I'm prepared for a flaming but here goes:
I'm a childminder and have my friends preschooler full time and her older DC in holidays.
First week of the holidays was fine- all paid up. Second week was paid on two parts- 1 at end of week and 1 at start. Slightly inconvenient but doable.
The next week the dcs were off on the Monday fees are due. Text my friend at lunchtime asking her to let me know please when fees were paid in to my account. 4 hours later I get a text saying she can't afford them. I replied that I couldn't provide care without fees as the fees cover the DCs food, trips etc. They didn't show up for that week. I text her on the Friday as I felt bad saying that if she paid a contribution each week until her money was sorted then they could come.
She paid £50 on the Monday and that was it. Fees are £300 ish. I emailed on the Wednesday stating what was outstanding e.g 2 weeks fees minus £50 and what was due (1 week half fees as they are away this week). As well as stating that a payment needs to be made every week to bring it up to date by end of September. No response to my email.
No fees have been paid today. I've messaged her asking but it's sat on delivered not read yet she's been online off and on all day.
WIBU to just email again stating that unless everything is up to date by Friday then I will be cancelling the contract and going down the legal route to recover monies owed? I'm pissed off at having to chase money. There's been no apology at all over lateness of fees or even the fact that they haven't been paid and she's ignoring any messages to do with them.
Apologies as it's long. I'm just torn between knowing what it's like when you're strapped for cash and feeling like a mug as she's done this to every childcare provider she's ever had.