Do you give a 5 minute grace period before you kick in late fees?

[Other Mummy]

I have a new DCF that started a few weeks back. So far DCD was late once picking up by 25min. I charged them a late fee that was paid the next morning. Since then, he's been late twice..but only by minutes, maybe 2 or 3. This is really the only family that has incurred late fees. My DCF's know that I will enforce late fees for pick-ups/late payments.

Just an hour ago I got a call from DCM asking me what time she dropped off her son. She wanted to clarify whether it was 7:50 or 7:45am? What Why?? Then she asked up until what time she can pick up her son. Seriously lady? 5:00pm EVERYDAY. Does not matter what time you drop him off (her contract is 7:30am). So basically she wanted to bank her minutes because she dropped him off late? This was the vibe I was getting.

I reminded her "5:00pm. Everyday. That is what we agreed upon".
She thanked me and that was that. Weird.



So what's your policy? Do you give an extra 5 min grace?

[monkeymama]

because of where i live and the roads not getting paved very regularly, i give 10 min grace period from nov-february. otherwise not normally.

[kidlove]

I close at 5:35, 5 minute grace is included!....they pick up at 5:36, they owe me 10$.

[playfelt]

All of my families have a minimum 45 minute commute at rush hour so there is some leeway. Since they all pick up within a 15 minute window it is usually all of them late with the same accident story. Mostly if you are a few minutes late but still before I would close I don't get as upset or charge for the occasional infraction.

I really miss my old family. She had an hour commute to work and was late picking up more than she wished to be but I understood the situation as she was not in a position to just leave till boss gave her permission to leave. If she was late more than two times in a week she always baked me a loaf of banana bread on the weekend.

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

For me, the decision to "give someone a grace period" would be contingent upon whether or not the late pick up was a regular occurance or not. My current parents are all very respectful of my time. If they know that they are going to need a couple of extra minutes at the end of their day, they tell me (usually at morning drop off) and I am able to accomodate. IMO though, this is very different than the sort of client who shows up 15 minutes late with no explanation, no apology, and frankly, no respect for my personal time. I wouldn't be inclined to charge a late fee if they're just a minute or two late (traffic happens, snowplows are out there) but....I would keep an eye on things. If they are late by more than 10 minutes - feel guilt free about charging them the penalty. I would also consider sending out a note to this parent reminding them about the importance of picking up their child on time, and reminding them that their children are expecting them to arrive. I have a little one who even though she can't tell time, she "knows" when it's around pick up time, and if her Mum is late - she gets quite anxious. If you notice that they are continually late by "just a few minutes" give some thought to telling the problem family (in writing) that you are changing your hours. The new closing time for the late family is half an hour earlier (i.e. 4:30) than the parents who understand 5 o'clock means 5 o'clock. I did this with a couple of my first clients who weren't terribly good at telling time.

[jazmic]

I have a 15-minute grace period. After that, $5 is automatically owed and an extra $2 for every 10 minutes late.

[Inspired by Reggio]

My handbook states that parents are expected to arrive in enough time BEFORE closing time to pick up their child and dress them, pass on any info and exit the building ... you do not get to come running in ON THE DOT OR AFTER that cause you are than you are HERE late keeping me late and therefore 'late'!

They get ONE exception to the rule but that is only depending on WHY they were late (aka if they called to let me know before hand verses just being late and no courtesy or if they tried to get someone here on time and so forth and just could not) and HOW late they were! When that 'exception' is made they get reminded the policy, that IF there is a next time they will get charged and IF it becomes and HABIT they will be terminated ... my hours are my hours be here within them!

You cannot run into a store at 8:59 when it is closing @9 and expect to SHOP for an hour before checking out ~ they are going to tell you they are closed now and please exit the building anyone already in the process of checking out gets checked out otherwise they would be open all time time with people trying to PUSH the envelope of what 'closed' means!

[BlueRose]

i charge my fee right up to the time they leave and I close the door, as per my contract. my fee is $1.00/min (by my clock) for the first 30 min, after 30 min its $2.00/min.

ex: 30 min = $30
32 min = $34 ($30 for first 30min and $4 for the extra 2 min)

You want to cut into my family time, you will pay for our time.

[Momof4]

My daycare parents rarely use overtime. I guess they know that I'm not impressed by the look on my face when they tell me they are using extra time, especially if it's close to closing when they are arriving. I only have to charge a late fee for my family who arrives at 4:45 regularly a couple of times a year if the Mom gets caught up in a meeting and doesn't arrive until 5. Everybody else always makes arrangements with grandparents to have their child picked up on time if they run into a late day.

[WAHM]

We charge $1 per minute late charge after 6:00. But we have staff so I would have to pay over-time as well.