Does Anybody Have Something In Their Contract

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Does anybody have something in their contract that enforces a "must stay for at least X amount of months" policy?



We had a family that enrolled "for the long haul" and after 1 month are withdrawing because we won't provide an 11th hour of care for free. They are un-enrolling despite knowing our 10 hour fee and our 11th hour fee from the first meeting. We were very upfront stating everything verbally as well as pointing it out in our Parent Handbook. Yet here we are, losing 2 children because the parents were shocked that we were serious. We charge $6/hour for our 11th hour. It isn't some ridiculous amount. Other parents pay it without hesitation. That same family is now considering a nanny for 50+ hours a week to take care of 2 children (3 during the summer), to do laundry, clean the house, etc. I have a sneaky suspicion that the nanny will cost more than $312.75/week (what is currently paid for 10.5 hrs/day) or $342.75/week (what would be paid for 11 hrs).

[cheerfuldom]

Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpe******t

Does anybody have something in their contract that enforces a "must stay for at least X amount of months" policy?



We had a family that enrolled "for the long haul" and after 1 month are withdrawing because we won't provide an 11th hour of care for free. They are un-enrolling despite knowing our 10 hour fee and our 11th hour fee from the first meeting. We were very upfront stating everything verbally as well as pointing it out in our Parent Handbook. Yet here we are, losing 2 children because the parents were shocked that we were serious. We charge $6/hour for our 11th hour. It isn't some ridiculous amount. Other parents pay it without hesitation. That same family is now considering a nanny for 50+ hours a week to take care of 2 children (3 during the summer), to do laundry, clean the house, etc. I have a sneaky suspicion that the nanny will cost more than $312.75/week (what is currently paid for 10.5 hrs/day) or $342.75/week (what would be paid for 11 hrs).

Do you have an type of exit policy? most daycares do two to four weeks paid notice (whether the kids are in attendance or not). Besides that, I have never heard of any other length of time that is enforced with daycare. I know some private schools or really high end type preschools and such require the full year paid whether you child finishes the year or not.....but I dont see that type of thing being realistic for daycares.

[Hunni Bee]

I can see why one would have that in their policies, but it seems impossible to enforce.

Just like this family - someone could sign up with the intention of staying long-term, but any number of things could happen. You term, they term, the parent could lose their jobs, bad fit....anything. And there's really no way that a provider could "make" the family uphold that part of the contract - unless the contract states that the parent will be responsible for paying for X amount of weeks of childcare regardless, which isn't really fair.

Sucks what this family is doing, though. I don't know why people see rules and just figure that it somehow doesn't apply to them.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Oh no, Entropy! Tough week. ((hugs)). So one term and two resignations? That is too bad. I'm sorry this is going on. As for these two resignations, I hope they at least give you two weeks notice. I agree with cheerful and hunni- it would be nearly impossible to enforce a specific length of time someone MUST be enrolled. I hope you get some new and improved families. Btw, your rate is very fair, and heck yeah, a nanny would be so much more.
I love your screen name too, hope you can control some of the entropy that is occurring right now.

[Abigail]

Unless you're very well established and don't enroll often due to no openings I don't see how anyone would be attracted to the minimum enrollment period. I agree to a two weeks termination by the parents so you get that time to advertise a little more than nothing. I don't agree with saying "If you enroll you have to stay for a month" because it sounds fishy. Sometimes it just doesn't work out and you don't want to force that news down someones throat. Especially if they're coming from the opposite side like the one who said they never attended daycare before but did and got kicked out of every one, sure they'll love seeing that in a contract!

Stick to basics and what you truely believe in.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

Oh no, Entropy! Tough week. ((hugs)). So one term and two resignations? That is too bad. I'm sorry this is going on. As for these two resignations, I hope they at least give you two weeks notice. I agree with cheerful and hunni- it would be nearly impossible to enforce a specific length of time someone MUST be enrolled. I hope you get some new and improved families. Btw, your rate is very fair, and heck yeah, a nanny would be so much more.
I love your screen name too, hope you can control some of the entropy that is occurring right now.

One child termed, two children resigning (same family).
On a happier note, all of my other clients have said wonderful things to me this week to make me feel like less of a failure. 9 other children and their parents are happy. Praise God!

[Sugar Magnolia]

Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpe******t

One child termed, two children resigning (same family).
On a happier note, all of my other clients have said wonderful things to me this week to make me feel like less of a failure. 9 other children and their parents are happy. Praise God!

Entropy....successfully controlled!!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia

Entropy....successfully controlled!!

When it rains it pours, right? Next week will be much better.

[Sugar Magnolia]

Originally Posted by Abigail

Stick to basics and what you truely believe in.

True that!