Originally Posted by
moggy
Will you be taking holidays in term time? If so, you need to decide how much and if you will charge full, 50% for that or no charge- it is just a personal decision, no right or wrong. Make sure you have an agreement of term-time dates, they differ across counties and schools, and check you are in agreement about inset days and days the schools are closed for snow etc.
I have learned from experience that a verbal agreement means absolutely nothing until contract is signed AND deposit paid. The most lovely family can say yes-yes-yes but then there is a change in their circumstances, or Granny unexpectedly offers to have baby, or mum's return to work goes wrong... and you are let down.
I would say clearly that the space will be reserved for them once contracts are signed and deposit equal to 4-weeks fees paid in full. Until then, I am actively looking for other new clients. I make this clear as soon as I meet a family. There are a lot of time wasters out there- they too have cute babies. Hopefully this one will work out for you, but be professional and protect yourself.
Contract signing needs to be done in person- face-to-face, talk through each section, make sure illness policy is clear, holiday pay agreement, early/late arrival/drop-off, when fees need paying and how, late-fees policy etc. This needs to be with both parents (if both parents have parental responsibility, even if parents are split).
I get a lot of work from childcare.co.uk
Good luck, good to hear you are getting enquiries!
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