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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Reminders..How Often Do You?
Jack Sprat 11:29 AM 02-11-2014
I changed my policy on late pick ups, raised the rate for late pick ups and went from hours opened to contract hours. All parents signed and returned form by the return date.
I have a family who let me know that they would be picking up dcg late this week. Dcd is out of town and mom commutes 45 min for work. She mentioned this after new policy was handed out. Do I need to remind her yet again that late fees will be added on to weekly charge? DH says no and just text her (her chosen way to communicate) Friday morning what the charge is with late fees. We both have the same thought that they are hoping I will let it slide. But, it was 20 min last night and will be the same tonight, and possibly Thursday. I thought about exchanging late fees for an early pick up time. DH feels that this isn't okay as they will expect and think they can be late and just p.u. early.
What would you all do?
I have a family who let me know that they would be picking up dcg late this week. Dcd is out of town and mom commutes 45 min for work. She mentioned this after new policy was handed out. Do I need to remind her yet again that late fees will be added on to weekly charge? DH says no and just text her (her chosen way to communicate) Friday morning what the charge is with late fees. We both have the same thought that they are hoping I will let it slide. But, it was 20 min last night and will be the same tonight, and possibly Thursday. I thought about exchanging late fees for an early pick up time. DH feels that this isn't okay as they will expect and think they can be late and just p.u. early.
What would you all do?
Kabob 11:33 AM 02-11-2014
Originally Posted by Jack Sprat:
I changed my policy on late pick ups, raised the rate for late pick ups and went from hours opened to contract hours. All parents signed and returned form by the return date.
I have a family who let me know that they would be picking up dcg late this week. Dcd is out of town and mom commutes 45 min for work. She mentioned this after new policy was handed out. Do I need to remind her yet again that late fees will be added on to weekly charge? DH says no and just text her (her chosen way to communicate) Friday morning what the charge is with late fees. We both have the same thought that they are hoping I will let it slide. But, it was 20 min last night and will be the same tonight, and possibly Thursday. I thought about exchanging late fees for an early pick up time. DH feels that this isn't okay as they will expect and think they can be late and just p.u. early.
What would you all do?
Dh is right. Just stick to your policy and charge the fees. I have learned the hard way that if you let it slide once it can get worse fast. It's easier to stick to your policies than it is to correct a parent that has come to expect "exceptions" every day.I changed my policy on late pick ups, raised the rate for late pick ups and went from hours opened to contract hours. All parents signed and returned form by the return date.
I have a family who let me know that they would be picking up dcg late this week. Dcd is out of town and mom commutes 45 min for work. She mentioned this after new policy was handed out. Do I need to remind her yet again that late fees will be added on to weekly charge? DH says no and just text her (her chosen way to communicate) Friday morning what the charge is with late fees. We both have the same thought that they are hoping I will let it slide. But, it was 20 min last night and will be the same tonight, and possibly Thursday. I thought about exchanging late fees for an early pick up time. DH feels that this isn't okay as they will expect and think they can be late and just p.u. early.
What would you all do?
Cat Herder 11:47 AM 02-11-2014
They will never follow your contract if you tell them it is invalid; you don't think it is fair. 
You feel the need to offer exceptions.
Exceptions lead to exceptions.
Don't have anything in the contract you won't enforce.
If payment is due Friday, I'd give more of a heads up. $60+ extra could hurt otherwise. (assuming you do $1 a minute like most)
She may be thinking that since she gave notice it is a "favor". It is a new policy, so a bit of reminding may be in order.
*** Late fees are due the day of here, they do not accrue.***
You feel the need to offer exceptions.Exceptions lead to exceptions.
Don't have anything in the contract you won't enforce.
If payment is due Friday, I'd give more of a heads up. $60+ extra could hurt otherwise. (assuming you do $1 a minute like most)
She may be thinking that since she gave notice it is a "favor". It is a new policy, so a bit of reminding may be in order.
*** Late fees are due the day of here, they do not accrue.***
Blackcat31 12:22 PM 02-11-2014
Are they asking if it's okay to be late?
I don't accommodate late pick ups period.
If someone needs to work late, then they need to make arrangements for someone else to pick up on their time.
Yes, I have a late fee but it is only allowed to be used twice...third late pick up is termination.
I agree with your DH.
I don't accommodate late pick ups period.
If someone needs to work late, then they need to make arrangements for someone else to pick up on their time.
Yes, I have a late fee but it is only allowed to be used twice...third late pick up is termination.
I agree with your DH.
jenboo 12:45 PM 02-11-2014
Originally Posted by Jack Sprat:
I changed my policy on late pick ups, raised the rate for late pick ups and went from hours opened to contract hours. All parents signed and returned form by the return date.
I have a family who let me know that they would be picking up dcg late this week. Dcd is out of town and mom commutes 45 min for work. She mentioned this after new policy was handed out. Do I need to remind her yet again that late fees will be added on to weekly charge? DH says no and just text her (her chosen way to communicate) Friday morning what the charge is with late fees. We both have the same thought that they are hoping I will let it slide. But, it was 20 min last night and will be the same tonight, and possibly Thursday. I thought about exchanging late fees for an early pick up time. DH feels that this isn't okay as they will expect and think they can be late and just p.u. early.
What would you all do?
IF she mentioned this ahead of time and asked if you could work something out, I personally would come up with a pay arrangement. For example (this is in my contract) i charge $5 for every 30 min or portion thereof if a parent needs extra hours and IF i agree to it and IF they talk to me ahead of time.I changed my policy on late pick ups, raised the rate for late pick ups and went from hours opened to contract hours. All parents signed and returned form by the return date.
I have a family who let me know that they would be picking up dcg late this week. Dcd is out of town and mom commutes 45 min for work. She mentioned this after new policy was handed out. Do I need to remind her yet again that late fees will be added on to weekly charge? DH says no and just text her (her chosen way to communicate) Friday morning what the charge is with late fees. We both have the same thought that they are hoping I will let it slide. But, it was 20 min last night and will be the same tonight, and possibly Thursday. I thought about exchanging late fees for an early pick up time. DH feels that this isn't okay as they will expect and think they can be late and just p.u. early.
What would you all do?
If she walked in on Monday morning and said oh hey im going to be late all week. Then I would remind her of your late fee.
This is just me. If you do not allow any extra hours or if she didn't give you any notice, i would definitely charge. I would also remind her. Maybe she thinks that because she told you, you wouldnt charge late fees?? just a thought.
Jack Sprat 01:15 PM 02-11-2014
Originally Posted by jenboo:
IF she mentioned this ahead of time and asked if you could work something out, I personally would come up with a pay arrangement. For example (this is in my contract) i charge $5 for every 30 min or portion thereof if a parent needs extra hours and IF i agree to it and IF they talk to me ahead of time.
If she walked in on Monday morning and said oh hey im going to be late all week. Then I would remind her of your late fee.
This is just me. If you do not allow any extra hours or if she didn't give you any notice, i would definitely charge. I would also remind her. Maybe she thinks that because she told you, you wouldnt charge late fees?? just a thought.
IF she mentioned this ahead of time and asked if you could work something out, I personally would come up with a pay arrangement. For example (this is in my contract) i charge $5 for every 30 min or portion thereof if a parent needs extra hours and IF i agree to it and IF they talk to me ahead of time.
If she walked in on Monday morning and said oh hey im going to be late all week. Then I would remind her of your late fee.
This is just me. If you do not allow any extra hours or if she didn't give you any notice, i would definitely charge. I would also remind her. Maybe she thinks that because she told you, you wouldnt charge late fees?? just a thought.
She told me two weeks ago,but never asked to work anything out as far as late fees. I charge $30 an hour. She will be looking at $30 or more. I will let her know Thursday evening. She may think there is no late fee but, I think they know as dcd last week asked if dcm had worked out next week with me. I told him she told me she would be late but that is all she said. Dcd responded with "oh".
Jack Sprat 11:31 AM 02-14-2014
***Update*** the text quickly turned into a "i have no idea what your talking about situation." With a lot of I don't understand from dcm. I kept responding to her texts nicely, and with a lot of I'm sorry you feel that way etc. etc. She did inform me that she was allowed to question my policies if she couldn't remember them, also added that DH would have same questions when he paid me as she did and she just wouldn't have time to fill him in since they have different lunch breaks. My own DH will be home when they do pick up. He has said that as business manager he will answer any questions dcd may have.
Anyway, it Friday!!! They have two weeks left unless something changes and they leave sooner.
Anyway, it Friday!!! They have two weeks left unless something changes and they leave sooner.
EntropyControlSpecialist 11:41 AM 02-14-2014
Originally Posted by Jack Sprat:
***Update*** the text quickly turned into a "i have no idea what your talking about situation." With a lot of I don't understand from dcm. I kept responding to her texts nicely, and with a lot of I'm sorry you feel that way etc. etc. She did inform me that she was allowed to question my policies if she couldn't remember them, also added that DH would have same questions when he paid me as she did and she just wouldn't have time to fill him in since they have different lunch breaks. My own DH will be home when they do pick up. He has said that as business manager he will answer any questions dcd may have.
Anyway, it Friday!!! They have two weeks left unless something changes and they leave sooner.
Oh brother. It is easy to plead the "I don't knows" when you aren't getting your way so you won't be penalized. Sorry, but you signed it. Better read before you sign next time.***Update*** the text quickly turned into a "i have no idea what your talking about situation." With a lot of I don't understand from dcm. I kept responding to her texts nicely, and with a lot of I'm sorry you feel that way etc. etc. She did inform me that she was allowed to question my policies if she couldn't remember them, also added that DH would have same questions when he paid me as she did and she just wouldn't have time to fill him in since they have different lunch breaks. My own DH will be home when they do pick up. He has said that as business manager he will answer any questions dcd may have.
Anyway, it Friday!!! They have two weeks left unless something changes and they leave sooner.
Jack Sprat 11:46 AM 02-14-2014
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
Oh brother. It is easy to plead the "I don't knows" when you aren't getting your way so you won't be penalized. Sorry, but you signed it. Better read before you sign next time.
Oh brother. It is easy to plead the "I don't knows" when you aren't getting your way so you won't be penalized. Sorry, but you signed it. Better read before you sign next time.
I did inform her of that..."I'm sorry I thought you would have read what you were signing.""DCD read it and I signed it. I don't have time to do everything."
Didn't even go there with her..no point!