Hey guys... Pam, Janet, anyone with experience with daycares? I am having a problem with some of my clients when it comes to paying on time and giving notice when their children aren't going to be here. I have a policy that if the parent gives me a weeks notice then i will waive their bill for that week if their child isn't going to be here... problem is, they haven't been giving notice. I have been very generous, i feel but i am fed up esp since it is the holidays. How do i tell them they need to go ahead and pay me this week since there was no notice given without being mean? I know this is really off topic, but i have knots in my stomach right now... it's just making me sick... any advice at all would really be appreciated. Thanks guys!
Love and God Bless,
Bri :)
Bri send them a certified letter demanding pay within 7 business days or you will put them in collections.
Go get em.
Jeff
Go get em.
Jeff
Jeff... thanks... good advice... :)
Hey Bri, did you have them sign a contract? I would make all that clear in writing. It's also good to be paid up a week in advance. That way if they leave suddenly they won't leave owing you.
I used to babysit too. I got my fill, though. I don't think I could do it again, lol.
Love, Kat
I used to babysit too. I got my fill, though. I don't think I could do it again, lol.
Love, Kat
I have no experience with daycare. But, if you haven't already, type up your policies and give a copy to all of the parents. Then when you are enforcing the policy, you can refer to the policy. "I'm sorry Mrs. Jones, but I have to charge you for last week, it's the policy. An exception cannot be made for you because exceptions are not made for anyone else. It's the policy." This takes some of the pressure off of you and puts it on the policy. It's strange but it works. Let the financial policy be the bad guy, not you. I use this at my husband's office with patients. "Sorry but the policy states..." is much easier than " I need to charge you for..." Just substitute the word "I" for "the policy". Hope this helps. Take care, Atlas
Bri, you have been given some great advice. I love Jeff's idea...LOL
Okay, if I were you, I would draw up a contract and state your policy in it. Have all of your clients sign it and just tell them that you are updating your records/files. Then, if one does not pay as instructed, you have every right to file a claim against them in small claims court but a certified letter telling them that they are in arrearage and are about to lose your services should do the trick. You really don't even have to send a certified letter. Just hand the delinquent ones a memo when they come to drop off or pick up their child. Hope this helped you out honey. Have a good day and stop letting morons take advantage of you.
Okay, if I were you, I would draw up a contract and state your policy in it. Have all of your clients sign it and just tell them that you are updating your records/files. Then, if one does not pay as instructed, you have every right to file a claim against them in small claims court but a certified letter telling them that they are in arrearage and are about to lose your services should do the trick. You really don't even have to send a certified letter. Just hand the delinquent ones a memo when they come to drop off or pick up their child. Hope this helped you out honey. Have a good day and stop letting morons take advantage of you.
Bri, I agree with Kat...the certified letter may make them leave Im afraid. If you didn't have a contract, now is the time.
Thank you all so much for the advice... i just hate feeling like the bad guy. I did have them sign a contract when they first started and it does specify that they need to inform me of at least one week in order to waive the charges. I like the idea of saying that "I am sorry but it is the policy." I will definitely use that one. Thank God i had them sign that thing. I just get so tired of getting crapped all over... i have always bent over backwards for these people and it really sucks when they start taking advantage of it. Trust me, when Kaeden starts school next year i am getting a little part time job and calling this quits. Owning your own business is tough and kudos to those who do it... i just wasn't meant for it bc i am not balsy enough to put down my foot when i need to. I tell you what though, i am definitely gonna use ya'lls advice and explain that it is simply the policy. Okay... the knot in my stomach is a tad bit looser... lol! Uggh... why does the nice guy always come in last? Thanks ya'll!
Love, Bri :)
Love, Bri :)
Hey Bri,
Maybe you should write up a contract for them to sign? Making it clear what you expect from them if they don't give you a weeks notice? Just a suggestion.
Maybe you should write up a contract for them to sign? Making it clear what you expect from them if they don't give you a weeks notice? Just a suggestion.
You know what used to really annoy me, Bri? That people did not apreciate the person who was caring for their children. You put all that love, time and energy into their kids and they don't even want to pay you. Half the time they picked them up late. (which they never paid for) I even had them bring me their kids when they were sick and feverish.
In all fairness I had some great parents too.
It sure is a tough job.
Love, Kat
In all fairness I had some great parents too.
It sure is a tough job.
Love, Kat
Kat, I completely agree with you... people do not realize how much we do... we teach them, love them and care for them, feed them. I have taken them in as if they were my own. I think i have fairly reasonable rates. I have 3 families. Two of them have 2 children and i only charge $70 each week. I charge $80 a week for my 11 month old. Then to top it off they aren't charged when they give me notice at least a week ahead of time if their children aren't going to be there. Man, wish i could have found a daycare as reasonable as mine. You would think they would see this and pay on time and respect my wishes to call a week ahead. I don't blame you for not wanting to do this again. It just doesn't seem worth the headache (and stomach ache...lol) it causes. I can't wait until Kaeden turns 5... lol!
Love, Bri :)
PS... did you charge your families if they missed a week? I know most places do...
Love, Bri :)
PS... did you charge your families if they missed a week? I know most places do...
Bri, Your rate is very generous. Is it possible you are being too good to them? Sometimes being nice turns you into a doormat. That has happened to me many, many times with patients and employees.
Atlas, i think you are definitely on to something. I have really been too nice. I think i act more as a friend than a daycare provider to these people. I wear my "niceness" on my sleeve so everyone can see it. How do you get past this with your patients? Did you finally just put your foot down and did they understand where you were coming from? I think this is what i worry about mostly... will they understand why i have these certain policies.
Love you, Bri :)
Love you, Bri :)
