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mommy2carter · 03-11-2010, 05:01 PM

Just wondering what other HDCP ask for in regards to payment, parents using hc as well. Is it unrealistic to ask for payment for care on the Friday before care is to be provided?

That is what is in my contract and intially when I opened in September all my families were paying on the Friday and slowly it seems that everyone has moved to paying me on Monday either first thing or a few now are after the day is over. When it first started happening the parents would apologize for forgetting it on Friday and since I was receiving most of my money on the Friday I would say don't worry about it just bring it monday, now everyone except one family pays on Monday. It is making it difficult to grocery shop on the weekend as it is only a pt family that pays on time.

I know that I need to bring it up because it is too difficult to be running to the bank 2 or 3 different times and I have a hard time getting out in the evening for supplies and other daycare shopping I may have to do. But just wonder what you do?? Maybe I need to budget differently to make it work for payment to be received on Monday?

Thanks for all input!

Annie · 03-11-2010, 05:26 PM

I would just send out a newsletter.... reminding them of the policy up front.

princess2808 · 03-11-2010, 05:26 PM

My family pays after the week is over. I knew her before though so I trust her to pay.

DMC2008 · 03-11-2010, 05:30 PM

For the kids I take to and from school in the morning I expect and demand payment upfront for the week. No money - no kids. Simple.

I would send out a newsletter as well or talk to them face to face.

McMommaBear · 03-11-2010, 05:38 PM

I work shift work. So everyday my schedule is different. I Paid my HDCP at the beginning of the month for the entire month when I gave her schedule.

julia · 03-11-2010, 05:45 PM

I ask for payment on the Monday for the week and have never had a problem. I say remind them when payday is. Chances are they get paid on time.

Kaiden'sMommy · 03-11-2010, 06:03 PM

I have a letter written up to deal with this in the case it comes up... I just print off if needed...it is something like this:

Just wanting to drop a line in writing to remind you that it is important to my business structure that I get paid on time on Thursday’s as per our contract arrangement.

Please be advised that in the future there will be a $10/day late fee added to what is owing if payment is not received. This is used to hopefully discourage the time constraints made from having to make multiple trips to the bank on my part.

Post dated cheques are an option in you would prefer/if this would make things easier for you.

Thank you kindly for your consideration in addressing this matter.

foximamma · 03-11-2010, 06:47 PM

my families pay me in advance. I gave them all the choice to pay weekly or biweekly in advance.
one pays biweekly the others weekly. - and it is set up just as you asked with your families - they pay me on Friday for the following week.

I have been lucky and not had any issues with the families I currently have. In the past I did and if you put your foot down for anything - it needs to be payment. I had additional late fees if they did not pay me on time.

Mom4Ever · 03-11-2010, 08:39 PM

I know why some people ask for payment in advance because a family left me in my first year in business without paying for their last week and that was so horrible.

I have 5 wonderful families in care now and as long as they pay me by the last day of the week (Friday in most cases), I'm very happy. Some people pay by Wed. or Thurs. just because they have been to the bank or so they don't forget, and I like that too. They always have their money and never let me down, so I feel blessed.

I hope you have a late fee in your contract, because that usually works wonders. I had one family this past year who pushed me too far and I enforced my late fees, and they have found ways to make sure they follow all the rules!

gogomom · 03-12-2010, 09:48 AM

I always paid on the Friday for the week previous (after the care has been provided). That said, I know that she did require some of the families to pay ahead of time (Monday morning). I am pretty sure that everyone was offered to pay on Friday, then if you missed a payment or was late with a payment you had to pay Monday morning - KWIM?? Apparently this rule came into place when a set of parents took to dropping by on Sunday morning to pay, and catching her in her PJ's several times.

goingcrazy1978 · 03-12-2010, 09:52 AM

I always paid on the friday after the week was over, though I wouldn't have a problem paying on the monday before the week started. I just know that she did her banking and grocery shopping the friday so it made it easier for her. She also asked for payment in the morning so that way she could send her DH to the bank if she couldn't get there.

Ellen · 03-12-2010, 10:10 AM

I pay at the end of the week, usually in cash unless I forget to stop by the bank and then it's by cheque. I'm happy to be paying this way as DH and I really have to budget (still in school here) and it would be tight to have to pay at the beginning of the week, esp. when we don't get paid until Wed/Thurs.

Karen · 03-12-2010, 12:45 PM

My DD is part time so i pay in advance on the first day she is there (Tuesday).

kathy33 · 03-12-2010, 12:57 PM

Remind them that this is you business and you have to pay your bills - also mention if its easier have them complete post dated cheques - I do for my DCP which makes my life easier - I comple posted dated cheques one for each week current month (4 cheques) and give it to her the first Friday of that Month....

~Cut~N~Paste~ · 03-12-2010, 01:08 PM

I have always allowed the parents to pay at the end of the week with the understanding if they start being late on payments that they will have to pay at the beginning of the week or no care..