New client .....Would you keep them?

[PattyCake]

Just started siblings, only one day a week so far. Week one, dcd asked to use fees for that week from deposit. I uncomfortably said okay. Week two, (today) dcd, drops off kids and says will pay at pick up.....um is this a red flag for bad payers? All of my other clients pay religiously and on time and I've never encountered this...what would you do? Both parents know payment is due BEFORE care but don't seem to be respecting it.

[Other Mummy]

Huge RED FLAG when they asked to "borrow" the money from their deposit to cover the cost of the 1st week in care!! Who does that??

Personally, I would not keep them, especially for only 1 day a week. If you do decide to keep them, DO NOT allow them to pay you at pick up. Only at drop off. No pay, no stay. Otherwise they will take advantage and suddenly that "deposit money" will be gone and you'll be out of $$$

Keep advertising. Replace.

[Momof4]

Oh no, this is bad, I hope it works out well in the end and they are just getting used to having the money ready for daycare. Some people are so busy they need practice to get things arranged. However, some people will walk all over you if you let them and take advantage of you. So, please put your foot down TODAY and don't take no for an answer. Type a letter of warning and give it to them if necessary to let them know that you will not tolerate any breach of contract. Parents who don't pay on time are in breach of contract and that's grounds for termination. Stand strong!

[Crayola kiddies]

Yikes !!!!! Borrowing from the deposit ???!?!?! No way .... all payments should be in advance payable in cash or EMT only no cheques .... I wouldn't trust this family for one minute! Not worth this headache for one day a week even if it ends up being more days that just means more headaches. If he doesn't pay at pick up then say see ya later and if he does pay then I would tell him for next week he has to pay at drop off and he has to pay back what he used out of the deposit as well.

[playfelt]

Sounds like you might just be a stop gap measure till they get the space they really want in a daycare centre or whatever. I would be insisting on an EMT transfer on the weekend before care is to be so by Monday at drop off you have already deposited the money and you know it is there and not accepting a cheque that is going to bounce.

[momofnerds]

runnnnnnnnn

[PattyCake]

Oh no, this is bad, I hope it works out well in the end and they are just getting used to having the money ready for daycare. Some people are so busy they need practice to get things arranged. However, some people will walk all over you if you let them and take advantage of you. So, please put your foot down TODAY and don't take no for an answer. Type a letter of warning and give it to them if necessary to let them know that you will not tolerate any breach of contract. Parents who don't pay on time are in breach of contract and that's grounds for termination. Stand strong!

They came from another daycare in another town so are very familiar with payments and policies which really leaves me scratching my head as to why they won't pay me! I know the other provider and she is super strict and wouldn't allow this to happen there.....I think it's time to look for a full time replacement!

[treeholm]

I would let them know they need to pay next time at drop off AND they need to replace the deposit immediately. They also need to understand that there is no borrowing from deposit, and next time they ask, they can turn around and take the child home with them.

[someone]

HUGE red flags here. I think that you should do as treeholm said as well as look for a full time replacement.

Good luck!

[apples and bananas]

For one day a week I would terminate, however, you've allowed them to do it twice now. So I'm not sure if it's fair to say to a client, "sure you can use your deposit" Or "sure you can pay when you pick up" and then terminate them based on improper payment.

You need to tell the client, in writing, pay is due at this time every week. Failure to adhere to the policy will end in immediate dismissal. In other words, if he shows up next week and doesn't pay then use the deposit and send them home with the letter.