Terminating A Family - Do You Keep the Deposit?

[Unregistered]

Hi guys,

I had to terminate a family for the first time over a difficult divorce!

Things got very difficult and I had to give my notice, but what do you do in a situation like that do you keep the deposit or let them use it?

It is a lot of money lost since I can't enroll a new family so quickly. But since i am the one who made the decision to terminate, should I be responsable for that money lost as well just to avoid more arguing?

[Michael]

Here is a similar thread: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68336

[childcaremom]

What does your contract say about you terming?

What was the deposit for? Their last 2 weeks?

Was it an immediate term or did you give 2 weeks notice?

[sleepinghart]

Hi guys,

I had to terminate a family for the first time over a difficult divorce!

Things got very difficult and I had to give my notice, but what do you do in a situation like that do you keep the deposit or let them use it?

It is a lot of money lost since I can't enroll a new family so quickly. But since i am the one who made the decision to terminate, should I be responsable for that money lost as well just to avoid more arguing?

What does your contract say about you terming?

What was the deposit for? Their last 2 weeks?

Was it an immediate term or did you give 2 weeks notice?

~Yeah...It would be very hard, if not impossible, to give you accurate, proper advice without knowing the answers to childcaremom's ^^above questions^^. ~Also, to add one to that list, I know you said they had a difficult divorce situation, but what was the specific reason you termed?

[Crazy8]

It really depends on the circumstances of the term and what your contract states.

My contract states that deposits are forfeited if I have to term immediately due to any violations of my contract. I have never had to do an immediate term, always allowed them to use their deposit for their last week of care.

[thrivingchildcarecom]

What does your contract state? My contract says the deposit is to be used for the last two weeks of care, so as long as I allow them 2 weeks notice there is no refund to be given. I would review what your contract indicates the deposit is for.

[AmyKidsCo]

It all depends on what your contract says. With mine, all payments are non-refundable so if I terminate I keep the last 2 weeks payment.

Tom Copeland says not to call it a "deposit" because parents will think they can get the money back.

http://tomcopelandblog.com/how-would-you-handle-this-situation-a-parent-enrolled-two-children-into-a-minnesota-family-child-care-providers-program-and

[Thriftylady]

I do call mine a deposit maybe I should change that. But I also have my parents initial a line on the contract that all payments are non-refundable. I may though in some cases refund it. It just depends on why I termed I guess. I try to be fair, but in some cases I wouldn't even consider a refund. So I find it easier to say there will never be one, that way I have full choice.