Nonpayment!

[AfterSchoolMom]

I HATE it when a parent doesn't pay, especially a part time parent. I have a hefty late fee ($15 per calendar day) and I feel like a jack@ss charging 30 extra dollars to someone who only pays 60 in the first place. I'm sure I'll get attitude about it too. Why can't people just PAY ON TIME????


Sorry...this should have been in the vent section, I guess. Just wondering if anyone else is having problems with nonpayment? Do you feel guilt about charging the late fee? I'm not saying I'm not going to...

[Bizzymom1111]

Charge them!!!

You should definetely charge your late
fees. I'm dealing with a family right now that I actually terminated and are fighting me for their deposit back, when they owe me over $350 worth of late fees. Why can't people just pay on time? I constantly feel that I'm reminding people all the time when it CLEARLY states when all fees, copays, etc.,are due in my policy, that THEY signed. I've decided that no matter how "nice" someone seems or whatever their "reason"is for being late, I'm charging them! I'm growing a backbone pretty quick here, because I'm fed up with parents who don't respect their providers and their businesses.

[momma2girls]

You should definetely charge your late
fees. I'm dealing with a family right now that I actually terminated and are fighting me for their deposit back, when they owe me over $350 worth of late fees. Why can't people just pay on time? I constantly feel that I'm reminding people all the time when it CLEARLY states when all fees, copays, etc.,are due in my policy, that THEY signed. I've decided that no matter how "nice" someone seems or whatever their "reason"is for being late, I'm charging them! I'm growing a backbone pretty quick here, because I'm fed up with parents who don't respect their providers and their businesses.

Good for you!! THe longer you do childcare, the stronger you will get!!! I promise!!!

[Blackcat31]

Good for you!! THe longer you do childcare, the stronger you will get!!! I promise!!!

AMEN!! I had a parent who was interviewing once tell me that she tried to look for new providers because they were more flexible with their rules and policies. What I heard was; "They are easier to take advantage of!"

[missnikki]

I have a lot of written rules, as I've posted before, on this topic. I enforce them.
I also have an unwritten rule- if you are going through tough times, (happens to us all) I can work with you IF you come to me BEFORE it is a problem. Like, before the payment is late. You cannot tell me that if it was truly an "I don't have the money yet" issue, that you were not aware of it before the due date. For example- payment is due on Monday: parent 1 comes to me on Thursday before and explains that they need a couple of extra days to pay and have not needed that favor repeatedly. I say, "OK. Here's an alternate payment agreement, just sign it and fill in the new due date and it's gonna be OK." Parent 2 doesn't pay on time, doesn't say anything until I give them a statement with a late fee. They come to me asking to remove the late fee because "blahblahblah". I say, "I'm sorry, but I counted on that money coming in on that day, and the late payment policy states that....." SORRY.

Here's the Alternate payment agreement that I use:

ALTERNATE PAYMENT CONTRACT


CHILD’S NAME ______________________________

REASON FOR VARIANCE FROM REGULAR PAYMENT SCHEDULE:___________________________________________________


PAYMENT OF $_____________FOR CARE ON___________ DUE ON ___/___/___


PAYMENT OF $_____________FOR CARE ON___________ DUE ON ___/___/___


I AGREE TO PAY ALL AMOUNTS DUE AS SPECIFIED BY THIS AGREEMENT. FAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS ALTERNATE SCHEDULE WILL CANCEL THE VARIANCE AND CAUSE A RETURN TO THE REGULAR POLICY AND LATE FEES WILL BE IMPOSED ACCORDINGLY.


PARENT’S PRINTED NAME:_____________________________________________

PARENT’S SIGNATURE:________________________________ DATE:___/___/___

DIRECTOR’S SIGNATURE:____________________________________________

ORIGINAL TO STAY IN CHILD’S FILE, COPY WILL BE PROVIDED TO PARENT FOR THEIR RECORDS

[laundryduchess@yahoo.com]

MissNikki,..

may I use the alternate pay policy?? That is brilliant!

[missnikki]

By all means, please do!

[lovinmylife]

Good for you!! THe longer you do childcare, the stronger you will get!!! I promise!!!

This is so true!! After 6 years I still felt kinda bad, but not guilty. A childcare payment is a bill just like any other service. If you don't pay the cell phone bill or cable bill the service stops & you pay a late fee. Parents need to realize this.