Requesting Payment - AGAIN.

[Lighthouse1]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this :)

Anyways, I'm a fairly new daycare (although I've been in the field on and off for 14 years), and I have this one family, who is on Subsidy and pays the remainder of the fees. Her portion of the fees is negligible, but I do count on the money in my monthly budget. This mom has consistently paid late since starting and this month she has only paid half. However, this mom did lose her job, and has had some medical issues... normally I am very understanding, but there's always SOMETHING with this lady, some reason she can't pay, and yet they are always going away on road trips on the weekends, and buying new things. I have asked her already to pay what she owes (my parents are required to pre-pay), and it's nearly the end of the month, so now is she not only going to owe for June, but has to pay for July as well. When I reminded her for June at the end of May (when she still had a job) she made tons of excuses, and then says she'll pay me on a certain day, but then doesn't bring her child in on that day. I'm getting really frustrated, how would you guys handle this?

Her child also has extreme anxiety and she does NOTHING about it even though I've found her help, she won't take it. SO ANNOYING!:mad:

[Lou]

Simple. Next time she shows up with her child WITHOUT pay, turn her away at the door. Say "Did you bring the owing fees?" "Uh...no" "Then _____ can not attend today. When you are all caught up she may return."

[Albertachick]

Yes I agree with Lou: No pay no stay!

[Momof4]

Exactly what Lou said!

[Crayola kiddies]

yup ...I agree.....NEXT !!!!!

[mimi]

You are financing their road trips by not demanding to be paid. They obviously don't know how to handle money and now that she doesn't have a job.........it is obvious who is the lowest on her payment schedule. Replace this family.

[2cuteboys]

Agreed! But I know it's easier said than done!

You've given her a TON of chances to straighten it out and she still hasn't. You'll be so much better off if you stand your ground!

[apples and bananas]

The more you allow care the farther you are in the hole. If she can't pay upfront, how will she be able to catch up.

How would I handle this? I would refuse care. Quite honestly, you probably won't see the money lost. She doesn't need you, she's lost her job. She can't afford to pay you. So, you either cut your losses and move on, or continue to offer free services and hope she doesn't just not show up one day.

She sounds like she's going to bail on you. Cut your losses and move on.

[Mom2mom]

I personally would not take the child again until she was 100% paid up. Then I would highly recommend giving her her notice of discharge. If you don't get your money she owes you and do let the family go I do believe you can claim the amount she owed you, but did not get paid for your work on your taxes.

[Play and Learn]

I have a policy of 'No pay, no stay', but also if they're late on payment, I have a daily late fee of $20.

I've only had one parent forget ONCE.

[gramma]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to this :)

Anyways, I'm a fairly new daycare (although I've been in the field on and off for 14 years), and I have this one family, who is on Subsidy and pays the remainder of the fees. Her portion of the fees is negligible, but I do count on the money in my monthly budget. This mom has consistently paid late since starting and this month she has only paid half. However, this mom did lose her job, and has had some medical issues... normally I am very understanding, but there's always SOMETHING with this lady, some reason she can't pay, and yet they are always going away on road trips on the weekends, and buying new things. I have asked her already to pay what she owes (my parents are required to pre-pay), and it's nearly the end of the month, so now is she not only going to owe for June, but has to pay for July as well. When I reminded her for June at the end of May (when she still had a job) she made tons of excuses, and then says she'll pay me on a certain day, but then doesn't bring her child in on that day. I'm getting really frustrated, how would you guys handle this?

Her child also has extreme anxiety and she does NOTHING about it even though I've found her help, she won't take it. SO ANNOYING!:mad:

If she is on subsidy and not paying her share the first thing I would do is call your representative at your town/region to let them know that she is not fulfilling her end of the deal. I used to do subsidy for my region and i had a rep who was assigned to me that I could ask questions etc. Maybe if she finds out that she could lose her subsidy she'll take it more seriously. I would also tell them that you will be refusing care until the amount owing is paid.

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

I'm with Gramma on this one. We all have bills to pay and the point of a subsidy isn't to allow you to pay your caregiver when it suits you. :mad: Some people are so inconsiderate !
If she is on subsidy and not paying her share the first thing I would do is call your representative at your town/region to let them know that she is not fulfilling her end of the deal. I used to do subsidy for my region and i had a rep who was assigned to me that I could ask questions etc. Maybe if she finds out that she could lose her subsidy she'll take it more seriously. I would also tell them that you will be refusing care until the amount owing is paid.

[Other Mummy]

Nothing to add here that hasn't been said already...just WOW :no: some people. Here's to better days with a better client in the near future :)

[Lighthouse1]

So today this parent gave me "notice" via text message. Because when she lost her job, she didn't call subsidy to find out if she needed to do anything for them while she found another job. So now she's not eligible. I reminded her of my (VERY CLEAR) notice of withdrawal and reminded her that she signed the contract stating 1 month's written notice or 1 month's payment in lieu. Well she just went off on me, asking how I can sleep at night, telling me that her son is SCARED of me (even though one of the last times she was here, she told me how she told a mother's group online about my centre and how wonderful it is). She says that I am going to put them out on the streets. I have offered to work something out, but she HONESTLY believes that she doesn't need to pay anything.

As of right this moment, she is owing me $925. Do you guys, through your experience think I should cut my losses or fight her for it?

To be honest, I knew she was going to eventually pull him, and if not, I was going to give her expulsion papers... and We are all more relaxed without them here... But that's a lot of money.. I've only been open since Feb and am not full yet, so I really count on every dollar to meet all my obligations.

Thank you everyone for all your responses! This is a great forum! I don't feel so alone!

[2cuteboys]

That is a lot! I've never been in your situation, so I'm sure that the other ladies will have more to add, but if you think there is any way you'll actually get it, I'd try. If there is no way for her to possibly pay it, I'd cut my losses. If she won't be able to pay you, you'll end up losing more even if you "win."

What an awful situation! I feel for you!

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

WOW - that is a LOT of money. :ohmy: I think given the amount you should gird your loins and fight for at least some of it. I know no one likes a scrap, and I'm sure that it will take a lot of energy/effort that you could surely be expending elsewhere but I really don't think that you should walk away from this kind of stuff. You mentioned that this client was subsidized - am I correct in assuming that there is an agency involved ? If so, would they be able to help you collect your owed pay ? Seems like they should be able to step in an help. My only other thoughts are that if you have a signed contract you could 1) Send it to collections (I've heard from other caregivers that this is usually very successful, and it has the added benefit of putting a black mark on the individuals credit rating) 2) Small claims court. I don't know anything about what's involved with this one, but it seems really wrong for her to skip out on that kind of money. Hope your next family is a thousand times better !

[treeholm]

I would send it to collections. For your own sake, please start collecting money ahead. My parents pay Friday for the following week. No pay, no stay. That way, if they just disappear on me, I have their deposit to cover the following two weeks while I replace them. I got that advice from other, mor experienced caregivers, so I am passing it to you. We need to be able to sleep at night knowing our income is protected.

[zoomama]

I also didn't protect myself and ended up being out $970. I didn't have a contract or anything...just an understood agreement. Now I am in the process of switching my families over to prepayment, and collect a deposit to be used for the last month of care, provided one month's notice is received.

Ugh. How do people sleep at night??? And they think WE are in the wrong!!!

[Lighthouse1]

I do have in my contract to pay by the first of the month for the upcoming month, and all my families have been great about this, with no problems. But this one parent, I guess I was just too accommodating, I knew she was struggling, and because she was on subsidy, so I was for sure receiving that money, I gave her a break and let her pay her portion late, there was lots of excuses why she couldn't pay on time. I am going to look into collections. I really don't want to go to small claims court. Unfortunately subsidy can't help me, it's a government program... and because she didn't tell them she lost her job, they've taken away her subsidy. so it's all up to me. Sigh.

And the funny thing is, if she hadn't gone off the deep end, I would have done what I could to help her out with this. Communication is all it takes with me.

Anyways, again, I thank you all for your comments and support, it's helped me a great deal.

[mamaof4]

Aw lighthouse your a good egg.

[MonkeyPrincess]

I was going to complain about a parent that owes for 3 wks (I watch the child one day per week), but it's no where near 925$! I would be livid if anyone owed me that much. Personally, I prefer weekly pay, keeps things simpler for me, but I feel for you Lighthouse. Good luck and I hope you get your money back.

[Lighthouse1]

so now I don't know WHAT to do. I texted her requesting an email of withdrawal, and now she makes it sound like she's dying. Granted she MAY have cancer, and trust me, cancer has affected my life deeply, but I think she is being a drama queen and using it as excuse. I was going to leave it, but it's bothering me because I think she is just playing the system. Thoughts?

[FunnyFarm]

Agreed with everyone! no pay, no stay. Some people are full of excuses. All. The. Time. By allowing continuing care you are not helping this mother. She needs to learn there are consequences and it is not OK to keep "passing the buck" as it were. Not that I am not compassionate. I understand things in life happen and I will make allowances for that, but not on an ongoing basis. In addition that the child has some issues- you will likely be happy to have a different child in the future ;)

[Lighthouse1]

This child doesn't come anymore, and that's the biggest issue. I have decided to go with a collection agency as I will NOT get the money from this lady. My bills keep coming, and whether I get sick or not, or whether I have clients or not, I am expected to pay my bills. That doesn't mean I blame the people I owe money to for my problems and for expecting me to pay... so I have to remember that I am a business providing a service. So she will have to pay, or there will be a black mark on her credit. I was hoping it wouldn't come to this... but I counted on this money... Those bills don't wait!