Shortchanging you at payment

[AcornsFalling]

In my contract I state that each month's fees are due on the first of each month. I charge a daily rate so each month's fees are usually different. A few days before the 1st I send an email to each family to let them know the total and any additional fees and show a breakdown like this ($50 per day x 20 days + $15 for early drop off on Dec. 1 = $1015 total). I know they can figure it out for themselves but if I send the breakdown it is there clear as day and then we don't have any problems with "forgetting" anything. If I end up closing and don't charge for a day whatever difference is made up in the next month's fees.
I find that parents like it to be clear.
If they forget the cheque in the morning I remind them to bring it at pick up time.
So far I haven't had any problems.
Good luck!

[5 Little Monkeys]

I've had a NSF cheque once. I charge $30 if this happens and my bank charges me $15 so technically I make an extra $15 for this inconvenience. This parent did this once and never again.

I had another parent put a stop on a cheque and again, I was charged $15. She paid me in cash the same day she stopped the cheque (she had an issue with Visa taking out too much money and she knew this so she paid me cash). I only charged her the $15 that my bank charged me.

[Wonderwiper]

If this is something that happens often you need to change your policies.

Get paid in advance always. You could make payment due on Friday for the following week. That gives you the weekend to count the money and send a quick text if amount is incorrect. They bring the balance in cash at drop off on Monday or they don't come in. Easy. Bet it won't happen again.

[kimg]

I would definitely start emailing them a total for each week, in advance, with a reminder of when it is due.