Parents who aren't truthful

[Cadillac]

I had an issue with a parent a few weeks back. three Mondays in a row his kid was 'sick' ((I only charge a portion for these days). The third Tuesday when the little one came in completely healthy (just as every other tuesday she came back) I asked what was going on. He admitted that she wasn't really sick and he was just too tired to bring her so he didn't (he works nights). I charged him full that week and had a talk about how he was mis-using my sick policy and such.

This week he informed me that his wife has the week off but that the child will be coming everyday but thursday. well, she's been sick the last three days. I've asked for a doctors note. Should I charge him full and then reimburse him once the doctors note says she was really sick? Or should I wait for the doctors note and charge more next week? I dont think she is really sick. I thought I had a good relationship with them but I feel like they have very little respect for me to continue to lie.

I'm a little hurt. What do you think?

ps can you type your screen name when you answer the post? something is wrong with my screen so I can see who is answering unless you jot it into the post

[playfelt]

You need to have a limited number of "sick" days the parents can use and then once they are gone the full fee is due for any additional days that year.

[Dreamalittledream]

Hi Cadillac...dreamalit tledream here. My advise; I really don't think we, as daycare providers have any kind of authority to request Doctor's notes? Just my 2 cents:). Perhaps forward them a letter/e-mail (& include in future contracts) including the fact the your rate is based on a budget, that budget is based on a certain amount of attendance. To prevent having to raise fees you will be forced in future to limit them to ___ sick days at the reduced rate, after which they will be expected to pay in full?

[Dreamalittledream]

Haha.. Great minds think alike Playfelt:)

[Judy Trickett]

JudyTrickett

This is why I don't discount care AT ALL if you miss a day. Any time you allow any wiggle room parents will always find a way to abuse it when it has to do with money.

Personally, I would just renew all your contracts at contract renewal time (mine all renew Jan 1st of each year) and change it to "payment is required regardless of attendance" and then it doesn't matter if they keep their kid home - you still get paid.

[Crayola kiddies]

Crayola ..... I am of the sane mind set as Judy .... I charge for everyday unless I close. I would put out a contract amendment to go into effect in two weeks that going forward there will be no discount for sick days. If you don't want to do that then put a limit on the number if days like maybe 5 after that full fees. That's what happens though people take advantage of our giving natures.... It only takes one to ruin it for everybody.
Oh and to answer your question I would charge them full fees because the best predictor of the future is the past and their past indicates that they are less then truthful and she most likely is not ill.

[apples and bananas]

It's horrible when you can't trust someone anymore. Yes, in this case, I would do the same. Change your contract to either 1. limited number of sick days at discounted or no charge, the rest are paid. or 2. pay for the spot!

You shouldn't have to question if a child is sick.

The other issue is ... if a child is sick enough to be at home I feel I need to let the other daycare parents know so if it's something serious they can look for signs and symptoms. Whenever a parent calls their child in sick I ask for what symptoms they have so I can be aware for my own kids and the rest of the daycare kids.

Maybe start asking those questions for the safety and health of the rest of the daycare.

[kidlove]

Kidlove here. :) I am the same as judy and crayola, I charge for a sick day as well, in my contracts I require 24 hours notice for days off. Therefore if someone wants to pull a last minute, or if their child really is sick, which are both unpredictable...I still get pd. I also have a minumum due each week, which also helps to protect my income. If someones child is ill and they call me the pm before or in the am of days care, they are fully aware they must pay for that day, IF they need a second day off due to illness, that is always "uncharged".....but..the minimum due is still in effect. Win, Win for me. :)

[treeholm]

Like many others, I charge by the "spot" so they pay whether the child attends or not. I do close for up to 4 weeks a year, and do not charge for that time. If the parent goes on vacation outside my vacation time, they also pay. Most of the parents have asked when my 2013 vacation will be so they can book their holidays at the same time.

[jazmic]

Jazmic here... I agree. Change your contract (even if just for this family) to say fees are due regardless of attendance unless you close. Good luck! :)

[Cadillac]

I actually changed a lot of these things in my contract for next year and sent it out yesterday. Sick days are paid, vacation days are numbered and there are a minimum number of hours parents must pay for regardless of attendance in order to keep me viable.

Problem is that these changes dont take place until January and I'm still stuck with this dilema now.

I asked for the doctors note as soon as they told me they weren't coming so I cant take that back now. I feel like the consenus I got was that I should charge them full and then if the note proves true sickness then I'll reimburse them by altering next week's payment.

How should I go about telling them this? is this something I can text? should I send mom and email or do I HAVE to call them for this difficult conversation. I dont want to ruin whats left of our relationship because I am quite friendly with them despite my mistrust

[Inspired by Reggio]

Yes I would so totally CAP the number of discounted sick/vacation days if you are going to offer them otherwise people will find a way to abuse the system to get what works best for them financially :(

Like the other ladies I base my fees on the space occupied regardless of the child's actual attendance because it is EASIEST and well results in the least amount of confusion or conflict ... plus I just would not want to deal with sudden fluctuations of my income due to things like this when suddenly everyone takes sick time or vacation and I am left without any income :(

[gramma]

First of all, you should get paid upfront for services and then refund if a doctors note is provided. Some doctors charge for this so parents may not be happy about doing that but if they were honest in the first place they would have this problem. I think you should adjust your policy to a limited number of sick days and once they are used up, full fees.

Gramma
=Cadillac;30299]I had an issue with a parent a few weeks back. three Mondays in a row his kid was 'sick' ((I only charge a portion for these days). The third Tuesday when the little one came in completely healthy (just as every other tuesday she came back) I asked what was going on. He admitted that she wasn't really sick and he was just too tired to bring her so he didn't (he works nights). I charged him full that week and had a talk about how he was mis-using my sick policy and such.

This week he informed me that his wife has the week off but that the child will be coming everyday but thursday. well, she's been sick the last three days. I've asked for a doctors note. Should I charge him full and then reimburse him once the doctors note says she was really sick? Or should I wait for the doctors note and charge more next week? I dont think she is really sick. I thought I had a good relationship with them but I feel like they have very little respect for me to continue to lie.

I'm a little hurt. What do you think?

ps can you type your screen name when you answer the post? something is wrong with my screen so I can see who is answering unless you jot it into the post[/QUOTE]

[Mamma_Mia]

Mamma_Mia here :wave:

and I do the same as Crayola & Judy .... I charge for everyday unless I close. (with the exception of their 2 week vacation which they pay 1/2 the rate and must give more than 3 weeks notice otherwise full rates will apply).

[Cadillac]

As I've said, I've change my contract to reflect this. pay before, paid sick days, so on and so forth however, this new contract doesn't start until january. What do I do in THIS situation?

I've checked in to see what the docs diagnosis was but have had no response. I'm not sure how to ask if they were lying without starting an issue.

I think im screwed here and have to wait for the new contract to kick in before they cant take advantage of me. They are going to part time in january after their second child is born but im thinking of revoking this spot because i dont want lying parents in my client roster.

[Mamma_Mia]

(mamma_mia) Sorry! In THIS situation if the child was in fact NOT ill then I would "normally" charge the full rate. BUT be prepared for them to be pissy or worse case leave....it's your call.

I can't speak for you hun...it depends on your situation, can you stick to your guns here? If this happened to me RIGHT now I'd have to be a sucker because we need the $$ and can't afford to loose anyone so......

[Crayola kiddies]

Ok well do they pay in advance ??? Have these days already been Paid for? If not when payday arrives and they short you for those days then say to them ... In light of the fact that you have been misusing my sick day policy I have requested a drs note for this past week. Without the note you will have to pay for those days in full I might tell them at that point that the policy is going to be changed and that all days will be paid now regardless of attendance. Do you have it in the contract that you can change or update your policies with a certain amount of notice ? I have it in mine with a two week notice for the changes to take effect.... Maybe put it out now just a sign on your door......... Attention parents .... Effective nov xxxxx 2012 sick days will no longer be unpaid. Fees are required regardless of whether your child attends or not...... Thank you for your understanding ..... Cadillac xo

; ). Crayola

[Cadillac]

They pay for the week the last day of care every week (today) sigh. i dont have it in their contract that i can change anything. I'm going to just let it go knowing that people cant do this to me next year. they ruined this for everyone because no one else took advantage of this half pay sick day policy.

[Inspired by Reggio]

As I've said, I've change my contract to reflect this. pay before, paid sick days, so on and so forth however, this new contract doesn't start until january. What do I do in THIS situation?....

I think im screwed here and have to wait for the new contract to kick in before they cant take advantage of me. They are going to part time in january after their second child is born but im thinking of revoking this spot because i dont want lying parents in my client roster.

I hate to say it cause it would be nice if the clients would just adopt the 'new policy' early but I think sadly that if it is within the 'current contract' you have that they are allowed to take unlimited sick days at whatever rate and so forth than you are screwed until the new contract takes effect because honestly if given the $$ to write it many Dr will just right the note anyway my family Dr always gave me a 'note when needed' by my employer to excuse me from something cause I often went to them AFTER to get it so they take your word for it so they are basically only worth the paper they are written on and if it is CHEAPER to get the note than pay your full fees what do you think the clients will do even if the kid was not sick ~ lie to the Dr to get the note?

It sounds like moving forward you have closed any loop holes like this and clarified that a Dr note will be required for sick days in 'excess of' and so forth so all you can do is learn from this and move on :(

[Daycare123]

I agree with Judy. Asking for a Doctor's note puts you and the parents in a weird, perhaps less than appropriate position.

[Momof4]

Oh sweetie you need to change your contract! I charge full fees every week regardless of stats, sick or missed days for any reason except for my holiday. I can actually budget and pay my bills that way.

[Judy Trickett]

What do I do in THIS situation?




You suck it up. Yep, suck....it....up. It sucks, it sucks, and it sucks but this is one of those Hit By The Swing moments where you live and learn and add to your contract so you won't ever have to revisit this problem with new clients.

We live and die by our contracts. And sometimes we figure out half way through that the contract doesn't work for us in a given situation but we expect parents to follow the contract so we have to too.