Charging For Late Pickup

[jen]

Do you think $1 a minute is high enough to be a deterrent? These types of families are famous for just strolling in late and just handing you the money because it's "only" 5 or 10 bucks...

Not that I can say anything about it, I can't get anyone to pay late fees.

Sure you can...no pay, no play.

[TBird]

Not that I can say anything about it, I can't get anyone to pay late fees.

Can I ask why not??? :confused:

[AfterSchoolMom]

Can I ask why not??? :confused:

I've said it before...I do B/A school care for SA's. I get a group in August/September, and it's almost impossible to get new kids if anyone leaves. Families know this and take advantage.

[Crazy8]

Do you think $1 a minute is high enough to be a deterrent? These types of families are famous for just strolling in late and just handing you the money because it's "only" 5 or 10 bucks...

Not that I can say anything about it, I can't get anyone to pay late fees.

I wonder that too - especially if its only 5 min. but right now my policy is $5 for every 15 min. which definitely isn't high enough.

you CAN get them to pay - you just have to buckle down and stick to it. I started by sending out a note to parents saying while in the past I have been lenient about late fees due to a few recent incidents where I have missed my after hour appointments that effective immediately they would be strictly enforced. This way it didn't sound like I was picking on one family.

Good luck!!!

[PitterPatter]

I charge $5 per hour per child in my contract. It's a joke tho because now I get parents who are 10 -15 mins late and figure screw it they are already paying the $5 so why not take the whole hour. When I mentioned charging a dollar per minute my licensor asked "dont u think thats just a bit much?" and looks at me like I'm silly.

[daycare]

I charge $5 per hour per child in my contract. It's a joke tho because now I get parents who are 10 -15 mins late and figure screw it they are already paying the $5 so why not take the whole hour. When I mentioned charging a dollar per minute my licensor asked "dont u think thats just a bit much?" and looks at me like I'm silly.

But that’s the whole point!! You need to charge something that will hurt the pocket book so they will think twice before doing it again... It's not a bonus plan, it’s a penalty...

[littlemissmuffet]

I charge $5 per hour per child in my contract. It's a joke tho because now I get parents who are 10 -15 mins late and figure screw it they are already paying the $5 so why not take the whole hour. When I mentioned charging a dollar per minute my licensor asked "dont u think thats just a bit much?" and looks at me like I'm silly.

And you listened to your licensor WHY??? S/he doesn't run your business. S/he doesn't have to work late for FREE (because at $5/hour... that's basically free).
$1 per minute is the norm in my area - and seems to be on this forum as well.... like I said, I almost never have late pick-ups because it's expensive and they KNOW I will indeed charge it.

TIME IS MONEY!