Not Sure How to Handle

[mia]

Good morning ladies, I hope you all have had a great summer.

I not sure how to respond to a new client

Aug 27 I had an interview, clients were very interested said they would drop off first week and last weeks pay for care to hold the spot until they started Sept 19. They never showed until the next day Aug 28 dated cheque for Sept 16 (my fault should have been dated for the date they dropped it off Aug 28) I contacted them to come and change the cheque date and to pick up contract.
Client finally showed up Sept 15 to change date and pick up contract. Pd first and last weeks of care, Child was to start on yesterday Sept 19, I get message stating child is under the weather so would not be in. I told them to put signed contract and cheque for next weeks care in mail box. They did not show, get message really late asking if I could change start date til Sept 26 and then start payments.

Do I change the start date?
Is this red flags?

HELP PLEASE

They are first time parents.

[MunchkinWrangler]

Yes, red flags all over the place!!!

I'm assuming you were clear on your payment policies. Did you tell them that care/their spot wouldn't be available to them without payment.

I would have been looking to fill the spot the minute I got a postdated check. I would have told them this as well.

To me, if they are unwilling to make any type of financial commitment, they are not committing to you.

As for their start date, that is a red flag. Sounds like they don't want to pay for sick days and them trying to hold off a whole week would make me suspicious of them either not being able to afford care or maybe they don't need care. (SHM situation?)

[Unregistered]

I agree. I would not accept.

I told a parent they had to drop a check to save spot. They dropped off reg form only. I sent a reminder. Nothing. Finally I sent a notice saying the position was no longer available and filled. Oh mom was MAD. But in the end they won't be good clients. Those are all red flags and I agree with Munchkin

[Mike]

Red flags? Possibly. Being new parents, they could just think that's how it works, but as for changing the start date, nope. If they do stay, just make sure you keep your business mind in gear at all times. Never let personal pressure interfere with business decisions.

[childcaremom]

Btdt. Nope. I'd be done. They are showing you the type of clients they are going to be. Lots of reminders and lots of work. Not wanting to pay when child is sick, etc.

[LittleScholars]

Good morning ladies, I hope you all have had a great summer.

I not sure how to respond to a new client

Aug 27 I had an interview, clients were very interested said they would drop off first week and last weeks pay for care to hold the spot until they started Sept 19. They never showed until the next day Aug 28 dated cheque for Sept 16 (my fault should have been dated for the date they dropped it off Aug 28) I contacted them to come and change the cheque date and to pick up contract.
Client finally showed up Sept 15 to change date and pick up contract. Pd first and last weeks of care, Child was to start on yesterday Sept 19, I get message stating child is under the weather so would not be in. I told them to put signed contract and cheque for next weeks care in mail box. They did not show, get message really late asking if I could change start date til Sept 26 and then start payments.

Do I change the start date?
Is this red flags?

HELP PLEASE

They are first time parents.

I experienced something like this and after a very direct conversation I learned mom really just thought policies were flexible. I think that was her impression of all home daycares. Things did work out and I'm so glad they did, but if you choose to keep them I'd start out by sticking to each policy you have set and request you made. I wouldn't budge on the start date even if you have the flexibility to.

With that being said, I'd probably cut ties now.

[daycarediva]

Dcm,

Our contract was for a Sept 19th start date. The check for $X was a non refundable deposit towards dcg's first and last week of care. I held the space from 8/29 until 9/19 without payment. I cannot continue to hold the space. Dcg can start 9/26, but I will require payment to be made in full until then. To keep the space, the payments due would be $X on X/X $X on X/X.

Thank you,
Provider

[Josiegirl]

Dcm,

Our contract was for a Sept 19th start date. The check for $X was a non refundable deposit towards dcg's first and last week of care. I held the space from 8/29 until 9/19 without payment. I cannot continue to hold the space. Dcg can start 9/26, but I will require payment to be made in full until then. To keep the space, the payments due would be $X on X/X $X on X/X.

Thank you,
Provider

[Unregistered]

Dcm,

Our contract was for a Sept 19th start date. The check for $X was a non refundable deposit towards dcg's first and last week of care. I held the space from 8/29 until 9/19 without payment. I cannot continue to hold the space. Dcg can start 9/26, but I will require payment to be made in full until then. To keep the space, the payments due would be $X on X/X $X on X/X.

Thank you,
Provider

Perfect

[thrivingchildcarecom]

Yep! Sad to say, but you really have to be firm with parents. Especially new parents. I just had a situation where I gave "grace" to some parents of twins who could not initially afford to submit the two-week deposit. I said ok, and was allowing them to break it up. Long story short, they pulled out within a month citing dad's job was temp changed. I have to believe they knew that when they started and just got away with not leaving the deposit.

Say this with me ..."NEVER AGAIN."

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Yep! Sad to say, but you really have to be firm with parents. Especially new parents. I just had a situation where I gave "grace" to some parents of twins who could not initially afford to submit the two-week deposit. I said ok, and was allowing them to break it up. Long story short, they pulled out within a month citing dad's job was temp changed. I have to believe they knew that when they started and just got away with not leaving the deposit.

Say this with me ..."NEVER AGAIN."

I, too, have learned the hard way. Some things in our businesses are our responsibility. That would include providing a safe, nurturing environment for the children, keeping your paperwork in order for the state, etc. Managing an unorganized parent and adjusting policies and previously made agreements are NOT a part of your responsibilities. That is THEIRS and they need to own them.

Can ya tell I'm tired of adults expecting other adults to shoulder their load? :: :dislike:

Do you have a waiting list? I would try to fill the spot immediately and I would help them term themselves by sending the note suggested above.

[mia]

Thank you all so much,
Below is what I sent to client on Tuesday afternoon and have still yet to hear from them. I was thinking on righting another e-mail stating that ( I will be expecting everything in my mail box by 6:00 pm tomorrow Friday ). If I hear nothing by then, then I was going to send message stating that things will not be working and that I term.
(Yes or No?)



Good afternoon XXXX
Unfortunately we both agreed on September 19, 2016 as CHILDS start date. That is the date that must be kept for business forms etc.

You are welcome to do the advanced cheques, they would be as fallows below

Dated:

***** September 23 2016 - $XXX care for September 26 - 30, (invoice already done along with the invoice for first week (September 19 - 23) and last week (????) these are in my door mail box waiting for pick up when you drop off contract, forms and cheques

***** September 30 2016 - $XXXcare for October 3 - 7 ( invoice will be ready on the 6th )

***** October 7 2016 - $XXX care for October 10 - 14 ( invoice will be ready on the 13th )

***** October 14 2016 - $XXX care for October 17 - 21 ( invoice will be ready on the 20th )

***** October 21 2016 - $XXX care for October 24 - 28 ( invoice will be ready on the 27th )

***** October 28 2016 - $XXX care for October 31 - November 4 ( invoice will be ready on the 3rd )

Thank you, will be expecting the contract, forms, cheques by 7:00 pm today. I hope CHILD is feeling better. Have a great day.

[AmyKidsCo]

Dcm,

Our contract was for a Sept 19th start date. The check for $X was a non refundable deposit towards dcg's first and last week of care. I held the space from 8/29 until 9/19 without payment. I cannot continue to hold the space. Dcg can start 9/26, but I will require payment to be made in full until then. To keep the space, the payments due would be $X on X/X $X on X/X.

Thank you,
Provider

Yup. Sometimes parents don't understand how their decisions affect us.

I'd tweak it a bit to "I held the space from 8/29 until 9/19 without payment, giving up $______ in income and cannot continue to hold the space for free."

[Lil_Diddle]

Dcm,

Our contract was for a Sept 19th start date. The check for $X was a non refundable deposit towards dcg's first and last week of care. I held the space from 8/29 until 9/19 without payment. I cannot continue to hold the space. Dcg can start 9/26, but I will require payment to be made in full until then. To keep the space, the payments due would be $X on X/X $X on X/X.

Thank you,
Provider

Excellent response. I believe these aren't red flags just, they are new parents and just don't understand daycare yet. This letter would be great as an explanatio

[mia]

Thank you, I message client Friday morning stating that I would be needing everything dropped off before 6:00 pm.

As of right now I have still not heard from them, NO E-MAILS, NO CALLS nothing.

I was debating if I should contact a possible client that I turned down and give them the spot if they are not to mad with me. Then let the ones I have not heard from that I have filled the spot do to non-response.

Any thoughts....