Late Fee

[Sahm121]

New family was late picking up by 15 minutes. My contract states $10 late fee. They have auto pay and didn’t update it to include to late fee. Is it inappropriate to send a text reminding them to pay it?
I’m not waiving it. I was late to my child’s swim because of them being late and plus, I don’t work for free.

[Alwaysgreener]

Perfectly appropriate for you to say something in a text. I would send something like...
Oops I see that you made the payment but forgot to add the late fee. Please send late fee of $10.
Or something like that

[Cat Herder]

Is there not a way for you to update it?

[Jo123abc]

I also would say something. I do a separate invoice but mine are all paper printed since I haven't made the electric payment plunge yet. Maybe you could send a separate invoice or add it to the next?

[Gemma]

Parents agree to all our policies but don't expect us to enforce them...add a late Fee to the late Fee if you have to, don't give up!

Personally I don't have a late Fee, because it becomes a lengthy reoccurring struggle, but I warn parents before they enroll I do not tolerate late pickups and that I will terminate for just that,...haven't had a problem yet

[Blackcat31]

Parents agree to all our policies but don't expect us to enforce them...add a late Fee to the late Fee if you have to, don't give up!

Personally I don't have a late Fee, because it becomes a lengthy reoccurring struggle, but I warn parents before they enroll I do not tolerate late pickups and that I will terminate for just that,...haven't had a problem yet

I don't allow drop off the next day if they owe a late fee.
I also have a graduated late fee.
First late fee is $20, 2nd late fee is $40 and the third late fee is immediate termination.
I won't work with families that don't respect my time or consider it as valuable as theirs.

[GirlMomma]

Blackcat31 oh! I love the graduated late fee idea. That is going into my new contracts!

[GirlMomma]

Absolutely, it is okay to remind them. Next time, they won’t be late!