Yup chronic lateness is grounds for termination in my contract as well - so if she was my client she would have a need to be 'worried' .... if I close at 5:30 and you need care past 5:30 find a daycare open past 5:30 .... it is not rocket science!

Honestly - does she think the bank, the dentist, the chiropractor is going to sit there and 'wait' for her to show up for an appointment LATE constantly before they stop booking her into appointments OR start CHARGING here for two time slots the one she is 'late for' and the one she actually uses once she shows up?

As wise Judy says 'Lack of planning on YOUR part does not constitute an emergency on MINE ... IMO if you know you have to be at my house for 5:30 or you are late, you know it takes 20 minutes to arrive from where you are than you leave at 4:50 pm at the latest to come pick up so you have a 20 minute buffer time to get here if there is traffic or a train and you pick up your child and have a few minutes to 'talk' before closing time and if you do not than YES your child is dressed and shuttled out the door quickly and NO I do not want to TALK to you right now I am off the clock and have things to do to get my own family ready for the evening!