I Have Had A Late DCP...

[daycarediva]

EVERY NIGHT THIS WEEK!

It's been all different ones, but so far, I have devoted 42 minutes and counting of my time. I didn't need/want the $42++++ that badly!

[Blackcat31]

EVERY NIGHT THIS WEEK!

It's been all different ones, but so far, I have devoted 42 minutes and counting of my time. I didn't need/want the $42++++ that badly!

Make the second offense $2 per minute.

Atleast that way it is monetarily beneficial for you.

It does **** though......My first rule about being late is just "Don't". Of course, no one ever listens to that one and I have to use the $1 per minute consequence instead.

Any of them have any valid or understandable excuses?

[DaisyMamma]

That's horrible! I'm so sorry. I don't blame you at all. I always make it clear upon interviewing that I charge late fees and I'm really strict about it, but I don't want the $. I want the kid picked up on time! But it always happens anyway, doesn't it?

I feel for you.

[daycarediva]

Nope bc. First dcp didn't even offer anything, just a mumbled apology. Second was caught up at work, third isn't here yet....

16 minutes and counting.

I also dislike my family eating dinner without me!

[daycarediva]

30 minutes!

Mom was supposed to "notify" me of the schedule change. I told dcd, well I wasn't notified, so instead of being told NO, they are being charged $31.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Wow that is a lot of extra time!

I have had parents late a lot this week, too. What is going on??? The only one that offered an apology is the one who is not chronically late and she put the cash on the sign out iPad. The others I have to send invoices to.

[daycarediva]

Only one had cash on hand for me too(the one who got caught up at work)! Insane! The other two I am invoicing tomorrow. UGH!

[Unregistered]

I had one that was 95 mins late on Monday. She let me know 5 mins before she was due here that she would be 20 mins late. YES, I charged her $95.

[mrsnj]

I get "I had to stop at home 1st to go to the bathroom....pack a diaper bag to go out to dinner....put dinner in the oven.....someone called me.....I was loading up trash for the dump and didn't want to have to come back.....I fell asleep (my personal fav)" etc etc etc. Oh the bestest one was New Years Eve. A mom decided to get a new car. Was AN HOUR AND HALF LATE! Most of my late picks ups is ONE family too. I get one mom who works as a nurse for a midwife and sometimes get stuck with a patient before she can go and she is never over 5 min late. I don't charge her. The other one? I charge (not that is makes any difference. OBVIOUSLY she doesn't care) and if I don't get a phone pick up/return call within 5 min I start calling alternate picks ups. Not my issue if she has to deal with an angry grandmom who is on her way. Pick up on time. I fell asleep is NOT an excuse.

[Texasjeepgirl]

I mostly NEVER have late parents because I am so FIRM and TOTALLY CRYSTAL CLEAR about that issue upon enrollment...
I tell them very very firmly... My closing time is NOT A JOKE.. I am SERIOUS... My stated closing time is 5:30.... and that really means I'd like all children to be picked up and gone as soon after 5 p.m. as possible..
I then tell them that if they walk in at 5:28..5:29.. I won't say a word... although I will have my phone in my hand to call or text as soon as they are past that...
BUT..if you are 5:31.... you've got a huge problem..
I DO NOT WANT YOUR $1..
I will verbally say to them..
What am I going to do with $1 ? if you are 1 minute late EVERY DAY?

I don't want your $1..

I then make it clear that if it becomes a chronic problem I will terminate care...so be sure before enrollment..

About 2 months ago.. I sent out a reminder email regarding numerous issues.. illness policy... payment... late pick up.. just kind of a BLANKET reminder to avoid any problems...
refresher if you will..
I said...
My late fee is ...... A MILLION DOLLARS... You CAN NOT AFFORD IT...so do NOT PICK UP LATE...

Then I yellow highlighted it...

A few weeks later I had a daycare dad pick up.. he arrived at 5:26... first words out of his mouth were... thank goodness I'm NOT late... because I can't afford a MILLION DOLLARS...
this man WAS NOT BEING RUDE... He actually said it with a smile...
BUT... it told me... the mom made sure to either tell him... or... have him read the email.. because I sent it to her...
happyfacehappyfacehappyface