Late Payments

[monkeys]

This month I am still waiting for payment from 2 parents. One has had both of their accounts hacked into and all their money taken, so I am just waiting for that to get straightened out. The other often pays late, the mom pays for the daughter and dad pays for the son (they are separated and this was how they want to pay). This second family is on holidays with dad, mom has paid for her share and always pays on time. This is very common for dad to pay late, but usually after a text reminding him, I get an etransfer within a couple of hours. This month, he has not responded and no payment has come. At what point should I get the mom involved in getting dad to pay or have her cover the amount that he owes?

Very Frustrated:cursing:

[5 Little Monkeys]

Sorry this is happening to you!

Here, no pay means no stay! Maybe time to get tough and show them you mean business? You can't afford to feed them if you don't get paid right??

[TinyTwigs]

I feel so bad this is happening to you. For me if they forget payment in the morning it's a 20 dollar late fee even if it's dropped off at pick up. I let it go once and then apply my late fees moving forward and it has never happened again lol

[mickyc]

I charge $20 late payment fee. Payment is due every 2nd Friday at drop off. Late fee begins at noon same day and then continues until payment is received. If they pay late they risk being terminated. I don't mess around. I rely on my money. I do not wait for it either. I had 1 mom go on holidays and forget to leave post dated cheque. After having to make other arrangements to get money sent to me or risk paying late fee she didn't let it happen again. I have a post dated cheque for next pay when they are away!

I would get tough and get tough quick. They need to take you seriously and you need to not allow this to happen.

[monkeys]

I don't have late fees in my contract, but for my one family its time to renew their contract. The sad thing is their kids are the best behaved that I have, and I would hate to lose them.

Here is what I have added:

"Payments: They are due the first of each month by NOON. Payment is by enrollment and is due and payable whether the child is in attendance or not. If payment is late for whatever reason, childcare will not be provided until the full payment plus $20 per day late fee is made. Habitual late payments will end the child care agreement."

[monkeys]

So, just to update.

Dad is still on holiday and still needs to pay. I have sent a couple more reminders with no response until today.

His excuse was "Sorry out of town"

ME:
"I understand that, but arrangements need to be made to ensure I am paid on time, as this has become a habit".

DAD:
"You get paid, and I am not in the mood for this sh** today. As I said I will transfer it today"

I am so done! He's not in the mood! I am the one who has been dealing with this for the last 11 days, not him. I will start looking for replacements, but it may take awhile due to the downturn in the energy sector.

[Lee-Bee]

So, just to update.

Dad is still on holiday and still needs to pay. I have sent a couple more reminders with no response until today.

His excuse was "Sorry out of town"

ME:
"I understand that, but arrangements need to be made to ensure I am paid on time, as this has become a habit".

DAD:
"You get paid, and I am not in the mood for this sh** today. As I said I will transfer it today"

I am so done! He's not in the mood! I am the one who has been dealing with this for the last 11 days, not him. I will start looking for replacements, but it may take awhile due to the downturn in the energy sector.

great kid or not it is the parents you have to deal with. That would be instant termination. Send a text letting him know when he returns his letter of immediate termination is waiting for him and he will need care for his child as you will not take his child into your daycare due to his disrespect. Done. It SUCKS for the child and the fact that his other child is there through the mom...but that is the way they wanted it and now they have to figure out how to deal with it.

He didn't pay and went on vacation...which costs money there is NO excuse for not paying he should have cancelled his vacation if her couldn't afford care. Then there is the swearing at you. that speaks volumes for the kind of person he is.

[fivelittleones]

Wow, it really angers me that the father is talking to you in this way. How disrespectful!! :mad: They should cherish you, you care for the two things that matter most in their lives! I wouldn't put up with that kind of disrespect for a minute! This really upsets me. Your job/role is no less important than his, it's actually more important. Paying you should be a priority of his.

Please for the love of God, don't put up with that - golden children or not. If I were you, I would request that all payments come from the mother, otherwise termination of care. Let her deal with him and bug him for the money. You shouldn't have to be burdened with asking to be paid. Does he have to remind his employer to pay him.

[kindertime]

As much as I think you shouldn't ever put up with not getting paid, the swearing would be a deal breaker for me. Absolutely, no second thoughts. Just done. I don't swear and I don't tolerate it in my house by anyone. And especially if it was directed at me.

By saying what he said to you, he was trying to put you in your place. You are lower than the low and he wanted you to know it. Your interests are of no concern to him.

Please terminate your association with this "man" now. Before he comes back from holiday. Unfortunately it will mean not taking the son anymore, but that's his fault, not yours. You can explain the situation to the mom and let her deal with him. Sorry you have to go through this, you do not deserve this treatment.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I think I'd wait for payment (if he owes you still) and than give notice of termination. That was incredibly rude towards you and should not be tolerated!!!

[Lee-Bee]

I don't think just making the mom pay from now on will help. You will still have to deal with the dad and it is quite possible that he will resent you for making the mom take over his payments and he will continue to treat you this way, or worse. I would not care for his children anymore and I would end all contact with him. He behaved in a completely unacceptable way.

[Crayola kiddies]

ummmm....do not terminate care till you get your fees....otherwise you will never see them .

[mickyc]

Did you get paid today?

Does mom know about this issue? I think you need to talk to her before you terminate care. I would be very up front with mom - dad has been disrespectful and this is not acceptable. I would give mom the option of paying if she wants to keep the kids there. If she won't pay his half then tell her you will be terminating as you will no longer deal with dad and his lack of payment on time. I guarantee you the shit will hit the fan between the 2 of them as I am sure she doesn't want to be terminated because of him (likely this very reason they are not together). If mom agrees to keep paying and dad continues to be disrespectful you can always sick mom on him. I think once she has something to say about it his tail might be between his legs!

Also you need to change you contract and enforce a hefty late fee plus termination, make it effective immediately.

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I would wait for money and term on spot once in hand.

My husband does not swear at me and I would not take it from a client either. Heck no.

Whether or not this client was "in mood for this s***", his mood not make money magic appear to pay bills. If he was treating day care bill as not optional, he would not have had to deal with "this s***" as you would not have needed to contact him. This totally on him.

[Busy ECE mommy]

Get the money, and then terminate. Completely unacceptable to use that language and expect you to wait for payment. He can find wifi somewhere and do EMT, even on vacation.
My late payment fees are $40 a day. Needless to say, I've never had a late payment. I've had a bounced cheque once in 7 years. I actually don't take EMT payments, as I have bills like mortgage coming out first thing in the a.m. on the same date that childcare payments are due. I take post dated cheques 6 months in advance, and deposit them after 6pm on the day before the payment is due, and that way I am in control, and know that they are in there for the next day for my own bills to clear. If you keep the client, get the payment, and revise the contract for hefty late payment fees, and make it per day of late payment, not a one time fee.

[monkeys]

Dad did finally pay yesterday.

I am in the process of trying to get in touch with mom. We seem to be playing phone tag. I would like to talk to her about the situation.

I may take this as the last straw and am looking at updating my resume.

[mickyc]

Glad you were paid! Keep us posted as to what mom says. I have been thinking about you in this situation!

[Suzie_Homemaker]

I been thinking about this arrangement too. I been lucky and never had a situation of separated or even divorced parent. I tend to choose two parent family and have both sign contract for child/children so both liable in case of late pay.

Where Mom pay for one child and Dad pay for other, do you have individual contract with each parent for the child they paying for? Or do you have both signing for each of children?

[Van]

Dad did finally pay yesterday.

I am in the process of trying to get in touch with mom. We seem to be playing phone tag. I would like to talk to her about the situation.

I may take this as the last straw and am looking at updating my resume.

I would say don't quit over this ignorant man - it is a pity you had to deal with him so get Mom to deal with him about the money or post-dated cheques would be best from this family - you were unlucky here TIME TO TERM HIM and when you get rid of him and his attitude and the next family will be NICER

[someone]

Your other option is to tell them you will no longer deal with dad in the future due to his abusive and disrespectful behaviour. If they wish to keep their daycare spaces going forward mom is to make all future payments on time with no communication regarding financial in the future. Should there be any more abusive/disrespectful behaviour in the future it will result in immediate termination.

[mickyc]

How did things go with mom?

[mickyc]

Do you have an update?

[monkeys]

Yes, I was intending on letting you all know on Friday, but life happened.

Anyways, Mom and I went for coffee as I wanted to talk to her in person. She was absolutely mortified. We have come to an agreement that all the funds will come from her. I will no longer have contact with Dad, Mom will be doing pick ups/drop offs. On the days that she is not able to pick up, she will make arrangements for her parents or sister to pick up.

I am happy that we were able to work things out, as I really love her kids.

[Lee-Bee]

Yes, I was intending on letting you all know on Friday, but life happened.

Anyways, Mom and I went for coffee as I wanted to talk to her in person. She was absolutely mortified. We have come to an agreement that all the funds will come from her. I will no longer have contact with Dad, Mom will be doing pick ups/drop offs. On the days that she is not able to pick up, she will make arrangements for her parents or sister to pick up.

I am happy that we were able to work things out, as I really love her kids.

So glad you have mom on your side, being reasonable and respectful! It is great you won't have to have him doing pick up or drop off!

[fivelittleones]

Glad it worked out! She sounds very understanding and obviously doesn't want to lose you as her provider :) Great news!

[mickyc]

Excellent!! I imagined that was what her reaction would be. Glad it all worked out. Wondering what the conversation was like between mom and dad!!! Lol