Late Parent?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

What do you do when a parent is late picking up their child?

I have a late policy in place (in the Parent Handbook). They signed a form stating they read the Parent Handbook.
I am unsure how to approach enforcing the $1/minute late fee.

Thank you.

[pfund2233]

Do they pay for the week on Friday or a week in advance?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

The parents pay in advance (bi-weekly). My policy states that they must bring the amount owed with their child the following day to attend.

But, like I said, I have no idea how to actually enforce said rule.
I wrote a note on the Daily Report with a friendly reminder that pick up is at x:xx.

Perhaps I should have half sheets ready to send home as well with blanks to fill in (__ minutes late ... ___ dollars owed).

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I believe I posted this in the wrong section. Please excuse me.

[Mary Poppins]

I believe I posted this in the wrong section. Please excuse me.

Looks like the right section to me!

Here's what I've been doing (and believe me, it was difficult for me at first to enforce any of my policies that might rock the boat with dcf's). If it happens once, I give them a friendly verbal reminder that I will let it slide ONCE but if it happens again, I have to enforce my policy or else there is no point in having one to begin with.

When and if it happens again, I use my online invoicing system (Minute Menu Kids) to charge them and leave a note that says what it is for and when it is due. If you don't use MMK, you can do the same, just print up an invoice and hand it to them. DON'T APOLOGIZE or even give the hint that you are sorry. It is business and it really has to be kept professional. I've had to do this twice with late payments and the parents didn't bat an eye and even apologized to me when paying it (which is as it should be!).

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I currently use Minute Menu Kids, though I don't have the parents pay through their program (is that what I'd need to do?).
The food program I'm with is cancelling Minute Menu in a few months, so I'll be switching to a new program.

I hate to be such a stickler for 5 minutes, but I'm beginning to feel taken advantage of. I had something to do today that I needed to focus on immediately after work and I couldn't. It threw off everything.

[Mary Poppins]

I currently use Minute Menu Kids, though I don't have the parents pay through their program (is that what I'd need to do?).
The food program I'm with is cancelling Minute Menu in a few months, so I'll be switching to a new program.

I hate to be such a stickler for 5 minutes, but I'm beginning to feel taken advantage of. I had something to do today that I needed to focus on immediately after work and I couldn't. It threw off everything.

Mine pay online with MMK, yes, so that helps. You could use it to print out an invoice, too and just hand it to them.

Do you have a newsletter? You could use it to add a sidenote that explains WHY it is important that they are on time and WHY you charge a late fee and add that you don't like to be put in the uncomfortable position to HAVE to enforce it but that since you have a life outside of dc and important things to do they need to respect your time just as you respect theirs. Sometimes it is easier to do this sort of thing in writing as a "friendly reminder", kwim?

Believe me, I know how awkward this is. I HATE this part of the job but a lot of the veterans on this board have helped me grow a backbone and I am forever grateful to them for it. It really gets easier and easier to use it.

[Meeko]

I have a separate sign out sheet for late parents.

It is actually labelled "Late Pick Up". They have to sign the date, time (by MY day care clock - not their watch or phone!) and multiply the late minutes by $1 per minute and write it down. Then they have to sign it. I make THEM write all that down in the right column. I smile sweetly and tell them it is due before their child can stay tomorrow. Most pay me right then. They can't get around it.

[Mary Poppins]

I have a separate sign out sheet for late parents.

It is actually labelled "Late Pick Up". They have to sign the date, time (by MY day care clock - not their watch or phone!) and multiply the late minutes by $1 per minute and write it down. Then they have to sign it. I make THEM write all that down in the right column. I smile sweetly and tell them it is due before their child can stay tomorrow. Most pay me right then. They can't get around it.

You are a genius!!! I am all about making them own it and I'm going to start doing this next week. Thank you so much for sharing!!!

happyface

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I have a separate sign out sheet for late parents.

It is actually labelled "Late Pick Up". They have to sign the date, time (by MY day care clock - not their watch or phone!) and multiply the late minutes by $1 per minute and write it down. Then they have to sign it. I make THEM write all that down in the right column. I smile sweetly and tell them it is due before their child can stay tomorrow. Most pay me right then. They can't get around it.

That is the most beautiful paragraph I have ever read. Time to make a Late Pick Up sign out sheet this weekend! lovethis

[Candyland]

I have a separate sign out sheet for late parents.

It is actually labelled "Late Pick Up". They have to sign the date, time (by MY day care clock - not their watch or phone!) and multiply the late minutes by $1 per minute and write it down. Then they have to sign it. I make THEM write all that down in the right column. I smile sweetly and tell them it is due before their child can stay tomorrow. Most pay me right then. They can't get around it.

lovethis