Daycare Dad didn't pay....

[DaycareLady]

Just wondering what I should do. I expect payment at the end of each week, or the last day your child is in care for that week... Well yesterday daycare dad should have paid me for the 3 days, only he didn't. The thing is, it is ALWAYS the mom that pays and brings the baby but she is away this week on a cruise! I was going to mention it to the dad yesterday but another mom came in and it was all hectic! I'm not sure if I should call him, or just wait until the mom comes back on Monday? Also not sure if I should enforce the 5 dollar a day late fee for late payment? I know the mom will feel bad when she finds out, and honestly I am really surprised the dad even managed to get his baby here with all the right supplies everyday lol. I hate that I don't have the money for groceries this weekend though as this is my only income

[Inspired by Reggio]

I would call ASAP and inform him that payment was due yesterday and you need him to swing by and drop it off today or do an EMT if your bank allows that to avoid a 'late payment charge' so he is aware that if he does not get it today that that tomorrow there will be one!

IMO you should not have to go without payment because of things going on in their personal life ... if the wife normally handles paying this bill she should have either left post dated cheque for you OR ensured her husband had a sticky note on his head to remind him ... I bet $$ that their mortgage and other pertinent bills were paid in her absence ... their failure to plan does not mean YOU SUFFER!

[apples and bananas]

I understand where you're coming from. I once has dad pick up and it was unexpected. He didn't prompt payment at all, so I said to him " did mom send this weeks payment?" He was so embarrased! He went into his wallet and pulled out cash. LOL Paid me $5.00 to much because he didn't have the wrong change.

I agree that you shouldn't have to go without because they havne't planned well. But you also want to look like the nice guy, it's good for business.

If I were you I would call him and say really nicely "Mom didn't pay me before she went away, is there any way you could pop by today? " He probably thought you were already taken care of.

[mimi]

I agree, sounds like an honest oversight, but yes, I would call to remind dad that payment is past due and expected today.

[jazmic]

I think you should call him too. Just a friendly reminder at this point since he's not used to doing it. But for sure, call him and tell him to bring it as soon as possible. Don't wait till Monday.

[bright sparks]

If I were you to avoid anything like this happening again in the future with any of your clients for any reason, I would amend your contract so that payment is always made at the beginning of each week in advance. I ask for 3 months of post dated cheques each dated for the Monday either weekly or biweekly even if their first day of care isn't a Tuesday. I explain that I need to be sure that my income is regular so I can budget and that by providing me with post dated cheques it means their is one less thing for the parents to remember in the morning. That way if parents forget then they can not leave their child as they haven't paid for their care. I always shake my head at providers who do not require payment in advance. When I read through forums about people having issues with payment it's always those who DO NOT take payment in advance which would have avoided this being an issue in the first place.

I think 24 hrs notice to get payment to you in this case without any kind of penalty is more than kind of you. After that a $5 a day charge if this is your policy should be in effect. Whether mum or dad normally pays is irrelevant. You should have been paid and they deserve the penalty if that's what's going to teach them to communicate better before one goes on vacation without telling the other what's fully going on. Amend your contract, send it home for everyone to sign and agree to with a brief explanation why you are making the changes and say goodbye to this problem.

[gramma]

Just wondering what I should do. I expect payment at the end of each week, or the last day your child is in care for that week... Well yesterday daycare dad should have paid me for the 3 days, only he didn't. The thing is, it is ALWAYS the mom that pays and brings the baby but she is away this week on a cruise! I was going to mention it to the dad yesterday but another mom came in and it was all hectic! I'm not sure if I should call him, or just wait until the mom comes back on Monday? Also not sure if I should enforce the 5 dollar a day late fee for late payment? I know the mom will feel bad when she finds out, and honestly I am really surprised the dad even managed to get his baby here with all the right supplies everyday lol. I hate that I don't have the money for groceries this weekend though as this is my only income

If mom always takes care of it, she should have left you with a post dated cheque. Its their responsbility to pay on time whether she is away or not. definately call and tell him you have to have it.

[bright sparks]

If I were you I would call him and say really nicely "Mom didn't pay me before she went away, is there any way you could pop by today? " He probably thought you were already taken care of.

By asking ..."is there any way you could pop by today?" you are giving them an option to say no. I would not say this. This is your business and you have your policy for payment. You don't have to be rude but could kindly say your wife didn't pay me before she went away and now payment is overdue. I understand this may have been an innocent oversight but payment must be received by the end of today or a daily late fee will be charged and any further charges I incur as a result, will have to be paid before care can resume. It's matter of fact and professional but also showing the family that you mean business. It will set the tone for the future and let them know that they must play by the rules. Otherwise, why do we have contracts if we ourselves don't stick to them.

[kidlove]

I agree with the others. Sure it was an honest oversight, just give the Dad a call and let him know payment was due yesterday and you would greatly appreciate if he could drop it by at his earliest convenience. Chances are he will appoligize and bring it over asap, if it's not his normal routine to pay you, and Mom is clearly occupied right now with an awsome cruise, the last thing on her mind is to make sure you are paid. (although she should have remembered to remind him) I wouldn't give any late fees right now, just remind and ask for payment soon as you need to get to the grocery store for next weeks food!

[DaycareLady]

You ladies are all right! So after reading this, I texted him (I know, not very professional but they don't have a home line and Mom said this is the best way to reach him)....no response the last few hours. I simply said that I expect payment at the end of his daughters week and he could EMT me if better or pop by when he is in town! Lesson learned, if he doesn't get back to me, and at least I can tell Mom that I did try and text thim so they know I am serious!!