Please Need Help with Wording for 2 Week Security Deposit

[lovemydaycare0912]

Okay so I have 2 things I need help to better understand and how to word it in my new handbook. I am going to start requiring a 2 week deposit. When parents give notice on Fridays only, they will continue to pay for last 2 weeks of care. On child's last day, parents will get their deposit back as long as payments were made on time and all policies were adhered to.

Now I am trying to figure out how does that work when I am terming? If I term immediately, it would obviously be for a good reason for which I would not return the deposit.

If I am giving them 2 weeks notice for let's say my hours are changing or whatever it is, how do I go about this? If the parents don't choose to come back, they don't get their deposit back and I am covered. They do stay the final 2 weeks and make payment, and I return their deposit. How about, if parent does not want to stay for final two weeks but pays anyhow. Wouldn't that not make sense?

I think I may have answered my own question. They stay and pay and refund on last day. Or they never come back and I keep deposit.

Help please! :hug:

[Ariana]

My deposit is for the last two weeks of care. I am required to give them two weeks notice of termination and they are required to give me two weeks notice of termination. It is up to the parent whether or not they use those two weeks but the deposit covers them. If things end badly, the deposit is non refundable.

[lovemydaycare0912]

Nevermind, you can delete this. I figured it out. Sorry.

[lovemydaycare0912]

My deposit is for the last two weeks of care. I am required to give them two weeks notice of termination and they are required to give me two weeks notice of termination. It is up to the parent whether or not they use those two weeks but the deposit covers them. If things end badly, the deposit is non refundable.

SO you don't make them pay during their last two weeks? What if the rates are higher at that time?

[NillaWafers]

You take the deposit at signup, you don't ever give it back (I have if it didn't work out within the first two weeks). Two week deposit is applied to last two weeks of care. Parent gives you 30 day notice (or two weeks whatever), money does not exchange hands, you watch the kids the last two weeks without them paying.

[NillaWafers]

SO you don't make them pay during their last two weeks? What if the rates are higher at that time?

If you raise the rates, take the difference of their first deposit and make it due along with their new contract.

[Blackcat31]

My deposit is for the last two weeks of care. I am required to give them two weeks notice of termination and they are required to give me two weeks notice of termination. It is up to the parent whether or not they use those two weeks but the deposit covers them. If things end badly, the deposit is non refundable.

So if you term a family effective immediately you don't return the deposit?
Has that happened before?

Personally I would return a deposit if I was unable or unwilling to provide care for the final two weeks.

Keeping the deposit for services you (general you) won't or can't provide doesn't feel right to me.

[Blackcat31]

You take the deposit at signup, you don't ever give it back (I have if it didn't work out within the first two weeks). Two week deposit is applied to last two weeks of care. Parent gives you 30 day notice (or two weeks whatever), money does not exchange hands, you watch the kids the last two weeks without them paying.

If you raise the rates, take the difference of their first deposit and make it due along with their new contract.

I don't raise rates for current families but I can see this ^^ as a good method of managing if you do have rate changes.

[lovemydaycare0912]

So if you term a family effective immediately you don't return the deposit?
Has that happened before?

Personally I would return a deposit if I was unable or unwilling to provide care for the final two weeks.

Keeping the deposit for services you (general you) won't or can't provide doesn't feel right to me.

What if the family threatened you, disrespected, came late 45 mins, etc?

[lovemydaycare0912]

You take the deposit at signup, you don't ever give it back (I have if it didn't work out within the first two weeks). Two week deposit is applied to last two weeks of care. Parent gives you 30 day notice (or two weeks whatever), money does not exchange hands, you watch the kids the last two weeks without them paying.

And if they don't follow policies during this time?

[Blackcat31]

What if the family threatened you, disrespected, came late 45 mins, etc?

I would refund the unused portion of the deposit....

like I said, I wouldn't feel right keeping a deposit if the services were not provided or were unable to be provided.

[NillaWafers]

And if they don't follow policies during this time?

I give it back. Despite disrespect, it would be unprofessional to require they pay me for time I refuse to provide.

I suppose you could have it in your contract and it would be enforceable to have a non-refundable deposit - I just don't think it's professional to do that.

[Blackcat31]

I give it back. Despite disrespect, it would be unprofessional to require they pay me for time I refuse to provide.

I suppose you could have it in your contract and it would be enforceable to have a non-refundable deposit - I just don't think it's professional to do that.

thats what I am saying.

Parents paying a deposit are paying for it WITH the INTENT that it is for services.

If those services cannot or will not be provided, I think parents are entitled to their money back. Both legally and ethically.

[lovemydaycare0912]

thats what I am saying.

Parents paying a deposit are paying for it WITH the INTENT that it is for services.

If those services cannot or will not be provided, I think parents are entitled to their money back. Both legally and ethically.

I see what you're saying. I guess I am trying to figure out a way not to get screwed. I don't think it is right for a parent to be able to say I am not giving you a 2 week notice but give me my deposit back. Or Im doing 1 week but give me 1 week back. I think I prefer to better word my deposit then.

[NillaWafers]

I see what you're saying. I guess I am trying to figure out a way not to get screwed. I don't think it is right for a parent to be able to say I am not giving you a 2 week notice but give me my deposit back. Or Im doing 1 week but give me 1 week back. I think I prefer to better word my deposit then.

If a parent is saying, I'm not giving you a two-week notice, but give me back my deposit, that deposit is for their two weeks. You don't give it back in that situation - their deposit is applied to those last two weeks. They can use it if they want. If they don't want to - you got paid for your two weeks regardless. If you're terminating because of behavior, and don't want to watch the child anymore, then you would refund because you're not willing to provide services.