CM Club - quick question re- payment

[lunavix]

SOrry if this is all spelt wrong have ds downstiars stropping over his lunch lol

Have mindee who pays on monday for that week so technically in advance i spose.

Mum has phoned today as mindee hasn't come and predicts won't be here for rest of week as very poorly. I have just over the next two weeks off on holiday though.

What do you do about requesting payment when you aren't seeing them? I trust the mum totally, and would normally happily leave it till I next see them - but three weeks is a long time and mindee is one of main source of income. I've said just to drop it in if she can, but obviously we havne't discussed next two weeks either (I take holiday at half rate)

I feel like I can't say anything more than drop it in when she can - mindee is pretty poorly (hopsitals and stuff).

Plus if you arranged to have two weeks (ten days holiday) and a bank holiday is in the middle, what do you do about payment?

If she's stuck in with a poorly child, if there is a working father I would ask that he pops in on the way home from work, if its a single mum I'd pop round & collect it if they don't live too far away. Or ask her to pay by telephone/online bank transfer.

Ive now put in my contracts that if the payment day falls during a holiday period then payment must be made prior to the commencement of the holiday.

While it can be hard, as a childminder you are running a business and need to be business like at times - otherwise alas some people will take advantage (not saying this parent will in this particular case).

Given the situation, asking her to drop payment in when she can sounds reasonable at this stage. If payment does not appear by Thursday morning, I would say that you should contact her to chase the payment - and if necessary send a letter stating the amount due, plus the amounts for the holiday period, plus the first week back, and that all those payments are due on the first childminding day following your holiday (put in the actual date), otherwise you can not continue to provide childcare. I expect that non-payment is grounds for termination of contact.

While her child being ill is unfortunate, as a business it isn't your issue - the parent has agreed a contract, which I presume says that she pays regardless of if she chooses to use the facility, as she is taking up a place.

Am I being too harsh?