help with deposit please

[ziggy]

I have never taken a deposit before but i need advice now on how this works

I have a parent coming to visit on Saturday, well hopefully i have, this is the 3rd appointment she has made!!

All my other parents were known to me as we live in a small village. This lady is from a nearby village and due to not turning up for last 2 appointments i'm a bit concerned.

Anyway she wants 2/3 days a week and every other saturday so that will average out about £63 a week. So how much deposit do i ask for? I was thinking one weeks fees if she intends to pay weekly or half a months fee if she intends to pay monthly.

Other question is do i then take deposit off first bill?

thank you

[EmmaReed84]

I took 4 weeks deposit. This will be held until the end of the contract and attributed to their final bill

I will also expect ALL payments to be in advance

[mama2three]

It depends how long your notice period is - mine is a month so I ask for a months deposit to be held against final months fees.

[candy cat]

I take a £100 deposit which I take off first bill :)

[jane5]

I take 4 weeks deposit used against the 4 weeks notice period at the end of the contract. I also take 1 months fees in advance.
This way you are never left with the family leaving and owing you money.

I also do not save a place or sign contracts until the deposit is paid. I have one parent who could not afford the deposit and months fees all at once so I arranged for her to pay it I instalments but I insisted on 2 weeks fees in advance before I looked after lo.

[ziggy]

well as i half expected she didnt turn up:angry:

[Wendybird]

This is annoying, but has saved you a lot of hassle down the line. Someone better will be along!

[rosebud]

If she rings back make sure you tell her the place has now gone and you are full.

[ziggy]

didnt even reply to her text, no way would i take child now