The Debate Has Begun...

[LittleFootMomma]

I am new here and hope to get your opinions on a debate that has started in my home regarding my home daycare. I have had two situations happen in one day.

The first is a situation where parents came for the interview, start their child that day and that evening at pick up I'm told that one parents job has been "suspended". My husband says "they won't be back, that they just needed a one day care situation and they left without paying for any care at all". I on the other hand felt unsure but not completely at a loss. I thought if DCM says she will text or call me in the morning to let me know what her boss says, then I will know what to expect.

The other was another DCM telling her DCK in front of me about their "new plans" for Friday. This is a day where said DCK is planned to be in my care. DCM said NOTHING to me about this prior to discussing with her DCK. So I asked if she had the day off. She replied no, he will be staying with DCD. When I texted her last night to remind her that her payment was due this morning, she responded with "I'll bring it to you Friday when I bring him". But he isn't coming to ME on Friday. I asked who she planned to take him to, because she quickly responded with that text was meant for someone else. She's been a bit lax in her on time payments and also wrote me a bad check, thus ending my full trust in her.

Today is to be DCK last day for this week as a result of their plan change. I asked DCM if she had brough the cash payment this morning and she simply said "sorry". I was dismayed by her response, but didn't want to cause a scene at drop off. I told DCM that DCK can stay today but she will incur a late fee as a result of her intentionally avoiding payment. DCM previously has written me post dated checks and was reminded this is not allowed twice. Once verbally, the second time in writing.:confused:

I'm pretty accepting when things happen. And I get that "once in a while, things happen", but I just don't see any easy resolution knowing that she has no funds to pay for this care. The other hard part is that my area is so cut throat for daycare providers that I hesitate to rock the boat too much with any parent, but I don't want to be continually be "understanding" when I'm clearly being taken advantage of. Would you keep on caring for these two families if you were in my shoes? How would you handle each situation? I just need a familiar voice from someone who has seen/experienced similar issues.

[Willow]

Would you keep on caring for these two families if you were in my shoes? How would you handle each situation? I just need a familiar voice from someone who has seen/experienced similar issues.

Imho, the first could be legit. I'd try to stay open minded about it. You will likely get a load of responses from others here about taking deposits and payments before a kiddo starts to avoid this situation in the future. My guess is though with a cutthroat area like you describe that might not fly. It doesn't here, so don't feel bad if that's not something you can jump in on doing

The second however totally sounds like she's fixin to bolt without payment. If I had the gut feeling I do just reading I would have required payment before drop off. I highly doubt you'll see the money unless you take her to court and even then collecting a judgment may be difficult if she's a bad check writer

If she stays I'd require cash at drop off when it is due or she can't leave the kiddo in care.

[bunnyslippers]

In my opinion, you need to toughen up! Cut throat or not - you should not be providing care without payment. I would not allow the parents to drop their children with you without paying.

Situation #1: Did they leave their child without you for the day BEFORE paying? I would never have allowed this to happen. When you sign on a new family, you need to get a deposit of the first week (or even better - two weeks) before they begin care. You need to contact this family immediately and explain that payment for that day of care is due immediately:

Dear DCM,
Your payment of ____ for the date of ____ is due effective immediately. In the future, please understand that all tuition is due the first day of care each week. I will be implementing a late fee of ___ for each day that payment is late.

Situation #2: If there is an outstanding balance before a child is dropped off, that childshould be turned away at the door, with a statement of fees due handed to that parent.

Dear DCP,

YOur payment of ___ is due. In addition, a late fee of ___ is due, and will continue to accumulate until your balanceis paid in full. I will be unable to carefor your child until your balance is paid in full.

[Blackcat31]

Whether you choose to ask for payment BEFORE or AFTER services is completely up to you. Things are done differently in every situation and according to what the norms are in your area in order to stay competitive with other providers.

HOWEVER, I do recommend that you NEVER EVER provide services without a written contract that outlines EXACTLY what your expectations are from the parent and what they can expect from you.

This contract should clearly spell out the agreement you and the family have in regards to payments. How much, when it is due and what happens when it payment isn't made.

Then and if a parent decides to "pull a fast one" you at least have a valid and enforceable means of trying to collect what is owed to you.

If you do not have a contract with either of these families, I would not provide care for them. If you do have a contract, then I would follow it. Once you make an exception (for a late payment for example) then the parent will ALWAYS expect an exception and you will no longer be able to stand strong by your contract.

[MarinaVanessa]

I'm with BlackCat on this one. Although the beauty of this business is that you can literally run your daycare any way you want to I do think that there are ways for you to minimize the risk of losing income and/or having clients take you for granted.

One of those ways is to require a signed contract no matter if the client is a regular client or just a drop-in client that is coming for a day. Include policies about payment so that it's clearly understood what the client's responsibilities are. You can also either add policies to your contract that are important to you or you can create a separate policy handbook of policies, if you do this make sure your contract says that the client agrees to follow BOTH the contract and policy handbook. Last, stand firm in your policies.

The first is a situation where parents came for the interview, start their child that day and that evening at pick up I'm told that one parents job has been "suspended". My husband says "they won't be back, that they just needed a one day care situation and they left without paying for any care at all". I on the other hand felt unsure but not completely at a loss. I thought if DCM says she will text or call me in the morning to let me know what her boss says, then I will know what to expect.

My opinion: Take a client's word at face value. Don't take anyone's word for it unless you have a signed contract and money in your hand. I hope that you were paid for the one day at least, if not I would start charging at drop-off for drop-ins whether or not you expect payment before or after you have provided services to your full-time and part-time clients.

The other was another DCM telling her DCK in front of me about their "new plans" for Friday. ... DCM said NOTHING to me about this prior to discussing with her DCK... he will be staying with DCD. ... remind her that her payment was due this morning, she responded with "I'll bring it to you Friday when I bring him". But he isn't coming to ME on Friday. I asked who she planned to take him to, because she quickly responded with that text was meant for someone else. She's been a bit lax in her on time payments and also wrote me a bad check, thus ending my full trust in her.

My Opinion: By paying you late and cutting bad checks DCM has already shown you that paying you is not important to her. My guess is that DCM doesn't have the money to pay you this week so she got someone else to watch DCK for cheaper. She said he was staying with DCD but then why would she mix up who she was supposed to pay? If DCK is staying with DCD why would she pay him?? Sounds fishy. I think she got someone to watch DCK for the day at minimum for a small amount so that she would not have to see you on "your payday". She might have even found different child care arrangements and he starts Thursday or Friday. If he actually is staying with DCD and she forgot all about it then I can see why she would just say that the text was meant for someone else to try to cover up her "oops". In any case I don't like it and I'd feel like I was being taken. Personally I would have stopped her at the door and required her to go back and get the money for this week and would not allow DCK back until it was paid.

Today is to be DCK last day for this week as a result of their plan change. I asked DCM if she had brough the cash payment this morning and she simply said "sorry". I was dismayed by her response, but didn't want to cause a scene at drop off. I told DCM that DCK can stay today but she will incur a late fee as a result of her intentionally avoiding payment. DCM previously has written me post dated checks and was reminded this is not allowed twice. Once verbally, the second time in writing.:confused:

My Opinion: DCM has done this before, you are not a priority. Don't be confused, it happens because you allow it. I don't say it to be mean and I'm not putting you down, it's just fact and I'm sure you can see that. You teach people how to treat you and DCM has learned that you will accept late payments and bad checks etc. and will still continue child care. Believe me, I've been in your shoes too.

I'm pretty accepting when things happen. And I get that "once in a while, things happen", but I just don't see any easy resolution knowing that she has no funds to pay for this care. The other hard part is that my area is so cut throat for daycare providers that I hesitate to rock the boat too much with any parent, but I don't want to be continually be "understanding" when I'm clearly being taken advantage of. Would you keep on caring for these two families if you were in my shoes? How would you handle each situation? I just need a familiar voice from someone who has seen/experienced similar issues.

My Opinion: I understand when you say that it's a cut-throat business in your area and you don't want to rock the boat however you also said that "she has no funds to pay for this care" ... If she has no funds then she has no business using your services.

Whenever I come to a fork in the road that seems difficult I always have one of 3 choices:

1. Accept that things are the way they are and be okay with it.
2. Change what I am doing in order to change the situation (because you can't change what other people do)
3. Get out of the business and do something else

Advice given by the amzing Tom Copeland himself ... guru of all things child care. He's like the Wizard of Daycare.

This not only works for daycare related things but also for life in general.

[itlw8]

Interview and then leave the child right then??? yep your dh is likely right they needed care right then . either still looking or just needed emergency care. collect in advance or a 2 week deposit.

2nd mom left you high and dry because you did not have a contract and had not had her pay in advance. 2 weeks deposit to pay the plast 2 weeks would have solved that.

Buy Tom Copeland's books on contracts and keep coming here. Tons of advise on setting up your business.

[Heidi]

I also live in a cut-throat area, and compete with unregulated and illegal providers in a very rural county. Still, I ask for a deposit AND payment up front. If it's "drop in" care, I will forgo the deposit, but never the payment up front.

I have never had anyone say no, and if they did, I simply would not offer them care.

[TheGoodLife]

I would contact both parents before they pick up and let them know you need payment for services up to today at pickup, and have a written form ready for them to sign that states they owe $X for days listed. This way, if you don't have a contract, you will be able to hold them liable in court if need be,
And I would change to a payday on Monday, before drop-off, permanently. I require the Friday before. You stand to lose too much if you give services M-Th and get dropped on a Friday! Good luck, keep up posted!

[allsmiles]

i totally understand what you are going thru.. i also cannot be as strict as others here.. in my area the daycare centers dont even charge big deposits to cover last week of care.. so that would be unacceptable..
however after getting snuffed enough times i did compromise strict vs too flexible and incorporated a $30 registration fee to cover one day of care JUST IN CASE someone says they forgot on monday but never come back.. tuesday is a late fee and wednesday they cannot return.. it has been the HARDEST thing to enforce, but once i was tested the first few times.. the parents havent tried much after..

payments are ALWAYS due before care for the 1st mnth for new clients (trial period) to sniff out the ppl just looking for quick care then move on to the next.. after the first mnth when we have gained some trust, they leave their child if they FORGOT but late fees start kicking in after that tuesday morning.. tuesday afternoon $10 please.. i always send a text to remind them monday night..

so far its worked for me..i did have lady that told me she would be a week late on her payments due to something coming up.. it was her last week of the trial mnth..i told her i have to insist on at least paying the daily rate if she could.. but i couldnt wait till the next week..
she said okay, she kept her son out that week AND didnt come back the next week.. i felt bad but how was i to be sure she wouldnt have left either way and then i woulda been out of a week of tuition..it has happened..

[Cradle2crayons]

I agree. I would text and tell the moms at pickup you expect payment in FULL.. Including a late fee if you have one...