payment since I do not allow clients in without having paid upfront. If I did a trial period, would I wait until that trial period was over with to require that security deposit?

Just do your regular security deposit and prepaid tuition due before the 1st day, and add a section to your contract that says the first 2 weeks are a trial period where either party may end the contract. If so, the parent is only responsible for paying for the days the child actually attended and everything else will be refunded. And mention that after the trial period you require X weeks notice to end the contract.

[Sprouts]

I have a 4 week introductory period for anyone new to the daycare.

Upon the family hiring me, I require a full months payment up front. Half is applied to the first 2 weeks and the other half is applied to the last 2 weeks.

There are NO refunds provided with any deposit paid.

I explain to families that the deposit is their guarantee that the spot is theirs and they can utilize the services per our agreement of hours/days per week/etc. Should there be any issues that arise within the introductory period, there is no refund for any reason and it is written on the receipt.

Im curious about this...would u be willing to share how ur contract looks?

[Brooksie]

I do a 2 week trial period where either party can terminate the agreement without any obligation to pay any further fees and I DO have a 2 week NON REFUNDABLE deposit, but I allow my families to pay that in a 4 week installment over the first 4 weeks. Makes it easier on everyone and they feel that I'm human and not just trying to take their money and then term (Which is true!) So far all my families have really appreciated that option and so far haven't had any one leave before the 2 week trial period. All my families are very happy

[daycarediva]

Out of curiosity, why the longer trial period for FT and shorter for PT? I would think that it would be better the other way around because FTers are there consistently so you shouldn't need that extra time to figure out if they are a good fit, whereas with PTers it takes longer to see a pattern of potential issues. What is your reasoning for this?

Wrote it backwards, 4 weeks for PT, 2 weeks for FT.

[mamac]

Wrote it backwards, 4 weeks for PT, 2 weeks for FT.

Hahah. That makes more sense! I'm not open yet and I was curious to see if there was some reason for doing that based on experience with trial periods. :: Good to know I don't need to alter my handbook.