Oooh I soooo hear you about not liking confrontation. LOL I am the worst of it and will agonize for hours and weeks to have to tell someone no about something unless they are family or my husband or kids. lol

I am stuck in an after school situation that I wanted to exit since January and have not been able to tell the parents. That is pretty bad.

I started my daycare Sept 2010 and I found awesome families and I have not had any payment issues. I have never had someone not pay me or come late etc.

My after school situation is the worst part because those parents will rack up $50 at a time of not paying and then pay so sometimes I am keeping track across a span of weeks what they owe me but they do pay. I usually just wait for them to finally pay rather than ask them. Eventually they realize monies are due and ask me the amount. Luckily these after school days only happen once a week or two.

It sounds like you are off to a great start. I think having a good contract and a good guideline that you give parents will usually keep them in check and if you are a good daycare the parents usually find it in their best interest to keep you happy and around.

I also get paid stats and I can also take up to 3 weeks off unpaid. I tell parents up front and I assure them I will give them 4 weeks notice for all closures or vacations unless it is an emergency. It has not been an issue.