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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>What Are These DCPs Drinking? 2nd Complaint Today
lovemydaycare0912 02:33 PM 03-16-2016
You all know how my morning went. To top that off, just NOW I have parent whose contracted time ends at 5pm. She calls at 5:07 shows up at 5:13. I charge late fee. Now Im nice and charge only 10 instead of 15 but she sends her daughter up who I ask to relay the message to her mother and call me with questions.

Now I give this parent a lumpsome of money every month of extra payment I get from the state to help her out.

She decides that TODAY is a good day to call me and say verbatim, "Sally Sue, you really gunna charge me a late fee? That's ridiculous." So I explain Im not charging her a full late fee, Im actually being nice. She could have at least called. She then goes, verbatim, " Don't worry about it. Youll get your money, BYE!" Anddddd hangs up on my face. I call back and she obviously does not pick up so i leave a nice, calm message.

Uhm why does she think it is okay to be mad because she was late? And then to hang up on the phone on me? And have an attitude. Guess who just lost her lumpsome of money?

Today is not the day to test me. Sorry I had to vent.
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sharlan 02:36 PM 03-16-2016
Question - why would you refund ANY money to the parent. If you're paid by the state, they forward that info to the IRS as income. You would end up paying taxes on the money that you refunded the parent.
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lovemydaycare0912 02:47 PM 03-16-2016
Originally Posted by sharlan:
Question - why would you refund ANY money to the parent. If you're paid by the state, they forward that info to the IRS as income. You would end up paying taxes on the money that you refunded the parent.
I actually never thought about that. But we do it to help her out. How our state does is they give you extra payment for each child in the care. You can choose to use it as payment from the parent. I do not physically give her cash back. I just lower her oop expense the week I get it.
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Thriftylady 03:21 PM 03-16-2016
First off, I would not be extending her any money or credit from the state. I am guessing this would be considered fraud and if the state found out you would be in a bind.

I also wouldn't have sent the message with a child. May be just me, but kids never translate right! I would have sent her a text or something just so it was clear what I said.

Above and beyond that, I would probably term immediately. I can't stand it when people are rude or mistreat me. I just don't have space for that in my life. If I really couldn't afford to do that, I would be looking for a replacement.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 03:25 PM 03-16-2016
Originally Posted by Thriftylady:
First off, I would not be extending her any money or credit from the state. I am guessing this would be considered fraud and if the state found out you would be in a bind.

I also wouldn't have sent the message with a child. May be just me, but kids never translate right! I would have sent her a text or something just so it was clear what I said.

Above and beyond that, I would probably term immediately. I can't stand it when people are rude or mistreat me. I just don't have space for that in my life. If I really couldn't afford to do that, I would be looking for a replacement.
That mom is probably already looking for a replacement because you done "did her wrong." I am kidding because sometimes all we can do is laugh! I have had clients like this (still do!) so I understand.

I would also begin looking for someone to replace her. In the meantime, I'd charge her the full late fee from here on out. This is why I don't lower fees anymore unless I feel directly led to do so.
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lovemydaycare0912 04:04 PM 03-16-2016
Okay so I misworded things sorry. It is not fraud. The state pays a certain amount for example $500 for 1 month of care for the child. Because their reimbursement went up, you get the other let's say $200 after 2 months. You can use it as payment for the child or take it for yourself whichever you use.

Also, her daughter is actually the biological mother of the child in my care. However, grandma, the one I deal with is who has legal custody.

I will be looking for a replacement, until then, I cannot wait for our convo tomorrow!
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Thriftylady 04:31 PM 03-16-2016
Originally Posted by lovemydaycare0912:
Okay so I misworded things sorry. It is not fraud. The state pays a certain amount for example $500 for 1 month of care for the child. Because their reimbursement went up, you get the other let's say $200 after 2 months. You can use it as payment for the child or take it for yourself whichever you use.

Also, her daughter is actually the biological mother of the child in my care. However, grandma, the one I deal with is who has legal custody.

I will be looking for a replacement, until then, I cannot wait for our convo tomorrow!
Your state must be weird as far as paying extra. Most don't pay nearly enough. As long as you know the rules, you will be fine, I still don't think I would be doing that part though. Regardless of what anyone else things or says, we work hard for our money, you earned that!!! I would be livid about that attitude though.
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lovemydaycare0912 07:01 PM 03-16-2016
Oh yeah. I am so done with being nice. I have learned my lesson time and time again. With all my newer families, I have learned how to "train them" as Blackcat says to treat me how I want and need them to treat me to remain a healthy relationship.

I already practiced my "speech" for tomorrow and am ready because I know she will say oh I am so sorry. As I will say, I forgive you, but you are still responsible for all weekly payments. Tata for now!
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Meeko 07:03 PM 03-16-2016
Slamming the phone down? Instant term as far as I'm concerned.

And FULL late fees still due.
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lovemydaycare0912 07:09 PM 03-16-2016
Originally Posted by Meeko:
Slamming the phone down? Instant term as far as I'm concerned.

And FULL late fees still due.
I would BUT I want to fill the spot first. I know I shouldn't wait, but it won't be too much longer before we term.
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Meeko 07:18 PM 03-16-2016
I am confused with your state pay. Most states look at the work schedule and income of the parent and then decide what amount they are going to pay towards care. The parent is supposed to make up any difference (at least in Utah)

We get paid in advance each month. The parent is approved 6 months at a time, but are to notify the state if their income or work changes.

Providers have to notify the state if their rates change or the parent isn't using as much care as approved for.

If the state payment is MORE that you charge...then they should be notified so they can adjust it. I know in my state it is illegal to have the state pay more than you charge private pay parents.

Look into it. I'm NOT saying YOU are frauding the government, but a lot of these welfare moms know how to work the system. Don't get yourself caught up in something where you may have to pay back a big sum of money and maybe face charges. This family just aren't worth it!

I know each state is different, but I cannot see a state just "handing out" extra daycare cash.???? Or am I not understanding how it works...it's been a long day?!!!!
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lovemydaycare0912 07:25 PM 03-16-2016
Originally Posted by Meeko:
I am confused with your state pay. Most states look at the work schedule and income of the parent and then decide what amount they are going to pay towards care. The parent is supposed to make up any difference (at least in Utah)

We get paid in advance each month. The parent is approved 6 months at a time, but are to notify the state if their income or work changes.

Providers have to notify the state if their rates change or the parent isn't using as much care as approved for.

If the state payment is MORE that you charge...then they should be notified so they can adjust it. I know in my state it is illegal to have the state pay more than you charge private pay parents.

Look into it. I'm NOT saying YOU are frauding the government, but a lot of these welfare moms know how to work the system. Don't get yourself caught up in something where you may have to pay back a big sum of money and maybe face charges. This family just aren't worth it!

I know each state is different, but I cannot see a state just "handing out" extra daycare cash.???? Or am I not understanding how it works...it's been a long day?!!!!
I am sorry I am not explaining it correctly. The state pays us monthly one month behind. But because they have not updated the systems they are only able to pay for example $150 per week, although the new rate they pay is for example $200. so that extra $50 a week will come to us 2 months behind. So They technically may pay $200 a week for the child (only example), but it will come to you at different times. Therefore, the parent is to pay you first, and you can lower their payments when you get it from the state but you are not required to do.

Also, the state does it here as well where they pay based off of the parent's income, hours, and how much I charge. I charge over how much the state pays so I don't ever have to worry about getting overpaid. I always put the correct hours on our forms to the state and make sure I let them know if it's less that the parent is using.

This parent has said several times this is the first time she's met a daycare that sticks to their rules and is so professional but thats a good thing. I'm like uh yeah. So after tonight, it's time to go. When someone shows you who they are, believe them.
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Mom2Two 08:10 PM 03-16-2016
Some people just hate rules and are always pushing the boundaries. They never stop being stressful. If she's one of these, you'll be so much happier without her!
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lovemydaycare0912 08:35 PM 03-18-2016
This was hilarious. After dcm was rude to me Wed night and hung up on me. She called next morning and said she didn't hang up, that it must've been her earring!!!!!! And when I called back she must've not hear it because it was on vibrate and had the kids in the car, yet never called back. Either way, I said regardless whether you did or didn't hang up... I do NOT like at all how that conversation went. You were disrespectful, rude, and completely unacceptable. I would never speak to you in the manner you spoke to me. She never once apologized, maybe just an I know. She then never came upstairs to drop off or pick up dcb. Had her daughters doing it. Finnalllllllly today at pick up she comes upstairs with a face and my full late fee/tuition. I think she knows a term is coming. Maybe not. But it is. It's just sad I have to term 2 kids soon. But life goes on.
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Tags:late pick up fee, parents - don't cooperate
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