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It's an interesting phenomenon....every week I've got to practically trap a parent in the corner or chase them down the street to get payment. Every week for the last month or so, one particular parent has been doing anything and everything to avoid me on payday. Yet when you bring up the fact that they owe, parents give ME attitude, like I'm the worst person in the world for expecting timely payment for the service I've been providing for them all year. Such nonsense. Why does this happen? I'd be mortified and bending over backwards to make it right if the shoe were on the other foot and I was the one who didn't pay on time!
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make them hand you the check BEFORE you accept the kid -
I made chronic late payment a condition for termination and haven't had to chase anyone since. I was doing ALOT of chasing before that. I had one family that I would pick payment up from because it was just easier than trying to get them to pay me. They hate the potential of no childcare and heavy late fees more than they like trying to avoid me. :
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$25 per day per child (including weekends) is in my contract. I have ALL parents pay on the 1st of the month for the upcoming month. Doesn't matter if they get paid weekly, bi-weekly or monthly. First month is the hardest, after that they just need to sock it away until the 1st.Comment
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I put a sign up on my door at the first of the month that reads: Just a little reminder that payment is due today. If they still dont pay me, I have another one that says, Children will not be accepted until payment is made. That pretty much sqashes the whole issue.Comment
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That's the problem with limiting myself to SA's only. People secure their B/A childcare in August, so if I term families during the year, I do so with the full knowledge that I probably won't be able to fill the spot.Comment
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Have them all pay on Mondays of that week, if no payment , no stay!!!Comment
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don't chase them down. if they don't pay, don't open door on monday morning. put a sign up, XX added to payment for each day late. if they don't pay friday, and it's a 10 dollar late fee per day, post the sign payment + 20 due immediately or no service.Comment
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They must figure they've got you between a rock and a hard place. If I had this issue I would probably change my contract for the upcoming year to include:
1. One full month notice for termination. If notice is not given make sure to include language that you can add attorney's fees, costs and interest to any collection efforts in case you have to sue someone.
2. If payment is not made by whatever day you choose each week, there will be a late fee of $__________ (make it punitive), plus their rate from then on increases by $5 or $10 per week for the remainder of the year. By the end of the year they could be paying you a substantial sum each week if they don't straighten up and fly right. If you were feeling generous, you could offer to reduce the rate back to normal if they pay _______ weeks in a timely manner.
3. I would consider setting my rates slightly higher than I wanted to actually receive, then offer a "discount" for paying one month, in advance.
4. If I were really feeling *itchy, I would consider posting a list of those families with delinquent payments by the front door for all to see.Comment
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Try this:
Schedule a conference with Mom and/or Dad. Say something like this:
"I didn't want to bring this up during daycare hours as, of course, I wouldn't want to embarrass you; however, I've noticed that you have really been struggling to make your payement on time. I know how hard challenging finances can be, I'm so sorry you are falling on tough times. I can tell how stressed you are when the subject of timely payment comes up."
They will do one of two things:
A. Agree they are broke or,
B. Get a little offended and deny financial hardship....
In the event of A:
I totally understand and I feel for your situation, however payment must be made on time. If this trend continues, I'm afraid I will have to begin adding late payment fees, which of course, will certainly not help your situation. I'm sure you understand that, of course, timely payments are imperative to providing the fantastic quality of care I know that you want for your child.
B: Stare at them for a minute in stunned silence and say, "Oh, I see. I'm sorry that you find remembering to make payment to be so difficult. I understand that we all have multiple priorities. I'm sure you understand that, of course, timely payments are imperative to providing the fantastic quality of care I know that you want for your child.Comment
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