I got 1 out of 5 payments! I'm kinda starting to get a bit grumpy about it. I've been open/waiting for payments for 6 hours already.
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I got 1 out of 5 payments! I'm kinda starting to get a bit grumpy about it. I've been open/waiting for payments for 6 hours already.
I charge late fees if fees aren't paid by closing time on the due date. What do have as the deadline for payment in your contract? If you don't have a specific time then you need to add one.
It depends on what your contracts say.Quote:
Originally Posted by adaycarelady
A contract applies to both parties. It details what service is being agreed, when, how, for whom, and the payments and payment schedules. It also determines any terms and conditions and penalties. But, if you don't have a late payment charge, then you can't just suddenly add one as that isn't the agreement you have. Just as they can't suddenly show up half an hour before you open because that's not the agreement you have - both sides have to stick to the contract as signed and neither can amend or revise without agreement from the other side too.
What you can do, is provide adequate notice that a change in contractual conditions is coming with a date of implementation but your existing clients are under no obligation to accept that change. And, they might not accept the change where you are trying to implement a penalty which didn't previously exist and where they gain nothing by agreeing to the change. In fact, they are quite within their rights to walk away at the end of the notice of change period, with no penalty for termination notice or lack thereof from them. They can simple decide not to accept your amendment, they don't have to communicate their decision until the deadline has past and since it's you who has made the existing contracts void by stating they will change from a given date, you are the one who has decided that beyond that date the existing contracts are invalid.
Hopefully, you do have in your contracts that periodically, in the event of a change being needed, you will provide a set amount of notice for that said change. Without that, you are on thin ice making any changes at all.
What I would suggest is sending a friendly reminded mid-day on the last business day to those who haven't paid you. But bear in mind, until the business day ends at midnight, your fees are not officially due unless you have specified a time.
Have you considered doing payments every other week and issuing receipts to indicate that payment is due? Every other Wednesday, I fill out receipts for 2 weeks care and pass them out to clients. This is a gentle way to remind everyone that they owe me money more than actually providing them a tax receipt, since I also provide one in February for the full annual amount. I've found this to be an excellent way to let people know that payday is coming without actually having to chase anyone. In 13 years, though I've had a problem with a couple people, for the most part, it's made things much simpler and less awkward.
Ugh that sucks!!! I hate when parents forget to drop off the cheque or cash first thing in the morning of payday.
I personally don't charge a late fee for payments. Like someone here said on a different thread, it's saying "yes, it's okay to pay late as long as you pay the late fee". I am not okay with that so for me, I have in my contract that if you are late with payment twice you are out! This is my income, not a hobby that I do for extra money. I depend on my paycheque's and need it to be paid on time. I give out monthly newsletters and put the amounts they owe on there.
If you feel that a late fee is the way you want to go though, definitely it is within your rights! I would write up a letter stating this new rule and the date it will come into effect and than get all parents to sign so they can't say they didn't know about the rule change. Add it into your contract for any new clients.
I send a text reminder , most of mine drop off cheques or cash in the morning . A couple at pick up , I'm ok with either .
My contract states that payment is due at drop off every 2nd Friday morning. Any payments not paid at noon that day are subject to a late fee of $20 per day late beginning Friday at noon. It states that a child cannot return to care until all fees including late fees are paid in full. It also states that consistent late payment may result in termination without notice. My contract also says I reserve the right to change my contract at any given time but will provide 1 month's notice of any changes. I usually make changes yearly.
I didn't have a late fee and found parents were consistently forgetting their cheques (Oh gee I forgot a cheque - I will bring it at pick up). It was a pain because my husband goes to the bank on Friday's and hated waiting around for cheques or making 2 trips (I only accept cash/cheques). Since adding my late fee I have had a few parents forget. One went back home and brought it to me (making herself late for work) while another paid the late fee. She was not impressed but has never ever done it again.
I would send out notice stating what time you require payment by and that you will be enforcing a late fee of ___ for any payments received after that time.
I do not take checks at all.I am a Nanny and find cash is the best and safest way to get paid