Billing For Services At The End Instead Of The Beginning

[Country Kids]

I read on here alot it seems about providers having to fight for their money from parents. They aren't going to use the days being billed for, schedule changes, sick kids, etc.

I bill once a month and the end and never, never have to fight for my money-never in 17 years. I sometimes have parents asking for the bills before I have even had time to print them because they want to pay them. One even offered to pay two weeks early so I would have spring break money! It was even this way when I billed hourly.

In the memo section if there is anything different-more days, vacation time, my days off, I put it in there, if it changes the billing. I also always will refer to my contract and parent handbook if there is a question. Also on attached to the bill is a time sheet-in/out times, extra days, sick days so that parents can see exactly what days there child was here, times, etc.

Do you think if you billed at the end of the month you wouldn't have to fight for your money so badly. Even providers here that bill ahead have to beg, plead, send reminders for their money and are astonished I don't. I'm perplexed as why one way seems to cause such a hassle and the other doesn't.

[nanglgrl]

Ever since I started billing ahead of time 8 years ago I've never had to fight to be paid. I don't send an invoice since they pay the same unless I take off a day beyond my paid days off. In that case their bill is $25 less a day and I tell them to take it off their payment for the following week.

I doubt my parents would like paying monthly since they aren't paid that way and If I ever did it I would have them pay a month ahead. I would never want my clients to owe a months worth of fees and skip out on the bill.

[CedarCreek]

No.I don't think it would change having to haggle over pay.

I think billing at the end of a month of care is too risky.

[mamac]

I read on here alot it seems about providers having to fight for their money from parents. They aren't going to use the days being billed for, schedule changes, sick kids, etc.

I bill once a month and the end and never, never have to fight for my money-never in 17 years. I sometimes have parents asking for the bills before I have even had time to print them because they want to pay them. One even offered to pay two weeks early so I would have spring break money! It was even this way when I billed hourly.

In the memo section if there is anything different-more days, vacation time, my days off, I put it in there, if it changes the billing. I also always will refer to my contract and parent handbook if there is a question. Also on attached to the bill is a time sheet-in/out times, extra days, sick days so that parents can see exactly what days there child was here, times, etc.

Do you think if you billed at the end of the month you wouldn't have to fight for your money so badly. Even providers here that bill ahead have to beg, plead, send reminders for their money and are astonished I don't. I'm perplexed as why one way seems to cause such a hassle and the other doesn't.

What type of form do you use for billing? Would you mind sharing what it looks like and how everything is organized? I am open to any suggestions on getting paid on time. Hopefully when I finally open I'll have everything in order and won't have any problems at all. (Wishful thinking I'm sure..)

[CedarCreek]

What type of form do you use for billing? Would you mind sharing what it looks like and how everything is organized? I am open to any suggestions on getting paid on time. Hopefully when I finally open I'll have everything in order and won't have any problems at all. (Wishful thinking I'm sure..)

Ot-love your avatar. I made the rainbow kabobs for a baby shower and they were a huge hit!

[Country Kids]

What type of form do you use for billing? Would you mind sharing what it looks like and how everything is organized? I am open to any suggestions on getting paid on time. Hopefully when I finally open I'll have everything in order and won't have any problems at all. (Wishful thinking I'm sure..)

I use the form off Minute Menu (the version you buy). I just input times daily and then the last day of the month hit the button and its done.

[daycarediva]

I have parents who are occassionally late, but I have only ever been stiffed 2 times in almost 8 years and that was when I didn't get paid in advance. I get paid the Friday before care is received, always the same amount and if they don't show, they don't get care so I am NEVER out any money/time.

I will never not be paid for working, and being paid in advance ensures that.

I would be so nervous with a new family, waiting an entire month to be paid and hoping that they wouldn't skip out on the bill.

[Country Kids]

I've never had an issue (knocking on wood) and I guess in the outside world of childcare, people don't get paid before the do the work. My husband is even salary but is paid every two weeks after he has done the work.

All my bills are paid after the fact of what I have used (utilities and such).

I'm just wondering if this is why parents don't like paying a provider first. The caring for the child hasn't happend yet.

I don't know, just thought it was interesting how I never have issues and only bill once a month at the end of the month.

[Willow]

I don't have to beg or prod.

I bill after services have been provided.

[CedarCreek]

I've never had an issue (knocking on wood) and I guess in the outside world of childcare, people don't get paid before the do the work. My husband is even salary but is paid every two weeks after he has done the work.

All my bills are paid after the fact of what I have used (utilities and such).

I'm just wondering if this is why parents don't like paying a provider first. The caring for the child hasn't happend yet.

I don't know, just thought it was interesting how I never have issues and only bill once a month at the end of the month.

That may be why they don't like it. But I will still charge them in advance anyway. I don't like paying for car insurance when I haven't had an accident yet, but I do it anyway.

[Country Kids]

I don't have to beg or prod.

I bill after services have been provided.

Really! I thought I was the only one-

[MarinaVanessa]

I had problems with being paid sometimes when I charged after services rendered. Once I started charging before services rendered I didn't have as much trouble. Of course that was also when I was sick and tired of being walked on and I grew and started using my backbone ... so I think that was really the reason WHY

[mamac]

Ot-love your avatar. I made the rainbow kabobs for a many shower and they were a huge hit!

Lol. Thanks. I haven't made them yet. I came across this on my other addiction... Pinterest. Can't wait to make them with the kiddies.

[mamac]

I use the form off Minute Menu (the version you buy). I just input times daily and then the last day of the month hit the button and its done.

Thanks. I know my food program uses Minute Menu Kids Pro. Is that the same one? I haven't seen it yet as I am still waiting to open.

[NeedaVaca]

I've never had an issue (knocking on wood) and I guess in the outside world of childcare, people don't get paid before the do the work. My husband is even salary but is paid every two weeks after he has done the work.

All my bills are paid after the fact of what I have used (utilities and such).

I'm just wondering if this is why parents don't like paying a provider first. The caring for the child hasn't happend yet.

I don't know, just thought it was interesting how I never have issues and only bill once a month at the end of the month.

Actually being paid in advance is not just daycare related. Lawyers, photographers, consultants, most things wedding related, flowers, DJ's etc...most of these people require advance payment. The ones that don't usually charge at least 50% in advance. Also a lot of bills I pay are in advance like cell phones, etc.