Service Rendered, but no payment? What to do?

[DisneyPrincess]

Yes this is definitely a good example as to why deposits are IMPORTANT !!! and also, why I don't take neighbours ... then it creates to weird conflicts when you live so close, you will always see her face (unless she moves to a new place... like prison lol). Oh please dont spend money for new baby stuff if you need !! If its like a gate I understand, but if you have no high chair and she was the only client with a baby, then she can bring you a high chair until you can find a second hand one for small price or even free.

I would of been very suspicious with her right from the start : starting date, then cancelling, starting date, then cancelling... Once a contract is signed... they must pay from the first date in the contract to the end, unless giving a two weeks written notice of ending the agreement of service (might change that to four weeks though). Cause the worst part in this is, you have one less space available for one child for whom you could of had less problems and actually get paid for.

Something I learning in the first year in this business, is sadly you can not be TOO nice with people. Listen, one daycare provider I know is dealing with one of her niece and its just as complicated as a stranger. It is not the children who are complicated (most of the time) its the parents Difference is, it is easier to be strict and demanding with a stranger then the neighbour or family member. Though even then, we tend to be nice and let go of some of our rules, especially when it comes to financial issues... but why do we do this to ourselves, we need money to survive too !!!

Well that said, I was disputing with myself as to get my new clients to pay in advance or at the end of the week... and that was settled : pay in advance or no care, if they can't, well how are they gonna pay at the end of the week !?!