Waiving Late Pickup Fees

[Maddy'sMommy]

I'm trying to iron out my late pickup policy/fees.

Does anyone waive the fee if the parent calls before the scheduled time (my case it would be before 5:30)?

I was thinking if they call before pickup time to say they will be late, I will allow 10 minutes before charging a fee. (to allow for traffic, held up a world, etc.)

I am going to include a clause that says after 3 lateness incidents the fee structure may be reevaluated. Or something like that. In case their are families that abuse the system and call everyday.

[missnikki]

My handbook:

"Late Pick-up Fees (after hours): Parents picking up children after 6:00 p.m. will be charged a late fee of $1.00 per minute, per child with no cap. Late fees are payable in cash to the closing teacher upon pick up. Unpaid late pick up fees will be billed to the child’s account balance. Upon three or more late pick ups within 6 months, a penalty of $30 will be billed for each instance in addition to applicable per-minute fees.

(Also)

We ask that all children arrive by 9:00 a.m. to ensure every opportunity to participate in daily devotions, lessons, and activities. Children must be picked up by 6pm or late pickup fees will be applied (See payment policy). If an unforeseen circumstance will prevent timely pick up of your child, please call to notify Camp staff at (***) ***-***x as soon as possible."

So no leighway, unless I feel like it at the time, and if it keeps happening it gets pricey. I've told a parent after 2 min late that I'll document it this time, but next time will count as #2 AND you have to pay both late fees.

[AfterSchoolMom]

I wouldn't waive fees unless there's an emergency ("I'm at the ER", etc.) and they're trying to find someone else to come and pick the child up. You are still working beyond your scheduled time and deserve to be compensated for it. They wouldn't want to work an extra 5-30 minutes all the time with no extra pay...

[AnythingsPossible]

If a parent calls i waive the late fee. I have 3 parents who work in dr's office's and sometimes they don't get out in time. As long as they give me notice, i don't charge.

[jen]

I take this on a case by case basis...In my experience, when you waive the late fees if they call, some parents will take it as permission to be late...which I don't want.

That said, I do on occassion waive late fees for people who are generally on time, have a valid reason for being late, and don't take it for granted.

[daycare]

I take this on a case by case basis...In my experience, when you waive the late fees if they call, some parents will take it as permission to be late...which I don't want.

That said, I do on occassion waive late fees for people who are generally on time, have a valid reason for being late, and don't take it for granted.

Ditto.... I am also case by case. Some times there are things that happen out of our control. EX: car accident, road work, bad weather, boss keeps you a little late.

If it is not happening all of the time, I do allow for the parents to call me at least 10-15 min ahead of time to inform me. I don't allow text messages informing me that a parent will be late or early. I do also inform the parents that just because they called to tell me that they would be late that I can not promise I can stay later. I do have school and 3 kids of my own to tend to.
Last, if anyone is more than 20 minutes late, even with a phone call, they will have to pay the late full late fees.

Look at it like this. If you are going to write in your policy "late pick up fees" but then allow people to bypass the rule by calling then why even have a policy at all.
people will just call you to tell you hey I am going to be early or late and there will be no fee to pay....and you will be stuck in this situation all the time.

[Maddy'sMommy]

Thanks! You've all given me something to think about.

It probably makes the most sense to have a set policy, and then look at it case-by-case if need be.

[SandeeAR]

I too, look at a case by case basis. One of my parents tends to push it sometimes, but the others are pretty great about it and are rarely late.

[Christian Mother]

For me it is a case by case basis. I don't charge late fees bc I expect the parents to pick up exactly at the time the agreement was made. They know that certain days I need to leave by a certain time and I will not be there. If they are late there children are left with my husband to watch. They all know this at the interview stage and are def. ok with it. I understand things happen...but they also understand my position. I've had all my parents for a couple of yrs and my newest hasn't been late once. They ashually will notify me a day early that DD or DM has a dentist apt that might cause them to be late picking up there son. So there are always prior arrangements or If I am able to stay later I will. I don't mind this if I don't have something going on. I usually allow my daycare to stay open til 5pm but I close at 4:30pm. I do have a part time mom who's son is only here maybe a couple days a wk but for 3 to 4 hrs. She is charged by the hr and if she is late picking up and also late dropping off. I charge her anyway for the over hrs. Doesn't seem to be a problem. So far this has not been a problem for me but if it does then I will start to apply late fees specially if I feel that I am being taken advantage of. There is def. a mutual respect between my parents and I. I don't mind helping out at all as long as they understand and respect what i do.

[AfterSchoolMom]

See, while I agree that a case by case basis is good...if there's road work, or a traffic jam, or boss says you have to be late, that's when you call and make arrangements for someone else to come and get your child. Even if that's not a possibility, call or no call, the provider is still working past their normal hours and as such deserves to be compensated for that time.

[Abigail]

This is in my contract because it's about time and money and care for the child.

Early Drop-off and Late Pickup
A $1 per minute will be added if you drop-off earlier or pickup later than scheduled. Late drop-offs do not allow for late pickups.

I will take every occurance as a case by case basis. I will not put down that the first or second time being early or late that the fee might be waived because everyone will do this once or twice because they can. Short and simple!

[Rachel]

I give 3 free passes during hte year, each pass worth 15 minutes. I figure that covers "traffic happens." After the 3 passes the late fee is invoked, but I have never actually had a family use more than 1 of the freebie late passes, and that was a family who is never late and his bus broke down on the way to pick up his child.

[TBird]

I give 3 free passes during hte year, each pass worth 15 minutes. I figure that covers "traffic happens." After the 3 passes the late fee is invoked, but I have never actually had a family use more than 1 of the freebie late passes, and that was a family who is never late and his bus broke down on the way to pick up his child.

OOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I likie!!!!! I think it's only right since weather and traffic do happen...especially in the northeast. Do you print the "passes" up and hand them out at the beginning of the contract????? Oh my goodness I really LOVE this idea!!!!!

[Rachel]

OOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! I likie!!!!! I think it's only right since weather and traffic do happen...especially in the northeast. Do you print the "passes" up and hand them out at the beginning of the contract????? Oh my goodness I really LOVE this idea!!!!!

I don't print passes, I have the parent sign on their contract (the one I keep here) that they came at X time on Y day and used a free pass (or 2 if more than 15 minutes late). Never had a problem.

[daycare]

See, while I agree that a case by case basis is good...if there's road work, or a traffic jam, or boss says you have to be late, that's when you call and make arrangements for someone else to come and get your child. Even if that's not a possibility, call or no call, the provider is still working past their normal hours and as such deserves to be compensated for that time.





While I agree with you calling for back up is not always possible for every family. If I were in that situation, I would not have anyone to call. I moved here 3 years ago and have no family close by. The closest trusted friend lives 45 minutes away. So I would not have anyone to help me. I also have two families that I care for thar are in the same boat. I could understand if it was going to be 25-30 min. But not 10 min late give or take a few