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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Late Payment Fee
sally 11:02 AM 07-28-2013
One of my families pays me every other Monday. Well last week they left for vacation on Monday and I left later that day. I was home until 11. I talked to the dcm about payment when I watched the kids on Saturday but she said she wasn't planning to pay until the kids came back to care. She texted me today to see how much it was again and I told her how much and added that part of it was the late payment fee. She wasn't very happy and texted back "Why didn't I remind her to pay earlier?" I reminded her that I did ask on Saturday and after that it was up to her. How do some of you handle comments like that about late payment fees?
Cradle2crayons 11:07 AM 07-28-2013
Originally Posted by sally:
One of my families pays me every other Monday. Well last week they left for vacation on Monday and I left later that day. I was home until 11. I talked to the dcm about payment when I watched the kids on Saturday but she said she wasn't planning to pay until the kids came back to care. She texted me today to see how much it was again and I told her how much and added that part of it was the late payment fee. She wasn't very happy and texted back "Why didn't I remind her to pay earlier?" I reminded her that I did ask on Saturday and after that it was up to her. How do some of you handle comments like that about late payment fees?
I remind them that all of the information and answers to their questions can be gotten from their contract and parent handbook. I tell them to read over it often.One of my families pays me every other Monday. Well last week they left for vacation on Monday and I left later that day. I was home until 11. I talked to the dcm about payment when I watched the kids on Saturday but she said she wasn't planning to pay until the kids came back to care. She texted me today to see how much it was again and I told her how much and added that part of it was the late payment fee. She wasn't very happy and texted back "Why didn't I remind her to pay earlier?" I reminded her that I did ask on Saturday and after that it was up to her. How do some of you handle comments like that about late payment fees?
I don't constantly answer questions or entertain comments related to things they should already know, never do I chase payments. Payments are due when they are due.
daycare 11:16 AM 07-28-2013
I am a little confused about when your payments are due??
Do you have a set day that payments are required to be paid?
I am also having a late payment problem....,... Of course the mom said the same to me, WHY didn't you remind me..
The thing is, is that I send out invoices each month, have a reminder posted on my bulletin board and the payment due date never changes. I REFUSE to remind you again after that. I am not going to call you, text you, email you, etc.
I think that it is important to have clear polices on this and make sure the parent understands this.
What does your policy say about late payments??
Do you have a set day that payments are required to be paid?
I am also having a late payment problem....,... Of course the mom said the same to me, WHY didn't you remind me..
The thing is, is that I send out invoices each month, have a reminder posted on my bulletin board and the payment due date never changes. I REFUSE to remind you again after that. I am not going to call you, text you, email you, etc.
I think that it is important to have clear polices on this and make sure the parent understands this.
What does your policy say about late payments??
sally 11:31 AM 07-28-2013
With this family their schedules change weekly and it was just easier to have them pay me every other Monday. On the last day of care for that 2 weeks I tell them the amount and they pay me. With them going on vacation on that Monday I asked the mom about it on Saturday since I watched the kids that day. After I tell them once I don't feel that I need to keep reminding them. They were out of town all week so I figured why should I text them about it. I was also busy getting my older daughter off to camp and staying 3 hours away for part of the week and the rest of the week I was busy. They know when they need to pay just like any other bill. Same as the late fee. Every bill I pay has a late fee if not paid on time. I think why should daycare be any different. My handbook states that I have a late payment fee starting the evening that payment is due and it is X amount and each day they are charged X amount until payment is made.
daycare 11:50 AM 07-28-2013
Originally Posted by sally:
With this family their schedules change weekly and it was just easier to have them pay me every other Monday. On the last day of care for that 2 weeks I tell them the amount and they pay me. With them going on vacation on that Monday I asked the mom about it on Saturday since I watched the kids that day. After I tell them once I don't feel that I need to keep reminding them. They were out of town all week so I figured why should I text them about it. I was also busy getting my older daughter off to camp and staying 3 hours away for part of the week and the rest of the week I was busy. They know when they need to pay just like any other bill. Same as the late fee. Every bill I pay has a late fee if not paid on time. I think why should daycare be any different. My handbook states that I have a late payment fee starting the evening that payment is due and it is X amount and each day they are charged X amount until payment is made.
I agree with you 100%..... they should pay a late fee. I was just trying to determine when your normal payment due date was..With this family their schedules change weekly and it was just easier to have them pay me every other Monday. On the last day of care for that 2 weeks I tell them the amount and they pay me. With them going on vacation on that Monday I asked the mom about it on Saturday since I watched the kids that day. After I tell them once I don't feel that I need to keep reminding them. They were out of town all week so I figured why should I text them about it. I was also busy getting my older daughter off to camp and staying 3 hours away for part of the week and the rest of the week I was busy. They know when they need to pay just like any other bill. Same as the late fee. Every bill I pay has a late fee if not paid on time. I think why should daycare be any different. My handbook states that I have a late payment fee starting the evening that payment is due and it is X amount and each day they are charged X amount until payment is made.
I feel like telling them look.....I have held up my end of the deal, I get up every morning for your family, I provide great care, love, nurture, feed and provide a safe environment for your children each and every day so that you can go to work so you are able to provide for your family.
Now you need to up hold your end of the deal by following all of the daycare policies.....I don't think that we are asking to much..........
What makes me very upset, is that the mom I am dealing with didn't even say sorry, she just tried to blame me that it was my fault because I didn't remind her AGAIN......
I feel for you....I would just tell mom, it's not personal, it's the policy that we agreed to....
EntropyControlSpecialist 12:14 PM 07-28-2013
Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons:
I remind them that all of the information and answers to their questions can be gotten from their contract and parent handbook. I tell them to read over it often.
I don't constantly answer questions or entertain comments related to things they should already know, never do I chase payments. Payments are due when they are due.
I remind them that all of the information and answers to their questions can be gotten from their contract and parent handbook. I tell them to read over it often.
I don't constantly answer questions or entertain comments related to things they should already know, never do I chase payments. Payments are due when they are due.
"Please see page 5 of the Parent Handbook for more information about payments. Thank you!"
sally 03:58 PM 07-28-2013
Interesting enough I have a facebook friend who is friends with dcm on facebook too. Dcm complained that they spent all their money on vacation and now they don't have enough to pay daycare and its bogus that they are expected to pay late fees. This is their first vacation in years and that daycare should understand.
EntropyControlSpecialist 04:53 PM 07-28-2013
Originally Posted by sally:
Interesting enough I have a facebook friend who is friends with dcm on facebook too. Dcm complained that they spent all their money on vacation and now they don't have enough to pay daycare and its bogus that they are expected to pay late fees. This is their first vacation in years and that daycare should understand.
Excuses are common as is improperly budgeting. I have ignored those things in the past. Whether you have $10000000000 or $1, your bill is still due on the due date. It's never a surprise and never an unexpected expense.Interesting enough I have a facebook friend who is friends with dcm on facebook too. Dcm complained that they spent all their money on vacation and now they don't have enough to pay daycare and its bogus that they are expected to pay late fees. This is their first vacation in years and that daycare should understand.
Familycare71 05:05 PM 07-28-2013
Originally Posted by sally:
Interesting enough I have a facebook friend who is friends with dcm on facebook too. Dcm complained that they spent all their money on vacation and now they don't have enough to pay daycare and its bogus that they are expected to pay late fees. This is their first vacation in years and that daycare should understand.
Interesting enough I have a facebook friend who is friends with dcm on facebook too. Dcm complained that they spent all their money on vacation and now they don't have enough to pay daycare and its bogus that they are expected to pay late fees. This is their first vacation in years and that daycare should understand.
EntropyControlSpecialist 05:12 PM 07-28-2013
Oh, the last time I heard something similar was when a DCM took her children to disney on ice, bought them goodies there, and bought at least 1 motorcycle (although, they did mysteriously have a 2nd motorcycle as well all of a sudden...). There's always one of those parents in every city. 
They fussed over some small late fee when Dad picked up late. I want to say it was for $12 or something?
They fussed over some small late fee when Dad picked up late. I want to say it was for $12 or something?
MamaBearCanada 08:00 PM 07-28-2013
DCM: "Why didn't you remind me?"
You: " Your finances aren't part of my job!"
You: "
Your finances aren't part of my job!"