Vent!!

[daycare]

I guess its to each their own on how they choose to collect money. I for one have never done it that way. I look at it where I am not going to provide care all week and then have a parent decide to quit or not pay me. I worked hard for them all week and then to not be paid would stink.

I have to pay for my groceries before I get them and most things that I use, so I would not only be out of pocket my daycare fee, I would also be out everything else too.

But like I said, to each their own... If it ain't broke, don't fix it....

[daycarediva]

You live and learn! Atleast this is a mistake that you will never make again! I didn't start out getting paid in advance, but I do now. It's SUPER stressful chasing down your paycheck from 6 different families!

The back bone is also something that comes with time, and I even tell my parents, it isn't personal, it's business and the reason I have each policy in place is because someone did that once! LOL!

In fact, with every kid and every family I have learned something new.

[saved4always]

When I first started doing childcare, I accepted payment on the last day of care for the week. I ran into too many parents who would either "forget" to bring thier checkbook or thier child did not end up coming that last day. And I did have one family that moved away without paying their last day of care. I still feel bitter when I think about that $30 and how early I had to get up for that kid in the morning. I know, time to get over that one. So, I started collecting payment on the first day that care was provided for the week. I much preferred to owe people childcare than I did them owing me money.

[wahmof3]

Super OT birdwalk but......that's so wrong!!!

I KNOW!!! It's bad when the lab work I had done my dh employer pretty much makes us do it to have health insurance so its 100% paid for and the lab knows it and I still had to give them my debit card......

[JennyBear]

I don't usually correct grammar or spelling mistakes, but this one is important if it is spelled like this in your contract. 'except' should be 'accept' -- it's a whole different meaning that could be detrimental to you. Do not mean to offend

Edited to add: may be you meant 'expect'? maybe just a typo

Nope, you're correct! My mistake. Thanks for pointing that out. Sometimes I type way too fast...oops! hehe. Thank goodness I spell check all paperwork/documents that make their way to my dcp :P

[JennyBear]

All of my other families have been here since I have opened my dc and have been amazing to me, including remembering my pay each and every Friday. I have some parents that bring random flowers, presents, daycare supplies, gift cards, etc. They always let me know how much I'm appreciated so I'm pretty confident that my dc families would never stiff me on my weekly pay.

This new family though, obviously are much much different. Like I said, their contract states that payment is required on Friday each week, for that week. However, the minute this family "forgets" or tries anything else they will be required to pay in advance.

Hopefully they are just aloof about this stuff and I'm overreacting. Fingers crossed.
I spoke to mom at p/u and she said Dad would be by tonight with all signed paperwork/contract so here's hoping. If not, my door stays locked until my regular daycare kids arrive :P

[thatdivalady]

I think everyone has a right to charge how they want.

I personally started out with getting paid one week in advance and I will continue it.

--No chasing people down for money after they leave and don't pay
--No having to take them to court

I also pay rent on the 1st for the upcoming month, my cell phone bill in advance, and I definitely took my daughter to the urgent care and they required me to pay in full before she was even seen. I guess the argument could be made for both sides!

I just had a mom sign her two children up for care and thank heavens I did collect upfrpont because come Friday she was crying broke and was told that she cannot bring her children back until she has the money. Never saw her again. And not in the least bit bitter because she didn't leave owing me money because she paid in advance : )

[clep]

I couldn't imagine letting parents pay after the fact and hoping they will follow through with that.

Not only do parents have to pay a full month up front, I also have their last month of payment up front, and apply it to their last month after they provide proper notice. I also have two months of post dated cheques in their file at all times.

I don't ever have families run out or just quit without notice.

In the first two years of being a provider I learned quickly not to allow my financial situation to be reliant on if someone feels like paying me or not. When people get angry, the first thing they will hold back is the money and will find a way to justify that. I used to experience that. Not anymore.