Personally I would not be forgiving. If we don't enforce our own contracts then what is the point of them. I have it right in my contract that it is 100% their responsibility to make sure I have my cheque on time. I have had to charge a few parents late payment fees. It usually only happens once or twice and then never again.

As far as deposit. I use their deposit towards their first 2 weeks. In the 4 years I have done daycare I only had 1 family not give proper notice but in reality I had major issues with them and should have terminated sooner. I did get my money though eventually.

I have no problem with cheques. I have 1 family that gives me 6 months at a time, everyone else pays on payday. I have no problem asking for my cheque too before they leave. They usually already have it written out and in their pocket or accidently left it in their car. I always email/text the day before payday with their total as a reminder. I find it works the best in helping families remember.

When I had a part-time family they would just leave blank cheques for me. I would fill them out and get them to sign one on the last day before payday that they were here.