Doing a handbook change for the new year! Advice needed. Late pick up revision.

[Mom of 3]

I just noticed that I do not have a late pick up fee policy in my handbook...duh! But it is stated that I can revise my handbook at any time, so no big deal.

My problem is I am putting the revision in because of one particular client. That is consistently 5 to 15 minutes late. I've let it slide for about 6 months, far too long. She has been my client for 2 years and I feel bad implementing it (she will know it's because of her). Honestly the woman is late for everything! She's late for work every freaking morning. So are there any recommendations on how to handle this, I don't want to lose her, I do like her and the kids but I fear I will end up either letting her pay the late fees constantly or having to follow through and terminate care.
BTW
What and how do you charge for late pick up and what are your experiences??

[Inspired by Reggio]

My policies include something along the following

If you anticipate being late to the program and a phone call or text is required to notify the program that an emergency person will be picking up in your stead. This requirement is so that your child can be prepared for the change in their routine and departure can be least stressful for them.

If no alternative person can be arranged to pick up your child on time please note that a $1/minute late fee will apply for every minute of overtime past your contracted hour end time.

Finally in regards to lateness my family time is VERY important to me and my after work hours are often busy with extra curricular activities and time sensitive appointments ~ therefore clients who experience chronic issues with lateness will have their contracts terminated and forfeiting of their security deposit.

I would it in those three parts because I want to send the message that regardless of the late fee policy LATENESS is UNACCEPTABLE ... I do not have a problem with lateness because clients do not want to be terminated from care and because I follow all my other policy to a T they have no reason to assume I would not here either!

In 6 years I have had two truly late clients by that I mean over their contracted care or past my actual 'closing time' if they are those who are normally 'less' than 9 hours contracted care wise .... but both called in advance that they could not find a back up and both were true family emergencies one a death in the family and the other a car accident by the one parent who'd been en route to pick up ~ both times I waived the actual fee cause they were A) true unplanned emergencies, B) they called in advance of being late and tried to make alternate arrangements verses leaving me here wondering and worrying with their child 'what was up' and C) they were here as quick as they could be under the circumstances. Had they just been late because they failed to plan for traffic, weather conditions slowing down traffic or the length of a line up at the errand they chose to do before picking their kid up than I would have charged them the fee cause those are all thing you should leave yourself a BUFFER for!

[Momof4]

As usual, mine has simple wording:

Late/Early Fees: For every 30 minutes early/late you will be charged $5 at the time of pick up or on the following day. Minutes will be rounded up to the nearest half hour interval. An early/late fee of $5 will apply for each incidence where drop off or pick up occurs before or after stated hours of business (7:30am – 5pm) or when a 9 hour day is exceeded. Advance notification is required whenever an early/late time is required.

A late fee of $5 will be charged for every day that payment is not made at the end of the week.

[BlueRose]

my late fees are: My daycare closes at 5:30 (as per my clock). There will be a charge of $1.00 per min for the first 30min then its $2.00 per minute after the first 30 minutes. This is to be paid in cash within 3 days of me giving you bill, or care will be suspended until payment in made. You will be charged right up to the minute you leave (not when you get here). I will give you your official bill the next day of care.

[Mom of 3]

Have any of you had to enforce this? And How did your dkp receive it?

[Momof4]

Have any of you had to enforce this? And How did your dkp receive it?

I approach it the same way every time. 'According to our contract........' It's as simple as that, you've gone over all your rules and policies at the time of contract signing and you have every right to expect it all to be followed to the letter. The clients should expect to have to abide by the rules without any explanations. For instance, if someone tells me in the morning that they are going to be in a meeting that will take them just over their 9 hour limit I remind them right away that according to our contract that will mean that a $5 overtime fee will be due at pickup.

We are not bitches when we enforce our rules, we are BUSINESSWOMEN!

[mimi]

We are not bitches when we enforce our rules, we are BUSINESSWOMEN
I do cross stitch. I think I will stitch this and hang it in my daycare entrance way.