How Many Payment Reminders Do You Send?

[daycarediva]

Parent that never paid, I sent a termination notice Monday at nap via email and dh mailed a certified letter shortly before I closed.

I sent her a text Friday when payment was due
Emailed updated invoice Saturday
Emailed updated invoice Sunday


no responses. She claims she was out of town and forgot her phone charger. She is on my business facebook page, (I feel like Maury Povich) THAT was a lie.

Even if it were true, she knows it's owed and never tried to contact me. She now says I shouldn't terminate because it's not her fault. I should have called her.

I thought your phone was broken dcm? Calling would have helped that?

[coolconfidentme]

When I'm to the point of termination I shut down to any excuses. My termination letter states "In cases of non-payment, legal action may be taken, and the individuals will pay all legal fees and other charges incurred." If they don't pay by the date indicated, I file a small claims suit the next day. I failed to do this in the past & it cost me. I had to hunt down someone who had moved & still do not know where she lives. Lesson. Learned.

[MyAngels]

When I'm to the point of termination I shut down to any excuses. My termination letter states "In cases of non-payment, legal action may be taken, and the individuals will pay all legal fees and other charges incurred." If they don't pay by the date indicated, I file a small claims suit the next day. I failed to do this in the past & it cost me. I had to hunt down someone who had moved & still do not know where she lives. Lesson. Learned.

While I've never really dealt with non-payment issues, this is what I'd be inclined to do, too.

[childcaremom]

I am prepaid on Fridays by 9 am for the next 2 weeks of attendance. I send home a reminder bill on the Tuesday prior to the Friday payment is due. It tells them the amount owing, the date due, the late fees ($15 per calendar day) that start at 9:01 am if not paid on time.

That is it. If they don't pay on Friday, I don't send any reminder emails/text, don't make any phone calls. If they show up on Monday morning without my money, the child won't be admitted.

I wouldn't get into anything with the mom. You have termed, therefore done.

[Blackcat31]

I don't send any reminders. If the daycare kids were in charge of payments, I would absolutely remind them as they are children but I will NOT remind adults of their responsibilities/obligations.

I had a drop in DCM once try to tell me she didn't owe me because I didn't send her an invoice. ::

Daycarediva, if this mom has been a regular family for a while now, she KNOWS when she owes. Broken phone or not.

I'd tack on any and ALL late fees and continue moving forward with collection efforts. Like pp said, shut down any excuses she tries to give you.

[coolconfidentme]

When I'm to the point of termination I shut down to any excuses. My termination letter states "In cases of non-payment, legal action may be taken, and the individuals will pay all legal fees and other charges incurred." If they don't pay by the date indicated, I file a small claims suit the next day. I failed to do this in the past & it cost me. I had to hunt down someone who had moved & still do not know where she lives. Lesson. Learned.

ps..., I have given a termination letter (with the two week notice in my contract) & have had the parent not return after receiving the notice. After the two weeks without payment I filed small claims & won. Every. Time.

[daycarediva]

Well, she "paid" me. :confused: Sort of. She put the weeks fees plus $20 in my drop box. She is termed for non payment! AS in, IMMEDIATELY, no money due. She was obviously a no call/no show today. She is still 60 short. So over it. Sent an email that she can pick up her money and dck's belongings between 4-5 today. We will see.