Late Payment the First Day?

[mountainside13]

A new family started today, since it was their first day I don't require payment the week before. At the interview mom said she would put checks in the front of the backpack the night before. Mom drops off quickly and leaves since I was making breakfast (I loved that!)! Checked the backpack and no check. The little girl did great all day and didn't have any accidents. A real sweetie!

When she came to pick up I asked about the check & she said "I thought I would have it, I will on Thursday" I stood there shocked and before I could even compose myself they left. I'm really on the fence if I should charge a late fee or not. I am their first daycare so maybe she just doesn't understand yet? Or assumes since its part time to get her accustomed before switching to full time it's not a big deal?

What would you do?

[sahm1225]

I would charge the late fee. It's the beginning of the relationship and its up to you to set the tone. I would look at it as business - you can't call your credit card and expect them to not charge a late fee because you just didn't have the money! Plus, at this point, if it does end, you don't have anything invested.
If you decide to waive the late fee, then I would explain that it was a one time courtesy waive.

[Heidi]

I would charge the late fee. It's the beginning of the relationship and its up to you to set the tone. I would look at it as business - you can't call your credit card and expect them to not charge a late fee because you just didn't have the money! Plus, at this point, if it does end, you don't have anything invested.
If you decide to waive the late fee, then I would explain that it was a one time courtesy waive.

Yeah...NO! I would not take her into care tomorrow without payment. I would, in fact, call her tonight and tell her so.

"Hey, DCM, just wanted to tell you that we had a great day, and DCG really fits in well here. However, we do have a problem. Payment is due before services are rendered, and that means, today. I will need payment tomorrow morning in order to care for DCG. I'm sure you understand".

[mountainside13]

Your right, I will charge the fee otherwise she will most likely try again in the future if I let it slide. She won't be here tomorrow so I will let her know she has until 5:00pm to give the check or another late fee will be added. I can do this! happyface

[daycare]

i personally wouldn't.

i would tell her, I know you are adjusting to our program so I will let you slide only this one time, but if it happens again I will charge you a late fee of xyz.

Do you have a no pay no stay policy?

[sahm1225]

i personally wouldn't.

i would tell her, I know you are adjusting to our program so I will let you slide only this one time, but if it happens again I will charge you a late fee of xyz.

Do you have a no pay no stay policy?

That's what I would typically say, but the mom said 'I thought I would have it'. Makes it sound like dcm
Thinks payments are not a priority.

[daycarediva]

I would charge the late fee. It's the beginning of the relationship and its up to you to set the tone. I would look at it as business - you can't call your credit card and expect them to not charge a late fee because you just didn't have the money! Plus, at this point, if it does end, you don't have anything invested.
If you decide to waive the late fee, then I would explain that it was a one time courtesy waive.

Yeah...NO! I would not take her into care tomorrow without payment. I would, in fact, call her tonight and tell her so.

"Hey, DCM, just wanted to tell you that we had a great day, and DCG really fits in well here. However, we do have a problem. Payment is due before services are rendered, and that means, today. I will need payment tomorrow morning in order to care for DCG. I'm sure you understand".

Same thing happened to me this week. Mom was reminded at pickup, emailed an invoice, and charged a late fee. I also gave her a schedule of payments and when they are due. They weren't happy 'because it was a busy morning they just forgot' but I had gone over it and over it with them, and she scanned and emailed me all paperwork over the weekend- she should have written the check or paid the invoice then. They were DEFINITELY trying to not pay prior to service.

[finsup]

I go by the "no payment, no Childcare" rule myself. Now, I did have a parent forget to pay at drop off their first day (it was a busy day and dcg being dropped off was screaming and well, I didn't think to say anything until later. Lesson learned, that won't happen again!). However I texted mom and let her know (nicely, but firm) that payment was due. She apologized a million times and had it for me at pick up. That time, I let it slide. Never had any problems after that.
Now if a parent did what your dcm did...yeah...no Childcare would not be provided until the payment with the late fee was paid. I would not do well with someone saying "oh I thought I'd just pay it whenever I want."

[mommyneedsadayoff]

I would text mom today and say "Just a reminder that payment of $XXX is due tomorrow morning at drop off please. A $XX late fee has been applied. Thank you."

If you are going to waiv the fee, "Just a reminder that payment is due at drop off tomorrow morning. As a ONE time courtesy, I have waived the late fee, but in the future, a fee of $XX will be applied daily until payment is submitted as per our contract."

Personally, whether you waive the fee or not is up to you. If they are super apologetic, then I would consider it, but the fact that she was so flippant about it would make me charge her. And as a lesson learned, don't let her leave int he am without confirming payment. Instead of putting a check in the backpack, put a safety pin on the front and tell her to pin it to the front. It will be easy to see if it is not there and then you can call her on it right away. Or just make her hand it to you.

[mountainside13]

I called mom this morning and chickened out a little....again!! I told her to bring payment in the morning or she won't be able to stay. Since its a new experience for you I will waive the late fee this one time. If it happens again, the fee will not be waived. She said that's not a problem see you tomorrow. I just got a text asking if they can come on Friday instead on Thursday. I am starting to have a bad feeling.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

I called mom this morning and chickened out a little....again!! I told her to bring payment in the morning or she won't be able to stay. Since its a new experience for you I will waive the late fee this one time. If it happens again, the fee will not be waived. She said that's not a problem see you tomorrow. I just got a text asking if they can come on Friday instead on Thursday. I am starting to have a bad feeling.

Well, it is up to you, but I would say no. The first week and they have already been late paying and now want to change the schedule? And I imagine they only want to pay for friday, not pay their current rate, plus a drop in rate for friday right? "Sorry, I am unable to have dck come on friday. If you choose not to come tomorrow, payment is still due in the morning."

[Blackcat31]

i personally wouldn't.

i would tell her, I know you are adjusting to our program so I will let you slide only this one time, but if it happens again I will charge you a late fee of xyz.

Really?!? :confused:

I'm kind of surprised you would do that.

As someone with experience with parents not understanding or following your handbook/policies, why would you waive their very first attempt at trying to break policy?

Like SAHM said, it sets the stage for the entire relationship going forward.

[finsup]

Well, it is up to you, but I would say no. The first week and they have already been late paying and now want to change the schedule? And I imagine they only want to pay for friday, not pay their current rate, plus a drop in rate for friday right? "Sorry, I am unable to have dck come on friday. If you choose not to come tomorrow, payment is still due in the morning."

Yup, I'd say the same! Sounds like this family is testing boundaries...be firm! They need to know you're serious and will enforce your policies. Maybe they will improve after they realize they can't dictate how things will go? Hopefully! I'd be getting a bad feeling too though :/

[daycare]

Really?!? :confused:

I'm kind of surprised you would do that.

As someone with experience with parents not understanding or following your handbook/policies, why would you waive their very first attempt at trying to break policy?

Like SAHM said, it sets the stage for the entire relationship going forward.

I believe everyone deserves at least one second chance. BUT, when a new family starts they have to meet with me the week before they even start so that I can go over everything and collect their payment.

I guess that I would want someone to do this for me, so i would do it for them.

I know for some parents this is their first rodeo and they probably are not thinking about did I pay her, they might be thinking about Oh my god is my child going to be ok.

However, I would not allow a parent to drop off without paying first, that's different than paying late since my families pay in advance.

[MarinaVanessa]

I just got a text asking if they can come on Friday instead on Thursday. I am starting to have a bad feeling.

"Let me check my schedule just to make sure that I can accommodate you and I'll get back to you about Friday. Payment will still be due on Thursday however if you'd like to avoid another day's late fee as it is already late. If you bring payment on Friday morning then make sure to bring $XXX which will include the late payment fee for the 2 days"

Usually I don't get requests to switch part time days but when I have room I will allow it if it doesn't inconvenience me in any way.

A response like the one above will handle a couple of things ... it will remind them that changing their days around might not always be an option and also makes sure that if they are pushing the date back a bit because they won't think they'll have payment for you Thursday (which was due already) that you're not going to just let it slide, late is late.

Based on their response I would consider the possibility of having a talk with her about how the #1 important priority or "deal breaker" is payment issues whether it be late or non-payment. Don't let their financial problems become your financial problems.