I Visited Some Daycare and Noticed...

[MarinaVanessa]

Around here it's not common for daycares to ask for a deposit either but I require one any way and it's not usually a problem. I also ask for payment in advance which is also not heard of here and none of my clients have ever had an issue with this either. I think you should do whatever you feel will work and protect you best.

If a family can't come up with the two week deposit and the first weeks payment all at once I work something out with them like splitting the deposit into payments over a month. I've done this once and it was fine.

[Abigail]

Around here it's not common for daycares to ask for a deposit either but I require one any way and it's not usually a problem. I also ask for payment in advance which is also not heard of here and none of my clients have ever had an issue with this either. I think you should do whatever you feel will work and protect you best.

If a family can't come up with the two week deposit and the first weeks payment all at once I work something out with them like splitting the deposit into payments over a month. I've done this once and it was fine.

So, do I have it in my contract as "installments" for the first month. Let's see if I got this right. If I will charge $125/week for a family, I would have the payments be $187.50 a week for the first four week? I figured this out by taking the 125 weekly rate time six weeks (since I worked in the last two weeks with the first four, creating the six weeks) and then divided it by four making them pay it in four weeks. Then, on their fifth week it would be $125/week from their on out and their deposit would be covered?

[Unregistered]

I charge a two week deposit at signing and I've had no issues with it so far! Of course the deposit is used towards the first 2 weeks of care, so if they are serious about placing their child with me, I don't see why they would have an issue.

[Darlene R.]

Darlene R.

Hi, I charge a one weeks deposit, to be held until the child leaves with a two week written notice. If no notice is given and the child just leaves; the deposit is non-refundable.

[jokalima]

I was told at a Child Care Orientation class that we (as new providers) should require a two-week deposit for the last two weeks of care so when they give their termination notice they don't have to pay for those last two weeks OR if they just take off, then we are covered for two more weeks. I just think that asking for two weeks of tuition for a deposit and then they pay another week's tuition on day one that it is VERY expensive. If my rate for a family of one child was $125, that would mean $250 deposit to go towards the last two weeks of care and then another $125 when they start to be paid in advance weekly. If they enrolled and started right away, that would be $375. WOW

I do want to have a deposit, but should I stick to just ONE WEEK's pay to be used at time of termination or just apply it towards the first weeks care? HMM, I just don't want to deal with parents who don't pay.

I recently starting charging the 2 week deposit plus the 1st week payed in advanced. Only have had to do it with one family after I change my contract but they were more than OK with it, they had to pay 600.00 up front.

[thatdivalady]

I charge a last week deposit, one week of care and a $50 registration fee. I give families the option to flex the last week deposit over 4-6 weeks depending on their situation. All tuition payments are due the Friday before care and no child is seen until that is paid.

[SilverSabre25]

two year old op, fyi

[Unregistered]

Do you spend that deposit or keep it for the end of care 2 week written notice?

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[Mom&Provider]

I also charge a deposit, usually 1-2 weeks depending on how long I am holding the spot for. It is NOT refundable, but it does go towards their first 1-2 weeks of care, so they don't lose out if they hold up to their end and come here for care!

I don't charge a registration fee that I know some do, I can't justify it, but I know lots do...no different from a sports registration fee I suppose!?

[SimpleMom]

I charge a deposit at sign-on. It goes toward first and last weeks pay.
I was given the runaround before when I had a family term and lost out on two weeks of pay. So, ever since, I charge the "deposit". Non-refundable.

It helps a lot and I haven't had any issues with it.

[JenNJ]

I charge a holding fee if they do not need the spot right away. 1/2 the rate of tuition. And I don't do a deposit. I get paid BEFORE services are rendered. Meaning I am paid Friday for the upcoming week. That way I am never working for free.

[MyAngels]

Do you spend that deposit or keep it for the end of care 2 week written notice?

Member logged out-

As long as it's non-refundable you could do it either way. You'd just need to be aware that if you spend it and someone leaves without notice your weekly pay will drop until you find another family.

[Heidi]

Here is the short story: My friend is looking for daycare so I went to a few licensed homes with her to get tours. Lucky us, the first place we visited she loved so that made it easy. The issue I'm having is realizing that all the places we visited didn't charge a deposit. Do you think I will have an issue asking for a two-week deposit with I open my daycare?

Do you think I should just require a one-week deposit at the time of signing the contract and then the week's rate on their first day of care since I want to be paid in advance? I'm not sure how to go about this knowing so many places don't charge deposits or enrollment fees at all!

I do the one week at contract signing and then payment on the first day of the week. I realize I could be out a week's pay due to a no call/no show situation, but it has never happened to me.

I also do this with my funded families. I ask for a deposit of some sort to cover their copay, usually $40-$50. I never accept a child into care unless I have a written authorization or they pay the whole deposit and tuiton in advance (I can then reimburse them if they get back-dated).

I think that getting some sort of deposit not only protects you, it sets the groundwork for This is a BUSINESS, and parents have to think a little before they sign up. The folks that understand that are generally more serious about not jumping daycares, etc.

[Heidi]

I want to add - that even though you have that week's deposit to pay for the last week of care - it FEELS like you are watching their kids for free that last week and I hate it..LOL

[Heidi]

Do you spend that deposit or keep it for the end of care 2 week written notice?

Member logged out-

I spend it....often on some sort of new piece of equipment (last one was on a pnp).