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I ended up closing my daycare for now and told parents I would be charging 50% of their normal rate during this time. Two seem okay with that, one never responded to me, and one said she can’t afford to pay me and someone else to watch her child until I reopen. She asked that I don’t charge her! I don’t even know how to respond. How did your parents react? Are any refusing to pay?
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If they don't pay their tuition on Saturday/Sunday for the week in advance, I don't allow attendance and terminate their contract on Monday.
Unless they come with cash, in hand.
I don't have a grace period.
"I am sorry to hear that. I will apply your deposit to this week's tuition and waive the second week's notice period. I will have ____'s things and your 2020 W-10 ready for you to pick up this afternoon."
I don't make them pay a deposit, I take no money from them once they are terminated. With money comes their desire to get even with you for giving them a no. If they think they came out ahead financially, they just go away.- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.
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This!
If this would've happened years ago, I would've been overwhelmed with fear of disappointing/losing families, but not today (Thanks to this Forum
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I'm standing behind my policy, and if it means starting over with all new clients, so be it, but I refuse to be tested and pushed around by parents.Comment
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I am really unsure of what to do with this. I do not have anything in my contract about having to close in an emergency like this. Even though most parents are getting paid I just feel like since it's not in my contract I can't do that. My contract states they have to pay if I'm not given the 2 week notice OR if they will be absent from care for 3 or more weeks then they need to pay 1/2 tuition to hold spot, but that really doesn't apply in this situation. So unsure of what to do.Comment
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You really need to update your payment policy. :hug: Many of us have already gone through extended closures (flooding, power outage, hurricane, tornado, etc.) that is why our policies are cut and dry. It isn't because we are heartless and cruel. We were left hung out to dry by heartless parents and useless state supports enough times to look out for ourselves, first. :hug:
You can start today by telling parents you will meet them halfway since this is an unprecedented event for you. Some may leave, but I bet most will stay.- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.Comment
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Im in the same boat. I only have 2 with me today..one said not coming for the rest of the week. Ironically....the 5 scheduled to come all have a parents working from home...and 4 or.the 5 have school agers at home as well. I will be sending info out tonite....I am closing...and will be asking for 50% from each family.. the ones that give me shit...I will take back until I find a replacement. Im tired of being screwed. Im risking my own health to help them.Comment
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If I was open and someone didn’t pay I would term but since I’m closed is it unreasonable to ask for half? Are any of your families having to pay someone else as well to watch their kid? And she didn’t like that I don’t know when I will reopen but how am I supposed to know that with what’s going on?!!Comment
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I have one client in limbo right now, they called last weekend said they would not be comming for two weeks. I'm waiting to see what happens with them.
The other pretty much pulled her kid, she paying for this week and next. I'm keeping her deposit on hold. If I get enough new clients before she decides it's safe to come back then I'll let her know and she can deside to keep the spot and start paying or get a refund at that time. If I dont get anyone new, which is probable right now, then I have one kid at least when things start back up again. Either way she was leaving, so hopefully it works out.
I've got no kids left comming this week or next.Comment
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- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.Comment
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So true! She implied I was being unreasonable asking for half because she had to pay for temporary care for her child while I was closed and I was already putting her in a bind by closing in the first place. Yet I keep hearing about all these businesses that are closing but will still be paying their employees.Comment
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I only have 2 families at the moment. Getting clients this last year has been tough!! We are in a “shelter in place” mode. Both of my families are home. I told them I still need payment cause unlike them, I cannot file for unemployment and they are still getting paid. Both families pulled their children, so now I have none and have zero income.
After 20 years of daycare this is what broke me. No more daycare for me. I’m over the disrespect and being expendable.
On to greener pastures.
And when they call me after the quarantine lifts... I will say “sorry I filled your sot”Comment
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My contract addresses everything (natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics, power outages, etc.). Payment is still due regardless unless parents decide to terminate the contract in which case I will immediately replace them with another family. I have been getting calls for child care from pre k-4, and I will replace everyone with bigger kids who need to be supervised during remote learning times since schools are out (if need be) unless I get paid. It's that simple.Comment
There are no provisions or back up for us. Only them.
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