Enforcing Agreements

       by Tom Copeland

 
  • To enforce their contract or policies, providers must have a consequence for a parent who does not follow their rules.
  • It’s up to the provider to choose the consequence.

  • Example - Parent shows up late to pick up her child. Possible consequence:

    • $1 minute late fee

    • $10 a minute late fee

    • After a parent is late three times the provider will terminate the contract

    • Immediate termination if the parent is late

  • Providers can enforce their contract differently with different parents (as long as it doesn’t violate anti-discrimination laws). If this is done, providers should treat all parents in the same situation the same. For example, there could be a different rule for single parents, parents going through a family crisis, parents who enroll in the current year, etc.
  • Holding fees: Providers should not promise to hold a space in the future for a parent without receiving payment for their promise. If parents do not want to pay a holding fee, providers should not promise to hold a space. It is reasonable for providers not to apply any holding fees to the care of the child after enrollment.

This handout was produced by Think Small (www.thinksmall.org).

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