Late pick-ups. Grr.

[squinker45]

I have one parent who picks up late every time. I put in place a late payment policy whereby £15 per hour is charged, with a round up to the nearest half-hour (so £7.50 if even 5 mins late).

Now this parent comes at 25 past.

What to do?

Grr

maybe charge £30ph or part of hour so even if 5 mins late gets charges £30 -£7,50 obv isnt enough to stop her

or ask her why she is always late, maybe her hours have changed at work etc

maybe charge every quarter of an hour you will not rush back if you are getting charged for half an hour anyway.

A couple of nurserys I know of charge £1/min. I don't think it is unreasonable.
Perhaps have the 5min limit, because people do sometimes genuinely get caught out. After 5mins they pay for EVERY min late including the 5mins.

It sounds like you need to a) talk to her about the hours she needs & the hours you are prepared to provide and b) start the £1 per minute rule thereafter.

Well I only have myself to blame now - should have thought about it, course she won't rush if she's being charged the whole half hour anyway. Doh. £1 per minute would definitely work better, but now I have given all my parents 'reviewed' fees and everything, just so I could put in place this policy which has backfired spectacularly.

Can I really change my policy only 2 weeks after the annual review? I am so thick

She is late because she is always late, to everything. And she pays late too. I absolutely won't work after 6pm - working til 6.25 gives me 5mins with my dd before bathtime.

Just say you have had to review it again because some parents are still picking up late. Make it £2 per minute if you like.

I agree with HSMM, but I would also add a late payment charge.

Tell her frankly it's not the money it's the time, she has to pick up on time or u will have to give her notice. Don't miss time with own Dcs for this selfish cow!

I agree with thebody.

Make it grow exponentially. So £5 for the first 5 minutes, £15 for 10 minutes, £25 for 15 minutes, £40 for 20 minutes, £50 for 30 minutes and a further £10 for every 10 minutes thereafter. Plus have an additional inconvenience charge of £20/week for anyone that is late 4 (3?) or more times in a week.

Obviously if you have nice clients that have arranged different pick ups in advance or who have a genuine one off emergency late episode then you don't need to charge them if you don't want to.

But to counteract regular late mum you might as well hit her hard financially so for her every minute will cost her and make her think twice about being late. And if she is late then at least you will be rewarded for it much better financially.

I'd wait for a month from when you sent out the note and then send out an update 'to tweak the charges now they have been in place for their trial month in order to increase their effectiveness at deterring lregular late pick ups' or something similar.

And if she is late paying then next time she is late say that she needs to bring the cheque/cash with her at the next drop off or she will have to take her child with her. Or make her fill in a direct debit form so that from here on in she can't be late.

Agree but why on earth do people act In this selfish way, it's so crass and rude as if her time is so much more important than your family time. Makes me very cross for you.

I agree with birdsofshoreandsea none of my parents would treat me like this. I make it clear at interview that after 6pm is unacceptable (& in fact almost impossible as DD & I go out)

Just tell her Ofsted have tightened up on childminders' registrations and if her child is regularly in your care after 6pm it'll go on the child's record that they have received overnight care (the definition of "in care"). Hopefully the fear of parenting a "looked after" child will put the fear of god into her and get her picking (and paying) up on time.
BTW that lot is pure BS but it sounds official and plausible, and it makes it not your fault.
I'm now waiting for an AIBU thread about "shocking new Ofsted Regs

Even though all childminders have a fair point. I really do not think many people will agree to the over the top penalties. Why don't you give her notice if you can get another child to take her place.

I don't have any penalties, yet I have worked late maybe twice in the last year.

IMO it's about respect

You have the perfect thing katymac that you are going out, maybe the op should do this. I think five minutes late is a bit petty to mention tbh.

Can you afford to let her go? I think it's really selfish of her to be routinely late. Thing is she clearly doesnt realise that her actions are wrong, she is just paying for after hours service. Changing your late fees are not a deterrent to those that need to collect later. Can you speak to her, explain that if she needs a later collection time she will need to find a new cm. Also when she is late paying, remind her! And then ask her to set up a direct debit for the basic amount and bill her separately for (the hopefully non-existent) late fees. Some people are just disorganised.

It sounds as if she needs a CM that works til 6.30pm. If she did it would be much cheaper for her. She is paying an extra 2 hours pay for 25 minutes every day.

Either she is made of money, or she just can't get there for 6pm and was hoping you might agree to 6.30pm.

Maybe you were the only CM she thought she could trust, or the only suitable one in the area.

Talk to her about it, and see where the problem lies. I know I am often late out of work, sometimes up to 2 hours late(!) (but wouldn't be after 6pm) and I would talk to any CM I used about this, and hopefully come to an arrangement. My finishing times can be unpredictable due to the nature of my work, and I can't get away from that sadly. Hopefully a CM would work with me and come to an arrangement... Just have an honest chat with her, but be prepared to lose the business if she does need til 6.30pm.

I really do think its my fault. I am being wishy-washy about it and hiding my true feelings when she comes to collect as I hate confrontation. There are some brilliant suggestions here but I truly am very spineless. I just wish you could tell when you meet people whether they will be late collection / payment people.

KatyMac it sounds like you have the knack of commanding respect! I am too much of a doormat.

I was going out one morning (she drops off late too) and told her the day before that I needed her to be on time as I had the keys to the place we have the playgroup and I set it up for everyone. She was 40mins late. And I just smiled and said it was fine (kicks self. a lot.) We weren't late to unlock but it was a mad dash.

I really want to give notice but she is friend of a friend so I am gritting and bearing it as she is at loads of social events me and DH go to, kids are the same age etc. I deserve everything I get really (sobs with self pity)

'And I just smiled and said it was fine '

I think if this is how you are dealing with it then you really are bringing it on yourself (sorry). It is rude to be late, but if you are charging her a late fee, which she pays, and smiling and saying it's ok then you can't balme her for thinking that it's, erm.....ok!

You need to tell her it's unacceptable. The morning she was late you should have left and told her to bring the child to wherever you were.

After 12 yrs minding I'm afraid I just go out and wait for parents to check where to come and find me. They are all fine about it .

No don't beat yourself up, u r nice and she is a silly cow! But I find this works for me! Look at yourself! Who comes first with u? Her and her selfish ways or your dh ? Honestly just tell her straight how you feel and trust me you will feel soooooo much stronger and better. We are all behind u babe so let her have it both barrels on Monday. Pick up on time or notice.

Lovedinmyspafetime post,

Hmmm could you send out a newsletter reminding all parents that you only work until 6pm and anyone who is regularly later perhaps needs to consider a CM that works until 6.30pm?

I agree thought you need to be polite but firm and remind her to her face that the contract is until 6pm and being regularly late is having a negative impact on your family life.

Right. I'm gonna do it. I will stop being so wet and not smile when she is late. In fact I may even go out if she's not here on time! (giggles nervously)

Also if I explain about the time with my son I'm sure she will make more of an effort to be on time - and if not I will wait for a bit then re-issue the late fees with £1 per minute.

(hums destinies child song)