No Pay, No Care

[nikia]

I am trying to decide if I should change my pay schedule to every Monday morning. Do a lot of you guys do this? Right now the families pay me on the last day of care, but I have problems getting paid sometimes. I do have late fees and all of that, but some just dont care as long as its convient for them, they would rather pay the late fees than pay on time. ( I have no idea why this is)

Anyway question is how do I switch to monday morning pay, if the family pays me friday some of them can not afford to have it changed the next week and pay 3 days later again for a week. Is this making sense? :: Do I give a two week notice of the change? Has anyone changed their payment arrangement while already being full and not just starting out?

[KEG123]

Well, I have not oficially opened my doors but when I get my first child I will have a prepay on monday for that week. I would probably give 2 weeks notice that you will be changing the pay day.

[Live and Learn]

I changed from being paid on every other Friday after already providing care to being paid on the 1st of the month before providing care. I work mostly for teachers so I told them in June when I close for summer and implemented in September. I think if you tell them now and then start Jan 1 that will give them time to adjust.
I love it because if they are sick or absent during the month I stll have gotten paid and there is no negotiation over whether or not it is fair.::

[momofboys]

I am trying to decide if I should change my pay schedule to every Monday morning. Do a lot of you guys do this? Right now the families pay me on the last day of care, but I have problems getting paid sometimes. I do have late fees and all of that, but some just dont care as long as its convient for them, they would rather pay the late fees than pay on time. ( I have no idea why this is)

Anyway question is how do I switch to monday morning pay, if the family pays me friday some of them can not afford to have it changed the next week and pay 3 days later again for a week. Is this making sense? :: Do I give a two week notice of the change? Has anyone changed their payment arrangement while already being full and not just starting out?

I would suggest you slowly move the day up. For example if they typically pay on Friday move the day to Thursday, then 1 week later move it to Wed. Not sure if this will help but it is an idea. Either that or let them know via your newsletter than starting Jan 1st all payment is due in advance. You will be so glad when you do this.

[DCMomOf3]

I would suggest you slowly move the day up. For example if they typically pay on Friday move the day to Thursday, then 1 week later move it to Wed. Not sure if this will help but it is an idea. Either that or let them know via your newsletter than starting Jan 1st all payment is due in advance. You will be so glad when you do this.

I would just tell them you are swtiching at the new year. Give them time to make a plan for 2 weeks of pay in one shot. I have mine pay the Friday before, when they are picking up. I don't like the idea of waiting until the kids are at the door and then having to turn them away because of no payment.

[daycaremom1]

yup, I agree, give notice that effective on January 1, you will be collecting payment son Monday for that week. That is what I do. Works best.

[MARSTELAC]

I sent a newsletter home in September indicating that instead of being paid at pick-up on the last day of care each week, that effective Jan 3 I will be collecting payment at drop off on first day of care each week. If payments are not made at drop-off, they can expect late fee by end of day. I will not accept the child the next daycare day if payment hasn't been made. Seems harsh but I have had people arrive to collect their children on Friday afternoon and tell me they are out of checks or have left their wallet/purse at home. I don't buy it. I would guess that the majority of employed persons are paid on time each pay period. I am contemplating giving a "gift" of a 50% discount on Jan 3 for that week just to ease the pain of the transition but not for sure on that. They have had weeks and weeks to prepare for the new payday. I will then give adjustments for the current week, that has been paid, on the following weeks' bill...ie...someone using a freebie day due to illness or last minute vacation day...those will all be adjusted the following week. Hope this helps you.....let us know how it goes!

[boysx5]

I get paid on MOnday for that week. I would tell Jan.1st your changing your payment day so then it gives them time to adjust how they pay their bills and I think that is enough notice.

[SandeeAR]

This is a tough time of the year for folks with kids to suddenly change. I agree with the others, I would give them notice now for Jan 1st. I would remind them with a notice on my door for the last two weeks of this year.

As for the 50% discount in that week.....are you giving 50% less care that week? Are YOUR bills going down by 50%? I know when my DHs employer decided to change the date they received their bonus, we got no warning, no 50% NOTHING. We just had to find a way to make it in the pay check to pay check world for the 3 weeks until we got that bonus.

[busymomof2]

I get paid on Monday for the week. A late fee is added if I do not receive it by 6pm on Monday (closing). I also do not accept children the next day unless I receive payment that am. Does sound harsh but nobody works for free at least I don't. LOL

[countrymom]

I have my parents pay on friday and they are really good about it, I do have a clause that if you don't pay me by monday, your child can't come. I also installed a lock box (mailbox) outside the door so there was no excuse for not dropping off the money. Also, if my dh has to go get the money on monday its an additional 10% on your bill, I've had to use it once.

[My Daycare]

Great idea, I think Monday mornings are better (for me). Make sure you give them notice or change it gradually, like a pp said.

I used to take payment on Friday at pick-up and it made the parents late picking-up every Friday.

[MARSTELAC]

Bills only going up ....I just have such guilt. Ok, I won't discount...they have had plenty of warning....thanks for the input!

[Unregistered]

I am trying to decide if I should change my pay schedule to every Monday morning. Do a lot of you guys do this? Right now the families pay me on the last day of care, but I have problems getting paid sometimes. I do have late fees and all of that, but some just dont care as long as its convient for them, they would rather pay the late fees than pay on time. ( I have no idea why this is)

Anyway question is how do I switch to monday morning pay, if the family pays me friday some of them can not afford to have it changed the next week and pay 3 days later again for a week. Is this making sense? :: Do I give a two week notice of the change? Has anyone changed their payment arrangement while already being full and not just starting out?

I do this and it states in my contract no pay no stay just worded different . I have parents pay on Friday for the FOLOWING WEEK this way they always pay ahead. If you wanna change it send out a letter this week stating January 1st the parents will need to begin paying on Fridays for the FOLLOWING WEEK. both my parents pay bi weekly so they pay 2 weeks upfront before I even work them I like this much better.

[legomom922]

I plan on doing this as well too but here is what I am doing because coming up with alot of money upfront is hard. I am adding an $25/wk for care until their first wk is paid. That way, they are only paying a little more per wk, and when they have enough in their "bank", I will use that for their prepayment for the wk on Monday.