I just had a parent tell me that next month they'll be having surgery and will be out 2-4 weeks. They indicated that they'd like to keep their child at home with them, but that they weren't willing to pay during that time.
My contract states that they pay whether or not their child is here, but I don't have an extended leave policy at present. I think I agree that if the child is going to be at home for a month, it isn't fair to charge the full rate....but also don't think that it's fair to expect me to take a hit on my income for that long either, especially right at the beginning of the holiday season (I already take off some unpaid time in December). Would a holding fee be appropriate here, or would you just stick with your policy? They also stated that if I was charging the full rate that they'd get [child] here somehow" (implying that it'd be a huge pain but that they'd do it to "get their money's worth").
I really wish I could afford to just term them and get it over with. However, since I care for SA's, it's nearly impossible to find new families.
Definitely including an extended leave policy for the updated contract in January!
My contract states that they pay whether or not their child is here, but I don't have an extended leave policy at present. I think I agree that if the child is going to be at home for a month, it isn't fair to charge the full rate....but also don't think that it's fair to expect me to take a hit on my income for that long either, especially right at the beginning of the holiday season (I already take off some unpaid time in December). Would a holding fee be appropriate here, or would you just stick with your policy? They also stated that if I was charging the full rate that they'd get [child] here somehow" (implying that it'd be a huge pain but that they'd do it to "get their money's worth").
I really wish I could afford to just term them and get it over with. However, since I care for SA's, it's nearly impossible to find new families.
Definitely including an extended leave policy for the updated contract in January!
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