I Forgot My Check...

[MarinaVanessa]

This sounds tough but seriously if they forget their check and it is REQUIRED to be in on Monday mornings then I would NOT take their child. I try to NEVER provide services without payment.....even for just a few hours.

I would have the parent run to the bank (with child) or I would maybe allow them to bring the check at pick up but ONLY if:

• they were a long standing family with a great payment history and
• they pay a late fee since the check was due in the morning but not paid til the afternoon, I would consider this to be a late payment.

I do the same as Blackcat but I turn them away regardless. I've had 2 families that were always in good standing and never paid late until one time (at different times). Both said they'd run home really quick and bring the payment right away before work, both left little Johnny here at DC and both didn't come back to DC until after work at the end of the day. One actually brought the payment at pick-up, the other came empty handed and brought it the next morning. Both were charged a late payment fee. I never allowed anyone to leave the child again unless they had the money in hand

[Jewels]

The minute menu program does take longer to actually get your money...my parents money is all automatically withdrawn from their bank occounts on monday mornings, and its deposited into mine on fridays, I think its stupid that it takes that long, the company obviously earns interest off of all the money during those 4 days, nothing bounces though with that because the money comes straight from their accounts, it really is quite convenient, and no one thinks about anything, I have 4 out of 7 families that use it, and they are all set up automatically, And I do get emails every monday when the payments are made.

[jojosmommy]

Yep takes 5-7 days. Less time than it takes me to get to the bank if a parent was to pay Monday because I am open longer than the banks everyday and don't transport during daycare.

Never had a payment returned for bad payment thru childcarepay.com. Had 1 here from a regular check and it took over a week to have the bank return it. By then I had already done a week plus 1day of care free.

I invoice all my parents Wednesday. They have until Friday evening to pay it. Usually get paid (money in the bank) by wed of next week. I bill for two weeks at a time so it's just like getting paid every two weeks from a regular job.

[frugalmama4]

Well I can top this!

Open my door on Monday morning DCD drops off kid's... OK no biggie. I asked do you have the tuition are will mom be picking up? Yep, mom will pick up and bring it she has the check book...I OK.

Mid-day dck get's sick...I call mom...she calls dad to pick-up. I decide to be nice and tell mom don't worry about late fee "I won't make you come all the way here after work when I know you need/want to get home to your sick kid. Just please bring payment in the am....next day mom texts kids not coming dcb still sick...OK I text back please deposit tuition into my account. MINE YOU MOM & DAD WORKS IN A BANK (separate banks) as managers. To add to my drama dad works at the bank I bank at:::: could have easily deposited payment without any issues...mom works across the street from the bank I bank at could have went on her lunch break and/or when she got off on Monday!

Back to the present day (Tuesday) I had to text and call (no answer with either) mom to say Please deposit tuition. I'm so ready to terminate this family

I will have to sit a talk with them really don't want to at all

Good Luck! Oh, BTW My contract states for this family tuition due by 6:30 Monday...best believe I have changed it to Friday's for the upcoming week!

[Christian Mother]

Payment is due at drop of each Mond. morning. I have had parents forget their ck and I'm not a stickler on it. They've never gone a wk with out paying. Usually they just bring it the next day at drop off or they bring it when they pick up their child. I do have one parent who pays me once a wk for 2 wks and so forth. But, if it ever became a problem and it was happening all the time I would have a conversation at pick up that if it wasn't brought the following day they could not bring their child. I've never had that conversation yet.

[MrsB]

Mrs. B, I have a couple questions for you!

1- I have thought about signing up for the auto pay on Minute Menu; but how long does it take from the time the parents make payment to when it actually hits your account? I thought I read that it could take 5-7 business days, yikes! For the parents that use it, what is their deadline for making payment, and do you get notified (email or otherwise) when the payment has been made?

2-How much does the credit card scanner run? Do you have to pay per transaction?

1. My parents that use Minute Menu, the transaction date is Friday so I get my money in my account on Thursday. The only time it takes more than 5 days is if there is a holiday, then I would get it Friday or Monday. If a payment doesnt go through, I get an email from them Wed or Thursday. The plus is that minute menu only charges you a $3 fee where as my bank would charge me $35. I agree it seems like it takes longer than it should, but it would be 4 days or more to hear from my bank if a ck didnt go through too, plus a ton of fees. The way I figure it is the money and time I would spend going to the bank and usually not make it there to Thursday or the following weekend. It is worth it to me.

I got the Intuit Go payment scanner. I think it is a 2% fee per transaction. Which is pretty good for cc payments. It is quick and convient and well worth the money for me. If I run it on Monday then I usually get my money on Wednesday. Plus all those fees are 100% deductible.

Here's the link: http://intuit-gopayment.com/free?cid...120418155206:s

Since I stopped taking checks I have had NO problems what so ever. I stand there at the door with my scanner Monday morning. "Would you like to use Visa or Mastercard today" They usually have their debit cards ready to go!

Most use Minute Menu though because then they can print receipts for their flex spending accounts.

[Crazy8]

Mrs. B, I have a couple questions for you!


2-How much does the credit card scanner run? Do you have to pay per transaction?

I have the square credit card device.... Bad thing is its 2.75% per transaction. Good thing is you can get the device for free and you can get the funds quickly - I think next day is what they advertise. I've had it a while but never use it - I don't want to pay the fees so its there if a parent needs to use it but they have to pay the fee. If everyone used it that would be $25/week in fees for me!! I don't care if the fees are tax deductible - no way am I shelling out $100 a month!!!

[dEHmom]

I did not read the replies you received on this, but I think this is the perfect time to implement 2 new policies.

1. Payment is due the FRIDAY for the FOLLOWING 2 WEEKS of care. If they pay on the monday, automatic $30 late charge ($10 per day including saturday and sunday) and do not accept payments on the weekend either.

2. NO PAY NO STAY policy. If payment is not made on the friday and they show up on the monday and say they will pay at pickup, do not allow the child in until payment is made in full (including late payment fee). Do not provide receipts for late payment fees either.