Family haven't paid. How do I deal with this?

[UnpaidCare]

This has been my first year as a childminder. My contract is clear and has been signed by all parents. I am well qualified, my rates are average for the area. I could charge more it's a shortage area.

I'm looking after one family for 4 weeks of the summer except the next two weeks. This family has had a difficult year I have gone above and beyond to support them.

All should pay me in advance on the last day of the month this family haven't. I mentioned it when I saw them on Tuesday, they spoke about it on Wednesday. I sent a text yesterday which they have seen. They usually text me regularly. I won't see them again until Monday 23rd. They aren't away yet.

They already owe me over £350 for the week that I have done, plus the rest of the month. They have been 2 days late paying before but not this late.

They are getting a good deal with me. Should I give them notice? I have a waiting list. How do I get them to pay?

They don't sound nice tbh. But that's even more reason to be super businesslike, not apologetic about wanting to be paid. Send a completely neutral email but make the consequences of non payment by a specific date clear.

I have an expensive piece of equipment that they own for the use of their child at my house.

I would actually mention this when you contact them, saying that if payment is not received by X date you'll release the places but you'll also contact them to arrange for them to pick up their equipment. It shows you're serious.

you'll also contact them to arrange for them to pick up their equipment. It shows you're serious.

I'd be tempted to tell them you'll sell it to pay their bill, especially if they ignore your email request.

@Viviennemary

In advance isn't usual. AFAIK. But they should pay immediately for work already done.

In advance is the norm for childminders and nurseries.

When are the children next due to come to you? I’d email and remind them you can’t provide anymore care until paid in full.

Then give notice. Life is too short to deal with arseholes when you don’t have to.

In future you need to be really strict and have a “no debt” policy. Never provide any care that hasn’t been paid for.
I would take an initial deposit too and refund at the end of the contract.

I would get them to pay and then give them notice anyway. You just don't need that kind of hassle. They are already rude to you and I'd bin them just for that.

Change your contract to include late charges per day late. Rich people pay up then.

The email is sent.

Around here there aren't enough CM and nursery places are both scarce and expensive.

Before I set up I attended courses set up in conjunction with the local childminders group and local authority. They gave some business advice. It was their suggestion that childminders should insist on fees in advance Viviennemary. In my current situation I'm glad that I took that advice.

They gave us sample contracts to amend and use, which included late fees. I will apply these if the parents don't pay today.

I hadn't considered whether fees in advance was normal. I think that it might be possible because there is such a shortage locally. OTOH I could insist that parents pay me a retainer, whether they use me or not. I don't do this as two sets of parents are teachers. They are very nice, they pay on time and it doesn't seem right to insist that they pay me just because they have longer holidays.

I know that I'm not the help, that's how they have treated me in the past. I do plan to give them notice but they can pay me for the work I have done first. I'll fill their spaces easily.

My child goes to a nursery, but the same principle applies - I do NOT see them as The Help. They are a fundamental, essential, highly valued part of the complicated set of arrangements that allows my family to work, grow and thrive.

If any parent treats you as anything other than a highly valued colleague, for looking after their highly demanding brood day after day, then they are not treating you well.

As for not paying you? Screw that - play hardball. I think the phrase is, "I'm lucky to enjoy my work, but I'm not doing this for fun. It is my livelihood. Please do me the courtesy of paying on time, or you put me in the very awkward position if having to pursue you for what you owe me, and threaten to stop providing childcare services. Very embarrassing and a waste of time all round. If you have fallen on hard times and can't pay, please simply tell me so we can work out how to handle the arrears and manage foing forward. Thank you."

Definitely agree with late fees

Without you they couldn't earn their wealth.

I am so angry on your behalf and I really hope you get the money.

I also agree with not keeping them on as a client because it sets your standard as not only a highly qualified professional, but also as a professional that will not tolerate nor give second chances to people taking advantage of your services. And if they can't find another place for their child, then that is on them and noone else.

I bet if they visited a private doctor, they wouldn't do that with payment.

Good on you for sending that email. You don't have to take this kind of crap or stress.

**Send the message, then when you get the money, give them their notice.

The whole point of being self-employed is not having to deal with wankers like them!

You have a waiting list. Get rid of the Shit parents.**

^I would do this.

They are already late, late fees are in the contract, apply them.

This may not be financially do-able but when I was tutoring and I actually hire a virtual PA after a few too many bad experiences.

She then could be the ‘bad guy’ and chase using standard emails that we agreed. She also told me when I should stop seeing a child (happened once) and I was able to respond, sorry I don’t deal with payment issues, you’ll need to discuss it with my office.

She was worth her weight in gold!
I think I paid £45 per week for 3 hours spread over the week. She was fab and would definitely do it again if I was self employed again.

"Please send your outstanding charges of £XYZ by bank transfer no later than August 10th..

Prompt settlement is essential in order to confirm your childcare reservation dates."

  NO further childcare until they pay up what they owe.

  If they do pay up and you want to continue,   you say

   "Because of previous late payments, I regret that from now on  I  will require your  monthly payments in advance. "

I would get them to pay and then give them notice anyway.

Definitely do it in this order; don't give notice before you've got the money.

They sounds like utter dickheads OP. Once they pay you give them notice anyway. They’re not worth the hassle.

I’ve been in a position where I’ve been late paying the nursery and it was horrible, I felt so embarrassed and really awful because the nursery is lovely and we’re really happy with them. I won’t go in to details because very few people on MN understand what it’s like to not be financially comfortable.

I would send a message along the lines of ‘As you’re aware your invoice/fees are overdue. If this is simply an oversight could you please pay within the next couple of days. If you are struggling to pay please let me know so we can work out an arrangement’

Obviously you need them to pay their bill so I wouldn’t give them notice or threaten court action at this stage.

Oh OP ignore me! I’ve just seen your post referencing them being wealthy and short tempered.

I have had a simiilar thing with a student.
repeated requests, repeated Oh yes we must pay.

This week I sent a message saying unfortunately if it is not paid this week I would need to contact a solicitor.
It was paid within 24 hours.

@Icantrememberthenameoftheartis

I’ve been in a position where I’ve been late paying the nursery and it was horrible, I felt so embarrassed and really awful because the nursery is lovely and we’re really happy with them. I won’t go in to details because very few people on MN understand what it’s like to not be financially comfortable.

I would send a message along the lines of ‘As you’re aware your invoice/fees are overdue. If this is simply an oversight could you please pay within the next couple of days. If you are struggling to pay please let me know so we can work out an arrangement’

Obviously you need them to pay their bill so I wouldn’t give them notice or threaten court action at this stage.

The thing is, I am really sympathetic to people struggling, if someone says - please can I pay you when I am paid at the end of the month, I wouldn't hesitate.

But it is never those parents who are late. The parents who are late are the ones who are financially fine, and just want to pay as late as possible, and they NEVER communicate either.

I get the impression there's more to this than just the money. Of course they should pay on time & you have every right to add late fees to what they're due to pay you.
But do you really want to fire them as clients?

You should apply your late fees from the onset of them being late. Do they pay through the government scheme ? I currently have two sets of parents who use this method and each month one of the payments are always late even though the parents can evidence when they've sent the payment. Also check your insurance policy as they may be able to help getting owed fees if the parents continue not to pay.

Topofthepopicles where did you find your virtual PA?

If they had said that they couldn't pay or could they have more time I would be ok with that Icantrememberthenameoftheartis. It wasn't like that.

I'm wondering now whether they have as much money as they want everyone to think. I don't care whether they are rich or poor, money in itself doesn't make people good or bad and I wouldn't judge them.

Maybe you're getting that because I feel a responsibility to the children KnightandDay. As others have said I'm running a business and that has to be paramount.

No they don't use the government scheme glitterelf.

I have been a childminder for a long time and in my experience it is those worry the most wealth that won't prioritise paying their childcare bill.