I'm having some issues with late pick ups. I have not enforced any of my late fees yet, but I'm starting today. I want to make sure I'm being reasonable. My late pick up fee is $1 per minute after my closing time of 4:30pm. I made my hours based on my dcp enrollment contracts. My hours are 7am - 4:30pm and I charge by the day. I understand I'm not even open for 10 hours, but the reason is....Both families I care for work & live less than .5 a mile from my home. They don't have a commute to speak of, so I don't see a reason to be open earlier or later than what they said they need. Granted I understand they could still have traffic or weather problems, but there really shouldn't be a reason they are late on a regular basis.... So to get to my question, I have one family who picks up at 3:30. The dcd drops off and dcm picks up... She is supposed to pick up between 3-3:30. It is never consistent no matter how many times I ask her to make it a specific time and stick with it. I consider her later after 3:30pm, but because I am still open for the other family how should I charge? I feel like she should be there to pick her child up at the time she contracted to get her. On a regular basis she will be late from getting her toes or waxing done, grocery shopping, doc appts etc. If I do charge her should it be the same as the $1 per minute after closing or do $10 per half hour after her contracted time up until my closing time...then change to $1 per minute? She also never communicates with me if she will be late. It's so frustrating. I choke when she comes to pick up because I don't want to upset her and lose her business. I have had multiple conversations about them giving me notice and recently they've been texting just before pick up... or they don't tell me at all. Last night they made prior arrangements to pick up at 4:30p... 4:30 came and went, I texted and they we're full of excuses. I feel they had all day to communicate with me and chose not to. I have read other posts and I agree with still charging the late fee if the call or text the same day.
My next question is for the other family... they come to pick up at 4:30. They are never on time. Dcd always goes home first to change his clothes before he comes to pick up.. I have been completely lax in not charging. Should I charge a fee after 4:30p, or give him a 10 min. grace period, so after 4:40p he will get charged? This family communicates with me always..so I am not as much inclined to penalize them because they do tell me or call even if it's the same day. But I feel my closing time is more of a guideline to him. Keep in mind these families don't have a commute, so whether they go home or come from work they are both within 5-10min away.
Next question: Sick Policy - I'm struggling with kids staying home when they are sick. My policy is based on what the health department requires. And that is based on the SYMPTOMS the children have, and not the reason they have them. For instance - if they don't think it's contagious they feel they should still be able to come. I give one free sick day per child per month. They can choose to use it or not, but it doesn't roll over. What policies do you have in place to ensure they understand and abide it?
As others have mentioned... I don't want the money, I want the time with my family!
Thanks for any and all suggestions
My next question is for the other family... they come to pick up at 4:30. They are never on time. Dcd always goes home first to change his clothes before he comes to pick up.. I have been completely lax in not charging. Should I charge a fee after 4:30p, or give him a 10 min. grace period, so after 4:40p he will get charged? This family communicates with me always..so I am not as much inclined to penalize them because they do tell me or call even if it's the same day. But I feel my closing time is more of a guideline to him. Keep in mind these families don't have a commute, so whether they go home or come from work they are both within 5-10min away.
Next question: Sick Policy - I'm struggling with kids staying home when they are sick. My policy is based on what the health department requires. And that is based on the SYMPTOMS the children have, and not the reason they have them. For instance - if they don't think it's contagious they feel they should still be able to come. I give one free sick day per child per month. They can choose to use it or not, but it doesn't roll over. What policies do you have in place to ensure they understand and abide it?
As others have mentioned... I don't want the money, I want the time with my family!
Thanks for any and all suggestions
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