Deposits

[lynned55]

Do any of you charge deposits? I know we cant charge 3 or 4 year funded children but we can charge others and I've just realized we can also charge 2 year funded a 'refundable' deposit.

 

We have been so messed around this year, in fact I cant remember a year where quite so many people have changed their minds, dropped sessions, changed days, asked to delay their start dates

and just generally messed around! I'm not even sure charging a deposit would help the situation as its not really people changing their minds that the issue but more accepting the place and (so they say) accepting we cannot hold the place until their child s funded and then when the start date comes (& goes) deciding they'd like to wait for funding after all!! however now I'm wondering if charging them some sort of deposit may make them take it all a bit more seriously.

 

I took on a new member of staff for four mornings starting in September in July, as we thought we had certain numbers and needed more staff. Well this week has been a joke with people dropping sessions and generally messing us about. We'll probably fill the places eventually but its just so annoying not to say time wasting on invoices and registers that keep need doing!

 

I'm not really expecting any answers but just wanted to vent and moan at people who would understand!

[hopeytg]

I charge a £35 refundable deposit, I take from 2 yrs so not always funded - nobody has questioned paying it. Unfortunately it does not stop the people not returning after the summer break. Like you I had employed staff for what should have been a busy term for 2 families to just not return and 2 to give their 4 weeks notice the first week of term. I don't feel it is fair to cut the staff hours so I am the one who is taking the hit.

Totally understand and struggle to understand which other business would be expected to accept this.

[gillpen]

We are in the same position. 8 people have changed sessions...one dropping five full days down to just one morning due to a change in her work hours! I am totally fed up. :wacko:

[finleysmaid]

we have a 6 week notice contract with the parents. You would need to get approval from your lea to do this but our finance officer is quite happy with the arrangement! we get the parents to sign that they will give us 6 weeks notice of changes or cancellations or we reserve the right to charge them at our unfunded sessional rate for the hours booked in for and lost. We go through this at registration and I now make it quite clear that it is not acceptable and why. It has definitely helped the situation but it hasn't eradicated it

[narnia]

I was buying snack in our local store this morning, when an elderly gent asked if I had heard about this 30 hour free stuff for kids? I said yes said yes, and he sniffed and said, hmm you'll be raking it in then.........................he now knows that a) no, I won't be ; b) why it actually means a loss of income and c) it explains why many groups are closing. He was very surprised, to say the least. Add that to people changing minds/sessions/days/groups and it explains a lot

[Joanne123]

was buying snack in our local store this morning, when an elderly gent asked if I had heard about this 30 hour free stuff for kids? I said yes said yes, and he sniffed and said, hmm you'll be raking it in then.........................he now knows that a) no, I won't be ; b) why it actually means a loss of income and c) it explains why many groups are closing. He was very surprised, to say the least. Add that to people changing minds/sessions/days/groups and it explains a lot

 

I've just had the same conversation with our village hall committee, who thought we would now have so much money coming in, they could increase our rent big time. Luckily they listened and held fire on the raise.

[grumpymum]

It is giving a really false impression to general public and parents about the amount of funding we receive.

[SueJ]

It is giving a really false impression to general public and parents about the amount of funding we receive.

 

I'm not surprised people will think we are raking it in if they have read this. Where have these rates come from - I certainly wouldn't be worried about sustainability if that was the rate I was getting !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-37428833

 

Having problems putting a link in - if it doesn't work try google search Extra free childcare threatens nursery schools - bbc website.

[SueJ]

It is giving a really false impression to general public and parents about the amount of funding we receive.

 

I'm not surprised people think we are raking it in if they read this

 

 

It is giving a really false impression to general public and parents about the amount of funding we receive.

 

 

 

Where have these rates come from? Sustainability wouldn't even be on the agenda if we were all paid like this.

[finleysmaid]

 

I'm not surprised people think we are raking it in if they read this

 

 

 

 

 

Where have these rates come from? Sustainability wouldn't even be on the agenda if we were all paid like this.

These rates are for maintained nursery schools which have always been given a higher rate (as they require teaching staff) the drop in these rates is to bring them in line with the rest of us! They will continue to receive extra funding for two years to help them with the change...I suspect that the ratios will also change so that they are playing on a more even field!!

[lynned55]

I'm am firmly convinced people hear what they want to. We give them everything re fees/funding in writing, get them to sign a T & C saying we require half terms notice and/or months notice to drop sessions or fees in lieu of, It also says they will agree to pay any hours that they do over their funded hours. We also verbally tell them when they come for a visit 'if you are doing 19 hours per week it will cost you £5 per hour etc, etc. Makes no difference. I think they either don't listen or just hear £5 and forget that it needs to be multiplied x times over a term!

 

Its driving me crackers, I'm beginning to think I need a Dictaphone when talking to them. We have now started holding them to the months notice for changing/dropping sessions. I currently have four parents paying for sessions until half term that they now don't want.