Advice on Picking Up Late

[Lucy]

Oh, that just makes me mad. I'm the type that doesn't want my husband involved in my DC at all, so I would've never asked him in the first place. I realize every relationship is different, but only I run my business, not him. If he even dares to comment on any little thing, I tell him to please not tell me what to do (he used to, but hasn't in a long time!!).

That being said... the DC Dad makes me mad too!!! If someone ever comes in my house on their phone, which has only happened a couple times at most, I would just talk to them as if I didn't see that "thing" held up to their cheek. I would go on about the child's day, what he ate, when he went potty, what toys he played with, the cute things he said, etc., etc. I would talk on and on WAY more than I would normally.

As far as being late, you're darn right I would say something!!! First, if I saw them in the car outside, I would have the kid ready with shoes and coat on and any belongings in their hand, and stand on the porch, driveway, whatever with them. If it happened often and ticked me off enough, I would even stand next to the driver's door.

Your case is different because he's coming after closing time, but if people make a habit out of coming late and it's NOT after closing time, I say (and I had to say this recently) "do you need me to change your pickup time to 4:30 (for example... if their pickup time is usually 4:00 but they are coming 4:15, 4:20, etc)? It's $10 a day more. I had to say that to a dad a few months ago. He's never been late since!!

[Play Care]

I close at 6PM. At that very second (if I have late kids) I put away the regular sign in/out sheet and it is replaced with a completely different one in a bright red folder. The top of the page has a huge "Late Pick and Fees" header. This is the one they must sign out on if they are late. In fact, I usually write in the time as they walk through the door and have them sign it. I fill in the fees right then and there ($1 per minute). I sign it too. Fees are due by that coming Friday. If they are not paid, their child doesn't come on Monday and no refunds on tuition.

I give them no room to try and be sneaky and claim later that they were on time.

Also, in and out times are only taken from the clock in my entry...NOT their clock/watch/phone.

I would be livid if a parent was already late and then sat in their car talking on their phone! I wouldn't take the kids to the car either. I would stand where they could see me waving the red folder with a mad face!!! They need to get OFF the phone and come GET their child.

I LOVE the red folder! If we had to have parents sign in/out I would so use that!

[jokalima]

I was checking the electronic sign in/out but I am not sure how to use it with my policy. It asks for my late fee and I have 2, it is 10.00, but after the 3rd time is 15.00 all the time, so any idea on how to use this?

BTW late again today, but did pay late fees, did not see Dad today so I thought it was not right to trouble mom with what she did not do, when I see him i will talk to him.

[jokalima]

Another question, does it keep it in a record? Like once that day is done can i have access to it if i need it in the future?

[Brooksie]

I use checkinkids.com (free) and it has big red words that come up and say they are late and how much they owe. Parents can use it on a computer of yours or an iPad.

You enter in your closing time and how much you charge for late fees.

THIS is awesome. Might have to try that!

[saved4always]

Nope, I do not think your husband is right. If that happened to me, I would put the child in his coat, gather his things and deliver him out to the car to his parent. And I would interupt the phone conversation to let the parent know he/she is late. No way I would let that go. It is rude enough to pick up after closing. To then sit in the car gabbing on the phone just shows that this parent is very inconsiderate and does not value your time. Maybe you should have a new late pick up policy...$10 extra for every 5 minutes after close or $5 extra for each minute. And make it clear that the charges continue to add up until the door closes behind them when they leave.