This is one thing that really drives me nuts!! I have had this issue on occasion and I just can't understand how parents think it is OK. I added this to my contract:

It usually takes approx. 5 minutes to get your child ready and out the door so please remember I close at 5pm and would appreciate if all parents don’t show up right at 5pm to pick up your child.

I would also increase your late fee. I charge $1 per minute past 5pm. I charge EVERYTIME someone is late even if it is only 3 minutes. I add their late fees onto the next pay. I usually send out an email the night before payday with a breakdown of their fee showing all dates and times late and their total.

I also have in my contract that consistent late pickups can result in termination of care. There is NO WAY I would allow a pickup 30 minutes past my closing time.

Don't worry about sounding bitchy! You need to get tough on your parents and fast. They are not respecting you and with allowing them to pick up late and not pay they aren't taking your contract seriously. If we don't enforce our own contracts who will!! I know it is easier said than done but that is where email is great. If you don't feel comfortable dealing with it face to face then you can deal with it online.

I recently had a new family who was consistently picking up late (the dad). Mom didn't realize it was happening until she got her first email showing the additional charges on their next payday. She apologized the next day. Two day's later dad was late AGAIN. I texted mom at 5:01 asking if someone was coming to pick up the child. I then texted mom back at 5:04 when dad picked up saying child was just picked up. She texted back apologizing again. I then took the opportunity to text back and say that all pickups must be before 5. It hasn't happened since. I had to get tough!