What Does This Mean?

[NightOwl]

Dcf had a returned item on intuit payment network. The have a balance of $385 including the returned item fees I charge.

So I emailed mom to say i must have payment in full in order to accept dcg back into care on Monday. She responses with her apologies and says she doesn't have the money, so will keep dcg out this week until she can pay it. (dcd had a car accident last week and missed some work, but the item was rejected by his bank before that happened. He's usually the payer on this account).

So is she expecting me to NOT charge for this coming week? How do you handle this? No, I'm not caring for dcg without payment, but this is a gray area for me.

Idk if i should consider this to be a term on my part that would be reversed when payment is caught up, or is this a term by dcm? Or is dcm just expecting me to not charge her until she pays the balance, but keep her spot open, and then return after she's caught up?

[nannyde]

It is the parents responsibility to have the money needed to pay off contracted notice time in reserve in case one of the parents looses their job or is unable to work. This isn't your problem and doesn't have anything to do with daycare.

I would ask her if she needs to put her notice in and that she is responsible to pay all fees within the notice time.

[Unregistered]

I would just let her know that fees for this coming week will still be charged even though child will not be accepted into care until fees are paid in full, including any late payment fees. I do have in mine that after a period of 10 days of none payment termination will automatically occur.

[cheerfuldom]

What does your contract say about late payment/non payment? If you dont have this outlined, you need to decide on a policy right now and make sure mom is aware.

If you charge regardless of attendance but don't allow children to attend while parents are behind on payment, I would definitely let mom know that charges will keep climbing even though you aren't going to allow the child to attend. At this point, mom can either give notice right now (and pay for the two weeks notice period plus any charges or late fees, give her an itemized total) or she can wait this out and keep child home till she can get fees up to date. Once fees are caught up, child resumes attendance.

It sounds like she was not surprised at all by this scenario which is suspicious to me.....

[CraftyMom]

I read it as she is expecting not to pay for this week by you not accepting her in care. I would clarify with her

[NightOwl]

What does your contract say about late payment/non payment? If you dont have this outlined, you need to decide on a policy right now and make sure mom is aware.

If you charge regardless of attendance but don't allow children to attend while parents are behind on payment, I would definitely let mom know that charges will keep climbing even though you aren't going to allow the child to attend. At this point, mom can either give notice right now (and pay for the two weeks notice period plus any charges or late fees, give her an itemized total) or she can wait this out and keep child home till she can get fees up to date. Once fees are caught up, child resumes attendance.

It sounds like she was not surprised at all by this scenario which is suspicious to me.....

We've had minor payment issues before. I have a specific payment policy that addresses just about everything, but I haven't come across this situation before where mom wants to continue once she's caught up, but I think she's expecting to not be charged in the mean time. I think I'll email her and go with what you said. I'll consider this her two weeks notice if she wants to go that route, but charges still apply for the two weeks. But I can't go on for an unlimited amount of time, charging her or not, without that income. At least I could replace dcg after the two weeks notice period.

[Cradle2crayons]

Dear DCM,

Please remember that while DCG is not in care, her account will continue to accrue her weekly tuition amount. As of 6/16/2014 her balance is $385.00 as well as this coming week's tuition in the amount of $XXXX. If you need to put in your notice, please remember I require a 2 weeks WRITTEN notice with tuition for those 2 weeks still due and payable. Also, please note that a $10 late fee for non payment is expected, however in this case I am waiving the late fee if payment is made by XXXX.

Thanks for your understanding,
DCP


I have had this happen before... and while I will not continue to care for said kid that owes a past due balance, their account still accrues their weekly tuition whether the child is here or not (due to non payment, sick etc).

Depending on the situation though, I have been known to waive late fees due to non payment. Which would apply in this situation also.

I cover this in their contract. Which says tuition is due regardless of attendance. If the child were sick for 10 days and not there, you would still charge correct? same thing.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Dear DCM,

Please remember that while DCG is not in care, her account will continue to accrue her weekly tuition amount. As of 6/16/2014 her balance is $385.00 as well as this coming week's tuition in the amount of $XXXX. If you need to put in your notice, please remember I require a 2 weeks WRITTEN notice with tuition for those 2 weeks still due and payable. Also, please note that a $10 late fee for non payment is expected, however in this case I am waiving the late fee if payment is made by XXXX.

Thanks for your understanding,
DCP


I have had this happen before... and while I will not continue to care for said kid that owes a past due balance, their account still accrues their weekly tuition whether the child is here or not (due to non payment, sick etc).

Depending on the situation though, I have been known to waive late fees due to non payment. Which would apply in this situation also.

I cover this in their contract. Which says tuition is due regardless of attendance. If the child were sick for 10 days and not there, you would still charge correct? same thing.

Bingo!

[NightOwl]

True. I sent her an email that said basically what you wrote above. She replied that she did not want to submit her notice, she's hoping to have it paid this week. And she understands that she's still being charged regardless of attendance. August can't get her fast enough! Dcg starts kinder....

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

True. I sent her an email that said basically what you wrote above. She replied that she did not want to submit her notice, she's hoping to have it paid this week. And she understands that she's still being charged regardless of attendance. August can't get her fast enough! Dcg starts kinder....

happyface Hopefully she is able to get caught up quickly as you are currently without income there. August is coming quickly!

[DaisyMamma]

It is the parents responsibility to have the money needed to pay off contracted notice time in reserve in case one of the parents looses their job or is unable to work. This isn't your problem and doesn't have anything to do with daycare.

I would ask her if she needs to put her notice in and that she is responsible to pay all fees within the notice time.

Pretty much this.

Of course she has to pay for this week as well, if it were me. But what does your contract say? Are fees due regardless of attendance? And what about late fees?

[cheerfuldom]

True. I sent her an email that said basically what you wrote above. She replied that she did not want to submit her notice, she's hoping to have it paid this week. And she understands that she's still being charged regardless of attendance. August can't get her fast enough! Dcg starts kinder....

dont forget to give her a deadline for when everything has to be paid or you will give her notice of termination. you cant let this drag on all summer.

[NightOwl]

dont forget to give her a deadline for when everything has to be paid or you will give her notice of termination. you cant let this drag on all summer.