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I have a family that has been with me for 3+years that just told me this morning (the 3rd)that the 14th would be their last day. They pay me monthly and the next payment is due this Friday. I was expecting a check for 4 weeks, but now I assume it will just be for 1 week. I am not surprised, but saddened that they waited until the last minuet to tell me. Shouldn't they have told me last Friday?
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What does your contract say? If it's two weeks then they owe you for the full 2 weeks and can choose to attend or not. -
Yup, all goes back to contract. If your contract says two weeks, give them an invoice for the two weeks. If it says four, they are required to pay the four weeks.
If it says nothing, lesson learned and add it in NOW and update all existing clients with a new contract!Comment
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I think that if you require two weeks notice, that is what they gave you. You are being paid this week and next week and know that they will not be returning. If you want longer notice, or notice on a Friday for the full 14 days than you need to specify that in the contract.Comment
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I require notice in WRITING and WITH payment for the last days.
I require a minimum of two weeks notice, more if there is more than one child in the family that will be leaving.
What does you contract say about withdrawing from care? Do you require written notice for any specific amount of time?Comment
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Honestly I would look at changing your notice policy in the future. If they pay monthly, they ought to give you at LEAST a month's notice.Hee hee! Look, I have a signature!Comment
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My policy states 2 weeks written notice.Comment
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I would say, annoying as it is, that it counts as a two week notice. The two weeks would be up on the 16th anyway.Hee hee! Look, I have a signature!Comment
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I would tell mom at pickup today that you need to have her 2wks notice in writing and payment through X date. You have to follow your contract!!Comment
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It just saddens me that after watching 2 of their kids for 3 years that they didn't even give me quite a full 2 weeks. I am sure that they have known for at least 2-3 weeks before they told me. We have always been on good terms with each other. I really thought they wouldn't have waited until the last second and would have given me more time to find a replacement.Comment
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The deal with notice...
First of all, you should be charging a deposit for each new family and placing it in an account used for notice. Then your contract needs to include six elements.
1. You need to have the amount of notice required. I require 3 full weeks
2. How it is to be given. I have to have it in writing by Friday for it to begin the following Monday. If they drop it off on Monday it does not start until the following Monday. They can email it, but it has to be time stamped sent prior to 5 PM on Friday to be considered timely.
3. You have to specify when it cannot be given. With the parents who pay monthly I do not budget to spend it until I have it. I plan as if everyone is weekly and then as parents pay ahead I send it to bills. I do not allow notice to be given while I am on vacation, while they are on vacation, or during maternity leave. If notice is given during these times, it is considered delivered as of the first day returning to care. So if they serve me notice while on vacation it does not start until they return.
4. You must specify that fees for the last two weeks are due and payable up front when notice is given, and those fees are payable whether or not they choose for their child to attend for those weeks. If you have charged a deposit up front it can be used from the savings account and then there is no debate about paying. With my clients when they give notice they pay for the following week, and I pull their deposit for the other two. They usually leave after the next week and I get 2 week's of deposit without them using care.
5. Your contract needs to include any exceptions to notice. I allow new families a 2 week probationary period where they can terminate during the first two weeks for any reason without notice. After 2 weeks in care notice is required no matter what the reason for termination is.
6. Your final paragraph concerning notice should read as follows: "There are no exceptions to the above notice policies, they are absolute no matter why care is terminated. If notice is not given, or if fees are not paid in full within 10 days of the last day in care, the client agrees to be responsible for any and all fees incurred to collect this debt, including collection costs, court fees, time off for court and attorney's fees, up to $2000.00."
These are the guidelines in my parent handbook. I hope this helps you with how to handle the issue. The deposit is the best way to go, even if you let them pay it in 3-4 installments when they start. The hard part is not touching it.Comment
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It is hard and I understand why you feel hurt or sad but the truth is, the parent is doing exactly what you asked of them.
They are submitting a 2 week written notice. If you want families to give you more time, YOU need to require a longer notice period.
Even if you are on good terms with them, I can see why they waited to tell you until the last possible day....it is usually pretty uncomfortable interacting those last few weeks and they may have thought you might not be happy about receiving notice so really if I were in their shoes, I would probably have done the same thing.
You also have to remember that although you are attached to this family, families often don't bond with or attach to you in the same way.
This usually becomes evident when the care agreement is ending.
I am sorry you are losing a family and I hope you are able to fill your space quickly.
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I agree.
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