Is She Entitled to a Refund??

[Unregistered]

So here's my situation...
I had a parent whos schedule was Thursday-Friday. NO Mondays, she didnt work on Mondays. Mondays are great days for me because I only have 2 kiddos, both that leave by 4:30pm. I typically plan my families plans around Monday afternoons... Dr Apts, family dinner plans Etc.

Sunday night at 10PM, this parent decides to text me and say that her daughter will be dropped off late on Monday because she has to work from 3-7pm. Not asking me if it was okay, TELLING me she was dropping off. Well, this is an issue because I have a dentist appointment scheduled for my son at 4:30. I politely let her know that unfortunately, I already have an appointment scheduled, and would not be able to watch her daughter tomorrow.

This sets her off.... She gets upset and demands that I only charge her a daily rate for this week because now she has Tuesday off work and wont be dropping her off on Tuesday, and I had surgery scheduled for my husband on Wednesday and was closed (Which was pre-arranged almost 2 weeks in advance). Therefore, I was only watching her daughter on Thursday and Friday.

Again, I politely explain to her that I do not offer part time or daily rates. I offer a flat rate of $115 per week for full time care. She also already pre-paid for the week on the Friday prior, and did not mention anything about wanting a daily rate for the following week. She also did not give me any type of notice that her schedule had changed and that she was off on Tuesday.

Once I sent her the text message saying I will not refund her money, she was livid. She then began to tell me that paying a full time rate for 2 days of care is unacceptable, and she will not pay it. She now wants a full refund, and will not be bringing her daughter back to my daycare.

Here's where I made a big mistake.... I had given her a contract when she started, and never got a signed contract back from her. So, when I informed her that I require a 2 weeks paid notice, she pretty much laughed in my face and said there was no contract, and that she doesnt owe me anything. Understandable.... my bad for not getting the contract signed. However, she is demanding that I give her a refund for the week she pre-paid for, even though I still offered to watch her daughter on the Tuesday I was supposed to watch her, as well as Thursday and Friday. She refused my offer and said she was pulling her daughter out immediately.

So... What are your thoughts? Is she entitled to a refund because I didnt watch her daughter? (Again, HER choice to pull her out). She paid with a credit card (Square)... and I'm worried that she can try and file a claim with her bank.

Im fairly new to the daycare scene and this is the first issue I've had with a parent.

[Thriftylady]

Gosh I don't know. IF you had the contract, you would be in a much better place. I don't do refunds, especially when people try to change things up on me. My contract even states I don't do refunds. Did you collect any deposit when she started? Many of us charge a one or two week deposit. And do you require pre-payment for the week? I would keep the texts, they may help you if you need to take her to court. But you need to make sure you NEVER provide care without all paperwork. Many parents will try to come without signing the contract to get out of sticking to it. If you accept into care without it, you are basically telling parents that they call the shots. Many of them get the attitude then that they can run your business. I am not trying to be harsh, just telling you what I have learned.

[Rudy's Rascals]

I definately learned my lesson on not having her sign the contract. Actually, I've decided that I'm going to go over contracts with parents on the first day of care, and have them sign the contract in front of me. I think this will help avoid the excuses of "forgetting to bring it back". My weakness with offering daycare is that I'm a softie. And I definately let the parents call the shots. After this situation, I now know that I need to stick to my guns! Unfortunately I did not get any type of deposit from her, however she did pre-pay for the week. That's why she wants a refund, because she paid me last Friday and now I'm not watching her daughter this week. But again, her choice. I offered to watch her on the days we agreed upon and she refused. I saved all her texts, so if it does get to that point, I hope I have a leg to stand on. Thanks for your advice!

[Angelsj]

I would tell her no refund, and you will meet her half way by not charging her your two weeks notice pay. Tell her when she can come pick up her stuff or mail it to her certified. Then stop answering.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

I don't think you do. I read on here that the fact you gave her a contract, she agreed and paid you and brought her kid would be a verbal contract, even if you didn't get the signed copy. I wouldn't give a refund (she said she wasn't gonna pay you another dime and laughed about the contract, yet thinks you will give her money:confused, but I would prob not go after the two week notice money just to save a headache

[Rudy's Rascals]

Thanks guys, I feel better about this. I'm taking my losses on the two weeks notice. Thankfully, I already have another child lined up to start next week. My main concern was that she could try and fight the charge with her bank. I know that banks like to give customer's the benefit of the doubt. I've seen this happen many times when I worked a customer service job.

[Thriftylady]

I definately learned my lesson on not having her sign the contract. Actually, I've decided that I'm going to go over contracts with parents on the first day of care, and have them sign the contract in front of me. I think this will help avoid the excuses of "forgetting to bring it back". My weakness with offering daycare is that I'm a softie. And I definately let the parents call the shots. After this situation, I now know that I need to stick to my guns! Unfortunately I did not get any type of deposit from her, however she did pre-pay for the week. That's why she wants a refund, because she paid me last Friday and now I'm not watching her daughter this week. But again, her choice. I offered to watch her on the days we agreed upon and she refused. I saved all her texts, so if it does get to that point, I hope I have a leg to stand on. Thanks for your advice!

I go over my contact and handbook at the interview. Then allow them to take the handbook home to look over. Once they pay the enrollment fee, I give the rest of the paperwork. All must be signed and returned before the first day of care if that helps. Do you have a handbook? If not I highly suggest one.

[sharlan]

I would not refund her anything. You were available, she chose not to come.

[Rudy's Rascals]

I go over my contact and handbook at the interview. Then allow them to take the handbook home to look over. Once they pay the enrollment fee, I give the rest of the paperwork. All must be signed and returned before the first day of care if that helps. Do you have a handbook? If not I highly suggest one.

I only have a contract right now, but Im starting to see the importance of a handbook. My theory going into daycare was that I wanted to make everything as simple as possible, not be so strict on the rules like most daycares. I'm a mom of 2 boys, and can remember taking my boys to daycare and dealing with all the crazy policies these daycares had.... I NOW UNDERSTAND WHY THESE POLICIES ARE IN PLACE! It makes so much sense. Its unfortunate that we have to be strict on our rules, but I now see why...

[Thriftylady]

I only have a contract right now, but Im starting to see the importance of a handbook. My theory going into daycare was that I wanted to make everything as simple as possible, not be so strict on the rules like most daycares. I'm a mom of 2 boys, and can remember taking my boys to daycare and dealing with all the crazy policies these daycares had.... I NOW UNDERSTAND WHY THESE POLICIES ARE IN PLACE! It makes so much sense. Its unfortunate that we have to be strict on our rules, but I now see why...

Yes it would be nice if we didn't have to spell everything out. I mean we are supposed to be dealing with adults right? But as you can see, if we don't spell it all out, people walk all over us. Without policies they seem to think we work for them, and we don't! We are self employed and work for ourselves!

[Rudy's Rascals]

Yes it would be nice if we didn't have to spell everything out. I mean we are supposed to be dealing with adults right? But as you can see, if we don't spell it all out, people walk all over us. Without policies they seem to think we work for them, and we don't! We are self employed and work for ourselves!

Well said! Thanks so much for the advice!

[Ariana]

So she is saying No contract so no two weeks notice? Then wouldn't that also mean no contract no refund. I would absolutely not, under any circumstances be giving this psycho a refund.

[KarenSue]

Oh my goodness. No refund! Anything over 25 hours a week is full time for me.

[finsup]

I only have a contract right now, but Im starting to see the importance of a handbook. My theory going into daycare was that I wanted to make everything as simple as possible, not be so strict on the rules like most daycares. I'm a mom of 2 boys, and can remember taking my boys to daycare and dealing with all the crazy policies these daycares had.... I NOW UNDERSTAND WHY THESE POLICIES ARE IN PLACE! It makes so much sense. Its unfortunate that we have to be strict on our rules, but I now see why...

I learned the hard way too...it's tough. I'd rather do a more relaxed type of care and just have parents be respectful but that never seems to happen. Anyways, nope, I wouldn't refund anything. I would let the two weeks notice thing go, and just use it as a learning experience though.

[Blackcat31]

I agree ^^

Keep this weeks payment.
Skip the two weeks notice.
Wish her the best
Walk away

There's a lesson in every bad experience.