When a parent doesn't pay on time!

How do you ladies deal with this. Do you charge late fees every time regardless of the situation. I have been very relaxed with a family and it is now becomming every weekend that they forget.

First move payment day to Monday instead of Friday and that way you get paid in advance and it also means since I don't go to the bank till Sat that I can afford to give a couple days grace to certain families without it impacting on banking. If it is becoming a habit and you have let it slide in the past then there is a good reason to speak with them and remind them that if you don't get paid on time that you can't meet your financial obligations and that that includes food, crafts, etc for their child at daycare. Ask them if it would be ok if she didn't eat next week since they didn't pay you for her food. Sometimes we have to put things in terms they understand and can identify with. IF their child will be impacted they might be more likely to pay on time.

Same as Playfelt - move the pay day at drop off on Monday. They don't pay, they don't receive care.

I get paid in advance on Friday at pick-up. I sent out e-mail invoices to all my families on Thursday and they all pay on Friday by e-transfer. I had one family that paid late a few times but hasn't missed since I started sending out invoices.

I also get paid in advance for the week.

NO PAY - NO STAY

And, yes, I really mean that.;) I have actually turned away a kid and parent at the door to go get payment. That works WAY better than late fees. And the reason it works is because you made THEIR not paying you and inconvenience for THEM.

This is exactly why I ask for payment in advance, at the beginning of the month. I have had people that pay a couple days late, but have not had to get "tough" on anyone yet. I have a good batch of parents now that understand that this is my livelihood.
I agree that refusing childcare until paid in full is probably more effective than late fees. I mean, if they have already received the service, we don't have a whole lot of recourse at that point. If these parents have an issue, ask them if it would be ok if their employer held back thier paycheque without any notice!!

I also get paid in advance, every other Monday. Everyone always pays on time, unless it's a holiday. If I ever had a issue of parents repeatedly being late with payment, I would do exactly as Judy said, my time is valuable and parents have to respect that!

I am paid in advance as well :)

These parents pay via e-mail transfer as well! She said she sent it out on Friday and pre paid for 2 weeks? I do e-mail transfers and I have never had a dely or probelm. I finally got payment at 6:15 on Saturday night.

I hate being put into this position. The little ones Dad dropped him off this morning and he was relauctant to come to me. His Dad kept saying go to Sue and he wouldn't. But it looked like he was seeing if they child had a problem with me or something. His Dad drops him off 10% of the time of course he doesn't want to come to me he wants to stay with his Dad. I felt like I could cut the air. I wanted to say something at pick up but I had another parent on the phone saying it is ok to send the kids across the road!

This is the only part about this business I hate. Parents that make you feel like crap when we are raising there kids. We have the most important job there is!

I hate being so angry!

I have the very same problem. I hate having to ask for my money. It's not a new concept people. Very different from my other family who apologize profusely at drop off if they forget and always bring it at pick up and apologize some more. May have to start asking for late fees and then terminate if that doesn't work. :(