Advice Need ASAP

[daycare]

So I have a DCP that has had her child in and out of my daycare for the past year. She is always going through stuff, but does not cause issues. In the past I have allowed her to make payments as you, or pay at the end of the week I guess I should say. I also have given her a very big discount like I do for all of my single mom's. She was never late paying and was always good about rules. She did one time not give a two week notice, but that was the first time she lots her job and I didn't want to make things harder on her so I let it go.

Well she is coming back again. Her child will start tomorrow. I made it clear that I can't give any discounts this time and that I need payments up front. She said that since she is starting a new job and money is tight that she needs to make the payments as she goes and wants to pay them two weeks out at a time. I am not on board with this.

She said that since she has built a good history with me making ontime payments, that she plans to still do that.

I feel like telling her this....what do you think, what would you say..

I understand that you are tight on money right now, however, this is not a trust thing in any way shape or form. You have to understand that to run a daycare completely alone, that I have to set guidelines

Currently all of my clients pay one month at a time, always in advance. This is because I only do accounting one time a month. I do not have the time to do it every week. My goal is to keep my focus on teaching the preschool program that I run. Having this rule in place and keeping routine with it, makes it possible for me to offer all of the great projects, lessons, field trips and activities for the kids.

I will do my best to work with you to get you into a position so that you will be paying in advance. (which I have no clue how to do that yet) Please let me know how we can work this out??

what do you guys think and what would you do???

[cheerfuldom]

Please stick by your guidelines. They are fair and reasonable. I would never, ever accept a situation that is paying AFTER care received, especially two weeks out. If she skips again with no notice, no pay...you will be out 4 weeks! Stick by your guidelines and have her let you know if she wants to start in two weeks when she gets her first paycheck and can begin paying in advance. Otherwise, keep interviewing others for that spot. It is a VERY bad idea to begin with a re-run parent knowing that their rate is going up (correct?), they are already trying to negotiate policies and they are already not able to pay the bill. Honestly, I wouldn't accept a family back after skipping out that first time. I know you are always very accommodating and super nice to your families but how many times are you going to put yourself in a risky spot before you just stick to your policies, no exceptions? You are just too nice

[daycare]

Trust me I know what you re saying and I plan to have her on board or won't do it

What do you think of the letter??

Thanks for your help...

[cheerfuldom]

I didnt realize that this was a letter, I thought it was just your thoughts to us. So in a nutshell, I think your letter is too personal and too apologetic. You don't have to justify your policies.

Dear DCM,

Attached please find your new contract that must be signed before your child's enrollment. In response to our previous discussion, all payments must be in advance in the amount of $____ per month. There will be no exception to this policy. Please return this contract by (date) to begin care (date). If I do not receive this signed contract by (date), your child will not be enrolled and I will continue interviewing for this spot in my daycare.

I look forward to working with you and am happy to discuss any particulars about your child's care that need to be discussed. However, the rate and payment schedule are non-negotiable.

Thank you,
Daycare

[MizzCheryl]

Could you have her pay the weekly fee plus half for the first month. That would gat her ahead. The the payment could drop down. I think you response is good and should get your point across without causeing defensiveness.

[AfterSchoolMom]

I really admire your kindness and wanting to help out a single Mom. However, it sounds like she's starting to take advantage of your kindness.

She doesn't get to tell you what she plans to continue doing. If she wants her child in your care, she follows your rules, end of story. If she won't "get on board", then don't take her back!!! If you make even one exception you'll open the door for every exception.

I think cheerfuldom's letter is spot on, I'd go with that. If you feel it requires any more explanation, you can do that in person...but I wouldn't.

[DCBlessings27]

I also think you need to stick to your policies to avoid being taken advantage of. I understand you wanting to help out single moms, but she might need to find a different daycare so that you don't lose money.

I had an extra spot that I didn't need the income from, so I told a single mom that I would give her a special rate of $85--down from my $130. She was excited but then never started her daughter. A couple months ago, she needed drop-in care. I did a couple times, letting her pay half my regular day rate. The dcg dropped-in a few weeks ago for 1 day. DCM said she'd pay me the next day. I haven't gotten paid, and it's been almost 4 weeks. She's a talker though, so she told me all about how her bf had her get lottery tickets. She said they spent $40 on tickets and won nothing. Yet, this dcm can't afford to pay me the $15 she owes me. I'm working on my backbone, and I won't let dcg come anymore until I get paid in advance.

[daycare]

I agree with what cheerful mom is saying and I would give that to any other person in a heartbeat.

YOu have to understand that it's NOT always about money for me. I do have a big heart and I love this little boy. It's not his fault he is in the position he is in, nor is it mine, BUT because I run my own business, I am in a position to help him and his mom.

I have all of the other spots in my daycare filled, this is the last spot. It is also only a temp spot until the fall. I have another child taking that spot at full price come fall.

I do intend to tell the mom, Sorry I can't do what you want, BUT I will work with her.

I am just now trying to think of a way to help her get to a point where she can pay in advance. Even if it is weekly..

[MamaBear]

I agree with Cheerfuldom... The letter definitely needs to be simplified and not so apologetic. Its nice that you want to help her out, but just don't let her take advantage of your kindness. I've learned this lesson in the past.

[daycare]

I agree with Cheerfuldom... The letter definitely needs to be simplified and not so apologetic. Its nice that you want to help her out, but just don't let her take advantage of your kindness. I've learned this lesson in the past.

but thats the thing, She is not taking advantage of me. She has always paid on time in the past, just not how I would like for her to pay....

[MamaBear]

If you want her to pay in advance like you said, then you need to stick to that...Or it might end up being a continuous issue. But if you reeaaaaally want to help her out, maybe you could write up a special contract for her that lets her pay every 2 weeks for the first 2 months (so she can get her finances straight) and then the 3rd month she needs to pay in advance like everyone else. And if she can't abide by the policy then you will need to terminate. Have her sign it and if she can't follow it, then let her go...

[wdmmom]

but thats the thing, She is not taking advantage of me. She has always paid on time in the past, just not how I would like for her to pay....

Than just tell her:

Hey Sally,
My policies have changed since dck was last enrolled. Primarily how I accept payments. In order to enroll, you will need to pay a month in advance just like everyone else. While I completely understand that this may cuase financial hardship, that is not my intention. Im sorry but if you arent able to accommodate my new policies, it would probably be best to enroll hdr somewhere else.

[MamaBear]

Than just tell her:

Hey Sally,
My policies have changed since dck was last enrolled. Primarily how I accept payments. In order to enroll, you will need to pay a month in advance just like everyone else. While I completely understand that this may cuase financial hardship, that is not my intention. Im sorry but if you arent able to accommodate my new policies, it would probably be best to enroll hdr somewhere else.

I agree... I think this is the best thing to do.

[daycare]

I agree... I think this is the best thing to do.

thanks so much for all of your help and support...

The thing is that she knows that nothing has changed. She knows all of my rules and polices. She knows that the payments in advance has always been there and I have made it clear from the get go.

LIke I said. I just need to come up with a plan that will make it so that she will be able to pay in advance. Again, even if it is weekly....

[MarinaVanessa]

I think that if you have your heart set on helping this DCM out then what you wrote as your letter is fine if that's what you plan on "telling" her but not if it's what you plan on handing her in the form of a letter. Tell her what you wrote in the OP but write a more business like letter once you have decided on an agreement about how the payments are going to work out. Seeing as to how she'll be starting tomorrow you don't have a lot of time to work out a payment plan with her to get her caught up so you should figure it out real soon.

If I were in your position and if I were willing to work with her I would only let her pay in 2 week increments after the fact one time. Meaning I would only let her pay for two weeks (after I already provided two weeks of care) once. She would need to pay in full for those two weeks. The next week she would need to pay for the previous week plus around $100 but no less. I would continue to require her to pay weekly plus $100 or more and eventually she'll get caught up and you will have a month's reserve saved up for her. Once that happens the following month will be paid for and during that month it will be her responsibility to save up for the next month's tuition.

This may take a long time however, to catch up I mean. Just think about it. If you were to charge lets say $600 a month this is how it will go:
Week 1: She doesn't pay.
Week 2: She pays $300 for the previous two weeks.
Week 3: She pays $150 for the previous week + $100
Week 4: She pays $150 for the previous week + $100
Week 5: She pays $150 for the previous week + $100
Week 6: She pays $150 for the previous week + $100
Week 7: She pays $150 for the previous week + $100
Week 8: She pays $150 for the previous week + $100
Week 9: The next four weeks are paid for but she still needs to pay $150 for the previous week (she's been a week behind)
She finally now has enough to pay for a month in advance= $600

It will take her 9 weeks to be in the position to be able to pay in advance. If you have her pay $75 extra a week instead of $100 it will take her 11 weeks. If she pays only $50 extra it will take about 15 weeks.

Then don't forget about the termination deposit. Do you require one? Most of us require a 2 week deposit. If you do too she will need to continue to make extra payments until this was paid off also. What do you think?

Personally I wouldn't let her not pay anything. I'd require that she at least pay me weekly in advance for the first 2 weeks or until she got her first full paycheck. Once that happened then I'd require her to pay me weekly plus the extra $100 until she had enough in reserves to pay for an entire month in advance and enough to cover the termination period. I'm not against helping people but I personally would not offer child care without receiving payment up front. You're already bending the "monthly payment in advance" rule for her, she should understand that you can't except her child unless she at least pays weekly in advance. Just my personal opinion.