Changing My Late Fee

[Alwaysgreener]

So I recently was annoyed by a family coming late. So I asked around and searched the web, these are some of the late fees that were given/found.

(the amount is based on 23 minutes the said family was late and currently, the policy is $1 a minute.)

1. $10 for the first minute and $1 for each additional minute = $32
2. $5 per minute = $115
3. $25 fee plus $1 per minute = $48
4. $5 per minute plus an inconvenience fee of $25 = $140
5 $50 inconvenience fee if it causes the provider to be late plus $1 a minute (double per minute each time) = $73
6. $2 a minute = $46

I am thinking about $10 for the first minute and $5 for each additional. = $120

How should I announce/word this change?

I am trying to decide if I raise my late fee, how much notice should I give?

I am also considering meeting them in the driveway/outside because they pull in between 5:27-5:29 for a 5:30 pickup.

[Annalee]

The digital sign in has worked wonders for us as I've explained to families, they have to be signed out by 4:30....the ipad time has to say 4:30. DO YOU HEAR ME? Do NOT pull in at 4:30 because I am going by the ipad time. It is SOOOOOO funny to see someone hurrying to the ipad at 4:29.

[GirlMomma]

How much notice do you get from a parent when they’re running late and will be picking up after your closing time? A 24 hour notice is sufficient for increasing your late pick-up fees, IMO.

I personally wouldn’t meet them outside. My rule is checked out and off the property at the their contracted pickup time or late fees apply.

Parents, late pick-up fees will be increasing effective immediately. If a child is not signed out at xx:xx, you will be charged $10 for the first minute and $5/minute there after.

Hope this helps!

[Annalee]

Girlmomma, I agree families don't have an urgency on following the rules; however, my mentor always advises me to find that one thing that affects their pocketbook, their actual daycare spot, etc. to awaken them enough to follow the rules. Definitely more challenging today but it can be done. I have followed parents out and left them in my driveway....and if you ask them when they are late if this is their two-week notice, they generally awaken quickly.

[GirlMomma]

Annalee I like that! I just haven’t grown to be that bold … yet! 😂

Do you say that jokingly or just straight faced?

[Annalee]

Girlmomma; kind of an in between no laughing but firm faced but nice tone.....

[Pestle]

At 23 minutes late, I am discussing termination with the client.

I also don't allow kids to come back in until the late fee is paid, but I make it clear to my clients that even a couple of minutes late, consistently, means that I will consider filling their space with another family.

It's up to you whether your priority is fair pay for extra time worked, or ensuring that your close of business is your actual close of business.

[Blackcat31]

At 23 minutes late, I am discussing termination with the client.

I also don't allow kids to come back in until the late fee is paid, but I make it clear to my clients that even a couple of minutes late, consistently, means that I will consider filling their space with another family.

It's up to you whether your priority is fair pay for extra time worked, or ensuring that your close of business is your actual close of business.

Yeah, 23 minutes and I'd probably term.
I don't really want their money.....I want the time and if they can't be respectful of that, then I don't want them as clients.
That said, I absolutely understand that things happen sometimes but clients need to have a back up plan that is not ME.

[Alwaysgreener]

So I changed my late fee to $10 first minute and $5 after. I announced it in the newsletter. Guess some parents do read it.

Dcd/late dad came in this morning talking to me about it. So you are changing your late fee? I understand you need your family time. I guess that will kick us in the butt.

[GirlMomma]

Alwaysgreener I gotcha. Sorry to assume.

I don’t want extra money, I just want my DCK picked up on time. This is why I didn’t charge late fees for the longest time. The “$1/min” standard wasn’t worth it to me because parents paid it without hesitating.

I finally changed my late fees because people took advantage of it. I made an extra $30 the other day for 8 mins. The easiest $30 I have ever made considering the parent was late based on their contracted hours vs. my actual closing time. LOL 😊

[Alwaysgreener]

Blackcat31 he makes me nervous, if it had been DCM, I might of felt more comfortable saying something. But there is always one parent that I am more comfortable with, sometimes it is the dad and sometimes it is the mom, just depends on the family.

[Alwaysgreener]

Rockgirl no worries, my wording wasn't the best. I just didn't want others thinking the same thing as you did. Hope that makes sense.

[littlefriends]

I agree, I don’t care about the extra money as much as I just don’t want them late. I’m so exhausted by 6pm and I want to be done! My contract has $1 per min but also they are only allowed 3x EVER and then they are let go. I mark it with red pen on the sign out sheet and on their late fee notice I mark how many of the 3 chances they’ve used up.

[Blackcat31]

he makes me nervous, if it had been DCM, I might of felt more comfortable saying something. But there is always one parent that I am more comfortable with, sometimes it is the dad and sometimes it is the mom, just depends on the family.

That makes sense! I have some similar situations as well. I would much rather talk to one parent than the other. I thought you meant uncomfortable about the topic in general.

[Alwaysgreener]

So DCM came at 522 instead of them arriving at 529. There goes my extra spending money.

[Pestle]

Dcd/late dad came in this morning talking to me about it. So you are changing your late fee? I understand you need your family time. I guess that will kick us in the butt.

Condescending glass bowl

Also sounds like his assumption is still that he's going to be late as a matter of course

[GirlMomma]

I will now be using “glass bowl” in my vocabulary 😂

[Alwaysgreener]

On the contrary, They have now been picking up/signing her out at 522 instead of pulling in at 529.

[Pestle]

Oh; I was taking "kick us in the butt" the wrong way. I didn't understand that he meant it was forcing him to actually follow your policies. I thought he meant that the fee was going to kick his butt.