Would You Waive This Late Fee?

[Sugar Magnolia]

I have an elementary school right next door to my center. I have a mom with 4 children, 2 youngest attend here, two go next door. Mom has no car and rides the bus. The bus arrives at 5;25 pm (the stop is right out front. We close at 530,.and so does after care at the elementary school. So that leaves mom only 5 minutes to collect 4 kids at 2 places. The after care plays serious hard ball about being late and charges a steep fee and will terminate care after 5 late pickups. So mom.always gets them first. She is consistently 5 minutes late. I have not charged her, because I see her get off the bus,****N over then RUN over here. She is trying. She is not being lazy or disrespectful. While it is annoying,.I don't feel good about charging a late fee.
Wwyd??

[Sugar Magnolia]

The word "RUN" is the edited word above. Odd.

[daycarediva]

You own your center, right sugar? If it were me and Mom wasn't doing it intentionally, I would probably alter her contract to incorporate a small fee, or have the kids ready to go and meet her out front. I wouldn't charge her.

[Familycare71]

I have an elementary school right next door to my center. I have a mom with 4 children, 2 youngest attend here, two go next door. Mom has no car and rides the bus. The bus arrives at 5;25 pm (the stop is right out front. We close at 530,.and so does after care at the elementary school. So that leaves mom only 5 minutes to collect 4 kids at 2 places. The after care plays serious hard ball about being late and charges a steep fee and will terminate care after 5 late pickups. So mom.always gets them first. She is consistently 5 minutes late. I have not charged her, because I see her get off the bus,****N over then RUN over here. She is trying. She is not being lazy or disrespectful. While it is annoying,.I don't feel good about charging a late fee.
Wwyd??

I personally wouldn't- if you know she is trying her best I would let five min slide. But my late fee starts at five min after pick up time anyway so...

[Sugar Magnolia]

Yes, I own it, Diva. I am mostly concerned because I am pretty strict on late fees. I have some other families that get here right at 539 also, I don't want then to get the idea late is ok because these 2 are still here at 530. They don't know I haven't charged her, and will never find out from me, but it's the appearance......

[Angelsj]

I have an elementary school right next door to my center. I have a mom with 4 children, 2 youngest attend here, two go next door. Mom has no car and rides the bus. The bus arrives at 5;25 pm (the stop is right out front. We close at 530,.and so does after care at the elementary school. So that leaves mom only 5 minutes to collect 4 kids at 2 places. The after care plays serious hard ball about being late and charges a steep fee and will terminate care after 5 late pickups. So mom.always gets them first. She is consistently 5 minutes late. I have not charged her, because I see her get off the bus,****N over then RUN over here. She is trying. She is not being lazy or disrespectful. While it is annoying,.I don't feel good about charging a late fee.
Wwyd??

I would set up her pick up with you five minutes after she normally can arrive, and not charge a late fee unless she violates that time. I always try to help out those that are really trying to help themselves.

[melilley]

I personally wouldn't charge a late fee. At least you know she isn't out shopping or doing who knows what! I see your point of other families seeing that the children are still there, but it's really not any of the other family's business why they are still there. For all they know, you charge that family a late fee every day.

[Blackcat31]

Yes, I own it, Diva. I am mostly concerned because I am pretty strict on late fees. I have some other families that get here right at 539 also, I don't want then to get the idea late is ok because these 2 are still here at 530. They don't know I haven't charged her, and will never find out from me, but it's the appearance......

Being strict on late fees is so that you detour those people who take advantage.

You and I both know there is a BIG difference between trying and simply being disrespectful.

I would absolutely waive her late fees. I would probably do what Angelsj suggested and simply set her pick up time for 5 minutes later than she normally picks up and have that be her pick up time.

What you do (or don't do) for one family isn't anyone else's business so I wouldn't be too concerned about other families thinking she is getting special.

There is something to be said for a mother and/or father that tries their darnest to put their kids first and as long as this family is respectful to you and your polices, it doesn't make you a "soft" provider to waive a rule.

One of the biggest traits of successful business people is knowing how to enforce company policies but still maintain the human-ness of who you are as a person.

[Cradle2crayons]

Being strict on late fees is so that you detour those people who take advantage.

You and I both know there is a BIG difference between trying and simply being disrespectful.

I would absolutely waive her late fees. I would probably do what Angelsj suggested and simply set her pick up time for 5 minutes later than she normally picks up and have that be her pick up time.

What you do (or don't do) for one family isn't anyone else's business so I wouldn't be too concerned about other families thinking she is getting special.

There is something to be said for a mother and/or father that tries their darnest to put their kids first and as long as this family is respectful to you and your polices, it doesn't make you a "soft" provider to waive a rule.

One of the biggest traits of successful business people is knowing how to enforce company policies but still maintain the human-ness of who you are as a person.

what she said

[itlw8]

so it takes her 10 minutes to pick them up? I would understand to a point. The older kids could have coats on and bags ready when the bus pulls up at 5:25 so all she had to do is sign them out then she should be at your place very close to 5:30. She stops running when she enters the building to get them because you do not charge a late fee or seem to care.If she knows you have a late fee and will enforce it after 5:33 Then they move faster.

[misslori50]

Being strict on late fees is so that you detour those people who take advantage.

You and I both know there is a BIG difference between trying and simply being disrespectful.

I would absolutely waive her late fees. I would probably do what Angelsj suggested and simply set her pick up time for 5 minutes later than she normally picks up and have that be her pick up time.

What you do (or don't do) for one family isn't anyone else's business so I wouldn't be too concerned about other families thinking she is getting special.

There is something to be said for a mother and/or father that tries their darnest to put their kids first and as long as this family is respectful to you and your polices, it doesn't make you a "soft" provider to waive a rule.

One of the biggest traits of successful business people is knowing how to enforce company policies but still maintain the human-ness of who you are as a person.

what she said

I completely agree. Kindness in this situation is needed. Not harshness. :hug:

[Cat Herder]

"...but she gets away with it."

"No, she has a different contract than you. Does that line work when your kids use it?? I did not think so.:: Have a great night!!"

Easy peasy. Your "house" your rules....

[Leigh]

I would definitely waive the late fees. I wouldn't waive it for a mom who shows up every day with a steaming Starbucks in her hand who thinks it's more important to take care of herself than to pick up her kids. There's a difference.

Any other parent who complained? I'd let them know that she is picking up within her contracted time, and if they'd like to renegotiate their contract that you would be happy to, but that it would be at your "new, higher rate".