Wwyd?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I haven't been in business for long. I am a very non-confrontational person. I enjoy helping others and making their lives easier.

I have a wonderful child in my Preschool. The parents were late picking up about 80% of the time (by 2-8 minutes). Unfortunately, this either ruined or pushed back my own plans each evening.
My son attends school in another city 20 minutes away (we do not have a High School here), and all grocery shopping has to be done in another city as well.
There were apologies the first few times, but then all apologies and excuses stopped. Other than this small inconvenience, I truly like this family.

I had decided that my grace period was 2 minutes. So long as my clock on my info. board reads 5:02 and 45 seconds they are in the clear. But, as soon as that clock reaches 5:03 I planned to put out the Late Sign Out sheet (thanks for the idea)!
Today, I had to put it out. I was really embarrassed, but did not show that. I was my usual bubbly self when greeting the family and did not say 1 word. The Dad read the fine print (Late fee must be paid prior to the child returning to school the next day!) and ran out to his car. He said, "Hold on one minute!" in a friendly tone. He came back and laid some money down on top of the Late Sign Out sheet and wished me a happy Easter, assisted the little girl in carrying her bag, and left. He wasn't in any worse of a mood. All he would have owed was $3.

However, he didn't leave $3. He left a $20 bill.
Would you pay the difference back to the family on Monday, or would you accept the payment as his way of apologizing?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I also had another confrontational-like instance happen today with a new family I had interviewed with 2 months ago e-mailing me. I was polite but firm.

I feel stressed from having to be so "confrontational" today. ::

[AmyLeigh]

I haven't been in business for long. I am a very non-confrontational person. I enjoy helping others and making their lives easier.

I have a wonderful child in my Preschool. The parents were late picking up about 80% of the time (by 2-8 minutes). Unfortunately, this either ruined or pushed back my own plans each evening.
My son attends school in another city 20 minutes away (we do not have a High School here), and all grocery shopping has to be done in another city as well.
There were apologies the first few times, but then all apologies and excuses stopped. Other than this small inconvenience, I truly like this family.

I had decided that my grace period was 2 minutes. So long as my clock on my info. board reads 5:02 and 45 seconds they are in the clear. But, as soon as that clock reaches 5:03 I planned to put out the Late Sign Out sheet (thanks for the idea)!
Today, I had to put it out. I was really embarrassed, but did not show that. I was my usual bubbly self when greeting the family and did not say 1 word. The Dad read the fine print (Late fee must be paid prior to the child returning to school the next day!) and ran out to his car. He said, "Hold on one minute!" in a friendly tone. He came back and laid some money down on top of the Late Sign Out sheet and wished me a happy Easter, assisted the little girl in carrying her bag, and left. He wasn't in any worse of a mood. All he would have owed was $3.

However, he didn't leave $3. He left a $20 bill.
Would you pay the difference back to the family on Monday, or would you accept the payment as his way of apologizing?

I would have the $17 ready to go back to him Monday morning. Just a friendly "oh here's your change from Friday" is all that is needed. Let him decide to take it or leave it at a tip. He may have just stopped at the ATM and had only 20's, but wanted to pay the late fee.

[Sunchimes]

I would also give him his change. I wouldn't feel comfortable unless he said to keep it.

[Blackcat31]

Personally, I would give them their next invoice with the difference as credit and if they say that the money was meant for you, then you'll know but I find it is easiest and best to simply credit the overpayment back and let the parent be the one to state exactly what the intent was.

If you simply assume the money is a thank youor an apology but they didn't use those words it could be kind of awkward later.....kwim?

Oh, and good job using your backbone. happyface It gets easier everytime!!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I'll just hand it back to him on Monday. Easy peasy.

Oh, and the conclusion to the second confrontational instance is great as well. Two new students will be attending starting Monday.

[momma2girls]

I do not have a grace period at all!!
I have in my contract, if I have to leave at 4:30 and you are not here to pick up, I will be taking your child with me, my # and where my location will be on my door. I have never had to do this before. I just want everyone to be aware of this!! There are many times I have to leave right at 4:30, so if you come right at 4:30, I will be saying hi and bye to you and that is it. I have it in my new contract, to make sure and be here by 4:30, just in case I have to be out my door at 4:30

[MyAngels]

I'd have his change on Monday.

On another note - this is the reason I have never charged a late fee. I always figured if I charge a fee for being late then people feel like it's okay to be late as long as they are willing to pay for it. I actually have it in my contract - something to the effect of "I do not charge a fee for late pick-ups. I simply ask that you be on time." I also stress this at interviews. I can only think of two times in 19 years that anyone has been here past my closing time of 5:00 p.m., and one of those times they had a very good reason.

After reading here for quite a while I realize that I'm in the minority on this point, but thought I'd add my .02 anyway .

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I'd have his change on Monday.

On another note - this is the reason I have never charged a late fee. I always figured if I charge a fee for being late then people feel like it's okay to be late as long as they are willing to pay for it. I actually have it in my contract - something to the effect of "I do not charge a fee for late pick-ups. I simply ask that you be on time." I also stress this at interviews. I can only think of two times in 19 years that anyone has been here past my closing time of 5:00 p.m., and one of those times they had a very good reason.

After reading here for quite a while I realize that I'm in the minority on this point, but thought I'd add my .02 anyway .

All of my other families come a few minutes before 5:00 or WELL before 5:00. To all future families that enroll here, I will be stressing the fact that after 5:00 there IS a late fee because I have personal plans after school each and every day.

[melskids]

MyAngels, I don't charge late fees either.

My issue with the $20 would be that he probably figured he'd "prepay" for his future late pickups he is already counting on having.

That's why I don't bother with them. I tell my parents, "I don't charge late fees and you don't show up late."

[SunshineMama]

I haven't been in business for long. I am a very non-confrontational person. I enjoy helping others and making their lives easier.

I have a wonderful child in my Preschool. The parents were late picking up about 80% of the time (by 2-8 minutes). Unfortunately, this either ruined or pushed back my own plans each evening.
My son attends school in another city 20 minutes away (we do not have a High School here), and all grocery shopping has to be done in another city as well.
There were apologies the first few times, but then all apologies and excuses stopped. Other than this small inconvenience, I truly like this family.

I had decided that my grace period was 2 minutes. So long as my clock on my info. board reads 5:02 and 45 seconds they are in the clear. But, as soon as that clock reaches 5:03 I planned to put out the Late Sign Out sheet (thanks for the idea)!
Today, I had to put it out. I was really embarrassed, but did not show that. I was my usual bubbly self when greeting the family and did not say 1 word. The Dad read the fine print (Late fee must be paid prior to the child returning to school the next day!) and ran out to his car. He said, "Hold on one minute!" in a friendly tone. He came back and laid some money down on top of the Late Sign Out sheet and wished me a happy Easter, assisted the little girl in carrying her bag, and left. He wasn't in any worse of a mood. All he would have owed was $3.

However, he didn't leave $3. He left a $20 bill.
Would you pay the difference back to the family on Monday, or would you accept the payment as his way of apologizing?

It sounds like a gift, since he wished a happy Easter with it. If you are unsure you can always send a text saying you just noticed they left you a little extra. 9/10 they will tell you to keep it.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I don't have Dad's cell phone number. Mom & Dad don't communicate like that.

[SunnyDay]

Next time I would address it right away. Either say "I don't have change, do you have anything smaller" or "Let me get your change".

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Next time I would address it right away. Either say "I don't have change, do you have anything smaller" or "Let me get your change".

That's a wonderful idea. However, I did not look at it right away. I just saw that he set some green paper down (I assumed it was money) and hugged the child goodbye.