Parent who wont pay

[Artsand crafts]

Sorry, but I don't think they have any plans to pay you. i think you should start charging in advance tnd even request for 2 week deposit to be applied towards the last 2 weeks of care. I charge bi-weekly in advance and have a $30/day penalty for late payment. I have not had to enforce the penalty yet in the 6 years that I have opened. When someone is not paying during the due date (Friday) I just remind them that if they pay on Monday they will be paying a lot of money in late fees,too. If someone were to pull that out, I will refuse to take the child on Monday and ask them to come back later with money on hand. I hope never have to do that.

And of course kids can cry and scream that long under stress. They are bluffing when telling you that experts say otherwise.

I think to get your money back you can hire a collection agency. I have not done it myself, but I read some ladies here have done it and could give you a better advice.

[daycaremum]

Just kiss that money good bye. She's talking out her a## with what she said to you, she's just trying to scare you into backing off like you said. In the future ask for a deposit before care starts or payment in advance. I have harrassed people by continually calling them and asking for payment, but I live in a small town and they just wanted to be left alone. Once it worked, another time it did not so I sold the items left behind in a yard sale You win some, you lose some, and then you learn how to do things better in the future. (advance pay)

[apples and bananas]

There's nothing you can do. Let it go and move forward.

I think it's great that you're willing to work with parents on pay schedules. I think that we need to be competitive, and if that's what works for you in your area then that's great.... however...

I also think that with such a strategy comes good planning. You need to accept the fact that you may get screwed for the month. If you have a client who can't plan ahead enough to pay you on time or is penny pinching or living pay check to pay check then there is a chance that your generosity will be taken advantage of and you will be out money.

I would suggest a 2 week deposit so you are never left out to dry. If you had taken a deposit in this case then you could have simply refunded (if it came down to it) the difference and you would have been paid your fees due.

As far as the 10 hour days go? You really need to tell the clients what you need not let them tell you what they need. It's a compromise between you, the client and the kid.

If they booked him in for a 10 hour day you should have addressed it before drop off.

If you called to have the child picked up then the child should have been picked up.

I am all for compromising and working with the client, but this 10 hour first day was not in the best interest of the child. And I'm sorry, but you allowing the child to stay was just as bad as the parents leaving the child there.

I hope you have some safety's set up going forward to you can be profitable in this business. But this may just have been lesson learned.