Need Encouragement For My Backbone!

[TheGoodLife]

So my DCF that chose to start paying FT when I gave term notice (they were paying PT for a rotating schedule and I couldn't afford to keep PT) has informed me they'll start bring him every day since they're paying for it. Not a huge surprise, BUT I need to start enforcing late payments since the DCD that picks up has been coming 5-15 minutes late the past few weeks. I haven't cared since their contracted time is 4:30 but I have another family that is 5:30, so I'm open anyways. But this is my last week with the 5:30 PU family, and 4:30 is my latest PU time after they leave. This DCF lives blocks away and he comes from the house, not work, so I know it's not traffic that holds him up. I hadn't said anything about it before, also, b/c they were paying FT while here PT, but now that's not the case either. Any suggestions on the best way to go about the conversation? I was thinking of handing them their copy of the new contract we signed when they changed to FT, and going over the contracted hours and late fee, then explaining that their 4:30 is my latest PU and that anything after will be assessed my late fee. Sound good, or any other suggestions? I hate these conversations, but I will stick by my contract
(Also kinda bummed as I had planned to do some field trips next month with my 2 yr. old DCG on some days that this 3 month old DCB was scheduled to be out, but now I can't since he will be here FT.)

[JenNJ]

I would have a copy of the agreeement ready, but not do it that way.

An honest conversation is needed. "Dcd, I noticed that since X began full time a few weeks back, pick up times have been about 5:30pm. X is contracted until 4:30 each day and I will not be able to accomodate anything later than that. So please be sure to be here before 4:30 each day from here on out."

Do NOT mention late fees. They will take it as as sisgn that being late is acceptable. And it is not. If they are late -- charge them according to contract. If it happens frequently, give them the boot.

[TheGoodLife]

I would have a copy of the agreeement ready, but not do it that way.

An honest conversation is needed. "Dcd, I noticed that since X began full time a few weeks back, pick up times have been about 5:30pm. X is contracted until 4:30 each day and I will not be able to accomodate anything later than that. So please be sure to be here before 4:30 each day from here on out."

Do NOT mention late fees. They will take it as as sisgn that being late is acceptable. And it is not. If they are late -- charge them according to contract. If it happens frequently, give them the boot.

DCF #2 is here at 5:30, their scheduled time. This family that is contracted at 4:30 is between 5-15 minutes late. Not too late, and not a bother when I have my 5:30 family since I'm open anyways, but my 5:30 family is leaving and I don't want late PUs when they are my latest family. Hope that makes sense!

[JenNJ]

They need to be on time, all the time. It doesn't matter who else is in your care. They need to understand that.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

They need to be on time, all the time. It doesn't matter who else is in your care. They need to understand that.

[Blackcat31]

DCF #2 is here at 5:30, their scheduled time. This family that is contracted at 4:30 is between 5-15 minutes late. Not too late, and not a bother when I have my 5:30 family since I'm open anyways, but my 5:30 family is leaving and I don't want late PUs when they are my latest family. Hope that makes sense!

I would send a quick note stating that you do schedule things outside of your job and that it is extremely important that ALL parents give pick up and drop off times and that any pick ups after their scheduled times are subject to your late fees.

I would also add that families should never assume you are simply available after their scheduled pick up times without PRIOR approval.

I used to have a late pick up family too and I swear it would never fail, any time the late pick up family came early, everyone else would be late because they simply assumed I was here until 5:30 like always....that's when I started doing contracted DO/PU times.

Now I find myself getting done with work a few hours early several times per week.

[Mister Sir Husband]

My situation will be a bit unique when I open in a few weeks (hopefully) One day a week I drive my stepson to his dads house at 5:00. Then while I'm out I usually do a store trip, or meet my wife who works til 5 for dinner or something. So if I have a family who is late picking up, I may be faced with the choice of waiting for them and making myself late dropping off my stepson, or taking the extra child with me and either have the mom meet me somewhere else, or wait until I get home with her kid to pick up. Then of course I just thought of how would I charge her the late fees if I did take her kid with me.

[Leigh]

I just have a feeling that this relationship probably won't work out anyway. I would have a hard time respecting a family that decided to send their baby away just to get their money's worth for daycare. I HATED being away from my little guy-I'd have given anything to have the opportunity this family is wasting.

Anyway, don't obsess over hours. Simply tell them when they show up for pickup that as of XXX date, you will be closing at 4:30. Period. No explanation is necessary. After you inform them of this, let them know that late fees apply starting at 4:30. I let my families know that 15 minutes after pickup, late fees kick in. 30 minutes after, I call all of your emergency contacts. After being 60 minutes late, Social Services will be called.

[Laurel]

So my DCF that chose to start paying FT when I gave term notice (they were paying PT for a rotating schedule and I couldn't afford to keep PT) has informed me they'll start bring him every day since they're paying for it. Not a huge surprise, BUT I need to start enforcing late payments since the DCD that picks up has been coming 5-15 minutes late the past few weeks. I haven't cared since their contracted time is 4:30 but I have another family that is 5:30, so I'm open anyways. But this is my last week with the 5:30 PU family, and 4:30 is my latest PU time after they leave. This DCF lives blocks away and he comes from the house, not work, so I know it's not traffic that holds him up. I hadn't said anything about it before, also, b/c they were paying FT while here PT, but now that's not the case either. Any suggestions on the best way to go about the conversation? I was thinking of handing them their copy of the new contract we signed when they changed to FT, and going over the contracted hours and late fee, then explaining that their 4:30 is my latest PU and that anything after will be assessed my late fee. Sound good, or any other suggestions? I hate these conversations, but I will stick by my contract
(Also kinda bummed as I had planned to do some field trips next month with my 2 yr. old DCG on some days that this 3 month old DCB was scheduled to be out, but now I can't since he will be here FT.)

I think what you have decided to do sounds good. Since you're doing a new contract anyway, it would be a good time to tell them.

Laurel

[e.j.]

DCF #2 is here at 5:30, their scheduled time. This family that is contracted at 4:30 is between 5-15 minutes late. Not too late, and not a bother when I have my 5:30 family since I'm open anyways, but my 5:30 family is leaving and I don't want late PUs when they are my latest family. Hope that makes sense!

If it were me in this situation, I would just tell DCD what you explained above.
"I've accommodated your late pick ups until now because it wasn't too much of an inconvenience for me. Now that you will be the family who is latest picking up each day, I'll need you to be on time from now on."

[AmyKidsCo]

If it were me in this situation, I would just tell DCD what you explained above.
"I've accommodated your late pick ups until now because it wasn't too much of an inconvenience for me. Now that you will be the family who is latest picking up each day, I'll need you to be on time from now on."

ITA. I would also let them know that I'd be flexible if they needed late pick ups occasionally. That way you're offering something at the same time as you're taking something away, if that makes sense...

[TheGoodLife]

ITA. I would also let them know that I'd be flexible if they needed late pick ups occasionally. That way you're offering something at the same time as you're taking something away, if that makes sense...

I try to be accommodating whenever possible- I was t happy about the way it came about, but I didn't say anything about the DCM TELLING me (not asking) that she would be picking up the baby Thursday instead of the DCD, which is 5 instead of 4:30. I've really enjoyed having this family, but its just this week I haven't been happy- with the last minute changes of schedule and changing to a later PU time w/o the decency to ask! I didn't bri g up the late PUs and law fee today since dad was just a few minutes late, but I did remind him that I need schedule changes by the Friday before as well as have them a one-page "Policy Review" which went over the most important policies that are in my 8 page handbook. Hopefully that will help . One question for you all- if your contracted time is, say, 4:30, and that is your latest PU time- do you give them the grace period (say 10 minutes) or start adding on late charge immediately? (This family lives down the street and goes home before PU so they he is no stuck in traffic when he's late.)

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I try to be accommodating whenever possible- I was t happy about the way it came about, but I didn't say anything about the DCM TELLING me (not asking) that she would be picking up the baby Thursday instead of the DCD, which is 5 instead of 4:30. I've really enjoyed having this family, but its just this week I haven't been happy- with the last minute changes of schedule and changing to a later PU time w/o the decency to ask! I didn't bri g up the late PUs and law fee today since dad was just a few minutes late, but I did remind him that I need schedule changes by the Friday before as well as have them a one-page "Policy Review" which went over the most important policies that are in my 8 page handbook. Hopefully that will help . One question for you all- if your contracted time is, say, 4:30, and that is your latest PU time- do you give them the grace period (say 10 minutes) or start adding on late charge immediately? (This family lives down the street and goes home before PU so they he is no stuck in traffic when he's late.)

I do not have a grace period. I will even invoice for $1.00 and I will do this the first time they are late. It doesn't take people long to realize they don't want to be late.

[e.j.]

One question for you all- if your contracted time is, say, 4:30, and that is your latest PU time- do you give them the grace period (say 10 minutes) or start adding on late charge immediately? (This family lives down the street and goes home before PU so they he is no stuck in traffic when he's late.)

I don't have an "official" grace period for parents who pick up a few minutes late but I will waive my late fee for a parent who respects me and generally follows my policies. If the parent usually picks up on time and is only late by a few mintes (less than 10), I usually don't ask for a late fee. Things happen and if they pick up late once in a great while, it doesn't bother me.

In your dcd's case, I wouldn't offer a grace period. He already seems to be taking advantage of you and if you offer a grace period to him, I don't think he'll take your closing time seriously. He's already showing up late with no explanation. If you allow him a grace period, he'll probably come to see those extra 10 minutes as freebies and he won't show up until 4:40 on a regular basis.