Changed Policy Due To Family Taking Advantage!

[daycare]

When I first started my business I set my hours from 7 to 6. When this family started they needed daycare later once and awhile monday through thursday. Then on fridays she was supposed to be here at 230 (i do have other kids until 430 that day) Well it started getting later more than once and awhile and then it on fridays started creeping til later. I had felt bad because they had a house fire and they had alot of things going on so I tried to be more leanient. But last friday was my last straw. How dare any family think its okay to just come pick up your kid whenever you want especially that past your hours. The reason I am charging the 4$ after 530 is because I didnt want them to "have to quit" but I want them to be more responsibe in picking up there child and know there will be payment that they have to pay if needing later. This family doesnt have alot of money so I know that money is important to them so if they have to pay extra when they are later they will try and pick up earlier if can. (the dad was not working alot for a couple months yet sometimes I was still having there child until late which I thought was rude) but now if they have to pay extra for it they wont do things like that. Also I have made it clear to them that if they pay late or are late picking up my late fees will be enforced! Im slowly starting to get a backbone. Now dont get me wrong I have totally thought about just terming this family (especially since If I could find another family that would be done by 430 I could be done then its so tempting)and may still do so. But we will see how they are now that I have made a few more rules and made known I will not be letting things slide anymore.

Why are you so worried about someone's ability to pay? Why is that your problem?
The more you keep doing this the more you are going to keep having these issues, not only with this family, but every family.

Right now you on in a situation, that they are so used to getting "Special" and "Free" that when you do try to put your foot down, they are going to be upset. They are not going to want to hear the "NO" and more than likely they will leave.

If I was in this situation, I would throw the additional late fee bill at them and if they decide to leave, I would be relieved. I would not want to keep around people that I allowed to develop these habits and expectations.

Hopefully you can talk with the face to face about the issue and work it out. BUT like I said, expect for them to walk.....

[wdmmom]

I'm not one to term.....but this family would have had their walking papers on Friday when they FINALLY got there. that behavior is COMPLETELY unexcusable.

I completely agree! You are saying they were almost 4 hours late?!?!?! Who does this?!?!?! And on a Friday?!?!?!

I work contracted hours. If they pick up at 230pm, starting at 231pm, they are charged $1.00 per minute. I also send a courtesy text message. "This is to inform you that late fees are being imposed."

I've only had to do it once!