Waiting for payments.....

[mickyc]

My contract states that payment is due at drop off every 2nd Friday morning. Any payments not paid at noon that day are subject to a late fee of $20 per day late beginning Friday at noon. It states that a child cannot return to care until all fees including late fees are paid in full. It also states that consistent late payment may result in termination without notice. My contract also says I reserve the right to change my contract at any given time but will provide 1 month's notice of any changes. I usually make changes yearly.

I didn't have a late fee and found parents were consistently forgetting their cheques (Oh gee I forgot a cheque - I will bring it at pick up). It was a pain because my husband goes to the bank on Friday's and hated waiting around for cheques or making 2 trips (I only accept cash/cheques). Since adding my late fee I have had a few parents forget. One went back home and brought it to me (making herself late for work) while another paid the late fee. She was not impressed but has never ever done it again.

I would send out notice stating what time you require payment by and that you will be enforcing a late fee of ___ for any payments received after that time.