Being taken advantage of

[Sassygirl]

I have some parents who will occasionally TRY and drop off earlier or who pick up a few mins late or right at closing.
This is what I do: I keep ALL my lights off. Doors locked. Its a ghost town in my house until 7:00am. Last week I had a mom knock and knock (I don't have a doorbell hehe) and I stayed upstairs and ignored them until 7:00. When I opened the door I said "Oh sorry were you knocking? I was upstairs getting ready, every minute counts here in the mornings" and that was that.
For the lateness I have my lateness policy posted on my whiteboard which states you get 3 chances then are charged $1 per minute payable by drop off next morning in CASH otherwise child is not accepted into care that day.
I also do my best to have the kids all ready in their coat, shoes etc for when parents pick up. When parents arrive right at my close time, I make a point of saying "Sorry can't chat, headed out the door".
Usually they take hint. Still happens from time to time.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I agree with the other ladies. I charge $10 for the first half hour you are late and $30 for anything after that. I have had one family late 3x in the past 5 months and have paid $50. I think they just figure if they pay the late pmt than all is fine. I am considering upping my late fee. What drives me the most crazy is that they don't even send a text to say they are running late so I'm just sitting her with their child wondering when they will show up!! I send a text 5 mins after I am closed.

[Fun&care]

I make it VERY clear in the interview that I cannot under any circumstance be open past 5:30 because my kids have after school activities and I have errands to run. My fee is 1$ per minute and if they late more than three times they are terminated. I also have in my handbook " please respect my hours as my time with my family is important to me". Haven't had any issues yet.

I think the problem here was that you were too lenient from the get go. Set a time limit and fees and stick to it.

[martymonty]

Just curious for those that do have a late fee; have you ever lost a dcf because of enforcing this rule. I am really not sure what my dcp would do if I was to do this as there are a lot of daycares in my area. I know my rates are very good compared to others, but wouldn't want to lose anyone because of enforcing what they agreed upon in the beginning.

[Crayola kiddies]

Just curious for those that do have a late fee; have you ever lost a dcf because of enforcing this rule. I am really not sure what my dcp would do if I was to do this as there are a lot of daycares in my area. I know my rates are very good compared to others, but wouldn't want to lose anyone because of enforcing what they agreed upon in the beginning.

?????? Are you kidding me ?

[torontokids]

I think you need to decide if it's a rule or not. My closing hour is very important to me so I enforce this rule. I have never lost a family due to this, however with the exception of one, no one has ever been late as I am very clear about my rule. They know I will terminate after repeated offenses.

[mickyc]

agree! I am going to be blunt - you need to grow a set and fast!! If you loose them because you enforce your rules then so be it. Those kind of people you don't want in your daycare.

[bright sparks]

My response is pretty much in line as mickyc and Crayola "To the point" and I am not going to mince my words as I think the louder and clearer I am the better for you.....It's quite simple, if it bothers you either do something about it e.g late fees and enforce your rules which yes will likely have some parents pissed off at you and run the risk of them leaving you but that's the consequences of them not sticking to your rules. Or, if you are more worried about losing a parent then feel free to let them abuse your rules and walk all over you, but I am sure others on here will agree, don't complain about it.

You have 2 choices each with possible consequences...poten tially lose a crappy disrespectful daycare family because you want to finish on time and be respected as a daycare provider or Don't give them consequences which will result in repercussions which are only a problem to you and don't complain on here about it....

People on here love to offer advice to others, but don't expect people to offer kind words if after advising you multiple times what to do for the best, you role over and do nothing because you would rather have daycare families who don't respect you and your business rules. I hazard a guess that most on this forum won't want to hear your complaints after that because you couldn't find the courage to stand up to these people.

[Crayola kiddies]

My response is pretty much in line as mickyc and Crayola "To the point" and I am not going to mince my words as I think the louder and clearer I am the better for you.....It's quite simple, if it bothers you either do something about it e.g late fees and enforce your rules which yes will likely have some parents pissed off at you and run the risk of them leaving you but that's the consequences of them not sticking to your rules. Or, if you are more worried about losing a parent then feel free to let them abuse your rules and walk all over you, but I am sure others on here will agree, don't complain about it.

You have 2 choices each with possible consequences...poten tially lose a crappy disrespectful daycare family because you want to finish on time and be respected as a daycare provider or Don't give them consequences which will result in repercussions which are only a problem to you and don't complain on here about it....

People on here love to offer advice to others, but don't expect people to offer kind words if after advising you multiple times what to do for the best, you role over and do nothing because you would rather have daycare families who don't respect you and your business rules. I hazard a guess that most on this forum won't want to hear your complaints after that because you couldn't find the courage to stand up to these people.

I'm glad you said it bright because with all the "be nice " orders lately I was afraid to say what was actually on my mind and that was why ask for advise if you don't actually want it or will act on it .... Really ..... You have a contract for a reason, you have rules for a reason, you don't work for these people but if they smell despiration you've lost !

[daycaremom9]

Hi mickyc, just wanted you to know that I was also concerned about losing a client if I told them that I would start charging a late fee. My policy is that I charge a late fee after 10 hours of care. This mom said that she misunderstood and thought she had to pay a late fee after closing time. I knew this wasn't true as we had a long discussion about it before her son starting coming here. I found that before I laid down the law, the mom was coming later and later, not due to work but because she was working out or picking up their supper. I find that if you make your rules clear, fair and enforce them, clients generally will respect them. Good luck!