How Do I Word This: Teachers Paying A Term Fee If They Change Their Minds Before Aug?

[Crazy8]

How about saying that a deposit of $____ is required by June 1st to hold their spot over the summer to be credited at the end of the next school year. In the event they choose not to return in Sept. they forfeit that deposit.

I just charge a deposit upon enrollment, but had a situation last year where I held a spot all summer for a teacher, they came back in Sept. and then in mid-October gave 2 weeks notice and used their deposit and then left. I was pissed because I was out SOOO much more money than a deposit would cover but sometimes things just work out crummy like that. I can't go adding every scenerio to my contract.

[TwinKristi]

Because you are losing money when you hold a spot for any length of time without pay.

But she's losing the money anyway by holding the spot and not accepting a deposit, right? She's holding the spot anyway, only wants to punish if there's a failure to follow through which as other pointed out, is going to be difficult if they're the type of person who would follow through.

[childcaremom]

When I was considering having teachers as clients (who only wanted to use daycare for the school year):

I was going to be open only during the school year, for teachers only. I had separate contracts and handbooks for them.(I was hoping to eventually have all teachers and be closed for the summer)

I was going to charge a higher tuition from Sept through June, and not over the summer. Higher than my regular clients.

I was going to have a deposit due by June 15 to hold their spot for September. Would go towards their first two weeks in September and was non-refundable if they changed their minds.

I would not be out money this way and would have ample time to find a replacement if they didn't want to pay a deposit.

I think a cancellation fee is working backwards, imho.