SOOOO DCM Was Late...WWYD??

[My3cents]

She was coming from work?

If she was, how could she control the commute? Most people can't leave work early, and sometimes you don't know how bad it is until you get out there on the roads.

Unless this is someone who is chronically late, I would not charge a fee.

I would do this

[My3cents]

After the last time she was late I told her I would charge her.

Yes, she was coming from work but she could've left early.

If I had closed early she would've obviously had to pick up early.

depends on how often she did this. If it was one other time, I would let it go but express that she must pick up on time. If its an all the time thing then yes charge and I am sure she won't be late again- I would rather have someone arrive late then never at all because they felt that they had to rush but if it is a disrespect all the time issue then yes charge her your late fee.

Late pick up is the worst for a provider. We have been with your child all day long and want to end our work day. We can't leave, have that break ride home. We have to be in check until that child leaves- Its so frustrating and I feel you.

[My3cents]

having read all the replies. I think it is up to you what you decide to do. You know this Parent the best.

I know some of us are not one minute past closing time and enforce it.

others... eat it.

I have great parents, but if I didn't then I would charge a late fee. I have understanding for lifes happenings, just don't let them interfere with my life outside daycare and we are all good. If it was a late pick up on a night that my parents know I have somewhere to be then I would charge and let them know they made me late for my life happenings out of work.

Its hard, do what you feel is best. Let us know the outcome

[Lucy]

She was coming from work?

If she was, how could she control the commute? Most people can't leave work early, and sometimes you don't know how bad it is until you get out there on the roads.

Unless this is someone who is chronically late, I would not charge a fee.

^^^ word for word. When I worked in an office, me saying "My Daycare lady gets mad when I'm late. Can I leave early?" would NOT cut it!! Work is work, 8:30 (or whenever she gets off) IS her quitting time. Her employer doesn't give a patootie about how mad DC lady will be. I would NOT charge her.

[julie]

I treat my DCK and their parents the same. I do NOT condescend to either. I set clear, rational expectations, and let them know what the consequence is if they CHOOSE not to follow them.

There is no argument. I refuse to argue about it. Just, this is what it is.
You are late, you pay me $1 a minute.
You forget your child's needed things and/or payment on pay day, you turn around with your child and go and get it before I let your kid in the door.

You set the expectation that if the DCM was late again, she would be charged. If you do not charge her, then she instead get the expectation that you will not enforce your polices and you need her money more than she needs to respect what you are asking. Just my two cents. It has nothing to do with what her employer expects. The daycare signed a contract with the daycare parent. It is that parent's job to manage her end of the contract as an adult, or face the consequences.

[itlw8]

^^^ word for word. When I worked in an office, me saying "My Daycare lady gets mad when I'm late. Can I leave early?" would NOT cut it!! Work is work, 8:30 (or whenever she gets off) IS her quitting time. Her employer doesn't give a patootie about how mad DC lady will be. I would NOT charge her.

but 8 pm is when she gets off work "No OT, she works 12-8. She works maybe 15-20 from my home. "

she called an hour after she got off work so why would her employer care if she picked up he child on time she wasn't even working at the time she called. She used the snow as an excuse for partying

[Lucy]

but 8 pm is when she gets off work "No OT, she works 12-8. She works maybe 15-20 from my home. "

she called an hour after she got off work so why would her employer care if she picked up he child on time she wasn't even working at the time she called. She used the snow as an excuse for partying

I never saw the time she gets off, but my comment, in general terms, remains the same... Unless this was a perpetually tardy mom, I would give leeway for weather-related delays. I use my best judgment on whether they left work when they said they did, and attempted to come straight to my house, but weather held them back. IF I'm comfortable that those parameters were met, I would cut them a break.

And I do agree she could've called you about 8:30-8:45 when she saw that the roads were so bad that she wasn't going to make it by 9:00. But if she's a nervous, white-knuckle driver in the snow like I am, she was hyper-concentrating on the road!!

It's all a judgment call.

[Cat Herder]

When I worked in an office, me saying "My Daycare lady gets mad when I'm late. Can I leave early?" would NOT cut it!! Work is work, 8:30 (or whenever she gets off) IS her quitting time. Her employer doesn't give a patootie about how mad DC lady will be. I would NOT charge her.

:confused: But the issue isn't that the daycare lady get's mad or that the employer does not care what the child care arrangements are.

The issue is that the Parent will have to pay a late fee if she is late. Period. Dot.

It is not the Employers or Daycare Providers issue.

As a mother I make backup plans to cover my kids needs in case I am held up by inconsiderate clients. Why should they be any less accountable??

[Lucy]

:confused: But the issue isn't that the daycare lady get's mad or that the employer does not care what the child care arrangements are.

The issue is that the Parent will have to pay a late fee if she is late. Period. Dot.

It is not the Employers or Daycare Providers issue.

As a mother I make backup plans to cover my kids needs in case I am held up by inconsiderate clients. Why should they be any less accountable??

lovethis Just giving my opinion that was asked for.

It's the way I roll with my Daycare families. And in life in general, for that matter. Consideration fosters consideration. So unless this was a perpetual problem family, I give allowances for weather. Bosses don't always want to let you leave early, and I respect that they have to be a "good employee" if they want to keep their job. (It's what pays me too, afterall.) That's all I'm trying to say. lovethis

I had one mom stuck on frozen roads that weren't moving at all, just about. It was on the news - she called - she's normally a good client - I had her kids till 7:00 and fed them dinner. They usually go home at 5:30. I accept that my opinions aren't the norm on this board. We all need to do what feels right to us.

OP asked, I answered.

[LaLa1923]

She definitely was not white knuckling the steering wheel. She was on the phone with god knows who. She's always on the phone, at pick up and drop off...

[daycare]

She definitely was not white knuckling the steering wheel. She was on the phone with god knows who. She's always on the phone, at pick up and drop off...

just curious, did you charge her??

[LaLa1923]

just curious, did you charge her??

I am charging her, she will not be here until Monday

[daycare]

I am charging her, she will not be here until Monday

Oh that will be fun......

Well I think that you are doing the right thing. It ****s that you are put in this position, but you wouldn't be if the mom would have taken your information and picked up on time.

good luck with this, let us know how it goes

[LaLa1923]

So DCM was not happy about the charge. She said she communicated with me about her being late. I let her know that I still have to charge her. She said she understands and paid it.