Two weeks' notice

[TwinKristi]

I have a 2wk deposit due at enrollment that is used for the last 2wks of care. If they're terminated for not following the rules/contract I can keep the 2wks and any remaining prepayment. I've had to terminate on the spot before and at the time didn't have that in my contract and paid her back the week she prepaid just to get rid of her. Now I've updated my contract and included that policy but have yet to use it.

[AmyKidsCo]

I require an enrollment fee and first week of care paid upon enrollment. Then payment for the last 2 weeks of care is due within the first month after starting care. That way if they give less than 2 weeks' notice I'm still paid.

And, because everyone is actually 2 weeks ahead in payment I don't freak out if a parent occasionally pays late.

[Unregistered]

I looked into using a collections agency once but decided not to bother. It is easy enough to do, or is it more hassle than it's worth?

It's super easy. I set up a meeting with the agency (they came to my house) and gave them all my info and then all the info for the families I turned over. They do all the work but they also take a percentage of whatever they collect. I add in fees for an entire month & then turn them over.

[TheGoodLife]

I require 4 weeks notice, and 2 weeks tuition as a deposit when they start. I hold that in savings until they leave so I can pay myself those last 2 weeks. I have a strongly worded contract that states I require 4 weeks notice, will send to collections and/or small claims court if owed money, and have quoted my contract the 2 times I had anyone argue about leaving w/o paying the last 4 weeks- both came and paid within a day of that. The deposit is applied to their LAST two weeks after all other tuition and fees are paid. No one has ever argued it with me.

[permanentvacation]

I am going to try to raise my rate and keep the extra as my 'two weeks' notice. That way I can say that they don't have to give me a notice at all which will make them happy. And I don't have to try to get a bulk payment out of them upon hire or go through any other possible headaches and confusion.

My rates are much lower than the going rate in the area. I really think it's time I raise my rates anyway.

[melilley]

I require a 2 weeks' notice. I don't ask for it up front, but may start doing so. I'm just afraid that will scare people away, because that's a lot to come up with at once. I suppose you could break it down.

I am prepay on Friday's so usually I would only be out a week of pay if a family just up and left, but I made the mistake of letting one family pay on Monday's, and wouldn't you know, they called on a Monday and said they couldn't afford to come back. So now, I have sent 2 certified letters and a letter to their house and one text and have received not one piece of communication back. Conveniently they weren't home to accept the letters and haven't went to pick them up. They have until Jan. 5th to pay the 2 weeks, plus late fees. I doubt they will pay so I'll probably have to go to small claims court. SO, no, some people have NO integrity!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I require a 2 weeks' notice. I don't ask for it up front, but may start doing so. I'm just afraid that will scare people away, because that's a lot to come up with at once. I suppose you could break it down.

I am prepay on Friday's so usually I would only be out a week of pay if a family just up and left, but I made the mistake of letting one family pay on Monday's, and wouldn't you know, they called on a Monday and said they couldn't afford to come back. So now, I have sent 2 certified letters and a letter to their house and one text and have received not one piece of communication back. Conveniently they weren't home to accept the letters and haven't went to pick them up. They have until Jan. 5th to pay the 2 weeks, plus late fees. I doubt they will pay so I'll probably have to go to small claims court. SO, no, some people have NO integrity!

It has never scared anyone away from here. I have only had TWO families need it broken up into payments and they paid it off quicker than what we had scheduled. I am the only one out here who does final two weeks pay upfront.

[melilley]

It has never scared anyone away from here. I have only had TWO families need it broken up into payments and they paid it off quicker than what we had scheduled. I am the only one out here who does final two weeks pay upfront.

I think I'm going to do that with new families!

[DaveA]

from my policies:

If you wish to terminate care of your child from AFCC, two weeks’ notice is required. Two weeks fees can be paid in lieu of two weeks’ notice.

[earlystart]

I am going to try to raise my rate and keep the extra as my 'two weeks' notice. That way I can say that they don't have to give me a notice at all which will make them happy. And I don't have to try to get a bulk payment out of them upon hire or go through any other possible headaches and confusion.

My rates are much lower than the going rate in the area. I really think it's time I raise my rates anyway.

That's not a bad idea. I get the two week deposit up front when enrolling. But I end up spending the money over the course of 1-2 years the kid is here, then when they leave and I can't get a new kid to enroll right away I'm kicking myself like "why do I even collect the deposit if I'm not gonna save it for when they actually leave?" heh.