The New Family....

[Blackcat31]

So no surprise, they didn't show to pay me. My late payment policy is $25 per day (including weekends and holidays) until payment, including all fees, has been made. First late payment fee is to be added to amount owed on payment due date if payment has not been made that day by close of business. So they now owe $358.00

I have it in my policies that If any money is owed after care is terminated that I will give one phone call in an attempt to collect it, after this attempt the parent will have 2 weeks (late payment fees will still be accruing during this time) to pay the outstanding amount including all fees. If there is no attempt to pay or any contact then a claim with the courts will be filed.

Would you bother taking them to court? Or just let it go and move on? Should I give them until Friday then call them? Or call tomorrow?

What would you say? I'm a pretty blunt person. "Hey DCM, didn't see you yesterday, don't forget to add the $25 late payment fee when you bring by payment today. And remember that this fee is per day. See you this afternoon. "

I would call them and let them know you expect payment in full by X date. I'd make sure you talked to someone or maybe even e-mail...that way you have proof if they reply that they are aware of the outstanding balance.

I would absolutely take it to court. It's worth it but for me it's about principle. Im tired of these parents trusting us to watch their most precious and then stiffing us for payment. :confused:

Plus, if you win (which you more than likely will) the family has to pay you the amount they owe, plus late fees and court filing fees in most cases. Totally worth it.

I'd call the CCA too and let them know the family owes you. In my state, CCA will suspend their privileges to receive any assistance if they owe a previous provider money.

I'm sorry this family left you owing money.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I would absolutely go to court if necessary. I'm sorry you're in this situation.

[Denali]

"I'd call the CCA too and let them know the family owes you. In my state, CCA will suspend their privileges to receive any assistance if they owe a previous provider money."

I already informed them yesterday. CCA is the one that told me that it was very unlikely I'd get any money out of the family.

I'm pretty sure that is what is happening... They owe the other provider and that is why CCA is not going to pay for the care I provided. Their CCA is suspended until they make good with the other provider. And the reason I'm just finding out is because it took CCA a while to get ahold of the other Daycare.

I sent an email to the mom this morning. Hopefully they just pay. But after looking over the contact they filled out and signed, they perposfully tried to fill it out so they could say "we didn't agree to late payment fees or to pay your full time rate if CCA fell through" but my policies are A little redundant and the fact that I have it stated in a few places that if they sign my "policies agreement" they are agreeing to comply with all policies contained within.

So I have to hope that the fact that the only places they didn't initial in my handbook was late payment policy and the dollar amount that they'd be responsible for paying if CCA didn't pay for child care will be good enough for court... 😞

If it comes to that.

[Denali]

Update:

I sent the email out like BlackCat suggested, basically saying "sorry we didn't see you Tuesday, please don't forget to add late payment fees." Lined out where to look for policies about terming, late payments, CCA, and what not. And that per my policies they had until xx date to make payment or I'd be filing with the courts.

Didn't hear from them. Until Friday 5:20pm (10 minutes before I closed, though all kids that day had already left and I was getting ready for a date night/birthday dinner with DH) doorbell rings and DH goes to answer as another parent was coming by with payment... It was DCD! He came by and paid, including fees, in cash. 😳

Holy cow. I'm shocked. happy.

Thank you everyone for the advice and help. Thank you!

[Mike]

happyface
Things go good once in a while. ::

[Blackcat31]

Update:

I sent the email out like BlackCat suggested, basically saying "sorry we didn't see you Tuesday, please don't forget to add late payment fees." Lined out where to look for policies about terming, late payments, CCA, and what not. And that per my policies they had until xx date to make payment or I'd be filing with the courts.

Didn't hear from them. Until Friday 5:20pm (10 minutes before I closed, though all kids that day had already left and I was getting ready for a date night/birthday dinner with DH) doorbell rings and DH goes to answer as another parent was coming by with payment... It was DCD! He came by and paid, including fees, in cash. 😳

Holy cow. I'm shocked. happy.

Thank you everyone for the advice and help. Thank you!

That's awesome! happyface

Happy birthday to you (?) or your DH!!

Glad the family paid you!

[CityGarden]

Yes happy birthday and so glad they paid!!!!!!