Just started with a new family. its a long story, started in January, I was supposed to start with her in Feb, but the family situation changed which delayed her start with me til last week. In her original inquiries, she stated pick up between 5/5:15 most days, but occasionally when her fiance got done work early it would be earlier. This is why I like to do a lot of my communication via email b/c then if I forget I have it to referr too! Anyhow, every day since she started its been 5:30 - 5:45, one day it was 6:10 (however she did call to tell me she'd be late). One day she was here at 5 so I know she can get here for 5 (I know she is done work at 4, I'm not sure what is taking her so long to get home)

Anyhow, I didnt have a late policy set out in my hand book, I advertise that I'm available til 5pm, but upon interviewing I verbally agree, that shorty after 5 is okay on occasion, but if someone tells me 5:30 consistantly (which if they are late means 6) I generally say no. I have small kids and find that even that half hour interfers with our evening activities and getting everyone in bed at a decent time, and seriously, i"ve been on the clock since 6:30 in the morning!.... so since I havent set out actual "late fee" policy, how would you approach it?

My other problem is, I have another family who most of the time picks up between 4:30 and 5 however, about once a week it is 6pm, but they always let me know, and if I have something going on, they have their grandparents pick up their child. I dont want to institute a late fee policy on them b/c I feel they courteous with my family time in the evening.... but how do I do that with one family and not another?