Late Pickups!

[laceylmm]

Here's a similar question I have. I have been tired of of families coming and going as they please, so I specified a change from business to contracted hours. I have a DCM that is a sub, so her hours can change day to day she's here. She always gives a general "9 or 10 to 3:30 or 4" (that was the text given for yesterday, each day is something similar to that with very broad times)
So yesterday I needed to leave at 4, which was the time she said she'd be picking up, so I had her baby in the carseat, 2 year old in her shoes/coat, and my girls in their coats by 3:55. 4:10 she gets here. I inform her I will be assessing the late fee. She asked if she could add it to the next check. Fast forward to today when I get THE email... DCD and I talked and we thought you were open 7:30-5:45... we know it is your business to run as you want... may not be a good fit for us... life happens, and we might need to look elsewhere... We will give 2 weeks if we decide to find a new provider...
I JUST lost my PT boy and incoming newborn- whom I have been holding a spot for since October and was set to start next month -and am down to my one PT boy and 2 Drop In families. So frustrated- the only calls I seem to get are from pregnant moms, and I have changed my contract to say I will only hold a spot for 4 weeks, and then I need 1/2 tuition to hold longer than that. SO, to my question, for those of you that have contracted hours, but the pickup is earlier than your latest allowable pickup time, do you still charge a late fee? Or just if they come REALLY late or after your official close time. I hate it, but I may be in such a financial bind that I will have to give in completely just to try not to lose the family. But MAN I hate the come and go as they please schedules- I tell everyone during interviews that I nurse, lock up my dogs, ect and just need to know when to expect people for drop-offs and pick-ups. My contract even states that I consider drop-offs and pick-ups as appointments.
Well, that turned into a vent, huh?

I only stick to contracted hours for clients with state subsidy. Private pay parents I feel are paying for my full center hours. As long as they don't go over a certain amount of hours a week and aren't past your closing time I wouldn't charge. Of course I understand charging if she knew you needed to leave at 4pm.

It's such a slippery slope because private pay can and will take their money elsewhere.

[NeedaVaca]

It sounds as though you are willing to work with her hours changing from day to day but just want her schedule in advance. I think DCM should be accountable for that, if she tells you a pick up time then you are planning you day around that and I don't think she should be able to just show up whenever she feels like it. It's not asking too much for a parent to be on time with a schedule SHE gives you!

[Texasjeepgirl]

My policy in my PARENT HANDBOOK is $1 per minute past my closing time of 5:30...

At the end of last year I sent an email to all of my daycare clients.. wishing them a HAPPY NEW YEAR.. AND reminding them of a few policies...

This is a portion of it...
I would appreciate it...as we begin this new year...
if you would read and refresh yourself with my PARENT HANDBOOK ... which can be found on my
website (link below).

Highlights are:

PAYMENT is due IN ADVANCE each week on Friday.
Late fee of $10 per day.

Closing time is 5:30 p.m. LATE FEE FOR ANYTHING PAST 5:30 is

A MILLION DOLLARS.. YOU CAN'T AFFORD IT.. PLEASE DO NOT BE LATE...