Security Deposit

[Unregistered]

I gave my previous day care was given a security deposit and was under the impression it was to cover tuition if I did not pay a week or was lapsed in payments. There was no hand book or memo stating it was to hold my child hostage. I recently left because they were understaffed and I believe my child was extremely unhappy with the chaos and now I’m told I’m not getting my deposit back because I didn't give 2 weeks notice. Hello? If things were wonderful I would have never moved my child but since things were "not right" for a long time I moved as soon as I could and did NOT want to keep my child there after I told them. This is not a borrowed car where you can keep my deposit if I scratch it. We are talking about my child AND I would have NEVER!! agreed to or signed a contract stating I had to give 2 weeks. Again, we are talking about the most precious person in the world to me not a borrowed tux. I'm steamed!! And advise?

[AfterSchoolMom]

I'm sorry that you had a bad experience. Do you have a copy of the contract that you signed? Two weeks' notice is a pretty standard thing (some even have a month) so I'd read it over or have them make you a copy just to be sure. If there's no two week clause in the contract, then they owe it to you for sure.

If there is one, then unfortunately you're probably not going to be able to get the deposit back, as if you pull your child without proper notice and don't pay for that time, then you are in fact lapsing in payment, regardless of whether or not she continued to attend.

[ChaserT27]

I agree ~
Two weeks notice is very standard everywhere. I would assume you had a contract of some sort and this should be in the written and signed contract.

If not then you can take them to small claims, but before wasting time and more money..Make sure it is not written on anything you signed. You can request a copy of your child's records. Within this should be everything from typical registration to the actual contract you signed.

If they have something in writing, then that money is lost!

Good luck!

[jen]

Two weeks notice is pretty standard...Did you really hand over a deposit without getting a contract? If so, lesson learned...you don't give over your money without knowing EXACTLY how that money is to be utilized.

Generally speaking, the purpose of a deposit is to A) Hold the spot once the contract has been signed and before actual start date; B) Cover any lapses in payment and C) ensure proper notice is given in the event of termination of the contract.

If the facility was operating outside of licensing regulations (i.e. over ratio) then you should contact licensing and file a report.

[youretooloud]

I mentioned in your last post, that you should have given two weeks notice.

I agree that it was time to find a new daycare, but two week's notice is expected everywhere.

The security deposit is for the parents who skip out on paying the two weeks. That way everybody is covered. If you'd given your two week's notice, they would have used your security deposit and you wouldn't have had to pay.

[Abigail]

I gave my previous day care was given a security deposit and was under the impression it was to cover tuition if I did not pay a week or was lapsed in payments. There was no hand book or memo stating it was to hold my child hostage. I recently left because they were understaffed and I believe my child was extremely unhappy with the chaos and now I’m told I’m not getting my deposit back because I didn't give 2 weeks notice. Hello? If things were wonderful I would have never moved my child but since things were "not right" for a long time I moved as soon as I could and did NOT want to keep my child there after I told them. This is not a borrowed car where you can keep my deposit if I scratch it. We are talking about my child AND I would have NEVER!! agreed to or signed a contract stating I had to give 2 weeks. Again, we are talking about the most precious person in the world to me not a borrowed tux. I'm steamed!! And advise?

Did you sign any contract at all? If you didn't I wouldn't have given a security deposit unless you had received in writing what it was to cover. Unless you can find that you do have a contract and policies and could find that your daycare was over-ratio/under staffed and not properly caring for the children then you've given up your security deposit for your lack of a two weeks notice.