Late Pick up

[torontokids]

I am still relatively new to this business and so far all my parents have been super and followed my rules etc without issue.

I had a mom pick her daughter up 30 mins late on Monday. She had texted me that she was running late and then ran into traffic. She paid me the $5 charge for the 30 mins late and apologized profusely. I had been hesitant to charge a fee as I didn't want parents to abuse it and think they were justified being late as I am still being paid.

Today she was 5 mins late. She didn't call or anything. Handed me $5, apologized and took her daughter. I haven't spoken to her lateness because I didn't think it was going to become a pattern (she has been coming since July and this is new for her). She knew I was pissed on Monday. This little one is also my first dropped off (8 am, I open at 7:30) and last picked up (close at 5:30pm). The mother has to do both pick up and drop off as the father drives a company van and can't put a car seat in it.

What should I say? I don't want to make a huge deal about it but I don't want her to think this is OK either.

FYI- I like the kid and the family. They are great with payment and communication. I am not looking to terminate.

Thanks!

[mimi]

This Mom obviously knows your late policy and is following it. Let her figure out how she can arrive to pick up her child with out incurring a late fee. She is probably over whelmed with doing drop off and pick up so don't say anything and let her be. She will figure out the best solution and I am sure she appreciates you keeping mum about it.

[Crayola kiddies]

If she is late again today I would say to her " just a reminder I do close at xxxx" if this becomes a habit I would increase you late fees to something like $2/minute for the first 10 minutes and then $5/minute after that to deter her because obviously a flat rate if $5 is not enough. The late fee is supposed deter people from being late not encourage.

[buzygirl]

What do other daycare providers charge for late fees?

[playfelt]

I don't agree with increasing her rate because she is being good about paying the amount and well you have already identified that the mom is doing the best she can. It will likely get worse in winter so that would be the time to discuss options. It might mean increasing her daily fee and being open a little longer each day for her, it could mean you actually let them go if she can't get there by your close time and needs to find someone with longer hours. 8-5:30 is only a 9.5 hour day which is about the least a lot of families can do depending on how far work is from your house.

The fact the mom knows your contract, is abiding by it and paying the fee without you having to ask for it is a plus for sure as in most case it is the provider complaining and begging for money. I agree that it could be very habit forming and maybe the mom underestimated the hours of care she needed and you may need to speak to her about that. If you do decide to raise the rate I would do something like the $5 covers only the first 10-15 minutes and then the rate for the next 10-15 is $7 or whatever. It really does sound like a few minutes each day could become the norm and only you can decide if it is worth doing the extra minutes.

[Judy Trickett]

Your late fee isn't high enough. The purpose of the late fee is to act as a deterrent to coming late to pick-up. I figure out my late fee by what I would normally make an hour and then half that again. So, I make approximately $22 an hour. So, my late fee is $15 every half an hour or part of half an hour. And, I also have it stated in my contract that being late consistently (which is decided at MY discretion) you will be terminated. So, if a parent arrives 16 minutes late they would have to pay me $30. Yeah, that is like 75% of a whole day's care.

My guess is that the mom see's it as "worth it" to just be late and pay the $5. Which, of course, is NOT the point.

If it were me, and it happened again, I would hand her a warning letter telling her that if it happens again you will term.

[Sassygirl]

I agree with Playfelt. I don't think charging by the minute would work in your favour. I would however ask if she needs their pickup time extended and charge accordingly. I do $5 per 15 mins. You didn't mention what this child is like. How old? How demanding is the child at at this point in the day? Are they easy to keep occupied with something like tv or colouring while you start your clean up and dinner? If so I would do that. I have one parent who is always picking up right at my closing time and at that point in the day, the kids are DONE and I am DONE so its a video or free play while I prep my dinner. I make a point of saying "Oh I just put a dvd on so I could make my dinner because we have soccer/karate/etc tonight." They don't seem the mind.

[Fun&care]

I have it in my contract that after being late more than three times I give out a termination letter. My late fee is 1$ per minute because I have absolutely zero tolerance for late pick ups. If they can't make it on time they need to find another daycare...the only exception is during snowstorms....I always email that day and tell all the parents to drive safe and that there will be no late fees etc. I also have in my contract " my time with my family is important to me. Please respect my hours." I've never had a late pick up to date!

[JennJubie]

My late fee is also $5 per 15 min. It is also stated in my contract that consistent late pick ups will result in termination. I have one family that picks up late from time to time, but I am always given at least one weeks notice as she works in an office and is able to tell me when she is going to have a busy day. I have zero tolerance for a late pick up with same day notice or no notice at all.

[playfelt]

In the interview it should have been questioned assuming mom works 9-5 why she needs to drop off an hour early but doesn't need an hour at the end of the day. That should have been a red flag that there would be a lot of late days.

The ladies are right in that you either are open till 5:45-6 or you are not and if you can't accommodate the hours this family needs then you need to let them go so they can find someone that is open till 6pm.

When setting hours it is best to set your time to be half an hour earlier than the latest you are willing to work so there is time set aside for parents being late. Even the best of parents come against traffic accident slowdowns, or hit every red light or get stopped by the boss on the way out the door. Their intention is to get to the daycare on time but factors work against them. With the half hour grace period built into your day you are not stressed and get an extra $5.

I do not feel guilty for not being hands on with kids at the end of the day if parent is running late. I have my things to do too like prep supper and too bad - heck I prep supper some days even before the last pick up.