Seriously?

[Unregistered]

Rant (Logged out cause I am not sure if the person is on here)

I have a mom who has been with me about 6 months. I like mom. I love the child. But mom has been coming later and later and it is getting on my last nerve. In the beginning it was 4pm pick up. Then it went to 4:30. Now she has been coming later after 6. Issue with that is that she does not send me enough drink or food and by 6 the child is done. He is tired. He is hungry. Time to leave. I have told her over and over to bring more and she doesn't. Now we have picked up several times later than scheduled and twice after closing. The first time I let it go. It was a downpour where you couldn't see. Grant it....she knew it was coming and should have left on time. Leaving work at 5:30 means you are picking up past scheduled pick up time of 4:30 to start. BUT I was nice. I let that one go with an understanding it was a one time shot. Yesterday I get a message that she again just left work after 5:30! She will be 15 min late after closing. I am pissed. The child is out of food. He is hungry and crying. I am now late doing what I have to do for the evening. I tell her bring the late fee! She arrives saying didn't notice the time SERIOUSLY!? I am mad. I give and take on a lot of things including morning drop off but I do NOT budge on pick up. I worked a long day and I am done too! I know it is amazing but I do have a life!

Skip to this morning. She comes in to passively aggressively tell me that when she picked up yesterday the child was wet. "Soaked' was the actual word. Are you serious!? He woke his norm. I changed him and gave him his last bottle and he was ready to go on time. You show past your scheduled pick up time and after hours and you feel I should have changed him before he left for the day again?? Here's a thought. Try picking up on time!! I was done a while ago! Besides that I seriously doubt he was soaked after being changed only an hour prior you are seriously treading on the line to complain to me when you were late and the child shouldn't have been here in the first place!!! This is one way to get termed.

I know I am PMSing this week but I need a vacation! I need a break. Stuff like this just hits my last nerve! To show late and then place complaints just continues to rub that already raw sore. I wouldn't suggest to continue! This is a perfect time of the year for me to fill another spot! Why do parents seem to think this is ok??????

[Blackcat31]

STOP allowing her to get a free pass when picking up late.

Charge her a late fee (A hefty one if necessary).

I give free passes to those families that have a LONG standing reputation with me NOT newer families as that usually sets the tone for being late and not observing my policies as being something I am okay with.

STOP letting this mom pick up all willy nilly and have her give you a scheduled pick up time.

If she doesn't pick up at that time, call her. Add a late fee (a lot of providers have a $1 per minute)

She is walking on you because she thinks she can because so far there has been no consequences..kwim?

It's rude and disrespectful to you for her to treat you that way.

Take control of your business so she will stop running the show.

[Thriftylady]

Do you cover late pick ups and late fees in your contract and handbook? If not change it NOW. If you do, I would write a letter restating the policy of late pick ups and late fees and post it and pass it out (you can pass it out to only her if no one else picks up when she does). Put on the notice that it will be enforced immediately, and children will not be allowed back in care until all late fees are paid. Then you have to stand behind it.

[Unregistered]

I do. She just paid the fee and was done with it. I really am thinking on upping it with each time they are late. I just termed a parent over this poo. I am NOT going here again.

[Blackcat31]

I do. She just paid the fee and was done with it. I really am thinking on upping it with each time they are late. I just termed a parent over this poo. I am NOT going here again.

You go girl!!! happyface happyface happyface

Once they KNOW you mean business, the monkey business usually stops.

[Thriftylady]

I think you should increase it then, if she just pays it and doesn't really care, that means it isn't enough to discourage her.

[Rockgirl]

Mine is $2/min, beginning the minute after closing. That said, you don't have to allow dcm to continue to pick up late, even if she's willing to pay a hefty fee. I personally wouldn't allow it to continue. Shape up or ship out, dcm!

[Sugar Magnolia]

Dear mom,

I understand that occasionally clients are late to pick up their child due to unforseen circumstances, such as traffic accidents or sudden bad weather. When a client begins to arrive very late, on a CONSISTENT basis, for no discernable reason, I begin to assess late fees, and this may lead to termination. The fee schedule below begins 5 minute after closing, and doubles if more than 30 min. late.

First offense, $15/$30 fee
Second offense, $25/$50 fee and written warning of possible termination.
Third offense, immediate termination.

This policy only goes into effect when clients are late on a repeat basis.

In the past two weeks you arrived late on date, date and date.

Please be advised that clients terminated immediately for repeat offenses RECEIVE NO REFUNDS for unused days.

Thank you,

Not Doing Tardy

[cheerfuldom]

I dont charge late fees. Three lates and you are out, I dont care what the reason is. I would let mom know that lateness will not be accommodated. Rewrite your schedule if necessary and charge HIGH for any lateness or extra food/supplies needed. Are you sure you even want to keep this family now that they are coming outside of the originally agreed upon time. Now might be a good time to require 430 pickup from now on or give notice.