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Alright, I dug myself into this one. I had a 9 week old infant start in May of '12. It was only a few weeks before Memorial day, and they came only 2 days a week. I felt bad taking the $50 for Memorial day. I told her that I normally charge for the Holiday's but since they just started and were only 2 days a week, I'd let it slide. Now, they feel entitled to not pay for Holiday's even though they've increased to 3 days a week and signed a contract that states there is NO REDUCTION for Holidays. I just received the check minus the $50 for day after Thanksgiving which it clearly states is a Holiday. I sent an e-mail last week reminding them that I would be off Friday and there would be no reduction in rate. They obviously blew off that e-mail, or felt even though I sent it to them didn't apply to them? Can I fix this and not damage the relationship? Do I send a simple e-mail and if they don't pay up, then go route of sending them a copy of their signed contract? Am I asking too much? Help!
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Last edited by Michael; 11-19-2012, 03:02 PM. -
I would give them a copy of their signed contract and remind them once again that Friday is a PAID holiday.
I had to do that this weekend. -
I don't charge for my time off, but that's up to you whether you think it's fair or not.
If it's what you require of all of your other parents I'd send them an email stating that, and something to the effect that the invoice needs to be paid in full by 11/__/12 or the child will not be able to return to care until it is.Comment
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I do charge for paid holidays, not for days I need to take off for sickness or personal time. It's that way for all families. I sent an e-mail reminding all families of my days off and let them know there would be no reductions in rates due to these holiday's where I would be closed. They sent the check minus Friday's pay without saying anything. I'll just send another reminder e-mail and give them an invoice tonight at pick-up.Comment
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Dear DCP's
I understand that sometimes mis-understandings in communication happen so I would like to address this issue now before it goes any further.
As per our signed contract, ALL families are required to pay for holidays in which the child care is closed. I did waive the fee for Memorial Day in good faith due to the fact that you had just enrolled, however, I want to reiterate that you will still be charged for Thanksgiving and the following Friday as stated in the recent e-mail sent out.
You have a remaining balance due for this week of $_______. Please pay this amount NO LATER than November, XX, 2012 in order to avoid being charged a late fee.
If you have any questions about this policy, please contact me any time.
Thank you,
Provider.Comment
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That is a good question. If she were full time I'd definitely make sure they paid that day. Does she usually come on Fridays or does she not come the same days each week?
Was the email a group email? Maybe they really didn't think it applied to them if it was to everyone in your dc and just need a private chat.
KellyHomeschooling Mama to:
lovethis
dd12
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dd 8Comment
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He has a set schedule every week (All Mondays, Wednesday's & Fridays). It was a group e-mail, which I thought would help to let them know I wasn't picking on them, that all families were required to pay as well. I'm sending black cat's e-mail as they've asked me today to pick up a 4th day per week too going forward. I value them as one of my daycare families, have had their son since 9 weeks old (and he's been challenging!) So I'd really like to have a good relationship with this family going forward and not have any feelings of resentment or feeling walked on. I believe I'm worth a paid holiday. They agreed to it when they signed on. They're obviously happy with me, asking for another day per week... so I'll send the note. It'll just help pay for the holiday party and gift to him and his family anyway
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I would absolutely tell them that if a Holiday falls on a day that the child is scheduled to attend, then they must pay for that day.
I would just send them another email gently reminding them that they *forgot* to include the 50$ for the paid Holiday. Just state the facts and keep it simple.
Something like -
I just noticed that your cheque for this week's care does not include the 50$ for the Paid Holiday on Friday. Just a reminder that, as per your contract, I require pay for the Holidays which fall on a day that ****** is scheduled to attend. I will return your cheque this afternoon and you can send in a new one by tomorrow. Thanks.
PS - You give gifts to your daycare families?Comment
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If his schedule includes Fridays then I'd definitely have them pay. Maybe they got confused since you let them off that one time. I hope they take it well and you continue having a good relationship with themHe has a set schedule every week (All Mondays, Wednesday's & Fridays). It was a group e-mail, which I thought would help to let them know I wasn't picking on them, that all families were required to pay as well. I'm sending black cat's e-mail as they've asked me today to pick up a 4th day per week too going forward. I value them as one of my daycare families, have had their son since 9 weeks old (and he's been challenging!) So I'd really like to have a good relationship with this family going forward and not have any feelings of resentment or feeling walked on. I believe I'm worth a paid holiday. They agreed to it when they signed on. They're obviously happy with me, asking for another day per week... so I'll send the note. It'll just help pay for the holiday party and gift to him and his family anyway
Homeschooling Mama to:
lovethis
dd12
ds 10
dd 8Comment
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Maybe this is the issue with them. If you don't charge for time you take off for personal time and only charge for holidays that fall on their regularly scheduled day. If their days are Monday, Wednesday and Fridays, then those days do not fall on the true holiday (Thanksgiving/Thursday). Friday technically is a personal day that you attached to a holiday. Do you think that is what they're thinking?Comment
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I've never taken a sick day or personal day since they've started. I sent a reminder e-mail last week stating the Holiday's were approaching, and I would be closed Thursday & Friday, for any day your child is scheduled to come, payment would be expected. They are probably just testing the waters, or disagree with it, either way it will open up conversation?
I do give a DVD with a slide show and videos of the children & a small book, as well as have a holiday party with cupcakes, small goodie bags & we always do special crafts. The DVD is my way of sharing what we've accomplished over the year and a gift to the families so they have a keepsake. Theres a LOT of time that goes into creating the DVD... I think they really appreciate it though, I've always gotten lots of Thank You's.Comment
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The DD/slide show sounds really cool. That's a great idea!
If you sent the email, then they're ignoring it plain and simple. I wouldn't send another email, I would explain it in person that way it's resolved immediately. So just for my own curiousity, what constitutes a personal day versus a vacation day? I see that alot with providers where they say they get paid holidays, but then it's not just the holiday it's 1 or 2 days attached to it. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally not critisizing you at all, I'm just curious. For instance with me, I get paid holidays. So, during the week of Christmas when I take a couple of days off after Christmas, I don't get paid for those extra days. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.Comment
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