Late fee policy letter wording...feedback please

[bright sparks]

Hi Ladies....

I have decided not to allow people to be late anymore without being charged a late fee. I have it in my policy but have never had the balls to enforce it so I wanted to send a letter out to put my foot down. It's not meant to be awful but simply to take back control of my business. I'd love it if folks could let me know if its the right tone, worded correctly or if you think I should change anything. Thanks in advance

2013 Fee Schedule
RE: **** and ****

The daily rate for ***** and **** in 2013 will stay the same at $** per day for 4 days per week. I am not increasing the daily rate, however; I will be enforcing the late payment schedule from now on. I have been very forgiving of people when they are late but it seems that since I have not been charging people it has been slowly increasing in occurrence. I appreciate that traffic can be bad and there are also any number of situations beyond a parent’s control that can cause you to be late but all necessary arrangements should be made with these possibilities taken into consideration for you to arrive at your scheduled pick up time, so that when your contractual hours are over, I can dedicate my time to my family and the numerous things I have to get done after working hours. Generally I am running out the door to appointments or to run my children to their activities and if you are late picking up then this has an adverse effect on the evening’s events. Please always call me if you get held up so I can alter my plans accordingly and please be aware that the late fees must be paid by drop off time of the next day of care, either by cash or cheque.

This is a polite reminder below of your contracted hours and the rates for late pick up. Pre-arranged late pick up is always a lower rate if arrangements have been made and agreed on prior to the day of late pick up.
Monday-Friday drop off 7:45-5:30
Late pick up is charged at a minimum of $10 within the first 10 minutes and from there on is charged at $1 a minute, by my clock.
Arranged late pick up rates vary depending on the time.
Please sign and date this, then return to me before the Christmas Break as acknowledgement of agreement.

Thank you
***

[Inspired by Reggio]

Always feel it is shame we have to do it but agree it needs to be done!

Sounds good Bright Sparks ... my policy is very similar although mine has the added 'chronic lateness will result in termination of this contract' because I do not want clients to be confused that payment for my time EXCUSES or CONDONES the behavior ... ultimately my message is that lateness is not acceptable!