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I'm thinking I may need to term a kid I have. It's been 9 mos, and isn't getting better. My question is this: Since they pay in advance for the week to come, I could wait it out til Friday & hand them their walking papers or their 2 weeks notice. But, if I need to immediately terminate, do I need to refund money/ I don't think I have anything in my contract about refunding or not refunding payment already made in case of termination of contract. I require a deposit, equal to 2 weeks pay, which is used as their last 2 weeks payment if they give me a month's notice, but this parent has never paid a deposit. I instituted it after she started. I just want to make sure I don't owe this person. Actually, she was $20 short on Friday, and is accruing late fees, and I have grounds to immediately term, but don't necessarily want to if it's not for some drastic actions. It's more that DCB isn't a good fit. DCM refuses to see that he has significant delays and multiple developmental red flags and get him checked out. He has a lot of behavioural issues & he requires more supervision than I want to provide, as all my attention gets diverted to him. I'm pretty much fed up w/ the family and am worn out trying to care for the kid who is given no discipline at home and allowed to do whatever he wants, whenever, and his behaviours and bad habits are getting repeated by my son. WWYD/
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I have a clause in my contract that I can terminate immediately due to several things, one being really aggressive or repeated negative behaviors.
However, I wouldn't term effective immediately if the parent had paid without refunding the money.
If I ever term immediately, any money they have as a credit gets refunded back to them.
The two week notice is usually so that providers can adjust their budgets rather than abruptly lose out on a week or two's pay. NOT something I would ever feel comfortable keeping if I termed immediately. -
First, have you addressed the missing $20 and the late fees? I would require that to be paid up immediately before I'd allow the child to even come back - no pay, no stay. EVER.
Then, in this particular case where its not an immediate threat but just not a good fit I would give them notice. It really depends on what your contract states - if you have an immediate termination clause then I'd give them notice now that Friday will be their last day - this puts you in a position where you do not have to refund any money. If the child was really bad and I didn't want them around the other children I would term immediately but it doesn't sound like this is the case for you with this one?Comment
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OK thanks! Yeah, I feel like I'm constantly saying no and/or redirecting him, and he's gentle w/ the babies, but is a toy snatcher/.hoarder, tries to be sneaky and hide them from others/take them home. If he feels I'm not watching, he'll start doing any number of things I disallow, including pushing and hitting, jumping on furniture. He's 3 & is very behind on his milestones. Mom does everything for him. And yeah, I told her I was charging late fees. This is the second time I have. She once owed me for nearly 2 months and se was my only family at the time. She's not been a good fit from day one, but I needed the $, and now that I have several families & his bad behaviour is rubbing off on my own kid, it's time for DCB to go. I do have the no pay, no stay clause, but I've never instituted it. I will though, if I continue to keep him after this week. I've cracked down on late fee enforcement and DCM showing up later than she should, etc. Apparently, no one takes him long....I don't blame them-Mom's the real problem. He'd be fine if he got some OT, but DCM refuses to see any problems. I told myself I'd give it to Friday and make my mind up then, b/c I had a talk with her and was hoping he'd change some over the weekend, thru this week. we'll see..Comment
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I would give notice, either immediate or 2 weeks whichever you prefer, but refund any money that she has paid if you are not caring for the child. If you give notice, and she leaves before the term date, she would then owe the $ since she was choosing to take him out early- but that't the only case where you should keep money for times a DCK is not in care. Good luck with everything!!Comment
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Agree
Many providers work on word of mouth, if too many negative comments are out there it will look bad for the provider. It's not worth it to start something over being slightly greedy. If the child is no longer working out for you, I would terminate & return the money. (Assuming the behavior warranted immediate termination) If you've been putting up with their behavior for 9 months and it isn't getting better, I would at least try to give them 2 weeks to find new care, but be prepared -- they may be defensive for the reason of termination and yank them immediately and request a refund for what they've already paid for. Depending on what's in your contract, if you've given the 2 weeks and they decide not to come, you'll have to decide what to do at that point. Good Luck
Have you had a behavior improvement plan in place? Will this come out of left field, or do they know their child is difficult?Comment
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I have it in my contract that regardless of termination, I get a 4 weeks notice and/or 4 weeks worth of wages in lieu. My paid time off is also accrued time off so at the end of any contract, there's usually payment due.Comment
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I think if you terminate immediately then it is only fair to give them back the days they didn't use. I wouldn't let a few dollars stand in the way of my peace of mind and also she wouldn't have as much incentive to go out and bad mouth you to others...not that she would....just saying...
LaurelComment
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