Enforcing Late Fees

[lflick]

So I had my first encounter with my late fee policy... two DCGs were set to be p/u at 330 this afternoon.... 345 no parent.... etc... tried to contact mom numerous times... no avail.... FINALLY they were picked up... at the baseball diamond (my son had a game) at 445.... My late policy reads that I charge $5 per child for every 15 minutes past scheduled pick up time. I told mom I had to enforce it... so said I understand.... it will be paid on Friday (I know she is good for it...) ... I just feel bad adding a whopping $50 for late fees when their overall fee for the day is $45! Has this ever happened to any of you? Is it normal to feel like total crap to have to do this?

This family is also a temp family, next week is their last week as they have a high schooler in the summer.

[blandino]

Yes, it is normal to feel HORRIBLE !! I always do. But I would still charge them - it was your time.

[lflick]

It wouldn't have generally been an issue (and truly it really wasn't) however I was actually looking forward to them being gone at said time. So when they were late I was like OMG WTH... this family has been great at being punctual with everything... the schedule does change from week to week and since they are temporary I just charge them by the day as they always need 3 days a week. I was just frustrated as I have a very busy schedule and was not looking forward to having to bring them to the baseball game as they NEVER sit... they, along with my boys, are always climbing up and down these metal bleachers and jumping off of them... I always tell them to put their cheeks on the seat so no one gets stitches... I said it AGAIN tonight numerous times.. and low and behold I ended up bringing one of my almost 5 year old twins to the ER for that very thing! Arg!

[Cradle2crayons]

Actually it doesn't make me feel like crap at all. It's important to follow rules. When you speed and get a ticket you have to pay. When you get a subway, you have to pay. They knew the late fee from the get go. You were inconvenienced. They have to pay.

[lflick]

I'm not sure what I feel worse about... having to enforce it... OR that it amounted to more than their daily rate! I suppose it could've been worse for them... a center I used to have my children attend charged $1 per child for EVERY minute late! It could've been $75 per child! OUCH!

[Brooksie]

Yes, it is normal to feel HORRIBLE !! I always do. But I would still charge them - it was your time.

I always feel bad too, but you have other obligations to take care of and she signed the contract. Enforce it. Hopefully she will learn her lesson and it won't be a further problem.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I used to feel really bad about it. Now, I really don't care if it hurts their feelings that I won't work for free.

For the record, that's a steal. They would have been charged $75.00 per child by me for being 75 minutes late. The ONE center in my area charges $15.00 for the first 5 minutes and THEN $1.00 per minute after that. So, at a center here they would have been charged $85.00 per child.

[Blackcat31]

Did the parents feel bad that they weren't there on time and weren't available to contact?

Did the parents not think your time was just as valuable and important as yours? Or did they figure since the child was already in your care, that you would do exactly what you did and just continue to care for him until they came and got him?

Do you think they would have left their child at school after 3:00 with NO contact or notice given? Probably not.

Providers need to stop feeling badly when parents take advantage of them.

It's terribly rude and completely disrespectful on the parent's part to simply assume that it's ok to leave their child past scheduled pick up.

My late fees are due AT THE TIME OF PICK UP and are subject to late fees if not paid AND I provide NO SERVICES until ALL fees are paid in FULL.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Did the parents feel bad that they weren't there on time and weren't available to contact?

Did the parents not think your time was just as valuable and important as yours? Or did they figure since the child was already in your care, that you would do exactly what you did and just continue to care for him until they came and got him?

Do you think they would have left their child at school after 3:00 with NO contact or notice given? Probably not.

Providers need to stop feeling badly when parents take advantage of them.

It's terribly rude and completely disrespectful on the parent's part to simply assume that it's ok to leave their child past scheduled pick up.

My late fees are due AT THE TIME OF PICK UP and are subject to late fees if not paid AND I provide NO SERVICES until ALL fees are paid in FULL.

Mine get invoices and that invoice must be paid prior to arrival, or they must arrive with money in hand. Otherwise, they magically aren't able to sign their children in and that child will not be accepted into care until that late fee is paid. This doesn't change whether it is for $1.00 or $52.00 (both have happened).

[daycarediva]

Did the parents feel bad that they weren't there on time and weren't available to contact?

Did the parents not think your time was just as valuable and important as yours? Or did they figure since the child was already in your care, that you would do exactly what you did and just continue to care for him until they came and got him?

Do you think they would have left their child at school after 3:00 with NO contact or notice given? Probably not.

Providers need to stop feeling badly when parents take advantage of them.

It's terribly rude and completely disrespectful on the parent's part to simply assume that it's ok to leave their child past scheduled pick up.

My late fees are due AT THE TIME OF PICK UP and are subject to late fees if not paid AND I provide NO SERVICES until ALL fees are paid in FULL.

yup, yup and yup! WELL SAID!

An 75 minutes late, without ANY contact, and I would have been blowing up emergency contacts phones. I also would have charged $1 per minute. That would have cost her $150, due before drop off the next day. If they weren't already leaving, they would be getting a BIG warning verbal AND written that if it ever happened again, they were GONE that day.

[lflick]

Not only was I uber frustrated because I now had to bring additional children into my family time... away from home.. at a park..... I was truly concerned something had happened! Turns out the dad, who has a regular job, was at his newly opened side project photo studio.... the dad said sorry about that it was a miscommunication between the mom and I.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Charge them and I bet they suddenly learn to communicate better.

[blandino]

Charge them and I bet they suddenly learn to communicate better.

AMEN ! The first family I had to enforce late payment fees with, never ever "forgot" again. Would actually call for me to take a credit card over the phone. It's amazing how communication improves once it hits people where it hurts.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

AMEN ! The first family I had to enforce late payment fees with, never ever "forgot" again. Would actually call for me to take a credit card over the phone. It's amazing how communication improves once it hits people where it hurts.

Bingo!