I Guess Everyone Has To Go Looking For Their Paycheck..

[Jack Sprat]

Why oh why is it so hard for parents to pay and pay on time and pay the rate that they are suppose to pay? What don't they get? Why do the complain to my DH that daycare is so expensive when they choose to bring their kid here knowing my rates and contract are higher and different then their old provider. Why do they think that because their children weren't here they don't pay? When it clearly states that you pay when your kid is gone due to illness or taking a day off etc. Why do they think its okay to say that "as of now they won't need care' the next day and then get nasty when we were out and their call was missed. YOU told me you didn't need care. I am not offering drop ins right now!

I am so frustrated by all this. I feel like if I stand to firm on the pay rate my name will be trashed and possibly loose potential clients. Plus, DH and DCD work for same company. However, I feel I need to stand my ground as they have already taken advantage of me once and I let it slide.

I HATE that I have to remind people to pay me and then tell them the amount so I don't get screwed. This is the WORST part of this job.

[Meeko]

It can sometimes be hard to tackle head-on, especially when in cases of DH and client working together etc.

If you can't face sitting them down and laying down the law face to face (although this is best in the long-run), you can still get the point across without making them feel like they have singled out.

Write a generic letter to "all" your clients (but only give it to them :. Have it written in a way that you just wanted to friendly remind "people" of a few contract rules that "people" are having a hard time with.

List your payment/attendance etc policies that they are not abiding by. Remind "all" the "people" that you enforce your contract.

It sometimes gets the message across without finger-pointing. If they say "Is this about us?" say "OH, it's been a problem with a few clients recently, so I just wanted to remind people of their contracts"

If subtle doesn't work, you will have to get tough! Good luck!

[daycare]

I have learned to stop hiding behind letters. I had one of my clients say to me.......when you send those letters out dear families there are issues, it makes me feel bad that I am doing something wrong and I start to wonder if I am doing something wrong. I then question myself and say well maybe since I see myself doing it right and the provider sees me doing it wrong becusae I keep getting all these emails about it, then I am in the wrong place. This was coming from one of my most perfect parents too. Because I was addressing everyone with one person's issue, I created another issue, which in the long run could have cost me a VERY good client. I was very fortunate that this mother was able to tell me this.

Since that day, I stopped doing that and now will address the issue directly with the person that I am having an issue with. Depending on what it is, I will email them directly or I will talk to them about it face to face.

How do you do payments? I send out an invoice monthly, so there should be no excuse for them to say well I didn't know how much to pay. BUT I still have parents who try to challenge me paying late and I just stick to my contract. When they whine to me, I just repeat my contract. When they try to say how much is it, I refer them to their invoice, if they say why is the late fee this much, I refer them to my contract. repeat repeat repeat....

Are your payment request clear in your policies?? I am sure that they are, just asking so I can help....

[Meeko]

I have learned to stop hiding behind letters. I had one of my clients say to me.......when you send those letters out dear families there are issues, it makes me feel bad that I am doing something wrong and I start to wonder if I am doing something wrong. I then question myself and say well maybe since I see myself doing it right and the provider sees me doing it wrong becusae I keep getting all these emails about it, then I am in the wrong place. This was coming from one of my most perfect parents too. Because I was addressing everyone with one person's issue, I created another issue, which in the long run could have cost me a VERY good client. I was very fortunate that this mother was able to tell me this.

Since that day, I stopped doing that and now will address the issue directly with the person that I am having an issue with. Depending on what it is, I will email them directly or I will talk to them about it face to face.

How do you do payments? I send out an invoice monthly, so there should be no excuse for them to say well I didn't know how much to pay. BUT I still have parents who try to challenge me paying late and I just stick to my contract. When they whine to me, I just repeat my contract. When they try to say how much is it, I refer them to their invoice, if they say why is the late fee this much, I refer them to my contract. repeat repeat repeat....

Are your payment request clear in your policies?? I am sure that they are, just asking so I can help....

That's why I said for her to just give it to the problem parents! They'll just THINK everyone's getting one!

But I too like to take the bull by the horns from the get-go. I like to let them know who's boss!

[Laurel]

It can sometimes be hard to tackle head-on, especially when in cases of DH and client working together etc.

If you can't face sitting them down and laying down the law face to face (although this is best in the long-run), you can still get the point across without making them feel like they have singled out.

Write a generic letter to "all" your clients (but only give it to them :. Have it written in a way that you just wanted to friendly remind "people" of a few contract rules that "people" are having a hard time with.

List your payment/attendance etc policies that they are not abiding by. Remind "all" the "people" that you enforce your contract.

It sometimes gets the message across without finger-pointing. If they say "Is this about us?" say "OH, it's been a problem with a few clients recently, so I just wanted to remind people of their contracts"

If subtle doesn't work, you will have to get tough! Good luck!

I disagree unless it is something that several parents are doing.

If they feel singled out it is because THEY are the ones breaking the rules. They should be singled out.

I agree it should be face to face. It is sometimes hard but necessary.

Laurel

[daycare]

That's why I said for her to just give it to the problem parents! They'll just THINK everyone's getting one!

But I too like to take the bull by the horns from the get-go. I like to let them know who's boss!

I missed that part....yes only to those that are not following the rules.....
I wish I was a take the bulls by the horn kind of person...I am really trying to learn to be that way. I have just found that letters sometimes don't always work. Best thing to do is talk to them face to face.

I would make a new invoice with the late charge added to it, email it first thing Friday night after you are closed. Assuming that your late fees start friday after closing......
I don't conduct business on the weekends, so I would be demanding payment to be brought first thing monday morning. When they walked in I would make sure that I got their full payment with late fee. At that time, I would be talking to them about the late fee....

this just happened to me and I just stood firm, sorry, you didn't pay when due and our policy states this________________________________. I didn't care how much baloney I was fed, the fact was she didn't follow the policies. the same thing that happens with any other company. YOu pay late, you are subject to a late fee......

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I missed that part....yes only to those that are not following the rules.....
I wish I was a take the bulls by the horn kind of person...I am really trying to learn to be that way. I have just found that letters sometimes don't always work. Best thing to do is talk to them face to face.

I would make a new invoice with the late charge added to it, email it first thing Friday night after you are closed. Assuming that your late fees start friday after closing......
I don't conduct business on the weekends, so I would be demanding payment to be brought first thing monday morning. When they walked in I would make sure that I got their full payment with late fee. At that time, I would be talking to them about the late fee....

this just happened to me and I just stood firm, sorry, you didn't pay when due and our policy states this________________________________. I didn't care how much baloney I was fed, the fact was she didn't follow the policies. the same thing that happens with any other company. YOu pay late, you are subject to a late fee......

I would do exactly what I bolded that Daycare said and I would say exactly what I underlined that Daycare said.

What I have done in the past, though, is issued a new invoice online AND attached that invoice to an e-mail quoting directly from the parent handbook and contract what the rules are in regards to payment due dates AND what the penalty is for failing to pay on time. At the end, I add a due date for payment and what happens if it is not paid by that time (I have a $20.00 late fee and care will NOT be provided Monday if it was paid late ... nor will care be provided at all until late fee + tuition payment are paid in full). No emotions at all, simply quoting what they agreed to abide by with no extra commentary.
I won't beg to be paid in advance. If you plan to use my services, you WILL abide by the policies you said you would. Otherwise, this business relationship does not need to go any further.

There will always be 30490343094 excuses fed to you. I always ignore them and restate my policy. Those that have had true legitimate reasons for paying late have NEVER paid late. I hear about their hardships later, perhaps a week-a month down the road, and it always touches my heart that they don't let their TRUE issues into our business relationship.

[daycare]

I would do exactly what I bolded that Daycare said and I would say exactly what I underlined that Daycare said.

What I have done in the past, though, is issued a new invoice online AND attached that invoice to an e-mail quoting directly from the parent handbook and contract what the rules are in regards to payment due dates AND what the penalty is for failing to pay on time. At the end, I add a due date for payment and what happens if it is not paid by that time (I have a $20.00 late fee and care will NOT be provided Monday if it was paid late ... nor will care be provided at all until late fee + tuition payment are paid in full). No emotions at all, simply quoting what they agreed to abide by with no extra commentary.
I won't beg to be paid in advance. If you plan to use my services, you WILL abide by the policies you said you would. Otherwise, this business relationship does not need to go any further.

There will always be 30490343094 excuses fed to you. I always ignore them and restate my policy. Those that have had true legitimate reasons for paying late have NEVER paid late. I hear about their hardships later, perhaps a week-a month down the road, and it always touches my heart that they don't let their TRUE issues into our business relationship.

yes......ECS helped me stand firm with my recent payment issues.....

I can PM you a copy of the letter I sent if you would like......

It's nothing personal, it's what we agreed to at the time that you enrolled.

YOu, yourself did not spend countless hours writing a PHB just not to enforce the policies in it right??

[Laurel]

When they do pay I think I'd say something short and sweet.

Take the money and say "You know, I don't like to have to feel like I have to ask for my paycheck to be here on time and in the correct amount each week. Please don't tell my DH that daycare is expensive. It would be like your boss telling you that it is a burden to pay you your salary every week. Just as you would not like your paycheck to be late, I don't either. I'm sure you can understand this. Okay?"

Even write it in a letter if you feel you just can't say it right now. BUT, if you do, hand the letter to them so they can't say they didn't see it in the diaper bag.

If it helps, have your husband close by. He doesn't have to say anything. I used to do that with my family members so I wouldn't wimp out. One time my grown daughter and son had told me what to do but then my son said "I bet you won't do it." Then it was a dare and I knew they were in the adjoining room listening so I did it. It is hard for some of us but practice makes perfect AND it feels soooo wonderful when you do it. Most parents wouldn't be dumb enough to quit or bad mouth you. After all, they know they owe it.

Laurel

[Starburst]

I would either encourage your husband to tell the DCD that complain to him about you: "That is between your family and my wife. It's her business, not mine. And I don't appreciate you trying to get me in the middle of this or complaining about my wife." That does seem really unprofessional between co-workers. If possible, he can also add "You don't want to get me involved or make me choose sides, because I will ALWAYS choose my wife's side" (if he is supportive of your business).

If multiple parents complain to him you can post a sign (or add a part to your policies and contract) that says:

"Please remember: Our business contract is between you (the clients) and I (the provider). Do not get my family, friends, or assistants involved in any disagreements about the child care policies or contract. I consider that to be disrespectful not only to myself but to my family, friends, and employees as well. If you have questions or disagreements about my policies or contract, please talk to me directly. Infraction of this rule will be grounds for probation or immediate termination.
Also note: Any verbal or written agreements regarding the home child care business that are between daycare families and any of my assistants, friends, family members, and anyone else affiliated (or not affiliated) with the child care business other than myself, will not be enforced."

[Jack Sprat]

Thank you for all the advice! It really helps to hear what others do and know I am not being unreasonable. I ended up calling and leaving a voicemail. He said he had forgotten all about paying me and thanks for everything via text message.

I am going to start sending invoices Thursday evening. That way everyone is clear on the amount due. My parents pay at the end of the week now. This is changing with new families though. They will be paying on Friday by 5:30 pm for the following week. I had done a letter to everyone when I have had schedule issues in the past. I won't do that anymore and will just confront the issue head on. I do agree having DH present will help. I have a tendency to back down when faced alone with these issues. DH has told DCD that its my deal and he won't get involved. He also told DCD you pay for quality care and that he is well aware of what childcare costs.

Again thank you for helping! Its so nice to be able to ask others who have been in these situations. :hug:

[Laurel]

Thank you for all the advice! It really helps to hear what others do and know I am not being unreasonable. I ended up calling and leaving a voicemail. He said he had forgotten all about paying me and thanks for everything via text message.

I am going to start sending invoices Thursday evening. That way everyone is clear on the amount due. My parents pay at the end of the week now. This is changing with new families though. They will be paying on Friday by 5:30 pm for the following week. I had done a letter to everyone when I have had schedule issues in the past. I won't do that anymore and will just confront the issue head on. I do agree having DH present will help. I have a tendency to back down when faced alone with these issues. DH has told DCD that its my deal and he won't get involved. He also told DCD you pay for quality care and that he is well aware of what childcare costs.

Again thank you for helping! Its so nice to be able to ask others who have been in these situations. :hug:

I wouldn't change the day payment is due for just new people. I'd change it for everyone. I would just announce the new policy for everyone.

I used to let people pay at the end of the week and all was well for years until one week it wasn't. It was a single mom who had paid on time for her two children for 4 years but when she left she was strapped for money and got in a bind, guess who still hasn't been paid that $450?? This was a couple of years ago.

You could just say that it is the daycare standard (and it pretty much is) so you are going to change also effective whatever date.

Just a suggestion....

Laurel