Would you send this?

[Blackcat31]

For me newsletters are about classroom announcements, closing reminders and other day to day stuff.

Things like observation of rules and policies (especially if parents are breaking them) are dealt with verbally and directly with the parent.

Most newsletters end up on the floor of their car and are easily ignored.
I also personally feel that if its REALLY important, it needs to said directly to the offending person. Putting it in writing as a back up is a great idea but I don't solve current issues with a newsletter. It rarely works in my experience.

[Willow]

I don't think she gets it unless it's direct...

I'd send it. I'd also be inclined to ask her face to face if anything is wrong to emphasize just how alarming her delays are. Too many parents are more than willing to pay the late fee and frankly, I never cared about the money as much as I desired the respect.

5 minutes past pick up or close it's typical for me to ask if there's been an accident. 10 minutes past close it wasn't beyond me to load up my kids in the car and be waiting with their child in the driveway (even if it was just to go get ice cream - to add emphasis to the fact that I DO indeed have a life outside of caring for their child).

[Crazy8]

I feel its too personal and a little wishy washy to send honestly. I prefer my letters to be more fact/policy based. First, I do agree it should be dealt with face to face when it happens but if you want to follow up with a letter I would just make it more direct - that your closing time is 4:30pm and even a minute over that time will be charged your current late fees and repeated tardiness can lead to termination.

For the kid being the only one there the last hour is something I would just bring up casually in conversation. She isn't breaking any policy by staying until 4:30 and unless you want to change her contracted pick up time to earlier you may not be able to "guilt" her into picking up any earlier but you sure don't have to deal with her picking up late!!

[daycare]

do your clients sign in and out every day?

when the time has passed, i highlight the child's name on the sign in and out sheet. this way the parent sees the highlighted name and KNOWS I am going to charge that late fee. I require them to be paid at the end of the week. I have no doubt they will pay them, as I then enforce the no pay no stay for the following week.

[Play Care]

I'm with Cat Herder on this one too...

Address it immediately AT the door. Apply the appropriate late fee.

Lose the guilt.

She I being disrespectful and it doesn't matter if it's 10 minutes or 60. She IS late. period.

Have DCK get her shoes/coat on and be waiting...when DCM walks in the door I would say something along the lines of "Hi Sue! It's past my closing time again and you've once again held me up. Is there anything going on that I need to be aware of?"

When she says no or that she lost track of time or X then just reply "I understand but I close AT 4:30 and need you to be respectful of that."

If she feels awkward; she SHOULD. I wouldn't feel bad about it one bit.

The words look harsh in print but they are true and need to be said. If you do it professionally (FIRM with a smile) parents almost always get the message loud and clear.

I know, I know but ever since I had a client lose their mind in my foyer, I've been leary of confrontation. Not so much for me - but that my kids are here and I don't want them upset or scared. It's why I like email because I can get my words across with out over doing it.

[daycarediva]

Hi Jane,
I forgot to give you the late fee notice for yesterday's late pickup. As you are aware, I close at 4:30. You picked up at 4:40, please add the $10 fee to this weeks payment.
Provider

Then the next time she is late (or super close to 4:30), I'd have the kids shoes on and say Susie is getting antsy waiting for you, she has been the last one here by more than half hour all week!"

[Play Care]

Hi Jane,
I forgot to give you the late fee notice for yesterday's late pickup. As you are aware, I close at 4:30. You picked up at 4:40, please add the $10 fee to this weeks payment.
Provider

Then the next time she is late (or super close to 4:30), I'd have the kids shoes on and say Susie is getting antsy waiting for you, she has been the last one here by more than half hour all week!"

I may do this - though a warning instead of a charge.

I'm just so not in the mood to start this up again

[Miss A]

do your clients sign in and out every day?

when the time has passed, i highlight the child's name on the sign in and out sheet. this way the parent sees the highlighted name and KNOWS I am going to charge that late fee. I require them to be paid at the end of the week. I have no doubt they will pay them, as I then enforce the no pay no stay for the following week.

I love this idea! Maybe the fact that all parents can see the highlighted area helps Parents to be more mindful of the late pick up as well? Either way, great idea!

[Unregistered]

I would send something but not that. I agree with the other poster that it says if i have other late families it wouldn't be a big deal. I would state the facts. On X day you were late by X minutes. The late fee is X. Please bring the fee by X. Also, I do have other commitments after closing and so it is important that you are timely. Thanks for your understanding.

[spinnymarie]

At 5 min past pick-up time, I send a text
"Your pick-up time on XX day is xx:xx. A late fee of $XX is due before daycare tomorrow! Thanks "
Then I'll send another if they are later than 15 minutes, but that has yet to happen. If they are there at 2 minutes after, I remind them of the late fee and say next time they will get it.

[Play Care]

I think at this point I may let it go and if it happens again say something right then.

Love the idea of sign in/ sign out. I take daily attendance but having them do it might be better so it's in black and white. Love the idea of highlighting the late pick ups.

[Play Care]

I wound up sending a modified version of the email and following up verbally.

When I followed up verbally I did mention the fact that most days she will be here on her own by at least 30 minutes and since there are no other kids here (to keep her busy) it increases her aniexty if mom isn't on time.
Since this girl is rather advanced she does understand that mom is late even though she can't tell time.

Now I won't have any guilt charging late fees because she can't say she wasn't aware or forgot.

[childcaremom]

I wound up sending a modified version of the email and following up verbally.

When I followed up verbally I did mention the fact that most days she will be here on her own by at least 30 minutes and since there are no other kids here it increases her aniexty if mom isn't on time.
Since this girl is rather advanced she does understand that mom is late even though she can't tell time.

Now I won't have any guilt charging late fees because she can't say she wasn't aware or forgot.

[Alwaysgreener]

do your clients sign in and out every day?

when the time has passed, i highlight the child's name on the sign in and out sheet. this way the parent sees the highlighted name and KNOWS I am going to charge that late fee. I require them to be paid at the end of the week. I have no doubt they will pay them, as I then enforce the no pay no stay for the following week.

Love this idea. I had a client that was 1 or 2 minutes late according to my clock but would write 6 down. No biggie until she was 5 min and did the same thing. ugh.