If Parent Doesn't Prepay For Upcoming Week, At What Point Do You Figure They Are Leav

[trix23]

New client of a 1 year old (been here 2 weeks) hasn't yet paid the bill for next week's care. Was due at noon and accrues $10/day until paid.

She pays the median price between my FT and PT rates to have a flex care arrangement. (3-5 days on alternating weeks), and was asking me how much it would be for 2 days next week since her mom can watch the kid. I told her that she pays the same amount each week regardless of how often her kid comes but that for next week, she could bring the kid for 3-4 days since she's paying for it anyway.

I've had SO many prospective clients that only want to pay for days used on low need weeks and pay the cheaper daily rate on weeks they need more care. It clearly states in my Handbook that it doesn't work that way. Am I saying it wrong? "Tuition is due every week regardless of your child's attendance."

At what point should I assume that she's not coming back? Monday morning? I have 3 interviews scheduled for Saturday and 2 want immediate care if I agree to it.

[midaycare]

New client of a 1 year old (been here 2 weeks) hasn't yet paid the bill for next week's care. Was due at noon and accrues $10/day until paid.

She pays the median price between my FT and PT rates to have a flex care arrangement. (3-5 days on alternating weeks), and was asking me how much it would be for 2 days next week since her mom can watch the kid. I told her that she pays the same amount each week regardless of how often her kid comes but that for next week, she could bring the kid for 3-4 days since she's paying for it anyway.

I've had SO many prospective clients that only want to pay for days used on low need weeks and pay the cheaper daily rate on weeks they need more care. It clearly states in my Handbook that it doesn't work that way. Am I saying it wrong? "Tuition is due every week regardless of your child's attendance."

At what point should I assume that she's not coming back? Monday morning? I have 3 interviews scheduled for Saturday and 2 want immediate care if I agree to it.

I'd interview as if it were open. Maybe you will find another family is a much better fit who won't argue policies.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

I wouldnt assume. I would just ask. "Hey Dcm! Payment is due today, so i wanted to see if you were going to drop it off before late fees start to accrue." Either she will say she is gonna bring it or you will get no answer, which is your answer

[Blackcat31]

New client of a 1 year old (been here 2 weeks) hasn't yet paid the bill for next week's care. Was due at noon and accrues $10/day until paid.

She pays the median price between my FT and PT rates to have a flex care arrangement. (3-5 days on alternating weeks), and was asking me how much it would be for 2 days next week since her mom can watch the kid. I told her that she pays the same amount each week regardless of how often her kid comes but that for next week, she could bring the kid for 3-4 days since she's paying for it anyway.

I've had SO many prospective clients that only want to pay for days used on low need weeks and pay the cheaper daily rate on weeks they need more care. It clearly states in my Handbook that it doesn't work that way. Am I saying it wrong? "Tuition is due every week regardless of your child's attendance."

At what point should I assume that she's not coming back? Monday morning? I have 3 interviews scheduled for Saturday and 2 want immediate care if I agree to it.

I also interview when full. Never know when I need to fill a space on short notice.

As for when to say the family is termed for non-payment....my handbook says after 3 days of no contact, termination automatically occurs. So I continue to add late fees as the balance accrues. No services until everything is paid in full. If I have heard nothing from the family by the 3rd day (Wednesday) they are automatically terminated.

As far as how to say tuition is due even during absences my contract says:
"Rates are based on enrollment and due each week regardless of closures, the child's attendance or time used. "

[Blackcat31]

I wouldnt assume. I would just ask. "Hey Dcm! Payment is due today, so i wanted to see if you were going to drop it off before late fees start to accrue." Either she will say she is gonna bring it or you will get no answer, which is your answer

I refuse to chase my paycheck.

They either pay on the due date, pay after due date WITH late fees and suspension of services until paid in full or they get termed (see above post).

I make sure my late fee is big enough that I feel comfortable not chasing the money.

[finsup]

I'd send her a text and ask this one time. Then I would update my contract add a higher late fee, and like BC has, an amount of days after no communication equals done (which I don't have either, but will now! Great idea!)
And definitely still do the interviews. If a parent is questioning policies, and not bringing payment only two weeks in, I'd be very likely to replace them.

[sahm1225]

New client of a 1 year old (been here 2 weeks) hasn't yet paid the bill for next week's care. Was due at noon and accrues $10/day until paid.

She pays the median price between my FT and PT rates to have a flex care arrangement. (3-5 days on alternating weeks), and was asking me how much it would be for 2 days next week since her mom can watch the kid. I told her that she pays the same amount each week regardless of how often her kid comes but that for next week, she could bring the kid for 3-4 days since she's paying for it anyway.

I've had SO many prospective clients that only want to pay for days used on low need weeks and pay the cheaper daily rate on weeks they need more care. It clearly states in my Handbook that it doesn't work that way. Am I saying it wrong? "Tuition is due every week regardless of your child's attendance."

At what point should I assume that she's not coming back? Monday morning? I have 3 interviews scheduled for Saturday and 2 want immediate care if I agree to it.

Can you raise your daily rate to be higher than your full time rate? That way they would prefer to just pay full time rates instead of paying daily.
I would also interview as if they're not coming back. They had time to notify you and chose not to.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

I refuse to chase my paycheck.

They either pay on the due date, pay after due date WITH late fees and suspension of services until paid in full or they get termed (see above post).

I make sure my late fee is big enough that I feel comfortable not chasing the money.

I understand that and agree that you should not have to chase your paycheck. I will give a reminder to new parents, but after that, I am less forgiving. This situation just seemed a bit odd to me. They are only two weeks in and part time to boot, so not having that daily interaction makes me think mom just forgot. (not that it is ok to forget, but we are human and stuff happens ) Unless I am missing something and the OP just has that feeling that she is not coming back. The due date was today at 12 and she posted her question an hour later, so maybe she saw it coming after the convo about paying the same whether they come or not? I don't know, but I guess I wouldn't assume she is not coming anymore because she is an hour late to pay. If other factors brought her to that assumption, then I would do as you instructed and interview and fill the spot. If it has been going well though, I would just ask her what the deal is before assuming she is quitting. Bottom line, though, if they don't pay, they lose any right to the services they had secured and their spot should be filled with someone else.

[Blackcat31]

I understand that and agree that you should not have to chase your paycheck. I will give a reminder to new parents, but after that, I am less forgiving. This situation just seemed a bit odd to me. They are only two weeks in and part time to boot, so not having that daily interaction makes me think mom just forgot. (not that it is ok to forget, but we are human and stuff happens ) Unless I am missing something and the OP just has that feeling that she is not coming back. The due date was today at 12 and she posted her question an hour later, so maybe she saw it coming after the convo about paying the same whether they come or not? I don't know, but I guess I wouldn't assume she is not coming anymore because she is an hour late to pay. If other factors brought her to that assumption, then I would do as you instructed and interview and fill the spot. If it has been going well though, I would just ask her what the deal is before assuming she is quitting. Bottom line, though, if they don't pay, they lose any right to the services they had secured and their spot should be filled with someone else.

I've gotten so jaded about the money side of this business that it's hard to remember those things (the bolded things you mentioned) sometimes.

[daycarediva]

I wouldnt assume. I would just ask. "Hey Dcm! Payment is due today, so i wanted to see if you were going to drop it off before late fees start to accrue." Either she will say she is gonna bring it or you will get no answer, which is your answer

Yup. New parents get reminders. I don't continue to play the game though, I don't chase money so kids get turned away at the door on Monday if it happens again.

Also- make sure you are going over policies at interview, that way you KNOW that they KNOW.

Asking for special two weeks in, not a good sign!

[trix23]

I reminded her Thursday morning and again through a text at 11am this morning. Her kid comes MWR so she didn't come today. I currently don't have anything in my hand book about a parent not paying and termination and stuff because I never even thought that that would be a possibility. Generally if people need child care they need it so it's not like an extra service like house cleaning will be pretty obvious that you might skip it here and there. Guess I need to up my policy handbook to more than 40 pages, LOL. I sent her a new invoice through Square app little bit ago with a $10 late fee assessed.

Black Cat, what's your late fee?

[trix23]

Have someone who's a prospective client right now but interview with me about month-and-a-half ago that told me Sunday night and this past week that she wanted her son to start for Tuesday. I told her it was too late of notice and then we could start Wednesday but that you would still have to pay the full weekly rate if she did that. Then she asked if I would give her one day for the first week for $45 for the drop-in rate and then continue her 1:15 for the next week period I plan and flatly said that no

[trix23]

What about if they are in contact but payment still not received?

[Blackcat31]

Black Cat, what's your late fee?

My late fee is $25 PER calendar day PER CHILD.
So if a parent does not pay by Friday at 5PM they would automatically owe an additional $75 on Monday.
NO services until the fees are paid IN FULL.

The second late payment the late fee is doubled.

The third late payment is immediate termination.

What about if they are in contact but payment still not received?

I would continue charging the late fee.
After 10 days of non-payment (even if I am in communication with parent) equates to termination.

If they can't get their ducks in a row after 10 days....I'm out. Ain't nobody got time for that.



~Curious though...if you are in communication with the parent what are they saying about why they aren't or haven't paid?

[trix23]

Said they went straight from work to a funeral and etc.

I give the benefit of the doubt a few times but they still pay late fees. I'm going to update my policies on that. I like yours.