VENTING - First bounced cheque

[BrightEyes]

The fact that all of their contact info was wrong is what has my radar going nuts. I may just have to start advertising again for my own peace of mind. Sigh....

This is what I would be doing.....honestly.. ..that is so strange. It has me feeling uneasy about it and I'm not involved!

[sunnydays]

Weird! I can understand one number being wrong (I have had that happen before), but all of them being wrong? That just doesn't add up! I think when they give you the correct numbers, you should definitely call them all to check. If there were an emergency, you would not be able to reach them...and then what? Crazy!

[Inspired by Reggio]

Are these NEW clients or have they been in care a while?

I am just wondering if they are OLD clients who've given this info a while ago if they having some tight times and the home phone got cancelled and they changed up their cell phones and did not think to 'notify you' about it ... cause we use to have that happen in centre care all the time when clients would change phone carriers and the number would change and so forth and they would not think 'hmmm daycare might need to know this' until an emergency arose and we would be PISSED that we could not get them ... I remember one time with a family when we had to call a neighboring business ask them to go and 'locate' a parent because their child was sick and we could not find contact info and the work number was going right to voice mail every time.

If they are NEW clients I would have a huge red flag for sure with the wrong contact info and likely be advertizing because there is no reason for 'new information' to already be outdated like that and them not to have it fresh in their mind that you said you 'needed that info for emergencies' ... old clients get trusting us so much they honestly forget that there could be an 'emergency' so it is understandable it might slip their mind to keep emergency contact up to date ~ not acceptable but understandable

[kidlove]

I agree with gramma, sounds like they could possibly be on a financial melt down, in which case...your time getting paid may already be limited....not to mention, if a parent is not responsible enough to give proper contact info in the case of an emergency with their child.....you may need to consider their character as well....maybe it is a good idea to start advertising to cover your butt. Don't forget to be upfront with them as well with out coming out and saying, are you having a hard time financially,,ha ha...but during small talk ask little questions and pay attention to their responses.
oh and....just incase you don't already...you may want to ask for next of kin emergency contacts as well, grandparents neighbors, close friends. I have been stuck in spots before with negligent parents who left work early without informing me, and didn't answer their phones...I had their son puking in my bathroom and no one to pick him up! was furious!

[Inspired by Reggio]

Agreed about the emegency contacts ~ I have both parents info for home, work, cell and at least TWO back up options for calling with all the same contact info requested and a spot for up to 4 should the parent know that many they would choose!

[Momof4]

Oh, this sounds like an entire scam! Poor you! If the phone numbers and email address didn't work, the cheque bounced and I didn't have any emergency contact for the child I would freak out and terminate without questions. Think about what would happen to YOU if something happened to that child! No! This is too dangerous. I got really mad at one of my dcMoms when she got a new job and didn't tell me and I found out one day when I needed her. They apologized profusely and gave me the new number but they learned a lesson about being responsible for their child or lose their daycare provider.

[Momof4]

By the way, my contract states that there is a $50 fee for a bounced cheque and no further cheques will be accepted. I think you need to implement that now.

[Vtorrance]

How did things work out? Hoping all works out for you! Trust your gut.

[loulou]

Yikes! I had this problem with a family I gave them the benefit of the doubt once and it turned into a habit and all went down hill. The mom and dad were getting separated and would both always claim it was the others week to pay and pretend they didn't know money was owing. They would also claim to not get my phone calls or emails. As soon as I was paid in full I did an immediate termination.
Good Luck!!

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

Just a quick update on the situation for everyone...Mom showed up with an apology and last weeks dues in cash this afternoon at pick up, which was what I had asked her to do. I explained that I MUST have current, accurate, contact information in the event that her daughter becomes sick or injured while in my care. I don't know if she really "gets it" though. She had a real poker face & english is not her first language (she's not the most talkative person at the best of times) So I honestly don't know if she understands a) how serious this is and b) that I am ticked off by this whole fiasco. I confirmed with her that she has adequate funds to cover this week's cheque, but I will be depositting her cheque separately from here on in. That way if it bounces I won't have to bother the other parents - I'll know it's this family's cheque that was the problem. I'm also going to take the advice that was offered here - this incident is her one "freebie" The next cheque that bounces will result in a cash only policy for her family, and I will begin looking for a replacement family. (oh - and I did "check" the numbers provided to confirm that they were correct this time around) Thanks again to everyone who weighed in - it was hugely helpful to feel that I had all this support !