How/When Do You Guys Bill For DC?

[Dsquared]

When/how do you guys bill your DC clients? Right now, my wife bills on Monday for that week's care (she only has 4 kids). One of the parents asked to pay on Friday after the child has been in care for the week and she's been doing it for several months.

The Monday thing has gotten to be a bit of a pain as sometimes one or two of the kids won't come, then she is stuck waiting an extra day for her money and then she's waiting until Friday for the other parent to pay.

When do you guys collect payment?

[Lilbutterflie]

I collect payment on Monday for that week's care. NO WAY would I agree to let them pay on Friday for the previous week! You gotta pay before you play!

It's also in my contract that if they are sick on payday, they still need to drop off payment prior to noon. If payday falls on a holiday, or if they knowingly will be gone on payday, I remind them that payment is due the Friday before.

[My Daycare]

I send an invoice on Friday & Payment is due Monday morning.

[marniewon]

I changed my paydate to Friday (or last day of care for the week) for the following week of care. If child is not there on payday, parents either drop off a check that day or they get fees added to the pay until it is paid.

I agree with PP who said no way would I allow payment AFTER the week of care. Way too easy for someone to skip out and not pay you.

I was charging on Mondays for that week's care, but had a family who seemed to miss a lot of Mondays.

[Little People]

My parents pay on Friday's for the next week. I will not accept any other day than this. If a child is not here on Friday, the parent is required to STILL come by pay their daycare fees! My contract says that if fees are not paid on Friday, then a late fee of $10.00 per child per day will be due on Monday. So if a parent has 2 children then the late fee would be $40.00 DUE ON MONDAY. I do not allow the parents to come on the weekend, this is my time and daycare is closed on weekends

I have never had any trouble with payments because I cover this 3 times in my interviews.

[angelpayne24]

My contract states:
"Payments are to be paid in advance. Fees are due on Friday each week for the following week of care. If this day is a holiday, payment is expected on the previous day. If payment is not received by Monday morning, your child will not be accepted into care until payment has been made."

[Autismworld]

I get paid on the first day of care for the week, which is typically Monday for all of my families. If a child is out on Monday I do not make the parent come by and still pay me that day.

I did have families in the past that paid me on Fridays, when they needed this option I had them pay on Friday for the next week... so in the end it worked for both myself and the family.

[nannyde]

I get paid on Friday for the upcoming week. If their last day of care in a week is not Friday then they pay for the upcoming week on their last day of care for that week.

I do not give out bills or monthly receipts. I just do one receipt a year.

[Blackcat31]

I changed my paydate to Friday (or last day of care for the week) for the following week of care. If child is not there on payday, parents either drop off a check that day or they get fees added to the pay until it is paid.

I agree with PP who said no way would I allow payment AFTER the week of care. Way too easy for someone to skip out and not pay you.

I was charging on Mondays for that week's care, but had a family who seemed to miss a lot of Mondays.

My parents pay on Friday's for the next week. I will not accept any other day than this. If a child is not here on Friday, the parent is required to STILL come by pay their daycare fees! My contract says that if fees are not paid on Friday, then a late fee of $10.00 per child per day will be due on Monday. So if a parent has 2 children then the late fee would be $40.00 DUE ON MONDAY. I do not allow the parents to come on the weekend, this is my time and daycare is closed on weekends

I have never had any trouble with payments because I cover this 3 times in my interviews.

I do the exact same thing as Marniewon and Little People. No play/No Play and I also charge a late fee of $5 per day per child (weekends included) like Little People. Since changing to this method about 3 years ago, I have not had one single problem with payments from families. I have collected a few late fees but no issues like ihad when I charged AFTER care was provided.

IMPO, charging AFTER care is provided is like asking to be short changed and getting all the issues that come with that method.

[jen]

Friday for the following week. I used to do the Friday for the week just ended, but I did end up getting burned once, so that was that.

[Live and Learn]

Pay to play ONLY!!!!
I get paid the first daycare day of the month for the entire month.
Love it!

[lil angels]

I get paid on Thursday for the week in care I am thinking I may do the week ahead thing to I haven't had any prob with it though yet. I like Thursday's because then I can get to the bank before the weekend and if we are going somewhere we don't need to worry about getting to the bank first.

[newtodaycare22]

I get paid up front as well, but my schedule varies according to families. Some of my fulltimers pay me every Monday and some Tuesday (I'm flexible depending on their paychecks). I have part timers that pay on Wednesday and Thursday, so almost everyday is pay day.

[MommyMuffin]

I'm not as strict as pp's but I require payment on friday before care and if they arent their on friday I will take it on monday. If not brought monday then I remind them at p/u and drop off. If it is not brought tuesday then I mention a late fee. Nobody has ever paid on tuesday. Mostly they all pay on friday.

I am not as strict because for example if one of my dcp stayed home with sick dck I would never expect them to drag their sick child out to drive to my house. Things come up and parents are juggling a lot of things too.

If I have someone who doesnt pay on friday all the time then I would tighten my rules for that dcp. But I have had great dcps thus far.

I only do a receipt once a year. If they would like them every week I would give them but I have found that they do not want them.

[DCMomOf3]

I collect on Friday for the next week. That way I have my money in advance and I don't have to turn kids away that moment if the parents forget.