Is It Rude To Post A Payment Reminder on My Door?

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I'm the OP

So a dcm sees the note on the door (I changed it to Reminder: Payments are due by Friday) and she asked if that note was for her.

I told her that only one of my parents pays on time and it's very frustrating. She then said she usually pays on time and only didn't twice. I didn't want to argue with her, so I stayed silent.

Her daughter doesn't come tomorrow, so we'll see if she comes to pay me. If not, I'm terming. I am so done with this game.

Self induced guilt. Love it. Now, pay your provider who works her bottom off. ::

[Crazy8]

I'm the OP

So a dcm sees the note on the door (I changed it to Reminder: Payments are due by Friday) and she asked if that note was for her.

I told her that only one of my parents pays on time and it's very frustrating. She then said she usually pays on time and only didn't twice. I didn't want to argue with her, so I stayed silent.

Her daughter doesn't come tomorrow, so we'll see if she comes to pay me. If not, I'm terming. I am so done with this game.

I had a parent say the same thing one time... I was not going to argue with her about how many times she forgot payment but told her there was one week right before the notice went up that only ONE parent out of FIVE paid on time. She honestly thought she was that one parent. Yeah right. People are clueless sometimes!

[Familycare71]

I agree with PP... When I start feeling burnt out it is usually because I have let too many things slide. That note on the door is a great start to enforcing your policies!

[Childminder]

I just contacted a collection agency to go after a former parent that I termed that owes me $$$.

They also offer a service that if a parent does not pay on time they will send out a notice that they are in arrears and that the matter needs to be addressed. Very professional and businesslike, takes the pressure off of you and all you have to do is pass the parent info over the internet to this company.

I decided to try it and posted a notice that all of my late payers shall from this date forward will be automatically be turned over to collections.

[liliw80]

When I find myself getting burnt out, it's usually because I need to enforce policy. Do it, and you will feel much better.

I love this bit of advice! It can be pretty easy to get burnt out in this line of work, but kids are cute and easier to forgive when mistakes or issues occur. Parents can really burn you out when they disrespect policy over and over again. Sometimes I want to post a sign on my door to remind them that this is my job! Although I do love it, I do NOT only work for the fun of it! Pay me! :confused:

[Starburst]

As long as you don't single out a particular family I don't think its rude. My old boss used to post note like that on the door when it got close to vacation times. She would also use those notes as reminders that payments are due before the holidays/vacations and that certain holidays off counted as paid holidays (such as labor day). You can also just keep it on a bulletin board as a constant reminder.

[DaisyMamma]

Not any more rude than not being paid on time!

Exactly correct.

[Play Care]

I used to work for an agency that would never address issues with the individuals as they came up. We received many passive aggressive memos that were really directed at one particular employee. I can't even begin to describe how toxic the environment was and how low morale became.

I don't see anything wrong with a general bright sign say "Tuition Payments Due Today by 5:00PM" I've done that. But I've often thought that day care providers hide behind signs and memos when a face to face conversation would serve them better. I know I've done it until I remembered how awful that work situation was. Part of running my own business means being able to have uncomfortable conversations because "business is business and sometimes it's ugly" I don't want my "good" clients to be bogged down, or lose morale because of these types of "group floggings" when my ire needs to be directed at the cause. After all, addressing the actual cause of the issue usually clears it up. Throwing out general reminders in hopes things will change is often a useless endeavor.

And if you have been putting up signs and memos with stern reminders, I also hope you are taking the time to write a quick note to your "good" clients thanking them for their business, following policy, etc.

Just something to think about

[originalkat]

I post a sign on the 1st and the 15th the says, "TUITION IS DUE TODAY. THANKS!"
I dont think your sign is rude, but it might be on the long side for someone reading at the door. I usually send home more wordy notes/reminders with each child. Instead, I might put on the door a sign that reads,

"PAYMENTS ARE DUE ON FRIDAY.
$10 PER DAY LATE FEES APPLY.THANKS!"

[Live and Learn]

I used to work for an agency that would never address issues with the individuals as they came up. We received many passive aggressive memos that were really directed at one particular employee. I can't even begin to describe how toxic the environment was and how low morale became.

I don't see anything wrong with a general bright sign say "Tuition Payments Due Today by 5:00PM" I've done that. But I've often thought that day care providers hide behind signs and memos when a face to face conversation would serve them better. I know I've done it until I remembered how awful that work situation was. Part of running my own business means being able to have uncomfortable conversations because "business is business and sometimes it's ugly" I don't want my "good" clients to be bogged down, or lose morale because of these types of "group floggings" when my ire needs to be directed at the cause. After all, addressing the actual cause of the issue usually clears it up. Throwing out general reminders in hopes things will change is often a useless endeavor.

And if you have been putting up signs and memos with stern reminders, I also hope you are taking the time to write a quick note to your "good" clients thanking them for their business, following policy, etc.

Just something to think about

l:hug:This exactly!

[TheGoodLife]

I'm the OP

So a dcm sees the note on the door (I changed it to Reminder: Payments are due by Friday) and she asked if that note was for her.

I told her that only one of my parents pays on time and it's very frustrating. She then said she usually pays on time and only didn't twice. I didn't want to argue with her, so I stayed silent.

Her daughter doesn't come tomorrow, so we'll see if she comes to pay me. If not, I'm terming. I am so done with this game.

Did she pay on time?!

[Happy Hearts]

Yes, they ALL paid on time!

But, I gave them all notice today. I am done with all of this! Closing down on August 9th.

[TheGoodLife]

Yes, they ALL paid on time!

But, I gave them all notice today. I am done with all of this! Closing down on August 9th.

Just saw your other post. Good luck with whatever you decide to do next! happyface

[Familycare71]

Yes, they ALL paid on time!

But, I gave them all notice today. I am done with all of this! Closing down on August 9th.

Definitely isn't for everyone . Best of luck to whatever the next chapter is!!:hug:

[clep]

I don't remind parents or babysit them to get payment. I have the last month's deposit already for every family. I obtain that the second month of care after signing the permanent contract once the 30 day trial is done. They don't forget their mortgage or utilities, nor do they forget about me. I have had some try to pay late or do not make it a mental priority.

If they don't pay me on time I charge the late fee. I do that for two times and the third time they are termed immediately. I apply the prepayment to the month of care and use the month to find a new family off of my wait list.

A couple of examples like that and all was well. I don't have parents pay late and I don't remind.