Late fee for 1 1/2 hour late

[sahm1225]

It's a new family and something really out of their control (train problems and they were stuck in the train until fixed). My usual fee would be $60. I plan on charging at least $30 since I had to order dinner for my family and my poor kids had no alone time with me.

Do I need to explain that I understand that it was out of their control but that I worked and need to be paid? Or just say 'don't forget to add the fee to your next payment'.

[Unregistered]

If you invoice for late fees just document your normal fee (xx minutes X $xx) and then waive half of it.
No awkward conversation, no explanation, and hopefully they will see that they got a "deal".

[Blackcat31]

It's a new family and something really out of their control (train problems and they were stuck in the train until fixed). My usual fee would be $60. I plan on charging at least $30 since I had to order dinner for my family and my poor kids had no alone time with me.

Do I need to explain that I understand that it was out of their control but that I worked and need to be paid? Or just say 'don't forget to add the fee to your next payment'.

Why were they stuck IN the train?

Is this something that could happen again? Did they call you and tell you AHEAD of time or just not show up until they showed up?

Couldn't they call one of their emergency contacts to pick up (even 15-20 minutes late) verses coming themselves over 90 minutes late??

IF you are going to waive part or all of it, I wouldn't automatically do that but would give the parents a "One time @50% off" and let them choose to use it now or later.... That way, they KNOW they used their ONE CHANCE and paying a fee next time won't even be questionable....

[NightOwl]

I would find out why am emergency contact wasn't used. If someone was available and they chose not to call them because they didn't want to bother them, then charge full price. Your time is just as valuable as theirs. If there truly wasn't another option, I'd do as BC said with the one time half off thing. But not having back up is an issue in itself, for this incident and for future incidents.

[sahm1225]

Yes called ahead of time & kept me up to date. It was on the news about the train derailment and the next train being stopped until everything was clear. No other family nearby. It was a one off. My brother in law was stick too and said they were being told it was just a small delay.

[AmyKidsCo]

I realize things happen out of our control, but that's why parents need back up plans so they have someone to call in these situations. If there really was no other option I'd let it go as a random fluke. I'm sure they weren't any happier with the situation than you were.

[Blackcat31]

I realize things happen out of our control, but that's why parents need back up plans so they have someone to call in these situations. If there really was no other option I'd let it go as a random fluke. I'm sure they weren't any happier with the situation than you were.

Yes! ^^ That would be my answer.

I understand that things happen but I don't want to be the one that parents simply assume will **** up the slack when things happen...kwim?

If they had been stuck on a train and had a child at say baseball practice that gets over at 4:00, they would have found a friend or relative or neighbor to pick up that child but because you are the daycare provider most parents simply assume WE will be the person that waits or accepts that they are late without fuss because we are the provider...kwim?

I don't live here so 1 1/2 hours late would have had me LIVID and would not be something I would be understanding about as I would have expected them to have a back up person that is not me for times like this.

[Crazy8]

I would make sure they know you are taking half off what the fee should be (mine would have been $90!!!!) because you know it was such a random situation. But I would also let them know in the future they need to have someone else who can pick the child up. I require all my families to have emergency contacts who can be here in a reasonable amount of time (and 90 min is not reasonable to me). Just curious, were both parents on this same train???

[finsup]

To be honest...in that situation, that one time, I'd just let it go. But I would make sure to tell them that so they wouldn't think they could do it all the time. I don't think you need to explain the late fee to them though, unless they ask. If you're doing the whole thing that is, if youre okay doing half then explain why If it were me, I'd have shown up and immediately asked how much I owe. I'd feel awful knowing it cut into family time even if I had no control over it .

[sahm1225]

They were so sweet and insisted on paying a fee. I charged them half the fee, so basically they paid for my dinner since I wasn't able to cook.

I think a lot of times we as providers are too generous. Any other job would not ask or expect to work overtime and not be compensated for it.

[Controlled Chaos]

I had this exact same thing happen a year ago! Parent was stuck on the train (someone had been hit by one come the other direction and all trans were stopped). They wouldn't let anyone get off, dcm called me every 15min or so with an update. I ended up feeding dcb dinner with my kids. DCM felt horrible, I didn't charge her anything, but she brought me coffee and treats for a week Now, today I would have charged at least half, but a year ago I didn't have it together quite yet. And as discussed, I think for the right family, in the right circumstance, sometimes doing the "nice" thing is the worst thing ever.

[sahm1225]

Controlled chaos - I think you said it perfectly! About 6 months ago I waived a 1 hour late fee for a golden family. ($45) I told mom to buy snacks as a treat for daycare instead of paying me the late fee. She brought me a small box of goldfish. I had been expecting more since she knew the fee would've been $45, I expected her to spend $15-$20. As you can imagine, it backfired and dcm started expecting special. Now I try to be cautious and just charge.

I felt bad, because it really wasn't their fault... BUT I worked. I should be compensated.

They are a sweet family and didn't even bat an eye. They went out of their way to tag me on Facebook to say thank you for being so helpful. I wish I could clone families like that!

[daycare]

I would charge 1/2, but let them know that this can not happen again or you will charge full rate. I don't care if you fly a UFO to work or row a boat, you need to have emergency back up that can pick your child up when you are not able to. The school dist here requires it, why can't we.

I have a lot of train commuters living in the Bay area, some ride train to bus, bus to train then take the bart in SF. I don't work for free and have asked the parents, do you?