Would it be unprofessional if....

If you sack someone because they are a few days late with payment you will be a lot worse off when they take their business elsewhere and word gets out.

i would say no payment by third day of care results in refusal of care, if payment is not received by third day in full i would(in extremem circs-if this is the norm- but in a clause where you can terminate contract with immediate effect

You could send out a letter to all your parents saying you are installing a late fee:
1-2 days grace period
3+ days £5 per day until paid in full.
10 days late, contract may be terminated at CM's discression.

Or something like that.

So, tell me more about this problem payer? Maybe I can suggest something else to get her attention (I'm sure I prefer helping you to doing my crap job this afternoon )

Could you ask for a deposit for say the first three months so you have a bit of security until the parent estabilshes him/herself as a good payer?

I suppose any small business has this problem with non-payers.

I see nothing wrong with expecting payment on time. But, you do have to make some efforts with reminders, etc. I assume 10 days is 10 working days (i.e. two calendar weeks).

I think if I read what you wrote in the OP in the contract before I signed it I might sogn someone else's contract. It's not the expectation that you want payment on time, or even that you will take action after 10 days, but more the way you worded it seems unnecessarily harsh, almost confrontational.

I totally understand you need and expect to be paid on time.

Unfortunately we have to be harsh. Its apalling how many parents think its acceptable to forget to make their payment in time. I'm sure they would not think it so acceptable if their own payment didn't appear in their account on pay day!

Its quite common for childminders to have in their policies that the place will be withdrawn if payments are not made promptly on or before the agreed date. However, unless there is a clause in the contract allowing immediate termination for non-payment then the childminder must honour the notice period stated in the contract.

Its good practice to send a reminder automatically, in case its a genuine oversight eg if the parents each thought the other had paid or they thought they'd set up a standing order but there has been a problem at the bank. The earlier the error comes to light the sooner they can sort it out.

If the parent ignores your reminders you can give notice and you can pursue payment through the small claims court in which case your copies of reminders/emails etc will support your case.

I think you need to give a parent whatever notice is specified in the contract (4 weeks).

This policy is very harsh. I take it it you have been badly burned by a non payer?

Personally I think you need to at least attempt to contact the parents first- if they avoid/ignore you then you're being fair by offering the place