If you truly need them and feel you can work with them, then by all means do it. Maybe you can write a newsletter home to all, so as not to single anyone out; try to appeal to their sensitive side, telling what you provide for their children every day and that it costs money to do that. Some people think this is still a job that involves just babysitting. They don't know all the equipment we have to purchase, all the materials, groceries, extra household expenses, cost of trainings, everything else that goes into it. Tell them you expect to be paid in a timely fashion just like they do. Even though she's paying late fees, it's frustrating to always go chasing your income and you shouldn't have to. Maybe give them a 3 strikes and you're out, starting right this moment. Communicate with them using a strong business leader mentality and you should come across as 'I expect this from you'. Send a note home detailing what a provider expects from the parents and what the parents can expect from a provider.
Paying late twice in the 3 weeks they've been coming is NOT a good way to start a working relationship but maybe it can still all work out. Good luck!
As for families complaining about the days you take off....didn't they read all that before they signed up? A reminder to that effect may be helpful also. I don't believe in terming everybody but when they're constantly trying to buck your rules, it gets pretty maddening and time-consuming energy-draining trying to enforce them all the time. And the last thing you want to do is give an inch because we all know with some families it's downhill from there.
