Pay your bill on time

[Busy ECE mommy]

My parents get a "one time" grace period of 5 mins late, and then they pay $20 for each part of a 1/2 hr(even if only 1 minute late) for each time thereafter. Increase your late fees, or it won't be a deterrent for them.

[mickyc]

I charge $1 per minute after 5 then at 5:20 I charge a full days rate. My contract also reads that it takes time (approx 5 min) to get children dressed and out the door and that I appreciate if parents are here prior to 5pm so that they are out the door by 5. Nothing I hate more than a parent who walks in the door at 5 pm after sitting in the car on their cell for 20 minutes!

Also if they are late I begin texting by 5:05 to see where they are at.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I don't have a late fee because I don't want parents thinking it's okay to be late as long as they pay for it. In my parent handbook I have this:

"If you are not able to pick up your child by our agreed-upon time, please ensure alternate arrangements have been made. Parents must respect the fact that my evenings belong to my family, are planned in advance, and often busy. Chronic lateness is disrespectful to me and my family and is grounds for termination of care."

I have a late pick up fee but totally agree with you. That is why I don't have a late payment fee. Some parents think that if there are fees, it's okay as long as they pay that!! In the future, I may cut out my late pick up fee too! Thankfully I have only had to charge the late fee 3x....all to the same family mind you lol

[torontokids]

I have a late payment fee (don't recall what it is right now) but I tell the parents during the interview that I have never charged it as I would rather parents be on time and if they can't then I am not the best fit.

In actuality I have charged it twice for a family that was continually late then they were told to find other daycare with later hours.

[Mommy2J]

I always ask for six, certified and post-dated cheques with filled out paperwork BEFORE their child can start. I made the mistake once of letting a kid start without these things. A week later... every excuse in the book and still no cheques or paper work and the following Monday, never saw them again. Turns out they were waiting on their centre spot to open and needed temp. care. Hello! I offer drop-in... you could have just asked!

Needless to say, I never got paid for that whole week of work... and the kid was a brat to say the least haha!


Just realized this post was about pick-up! oops. In that case, The child is not welcome back until the late fee is paid.

[Fearlessbaby]

Really needed to read these posts. I just had a parent give me an excuse that back pain prevented her from paying me. What! It takes at most 5 minutes to send an EMT. She was asking that I make an exception for her this month and I said "no sorry but you need to tell me before not after." I've recently changed my late fee policy from $10 to $20 per day and if fees arent' paid in 5 days, care is suspended until all fees are paid. Parents are so inconsiderate- but we need to be assertive and demand that fees are paid in full and on time. We look after their children. Them paying us for this service must be their top priority. Let's be strong and stand up to disrespectful parents!