first late pick up charge -backbone growwwingggg

[allsmiles]

I started fcc in august.. I didnt have many late pick ups but i never enforced my fees on the ones i did.. I sent a letter to all parents letting them know i would now be enforcing all fees and penalties back in Feb. WELLLLLL my SA child was still here at 7 and i close at 630. i text dad, no answer, call dad, no answer. call mom who is usually working now and she tells me dad had to pick her up from work and they are on the way.. i was like.. well we were not informed.

So dad come in at 720 and is all "i know im late i know, beat me up.. Here is my payment for this week and next week" I guess he thought i was gonna be ecstatic that he paying for two weeks.. I told him now you know there is a $15 late fee ( i am nice enough to give a 15 min grace period) you can take care of that now, '
he gave me the COLDEST look ever.. looked right thru me and said.. Oh its like that?? oh its really like that?
i said "im not doing you like anything, this is just business"
he said, "yeah i see its business and i see you too" (wth???) i cant believe you would do me like this"
omg.. i let him have it.. i said.. Lets not talk about all the times you came late and i never charged you have i? and you know that you are late and pick up your child and keep going knowing my policies, perhaps because im your neighbor"

then he back peddled.. oh, nooo.. its not like that, i cant believe you think that

so basically i wrapped it up and said, i was sorry i had to follow my policy and hopefully we never have to have this kind of convo again..

my heart is still pounding..dont think he or his wife will very happy with me but oh well.. they could have least called

[e.j.]

they could have least called

It's all about respect. Good for you for standing up for yourself. happyface Hopefully, this family has learned a valuable lesson and and won't to take advantage of you like that again!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

$15.00 is cheap for being that late. They are lucky.

[allsmiles]

yep..thats the norm here in this area.. $5 for every 15 minute increment, but i do allow a 15 minute grace period.. as a mom that is a few minutes late picking up from practices, meetings etc at least once a day every week.. i try to operate my daycare the way i would appreciate things to be ran and nobody abuses it, except for this one fam..

[julie]

Oh man, they flipped over $15 and they were almost an hour late? You are so nice.

I took my cue from someone on this board and recently changed my fees:
My late fee is $1/minute first offense
$2/minute second offense
$3/minute third offense
Any other offense: IMMEDIATE TERM.

I cannot stand lateness. And the disrespect that came with it when you did enforce? He would be getting a term. Nobody lasts here late unless they are darn sorry about it and coming with money and their tail between their legs. Good for you for giving it right back to him! Hopefully he doesn't mess with what he has again!

[MamaBearCanada]

If you have a 15min grace period I would add that on to the total as soon as they hit 15mins 01secs. So if they were 16mins late $5 for the first quarter and another $5 for entering the second quarter. To me the grace period is because some unforeseen last minute emergency type scenario hit that made them late. Not to give them 15mins free. You could also add that the grace period only applies 3 times a year and after that you charge as soon as pickup time hits.

They don't know a good thing (you!) when they have it. Good for you for using your backbone.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

If you have a 15min grace period I would add that on to the total as soon as they hit 15mins 01secs. So if they were 16mins late $5 for the first quarter and another $5 for entering the second quarter. To me the grace period is because some unforeseen last minute emergency type scenario hit that made them late. Not to give them 15mins free. You could also add that the grace period only applies 3 times a year and after that you charge as soon as pickup time hits.

They don't know a good thing (you!) when they have it. Good for you for using your backbone.

[AfterSchoolMom]

They got off easy. It would have been $50 here. I'd also have termed on the spot if they spoke to me that way.

[daycarediva]

It would have been $1/ minute here, and probably a nice warning about that not happening again or it would be the last time! ::

[Blackcat31]

Wait a minute.....

Just like I do with my DCK's let's back this truck up.....

WHO "did who" like what first? Seems to me the FIRST wrong in this situation was the family for being late.

The fee for that was fall-out from THEIR behavior....so how on earth do they think you are the bad guy here?!?

Personally, I would sit down and write an e-mail to them reiterating your policies and explaining to them that their behavior was unacceptable and that they were basically down right rude to even suggest that you were doing anything to them.

First they are disrespectful enough to be late and act as if it was no big deal but then they are so self-absorbed that they are going to try and push it THEIR poor choices/actions off onto you....so NOT cool!

[Mom&Provider]

Wow...that's really late!! I don't care who had to pick-up who, some parents need to get it together and put their kids first...basically this was them not putting their child before their own issues IMO.

$15 is cheap for the amount of time they took up in your evening, they are lucky you didn't/don't charge more! Good for using your backbone - don't feel badly about it...AT ALL!!! happyface

[allsmiles]

If you have a 15min grace period I would add that on to the total as soon as they hit 15mins 01secs. So if they were 16mins late $5 for the first quarter and another $5 for entering the second quarter. To me the grace period is because some unforeseen last minute emergency type scenario hit that made them late. Not to give them 15mins free. You could also add that the grace period only applies 3 times a year and after that you charge as soon as pickup time hits.

They don't know a good thing (you!) when they have it. Good for you for using your backbone.

thats a good idea about the 1st 15 min increment being added to the fee..i will definatley do that!!

[allsmiles]

Wait a minute.....

Just like I do with my DCK's let's back this truck up.....

WHO "did who" like what first? Seems to me the FIRST wrong in this situation was the family for being late.

The fee for that was fall-out from THEIR behavior....so how on earth do they think you are the bad guy here?!?

Personally, I would sit down and write an e-mail to them reiterating your policies and explaining to them that their behavior was unacceptable and that they were basically down right rude to even suggest that you were doing anything to them.

First they are disrespectful enough to be late and act as if it was no big deal but then they are so self-absorbed that they are going to try and push it THEIR poor choices/actions off onto you....so NOT cool!

yes this is really was so OUTRAGEOUS.. they were sooo late and got mad at me?? like i did something wrong..this is why having a backbone is hard cuz these ppl do NOT back down, they are OUT OF ORDER!!! but i feel good
and i know he talked about me to his wife, and they both talked about me prolly in front of their child.. i dont care.. RESPECT ME, you dont have to LIKE ME..

[allsmiles]

Wow...that's really late!! I don't care who had to pick-up who, some parents need to get it together and put their kids first...basically this was them not putting their child before their own issues IMO.

$15 is cheap for the amount of time they took up in your evening, they are lucky you didn't/don't charge more! Good for using your backbone - don't feel badly about it...AT ALL!!! happyface

i have called my whole phone book when im extremely late (im the queen of late) to get ppl to pick up my kids.. he just didnt care cuz i live right across the street.. SO NOT COOL! i owe my backbone to this thread!!!!!

[allsmiles]

It's all about respect. Good for you for standing up for yourself. happyface Hopefully, this family has learned a valuable lesson and and won't to take advantage of you like that again!