Short Paid Again!

[melissa ann]

I'm really annoyed with this family. I was short paid $54 yesterday. Grandpa thought daughter paid for her 2 kids when she dropped them off in the afternoon. She did not. So he paid for his grandson and paid what he had in his wallet. I have not heard from anybody yet. The other week grandpa was $14 short. He forgot Thur was the last day of the week. he said he would drop it off Friday after work. I said fine. Well, he never showed up. When he called that Sun night w/the schedule, he casually mention he "forgot" to drop off the money. He took his parents across the state to look at the leaves. We live in the same town. A very SMALL town. It would take about 15 mins to walk from their house to mine.
Now, next week I was told the schedule would be Tue and Wed. This would be the first time that the 3 day min. rate would come in to play w/o them being here for 3 days. Do I need to remind them of this? The new contract went into effect last month.
Plus, the mom said that in Nov her 2 kids would be out a week. 3 days in 1 week, 2 days the following Her kids already used their "free" vacation week. So I should be paid the 3 day min. rate while they are gone.
They treat me like a casual babysitter as opposed to me running a childcare business. I know, I need to stand up to them but it's easier said then done.

[mac60]

Yes, you need to let them know they owe you. I hate this part of our job. Why do we have to beg for the money we worked for. Just isn't right. I would maybe write something up and give it to them, with everything explained out.
Sorry.

[cuddlebuggz]

non payment!

Pre-Payment is a MUST! IF you have part timers I would make them keep an amount in their "account" that is close to the average they use each week. If there are no funds in the account..NO CARE!!

I had to get tough on this in my daycare too, you pre-pay or your kiddo dont stay!!

[sarahtheresa02]

I agree with pre-payment. Payment for the following week is due by pick up on Friday. NO EXCEPTIONS. I only have one afterschooler whose mom pays without fail at the end of the week. I was watching her son before I 'officially' started my daycare so I let her keep the arrangement we had.

Other than that each family pays ahead of time. I charge a $5 a day late fee and if I do not have payment on Friday then I give them a verbal and written reminder on Monday. If there is still no payment on Tuesday I then let parents know that until I receive payment they are going to need to find an alternative form of care for their child.

I was asked by a parent once if I would remind her every Thursday to bring a check because she was forgetful. Are you kidding me? Do you think her utilities or her mortgage company call her the day before her payment is due to "remind" her. Sheesh... I simply gave her a copy of my payment policy and showed her where the drop box was. She has never forgotten a payment.

[laundryduchess@yahoo.com]

I agree that this family is just belittling what you do,..... They dont take you as a serious businesswoman. I know you need the income but dont you just wish once we could just post a note on the door,.. Dear *** family, when you bring in the fees owed, you can bring in the children. I actually have said to a mom before,.. wow, you better hurry and go to the bank machine so youll make it to work on time today,.... and I ushered the kid back out the door.

[tinytotzdaycare]

I agree that this family is just belittling what you do,..... They dont take you as a serious businesswoman. I know you need the income but dont you just wish once we could just post a note on the door,.. Dear *** family, when you bring in the fees owed, you can bring in the children. I actually have said to a mom before,.. wow, you better hurry and go to the bank machine so youll make it to work on time today,.... and I ushered the kid back out the door.

HA HA! That's funny! It takes a lot to stand up to parents sometimes!

[kitkat]

Seriously, there is NOTHING wrong with telling that family that until they pay you in full that you won't be able to provide care for them. Write out for them how much they were suppose to pay for each week, how much they actually paid, how much they owe because of the short payment, and the date they need to pay by. If payment isn't received by that date, then you can't take the kids til payment is received. I know you said a new contract went into effect a month ago, but I would change their contract again and make it a prepay one. I had to change from hourly to flat fee for one family, but not prepayment...they were going through a divorce and I had a feeling I was going to get short paid because they didn't have good communication. I put in very strict rules about the X hours of care for $X. If over the hours, $X/hr. Dad forgot once at the end of the week. As soon as I asked for the check he asked where the nearest ATM was

I know it's uncomfortable and hard to do, but you really have to put your foot down with that family. You will feel better after you do.

[tymaboy]

Yes, remind them what they owe you & let them know if it is not paid in full come Monday (or whatever day they need care) you will not be able to watch the kids. Also point out that you have a late fee (hopefully you do if not you need to get one) & since they are X amount of days late they need to pay an additional X amount. I think I would either give them the option of keeping the pay the way it is (after services) or changing it to paying befre hand but let them know that if you get shorted again not only will xtra fees apply they will be terminated.

[Unregistered]

I would hand them a bill that states the balance owed and remind them of your policy in writting. I would also start looking for new kids to replace them with.

[Unregistered]

I agree MelissaAnn, it's time to give this family the good ol' boot. Trust me you will feel so much better when it's over!
And tell them it's prepayment on Monday a.m. when they drop off the kids for the coming week or they can get themselves right back in the car.

[Unregistered]

I'd give them a written notice that states the late fees they already owe and that childcare will not be provided till it is paid in full, in the letter id also point out about the 3 day min,(to grandpa) and in the letter to mom I'd remind her that she has already used up her vacation days and that she will need to pay for the days they will be gone BEFORE she leaves for vacation, I'd also state that for business reasons any payments not paid in full including late fees after 5 business days will result in termination of the childcare contract with the two week termination fee to be paid (I do this so that parents cant try to terminate without paying by causing me to terminate them), I'd also let them know that the daily late fee would be added untill you turned them into collections or filed a small claims case against them, let them know you mean business by presenting your daycare as one, my late fee is $20 a day, i also have pre-pay, payments are due at DROP OFF every friday a week in advance, this has worked amazingly, less stress for me wondering if i would get paid for the care already given and with my contract they would owe me regardless of wether their child came or not..I'd make the letter proffessional looking and let them know you are putting a copy in their file..Parents will only get away with what you allow.. I agree if they dont have the money when its due regardless of what their excuse is just usher the kids back out the door and tell them that they can return with full payment.. good luck..

[Unregistered]

exceptional care

I have had to change my contract numerous times over the past 10 yrs. It ****s!! I had a $5.00 a day late fee that I was implementing, and a family would continue to be late, and they paid the $5.00 a day. Needless to say they bounced 2 checks etc.... so now I have increased it to $10.00 a day. Good luck!!

[melissa ann]

I called them this afternoon and left messages on their cells. About 3 hours later, mom called and said she would be here in about 15 mins w/a check. She seemed annoyed. Whatever. She did show up though.
I do have a $5/day late fee. They haven't paid it yet. I'm working on the Nov newsletter and will put it that the late fee will be enforced immediately.
It states that the late fee will be $5/day starting w/day $was due up to and including day of payment. It also includes partial payments. I have an example in the handbook that says if $ was not paid or was short, say $30, and was due Friday but not paid until Monday, that would be $20 in fees.

I am considering placing ads and I already changed the handbook stating that money is due Fridays in advance for the following week of care.

Thanks everyone. I wasn't expecting so many responses so fast.

[My4SunshineGirlsNY]

I know how hard it is to stand up to the parents but yet when you think about, it's quite disrespectful on the parents' part to NOT pay. I have had a couple of my girls in daycare when I was working and I could not imagine not paying the complete fee for that week. It's just rude not to.

Parents are hiring you to do a job...a service...and should appreciate your availability, your time, caring for the kids' needs...while they are away.

It's like going into Walmart and picking out a TV and handing over much less than the TV is worth and saying "here this is all I have"...you just DON'T do it.

Parents like that, that don't want to pay are better off somewhere else. I would advertise and replace with a family that will pay. I know it is so much easier said than done, been in those shoes..I had one young mom I had to come up with weekly invoices because she kept shorting me even knowing my rates. So I would hand her the invoice at the end of the week so there was no discrepancy and I didn't have to verbally sound pushy.

[Chickenhauler]

I called them this afternoon and left messages on their cells. About 3 hours later, mom called and said she would be here in about 15 mins w/a check. She seemed annoyed. Whatever. She did show up though.
I do have a $5/day late fee. They haven't paid it yet. I'm working on the Nov newsletter and will put it that the late fee will be enforced immediately.
It states that the late fee will be $5/day starting w/day $was due up to and including day of payment. It also includes partial payments. I have an example in the handbook that says if $ was not paid or was short, say $30, and was due Friday but not paid until Monday, that would be $20 in fees.

I am considering placing ads and I already changed the handbook stating that money is due Fridays in advance for the following week of care.

Thanks everyone. I wasn't expecting so many responses so fast.

Don't be scared to stand up for what's right.

If you bounced a check at the bank, would they be all meek and worried about charging you the fee?

If you didn't pay your electric, gas, water, sewer or garbage bill on time, would they assess you a penalty?

If you didn't pay your taxes, would you get penalties and interest?

What I'm getting at, is you're borrowing them money at no interest, essentially. They're using your money (or money that should be yours) while you sit there holding the short end of the stick. Time to teach them a lesson the hard way-stick it to them.

Don't feel bad about insisting that payment for services rendered be paid when the agreed time comes-it's part of doing business. They know full well what day is "pay daycare" day, and don't let them hem-haw around.

PS-From what you have described about this bunch in the past, they're a major PITA. I'd continue to advertise for openings.....never know, you might get someone to fill these slots that pays their bills on time.