What To Do About The Late Family?

[Brooksie]

So I' sitting here trying to think of how to approach this family. 2 days ago they were 45 minutes late picking up and were charged a $60 late fee. Yesterday they were late again but only by 2 minutes which is technically a $2 late fee. I did NOT get that fee this morning at drop off which makes me think dcd (late pick up) did not tell dcm (drop off) that he was late again (she would kill him). I really need to address this with them but not sure how to go about it. None of my other families EVER pick up late. Ever. This is a returning family, I watched dcb from 4-7 mo, he is now 11 and has been back for 3 weeks. In the past 3 weeks they have been late 5 times. 2 of them were in his FIRST WEEK. I'm really frustrated with them and they just don't seem to understand the importance of getting here BEFORE closing time. The worst part is dcd isn't even working right now so I know he can pick up on time...

So at pick up today I think I am going to notify them of the 2 dollar late fee but tell them I am going to waive it this one time but expect to be paid promptly if it ever happens again. I also think I need to give them the 'walmart speech' (If walmart closes at 10:00 they do not allow you to walk in to shop at 10:00, you need to get there early and make sure you're done and out so they can lock the doors at said closing time. Its no different here. My day is done at 5:30 so you need to be here at least 5 minutes before in order to be clocked out and on your way so I can lock my doors at 5:30.). I have already talked to them about the importance of picking up on time, as I am basically a single mom (live in boyfriend but works late) and have responsibilities I need to meet after working a 10 hour day. They know dd does not have a late bedtime and I only have about 2.5-3 hours after closing to do errands, shopping, dinner bath and bed time. They still continue to pick up late or walk in right at 5:30...

Is it unreasonable to put a family on probation for being late? How would that work? What should I say? Any advice?

[butterfly]

With that many late pickups, I wouldn't allow any more late pickups. I would talk to them about it and tell them NO MORE! If they are late again, they will be termed.

A disclaimer of sorts: I don't charge late fees for late pickups, I term. My family is too important to me to be missing ball games and music lessons because I'm waiting for another child's parents to get their act together.

[daycare]

I know it can be hard, but you just need to be honest with them. I had this happen just recent with a family that just split up.

I told them that if they can't make it here by the child's pick up time that they need to find someone who can make it here by that time. Even though this child gets picked up 30min before my closing, this child is my first arrival and I am not going to keep them here any longer.

Do you have set contracted hours that they signed and agreed to?

[daycarediva]

I don't have any real advice, but I am in the SAME situation. I got mycheckinkids to keep tabs on all parents and to make them more accountable for the actual times. A dcm was writing her CONTRACTED times on the sign in/out sheet instead of the ACTUAL time and then playing dumb when I told her repeatedly. Trying to say that they weren't 15 minutes late, they were 5, etc.

They now CHECK IN upon entering and CHECK OUT when they are leaving. I have stopped them from checking out as soon as they step in the door because they were trying to avoid the late fee.

This stopped 1 family from chatting past closing time. It's different if the daycare provider/therapist is $1/minute!

This stopped 1 family from allowing dck to show them around, hang out, and then act unruly/refuse to put shoes on/refuse to leave when Mom FINALLY said it was time to go.

This stopped 1 family from picking up late. They got over $20 in fees the first week and they haven't picked up late or dropped off early ONCE this entire week.

BUT, I have one family who are continually early dropping off (open at 7, they contracted at 7:30 and they are ALWAYS between 7:15-7:20) and they are ALWAYS my last to leave. They contracted for a 5:30 pu, and that puts them AT my 10 hour/day max. Due to early drop offs AND late pick ups, they ALWAYS are over 10 hours AND past contracted hours. Unfortunately, I cannot afford to replace them AND dck is pretty awesome so I just want them to get their sh** together.

DCM has a job that requires staying late sometimes, but dcd has alluded to that only being necessary because dcm takes a long lunch and fiddles around instead of working. DCD, however, does NOT work that late (to 4:30 and within a 30 minute drive). Tuesday DCM sent me a text that she would be late, but before 6. I flat out said No, not okay. Can someone else get him? Dad was here at 5:59. That was a $44 late fee (they were early that morning as well. $1 per minute over 10 hours AND/OR past closing). This week, their late/ot fees are well over $100 (can't remember the exact total).

I DONT WANT the 100. I want my closing time respected!!!! I was late to class and got embarrassed in front of the class by my professor Tue AND I missed dinner with my family and the ONLY 30 minutes I could have spent with them ALL DAY.

[butterfly]

I DONT WANT the 100. I want my closing time respected!!!! I was late to class and got embarrassed in front of the class by my professor Tue AND I missed dinner with my family and the ONLY 30 minutes I could have spent with them ALL DAY.

exactly why I don't allow it.

[Brooksie]

I think I have decided that at pick up I am going to discuss the issue with them. Let them know the last thing they do before walking out is to clock out, not clock out at soon as they walk in. Also that I am giving them 3 warnings. The Late pick ups HAVE to stop. Next time they have a late pick up, fees double, 2nd time, fees triple, third time is immediate termination. Sound reasonable? I have a waiting list for this kids position. I have no concerns about losing the spot.

[daycare]

I think I have decided that at pick up I am going to discuss the issue with them. Let them know the last thing they do before walking out is to clock out, not clock out at soon as they walk in. Also that I am giving them 3 warnings. The Late pick ups HAVE to stop. Next time they have a late pick up, fees double, 2nd time, fees triple, third time is immediate termination. Sound reasonable? I have a waiting list for this kids position. I have no concerns about losing the spot.

If I had a waiting list, I would be talking to them and letting them know that the next time you are going to term. I would stop giving them any more chances

[MyAngels]

With that many late pickups, I wouldn't allow any more late pickups. I would talk to them about it and tell them NO MORE! If they are late again, they will be termed.

A disclaimer of sorts: I don't charge late fees for late pickups, I term. My family is too important to me to be missing ball games and music lessons because I'm waiting for another child's parents to get their act together.

Definitely this x 100. I also wouldn't give them even 1 more chance. They need to realize that you're completely serious and done with their bad behavior.

[littlemissmuffet]

I term after three late pick ups...
Because I have this rule, I have never had someone pick up late more than once or twice

[Brooksie]

Talked to dcd at pick up (he walked in at 5:30 on the dot) and he got very defensive, saying things have been crazy for them and he didn't think the late pick ups were a problem. I told him what I would be doing and he got flustered and it was pretty difficult. So I just sent this message to dcm to make sure she understands as well... think this was ok?

"Hey M*****, I wanted to touch base with you to make sure everyone is on the same page. I talked to T** today about the late pick ups and they really need to stop. Today he was here at 5:30 on the dot, which is better, but the idea is that every one is clocked out and out the door by 5:30. I mentioned to him that I have not had a late pick up in over 3 months and since you guys have started we've already had 4 ranging from 2 minutes to 45. I cannot accept that. I was shocked when he arrived 2 minutes late Thursday after we had the Wednesday issue. 2 minutes may not seem like a lot but its a matter of respect. I am available for 10 hours of the day and I expect to be able to be done by 5:30. So while this is the part of my job that I hate, I have to put my foot down. Since I do understand that some things do come up and I try to be as reasonable as possible, since you have already had 4 late pick ups in your first month of care, I can only allow 3 more. The next time you guys are late the late fees double. The second time, its tripled. And the 3rd is going to be an immediate termination of our contract. I would hate to have that happen after we have waited so long to get you guys back in here, but I can't be disrespected or taken advantage of. Every one needs to make sure they are here with enough time to be clocked out and out the door by 5:30 and it doesn't seem to be a problem for any one else. My couple hours at the end of the night with (DD) are busy and few. And I know you understand how important that time is. So I hate to be the barer of bad news but it shouldn't be a problem if you guys can get here within my hours. Thanks for understanding"

UHG, sometimes having a backbone is so hard!

[daycare]

Talked to dcd at pick up (he walked in at 5:30 on the dot) and he got very defensive, saying things have been crazy for them and he didn't think the late pick ups were a problem. I told him what I would be doing and he got flustered and it was pretty difficult. So I just sent this message to dcm to make sure she understands as well... think this was ok?

"Hey M*****, I wanted to touch base with you to make sure everyone is on the same page. I talked to T** today about the late pick ups and they really need to stop. Today he was here at 5:30 on the dot, which is better, but the idea is that every one is clocked out and out the door by 5:30. I mentioned to him that I have not had a late pick up in over 3 months and since you guys have started we've already had 4 ranging from 2 minutes to 45. I cannot accept that. I was shocked when he arrived 2 minutes late Thursday after we had the Wednesday issue. 2 minutes may not seem like a lot but its a matter of respect. I am available for 10 hours of the day and I expect to be able to be done by 5:30. So while this is the part of my job that I hate, I have to put my foot down. Since I do understand that some things do come up and I try to be as reasonable as possible, since you have already had 4 late pick ups in your first month of care, I can only allow 3 more. The next time you guys are late the late fees double. The second time, its tripled. And the 3rd is going to be an immediate termination of our contract. I would hate to have that happen after we have waited so long to get you guys back in here, but I can't be disrespected or taken advantage of. Every one needs to make sure they are here with enough time to be clocked out and out the door by 5:30 and it doesn't seem to be a problem for any one else. My couple hours at the end of the night with (DD) are busy and few. And I know you understand how important that time is. So I hate to be the barer of bad news but it shouldn't be a problem if you guys can get here within my hours. Thanks for understanding"

UHG, sometimes having a backbone is so hard!

WOW...... I don't think I could have said any of that.....I am not good at being that bold

[Brooksie]

WOW...... I don't think I could have said any of that.....I am not good at being that bold

Was it too much?!

[daycarediva]

I am sending a similar email RIGHT NOW to a dcf.

Same dcf mentioned above, tonight they were 24 minutes late.

[Scout]

No, it wasn't too much. I don't think I would've had the guts to do that either though and I give you big kudos!!happyface

[Brooksie]

I am sending a similar email RIGHT NOW to a dcf.

Same dcf mentioned above, tonight they were 24 minutes late.

Good luck!