Overtime

[blessed mom]

So...we have really bad traffic in our area and sometimes parents are late. They usually call, and so I don't charge more. But, once it gets into the hour late category, I'm thinking we need overtime charges since I close at six. I have made exceptions if they come late, but when it's all day plus being late that's different.

Also I have a few single moms who don't have a lot of help and sometimes have to work late so I need an overtime rate.

What do you charge?

[MrsB]

I live in a high traffic area too so I know how it can be difficult sometimes.

My policy is I give each person 30 minutes per month lateness allowance. So if they use 1 minute each day or all 30 minutes in one day, I dont care. After the 30 minutes I charge $1 per minute. I figure if they are continuely more than 30 minutes late in a month then we need change to contract. Then I charge $5 for every 15 minutes extra to change the contract if I can accomodate the change. If they make prior arrangements with me to stay later or arrive earlier, I do the $5 per 15 minutes. I do ask that if they know they are going to be more than 5 minutes late to let me know and if you are the full half hour late you may have to travel elsewhere to come get them. I also stress that fee or no fee, excessive lateness is grounds for immediate termination and I am NOT keeping everyone informed of how many of their 30 minutes they have used. They can see the signin/out sheet and calculate it on their own. I calculate it each week and it shows up on their next bill. Never had a parent complain or not pay it. I find the more I explain it all out and not keep it a taboo subject, the less issue I have with parents. They understand, they cut into my family time, they will pay for it. I dont do services for free!