Reduction of hours!

[chris goodyear]

What do you do when families book places months in advance then drop the odd evening/morning because of school karate,hockey,gym club once the new school academic year starts and the schools announce their clubs timetables?
Parents seem to think it's fine to do this as its only one session out of their five days but when several children do this, it obviously has a financial impact on the business.
I was supposed to be full and have turned lots of business away,but when just one session is dropped, it's hard to fill it again until the following September. This is so annoying when we r literally only in November.
I have a 6 week cancellation policy when children leave completely but nothing really in place for a reduction of hours. Just wondered at everyone does?

I don't offer a reduction for this as it changes every term/half term with children doing different clubs on different days and sometimes they don't run. My parents are fine with this.

[Kiddleywinks]

Will you be expected to cover when school clubs aren't on, are cancelled, school's closed, Inset days etc?
If the answer to this is yes, then I would continue to charge, as they're taking a space just not attending. (I would also charge if they do full days in the holidays for the same reason)
If the answer is no, then I would look to see if it's worthwhile continuing with the contract and make a decision that way.

Sometimes you have to way up the pros and cons of a situation, if it works for you, great, if not, then you have to work out what will and put that across to parents.
I also have a 4 week notice period for contractual changes

[loocyloo]

Will you be expected to cover when school clubs aren't on, are cancelled, school's closed, Inset days etc?
If the answer to this is yes, then I would continue to charge, as they're taking a space just not attending. (I would also charge if they do full days in the holidays for the same reason)
If the answer is no, then I would look to see if it's worthwhile continuing with the contract and make a decision that way.

Sometimes you have to way up the pros and cons of a situation, if it works for you, great, if not, then you have to work out what will and put that across to parents.
I also have a 4 week notice period for contractual changes

If parents completely cancel a single day afterschool place, then 4 weeks notice has to be paid for that day.

If they say child is going to need a space next term when club etc has finished, then I continue to charge, as otherwise I will not guarantee a space.

If child is going to need to attend when club is cancelled, not on, don't want to go etc, then I carry on charging for that space.

HOWEVER! just because a parent wants to reduce days, it doesn't mean I have to accept it. I do tell parents that if they wish to alter their contract, I do not have to agree, and can cancel a contract.

good luck x