I do not charge if they are later then their scheduled pick up time, if they go past 530, and they call prior, i might let it slide (the first time) however, I tell my parents that I have to go at 530 MOST nights to get to my kids activities, if they are late without a call, yes I charge $10, however it is not okay, and if they are late again I will terminate. I make it very clear at interview that I can not accept late pick ups, and that if you can not be here to pick up, and be gone by 530, than I am not the provider for them, because I will terminate for lateness. I am one of the few providers in my area that works until 530 (most are 5 or 430), but 530 is when they are to be gone, and yes I have handed kids to their parents while my car is running and my kids ready to go. In the past I have had this really abused, and it would make me nuts (parents grabbing groceries before grabbing their kids and the checkout line was long, stopping at the bank, meeting at work, blah blah blah, Traffic, weather, and medical emergency are really the only excuses that will work for me!) so I really spell it out early.