DCF Not Abiding By Our Agreement

[Unregistered]

So here is the issue:

I only accept cash as payment. This is always talked about at the interview and written in the policy handbook.

I have had this certain DCF who only comes Thurs/Fri. It was agreed that they would pay Thursday morning in cash.

I think since they started with me, they have only paid me maybe 5-10 times on Thursday. I always get paid (on Friday) so I have not said anything about it.

Well, 2 weeks ago DCD hands me a check. He went on about having a busy week ... blah blah blah. So I say to myself: everyone has bad weeks, no big deal ... I will only accept it this ONE time.

Well, then last week he hands me a check again and says " I paid you for 2 weeks". I try to hand him back the check and explain to him I do not accept checks - only cash. He says he does not have cash and why can't I just cash it at the bank. I say "because I am here watching your child all day." He will not take the check back and says, "it is what it is" and walks out.

When DCM comes I say "We need to talk about our payment agreement. The agreement was that you would pay me in cash in Thursday morning." I give her back the check and tell her she needs to get me the cash next time she drops off and it needs to be Thursday - not Friday.

She tells me she has nothing to do with paying me, it's DCD responsibility. I explained to her that I tried to tell him but he wouldn't listen and that she needs to pass along the message.

It's a very frustrating situation because I feel like DCD has 0 respect for me and they do not communicate with eachother at all!!!

What do I do if they show up on Thursday morning without payment or payment in the wrong form?

Advice would be much appreciated ... thank you!

[littlemissmuffet]

Quite honestly, I have no time for situations like this. These parent obviously don't care about your policies, the agreement they made with you and ABSOLUTELY don't care what you have to say or why. I spend 50+ hours a week dealing with enough children... I don't deal with adults who act like children. I would simply hand over a termination letter and let them try and pull this crap on another childcare provider (which also likely won't fly).

[Hunni Bee]

So here is the issue:

I only accept cash as payment. This is always talked about at the interview and written in the policy handbook.

I have had this certain DCF who only comes Thurs/Fri. It was agreed that they would pay Thursday morning in cash.

I think since they started with me, they have only paid me maybe 5-10 times on Thursday. I always get paid (on Friday) so I have not said anything about it.

Well, 2 weeks ago DCD hands me a check. He went on about having a busy week ... blah blah blah. So I say to myself: everyone has bad weeks, no big deal ... I will only accept it this ONE time.

Well, then last week he hands me a check again and says " I paid you for 2 weeks". I try to hand him back the check and explain to him I do not accept checks - only cash. He says he does not have cash and why can't I just cash it at the bank. I say "because I am here watching your child all day." He will not take the check back and says, "it is what it is" and walks out.

When DCM comes I say "We need to talk about our payment agreement. The agreement was that you would pay me in cash in Thursday morning." I give her back the check and tell her she needs to get me the cash next time she drops off and it needs to be Thursday - not Friday.

She tells me she has nothing to do with paying me, it's DCD responsibility. I explained to her that I tried to tell him but he wouldn't listen and that she needs to pass along the message.

It's a very frustrating situation because I feel like DCD has 0 respect for me and they do not communicate with eachother at all!!!

What do I do if they show up on Thursday morning without payment or payment in the wrong form?

Advice would be much appreciated ... thank you!

Since they are suddenly deciding not to honor the agreement they signed, and are being so uncooperative about it, I'd stop them at the door today/tomorrow and require valid payment before you accept their kids...since technically they haven't paid for last week. Further, I'd tell them that checks are absolutely not acceptable and they must provide cash payment on time in order for you to provide services for them.

Finally, I'd have them pay a week in advance if you dont already. Hope this resolves itself.

ETA: Now I see they only come on Thursday and Friday...oops.

[Zoe]

They pay on Thursday in cash or their child does NOT stay with you! Turn them away at the door if you are not paid. It's ridiculous that they are playing this game with you for just two days of childcare. Don't put up with it.

[Meeko]

"It is what it is" ?????!!!!! I would be so mad! he was completely ignoring you and telling you that you had no choice but to accept his check!

I would be at the door Thursday and refuse to take the kids. When they have a fit....you just smile sweetly and say

"It is what it is"

[SunshineMama]

So here is the issue:

I only accept cash as payment. This is always talked about at the interview and written in the policy handbook.

I have had this certain DCF who only comes Thurs/Fri. It was agreed that they would pay Thursday morning in cash.

I think since they started with me, they have only paid me maybe 5-10 times on Thursday. I always get paid (on Friday) so I have not said anything about it.

Well, 2 weeks ago DCD hands me a check. He went on about having a busy week ... blah blah blah. So I say to myself: everyone has bad weeks, no big deal ... I will only accept it this ONE time.

Well, then last week he hands me a check again and says " I paid you for 2 weeks". I try to hand him back the check and explain to him I do not accept checks - only cash. He says he does not have cash and why can't I just cash it at the bank. I say "because I am here watching your child all day." He will not take the check back and says, "it is what it is" and walks out.

When DCM comes I say "We need to talk about our payment agreement. The agreement was that you would pay me in cash in Thursday morning." I give her back the check and tell her she needs to get me the cash next time she drops off and it needs to be Thursday - not Friday.

She tells me she has nothing to do with paying me, it's DCD responsibility. I explained to her that I tried to tell him but he wouldn't listen and that she needs to pass along the message.

It's a very frustrating situation because I feel like DCD has 0 respect for me and they do not communicate with eachother at all!!!

What do I do if they show up on Thursday morning without payment or payment in the wrong form?

Advice would be much appreciated ... thank you!

It all depends on how much you are willing to put up with.

If the cash is a non-negotiable for you, tell DCD that you have to have cash no more checks or you can no longer continue care.

If the checks are more of an inconvenience for you, charge a check surcharge fee, say an extra $5.00 per check that you have to process.

I have a dcf that is totally horrid when it comes to payment on time, paying when they are on vacation, etc. I let most of it go, because I do not want to lose the child, so I am willing to put up with their crap. Their son is best friends with my daughter, and when he isnt here she gets so bored, acts up (nothing too major but it makes a difference), etc. Him being here makes my day 100% EASIER (strange but true), and I would probably watch him for peanuts, if not free just because he is that much of an angel. Other than him, if any of my other clients pulled what yours is doing I would do the surcharge or tell them cash or term.

I am sorry you have to deal with this. The disrespect is the WORST part of the job in my opinion.

[MrsB]

I'm with everyone else. Turn them away at the door if they dont pay with proper payment on time and in the correct form.

I would send them a email/text/call and say that from this point on that ABSOLUTELY NO children will be accepted through the door unless payment is received in the form of cash on Thursday morning.

I had a mother give me the same type of excuses when I required cash because one of her checks bounced. I told her, how would she like it if her boss paid her in tobacco (we live in the east and near all the old tobacco farms). And told her it was her problem to go to the local farm to convert it to money. At first she laughed it off. Then Monday morning she showed up with a check. I turned her and her kids away at the door. She was soooo mad! She started complaining that she was going to get written up for being late. I told her NOT my problem. She told me I was being difficult. I told her stop blaming the issue on me, this is my rule always has been. Then I asked her, so do you blame the gas attendant for not allowing you to get to work because they wont accept your check for gas too?

She was silent, went and got the cash, and I NEVER had a problem again. Although she did end up terming like 4 months later to an unlicensed illegal provider that only charged $65 per week for full time care, that probably would accept her bad checks late.

[Soupyszoo]

"It is what it is" ?????!!!!! I would be so mad! he was completely ignoring you and telling you that you had no choice but to accept his check!

I would be at the door Thursday and refuse to take the kids. When they have a fit....you just smile sweetly and say

"It is what it is"

This is what I would do! How dare he! I'm going to stop because I feel some nasty words about to come out about this dcd

[Mary Poppins]

I would be at the door Thursday and refuse to take the kids. When they have a fit....you just smile sweetly and say

"It is what it is"

I lovethis this!!

I HATE bullies and this is exactly what dcd is. Reading this response made my day.

[wdmmom]

It all depends on how much you are willing to put up with.

If the cash is a non-negotiable for you, tell DCD that you have to have cash no more checks or you can no longer continue care.

If the checks are more of an inconvenience for you, charge a check surcharge fee, say an extra $5.00 per check that you have to process.

I have a dcf that is totally horrid when it comes to payment on time, paying when they are on vacation, etc. I let most of it go, because I do not want to lose the child, so I am willing to put up with their crap. Their son is best friends with my daughter, and when he isnt here she gets so bored, acts up (nothing too major but it makes a difference), etc. Him being here makes my day 100% EASIER (strange but true), and I would probably watch him for peanuts, if not free just because he is that much of an angel. Other than him, if any of my other clients pulled what yours is doing I would do the surcharge or tell them cash or term.

I am sorry you have to deal with this. The disrespect is the WORST part of the job in my opinion.

If you agree to start accepting checks on a regular basis, I would tell them that they need to provide you with a deposit equivalent to the weekly rate in addition to the nsf fee. Then you will start accepting checks.

And, there will be a $10 surcharge each week they want to pay by check! Gas is expensive. So is your time!

And since you gave the check back, wouldn't he owe you two weeks on Thursday morning???

"It is what it is." Cash or depost (in cash) and check or no daycare. Very simple!