Enforcing Policy

[Jack Sprat]

This is my 5th week running an in home daycare (and loving it!). I have hit my first do I enforce this policy issue.

My policy as far as families taking vacation is that I be given a two notice of vacation and then the family pays half in order to hold their full time spot. Last week the child was gone one day for vacation and the Mom understood that she still needed to pay the full week rate. This week the child is gone the whole week with notice being given yesterday. Since we have a holiday this week I am not charging parents for that day. How do I go about gently letting the parents know that they still need to pay for the week minus the holiday of course? I am planning on waiting till Friday to say anything since that is when I am paid.

Any advice on how to handle this would be great!!!

[Blackcat31]

Welcome to the forum!

FIRST rule of daycare...ALWAYS enforce your policies. If you don't, why should parents...know what I mean?

I would either send an invoice with amount due via e-mail or text them.

I don't usually discuss payment issue via texting but I am unsure how you do most your communicating with parents.

I would just charge them accordingly and not explain or mention anything different. These parents signed a contract and have a handbook, right?

If so, it is their responsibility to make sure they read it and know the policies they agreed to.

If anyone questions it, just say "It's all in my handbook" and smile.

[Familycare71]

Agree with blackcat-
And hopefully they will already have been planning to pay

[Jack Sprat]

I have a sheet for late parents etc. I have yet to use. It also states a bunch of different things on it as well. I will use that. I usually do a general letter/note and post them to each childs clip.

Thank you!!

[Cradle2crayons]

This is my 5th week running an in home daycare (and loving it!). I have hit my first do I enforce this policy issue.

My policy as far as families taking vacation is that I be given a two notice of vacation and then the family pays half in order to hold their full time spot. Last week the child was gone one day for vacation and the Mom understood that she still needed to pay the full week rate. This week the child is gone the whole week with notice being given yesterday. Since we have a holiday this week I am not charging parents for that day. How do I go about gently letting the parents know that they still need to pay for the week minus the holiday of course? I am planning on waiting till Friday to say anything since that is when I am paid.

Any advice on how to handle this would be great!!!

What the others said

there is never a question of DO you enforce. You ALWAYS enforce. If you give the parents special once they'll expect it EVERY time. Wouldn't you? Lol

I'd send a reminder and expect payment.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Yep! Send an invoice and enforce late fees if it isn't paid on time. As more time goes by, you'll gain more confidence in this area. Time does wonders!

[AmyKidsCo]

FIRST rule of daycare...ALWAYS enforce your policies. If you don't, why should parents...know what I mean?

YES! Whenever I have a problem with a parent it's because I didn't enforce my policies in the first place.

I would just charge them accordingly and not explain or mention anything different. These parents signed a contract and have a handbook, right?

If so, it is their responsibility to make sure they read it and know the policies they agreed to.

If anyone questions it, just say "It's all in my handbook" and smile.

When I want "back up" from my handbook I'll cite the policy at the end of my note. I agree that they SHOULD know the policies they agreed to but I also know that some don't read them all and some forget, so I include the policy just to save the "Where does it say that?" step.

[BABYLUVER21]

I'd definitely make sure that you enforce! I was on the dc side before and now I'm a dc parent! I just follow the contract and that's it. If I need extra days, I ask and then pay for the extra days. I only need dc 4days a week and so that's what she charges for. But on those weird weeks when work wants me to come in an extra day, she gets the "daily" rate. So normally, I'd pay $125/week but I pay $100/week for 4 days. I then pay $40 per day for drop in for the extra day since I know it changes her schedule (she only charges $35 but she's doing me a BIG favor those months where I need the extra day!).

[Jack Sprat]

Thanks ladies! I am waiting till Friday to see what happens as that is the last day of care for the week.

[itlw8]

my I say minimum you need to take the 6 major holidays wiTh PAy change your contract before Labor DAy.

[Cradle2crayons]

my I say minimum you need to take the 6 major holidays wiTh PAy change your contract before Labor DAy.

I need to do that but never have. I take two holidays a year. Thanksgiving day and Christmas Day.