Retainer for existing family with financial problems
Have a family that have only just started but one parent has lost their job. They are paying for two children two full days a week.
The parent has asked if I can do anything to help as they are struggling until parent gets a new job.
I said no to them when they asked but now I'm feeling guilty. They spent ages trying to find a CM that dropped off the little ones nursery so they don't want to give notice as they know they would struggle to find anyone else if I filled their spaces.
I really like this family and the youngest is only 11 months so hopefully a long term family.
I thought of letting them drop one day and charging a half fee retainer for that day. They don't want the kids to stop coming as it's been hard to get the youngest to settle although today was fine :)
Or let them drop both days and charge half fees for both and then charge them for whatever hours they do bring them? With enough notice of course!!
The parent has lots of interviews and hopefully it might only be a few weeks until it goes back to normal. I think if I insist on full fees then they may have no option other than to give notice , which they don't want.
Should I help out or risk losing them? I have got my business head on for this .......but I don't want the hassle of advertising again and settling in another family if I can escape it!
Sorry for waffling!!!
Xx