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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>This Weeks Message to All DCP
Second Home 10:13 AM 09-10-2014
Starting Monday ALL late pick-ups will be charged the late fee , no exceptions / no excuses. I do feel bad in a way , but then again I don't .
It seems like there is always someone who is running late . Some feel 5 minutes is no big deal , others say it's only every once in a while , others show up at closing then want to talk for 15 minutes .
I just can not do it anymore .
Last week one dcp called and said she was running late and would not be here by closing would it be a problem I said "yes, it would I have to leave at 5 right when the kids leave " It was a surprise when she arrived 10 minutes early , I think someone just wanted to run an errand alone .
It seems like there is always someone who is running late . Some feel 5 minutes is no big deal , others say it's only every once in a while , others show up at closing then want to talk for 15 minutes .
I just can not do it anymore .
Last week one dcp called and said she was running late and would not be here by closing would it be a problem I said "yes, it would I have to leave at 5 right when the kids leave " It was a surprise when she arrived 10 minutes early , I think someone just wanted to run an errand alone .
Play Care 10:31 AM 09-10-2014
Originally Posted by Second Home:
Starting Monday ALL late pick-ups will be charged the late fee , no exceptions / no excuses. I do feel bad in a way , but then again I don't .
It seems like there is always someone who is running late . Some feel 5 minutes is no big deal , others say it's only every once in a while , others show up at closing then want to talk for 15 minutes .
I just can not do it anymore .
Last week one dcp called and said she was running late and would not be here by closing would it be a problem I said "yes, it would I have to leave at 5 right when the kids leave " It was a surprise when she arrived 10 minutes early , I think someone just wanted to run an errand alone .
Starting Monday ALL late pick-ups will be charged the late fee , no exceptions / no excuses. I do feel bad in a way , but then again I don't .
It seems like there is always someone who is running late . Some feel 5 minutes is no big deal , others say it's only every once in a while , others show up at closing then want to talk for 15 minutes .
I just can not do it anymore .
Last week one dcp called and said she was running late and would not be here by closing would it be a problem I said "yes, it would I have to leave at 5 right when the kids leave " It was a surprise when she arrived 10 minutes early , I think someone just wanted to run an errand alone .
hope 10:37 AM 09-10-2014
I have kept kids after closing before. Once a month became one a week which became every other day. It is never appreciated just expected. Good job on putting your foot down before it gets out of control.
cheerfuldom 10:40 AM 09-10-2014
Why would you feel bad? No one else works for free, anywhere. If you charge X rate for Y number of hours, it makes perfect sense if you charge more if they go over hours.
Thriftylady 11:18 AM 09-10-2014
I agree don't feel bad. People think just because we work out of our home means we never have to go anywhere or something.
TwinKristi 12:57 PM 09-10-2014
I agree, don't feel bad. Parents will usually walk all over you when given a chance!!
Laurel 01:13 PM 09-10-2014
Originally Posted by Second Home:
Starting Monday ALL late pick-ups will be charged the late fee , no exceptions / no excuses. I do feel bad in a way , but then again I don't .
It seems like there is always someone who is running late . Some feel 5 minutes is no big deal , others say it's only every once in a while , others show up at closing then want to talk for 15 minutes .
I just can not do it anymore .
Last week one dcp called and said she was running late and would not be here by closing would it be a problem I said "yes, it would I have to leave at 5 right when the kids leave " It was a surprise when she arrived 10 minutes early , I think someone just wanted to run an errand alone .
When I used to get those calls I would tell them right then that when they arrived they would owe the late fee. Then it was no surprise when they arrived as they knew they would be paying.Starting Monday ALL late pick-ups will be charged the late fee , no exceptions / no excuses. I do feel bad in a way , but then again I don't .
It seems like there is always someone who is running late . Some feel 5 minutes is no big deal , others say it's only every once in a while , others show up at closing then want to talk for 15 minutes .
I just can not do it anymore .
Last week one dcp called and said she was running late and would not be here by closing would it be a problem I said "yes, it would I have to leave at 5 right when the kids leave " It was a surprise when she arrived 10 minutes early , I think someone just wanted to run an errand alone .
Laurel
SignMeUp 01:17 PM 09-10-2014
Once I put up a sign for parents that said, If each of you are late just once every two weeks, I work late EVERY night.
Of course, it didn't do any good.
Charging did though, for most of them
Of course, it didn't do any good.
Charging did though, for most of them
Second Home 01:36 PM 09-10-2014
I have the late fee in my policy book but no one ever remembers it is in there . I did tell one dcp that if their boss had them work late once a week and did not pay them they would not tolerate it , that made sense to him . Being 5 minutes late just sems like no big deal to most people , but those 5 minutes add up and it was starting to make me mad so I just talked to everyone reminding them of the policy and it will be enforced on Monday . Now I feel better 
TwinKristi 02:12 PM 09-10-2014
Originally Posted by Second Home:
I have the late fee in my policy book but no one ever remembers it is in there . I did tell one dcp that if their boss had them work late once a week and did not pay them they would not tolerate it , that made sense to him . Being 5 minutes late just sems like no big deal to most people , but those 5 minutes add up and it was starting to make me mad so I just talked to everyone reminding them of the policy and it will be enforced on Monday . Now I feel better
I have the late fee in my policy book but no one ever remembers it is in there . I did tell one dcp that if their boss had them work late once a week and did not pay them they would not tolerate it , that made sense to him . Being 5 minutes late just sems like no big deal to most people , but those 5 minutes add up and it was starting to make me mad so I just talked to everyone reminding them of the policy and it will be enforced on Monday . Now I feel better
I'm glad they saw your POV there! Some parents see it like a salary, some weeks you work 35 hours some weeks you work 45 hours but you get paid just he same. BUT that's not my arrangement. LOL I have a late fee in my contract! Even if I work an extra 6 mins a day that's over 26 hours a year. We put in so many unpaid hours outside of work it's not even funny!
Naptime yet? 02:36 PM 09-10-2014
Something must be in the water, I'm getting ready to do the same thing. My late fees were $5 for 15 mins., but I just changed it to $1 per min. So beginning new contract....surprise! And I'm going to let dcps know that you are not "officially here" until you actually collect your child. Pulling into my driveway does not stop the clock.
Glad you feel better!
Glad you feel better!
Second Home 04:38 AM 09-12-2014
So yesterday I get a call 10 minutes before closing that one dcp will be at least 20 minutes late . I said not possible I need to leave right at closing . They called for an alternate person to pick up but no answer . I told them you have 2 choices , you can either pick them up at the football field or I can drop them off at your house on my way by . But they will be 30-40 min late at that point . They chose a home drop off over 40 minutes late . Late fee will be $15 ×3 kids .
EntropyControlSpecialist 06:42 AM 09-12-2014
I charge for even one minute. One minute free a day equals 20 min a month!
Crazy8 11:05 AM 09-12-2014
I have one who is ALWAYS 5 min. late!!!! I am sooo sick of it, since all my others leave a half hour before them. I want to enforce late fees but I am really afraid to lose them too. I close earlier than any daycare in town, there are people advertising for 6am to 6pm for HALF of what I charge a day. I didn't get a single bite for care for Fall this year when normally July/Aug are the only times I get calls. I am desperate to keep them so feel like I can't charge the fees. 