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?

The people with the most money are always the slowest to pay. I had a customer (different business but stuff for kids) he would always pay right at the end of term, had to chase him at least 5 or 6 times every term (he lived in a house worth over £2mil & drove a new Bentley - the bill was less than £200)
He once had the cheek to say to me, I don’t know why you get so bothered about me paying late - you know I’m good for the money!!

Don't forget to mention that late payment fees are accumulating!

When I was childminding I passed on a request to another childminder as all my places were taken.

Family were a nightmare and she had to fight tooth and nail almost to be paid.

I have never felt so guilty, though very glad I didn't take them on.

As PP said it was always the ones with lots of material possessions who were late payers, while others who I knew were just managing always wanted to pay more, if I offered to have the children in my own time for a party or to attend an event, for example.

Good luck OP

Definitely text saying pay before hols or late fees will be due.

To all of the childminders on here: frustrating, isn't it?

I do understand that it is possible to look like you are wealthy by having cars on PCP and a big mortgage.

When we bought this house it was a notoriously run down area, the type that BBC 2 used to make documentaries about. We have good rail links to some big cities. We moved over 20 years ago when anyone working in the cities would have thought that living this far out and commuting was madness. Especially as it was such an undesirable location.

Things have changed since then. Now it has been gentrified, families have moved out of the cities and commute from here. So by chance, we live in a house that is desirable. We don't have a big income. The house is everything we own!

I can assure you that this is not a stealth boast. Or any kind of boast. I'm trying to work out their motives. This thread has made me wonder whether these parents believe that we are wealthy and they feel that they have to outdo that?

We aren't wealthy or snooty. You can't be a childminder and be a snob I don't think, dirty nappies are a great leveller.

I've never been to the house owned by the late paying family, or Googled it, I am tempted now, would that be terrible?

I'm probably overthinking their reasons.

They might be CFs who don't deserve my understanding.

nancy75 just because he is good for the money or looks like he is doesn't mean that he shouldn't pay you money that he owes! What is with these people?

I'm sad that so many others have experienced similar to me.

Their motive is selfishness.

They don't care about your finances only their own!!!

I was mortified when I forgot to pay for DDs piano lessons promptly. I emailed her and said please remind me if I haven't paid within a few working days of receiving the bill as it will have been forgotten about.

Chasing for money is the worst bit of any job any one salaried would be up in arms if they were paid late/not all why do problem think it's different for SE people?

What deadline for payment did you set in your email?

As any self-employed person knows, the clients who are a pain and have to be chased for payment never improve. Get your payment out of them then give them notice.

Your aim is to build a portfolio of clients who are nice to work with, appreciate what you do and pay on time. Life is too short to work for the other sort who will take up a disproportionate amount of your time and attention.

it is always the mean rich people who are late or try to avoid paying.

I'm probably overthinking their reasons.

You're definitely over thinking it!
They just don't think of you as an important creditor. They probably do think you're a soft touch and don't respect you as a professional. So be business like, invoke the late fees, then give notice if you want to.

Good luck! I know it's hard, but you don't want to get a reputation for being lax on this sort of stuff. I always say : don't mistake my kindness for weakness.

I have had success in the past by feigning this -
“Can I check which account you sent the payment to - as for some reason it’s not showing in my account yet” - to wealthy people who put off paying.

Honestly I’d send an email (or better get a text if they have read receipts on to make sure they see it) the day before they’re due back to yours, so as to make sure they see it but don’t have a lot of time to organise an alternative. When they’re just back from holiday and have all the unpacking and washing to do the last thing they need is to have to sort childcare so will hopefully pay up! If they don’t and still arrive at your door you’ll need to practice your stern face and say “sorry the bill wasn’t settled after my last email on xx date. I can’t take them again until it’s paid.” And close the door. You’re a bloody professional in a responsible job facilitating their own careers and they’re treating you like an optional extra. Makes me mad when people don’t appreciate their childcarers.

@SynchroSwimmer

I have had success in the past by feigning this - “Can I check which account you sent the payment to - as for some reason it’s not showing in my account yet” - to wealthy people who put off paying.

I like this, as it takes quite a lot of guts to reply with "no I haven't paid yet"

Good luck OP. They sound absolutely revolting

@SummerSaladsAreBack

As any self-employed person knows, the clients who are a pain and have to be chased for payment never improve. Get your payment out of them then give them notice.

Your aim is to build a portfolio of clients who are nice to work with, appreciate what you do and pay on time. Life is too short to work for the other sort who will take up a disproportionate amount of your time and attention.

This is it exactly.

Especially as the supply and demand equation is on your side.

Seriously people like this are turds and throw shadow on your working environment.

You sound an amazingly accomplished child minder. Know your worth. Decide that you want to work in a kind and respectful environment - if clients don’t share your values then you are not a compatible partnership.

Is there any chance they don’t need you after the holidays …. as they may be planning to not pay you and have another childminder lined up.

You sound lovely op, down to earth and I’d have sent my kids to you. My very first childminder for my son was amazing, she was just lovely, had 3 kids of her own and my baby and a toddler. We got in great and it wouldn’t occur to me not to pay her for looking after my son. I needed to go to work - Nurse, so I needed her to look after my son it was as important as paying rent to make sure she was paid in full and on time. Why would you mess with that and risk losing your job because you don’t have childcare?!

We did go without luxuries for a long because she was a little bit more expensive than other childminders, we paid a retainer for her to secure my sons place. Surely you want the best for your children and she was for him. He adored her and she and I are still friends to this day. My son is now 20. I hope you get paid op, utterly frustrating to be chasing it.

Thank you for your kind messages.

After nursing I knew for years that I wanted to be a childminder, I did a lot of research before I started. If I was going to do it I was determined to provide the standard of care that I would have wanted for my own children, and I love it.

Still nothing back from my email. I'll keep you posted.

Did you give them a specific time/date deadline @UnpaidCare?

Gosh I can’t believe this! They sound awful.

Like - you are looking after their children!

I am 😱.

You sound lovely OP. Dont stand for this!
Where are you by the way - you can look after mine and I will pay! 😜

31 was sat. Monday was 2nd aug. You should have said at beginning of day I need to be paid today or won’t be having your dc

Tue when they dropped off kids you should have said no as Havnt paid fees

Not sure if that is how CM work

But as a nanny if I wasn’t paid I wouldn’t go in

So they owe uou in lieu for aug is that right ?

Maybe they think as not having their doc for 2w they don’t need to pay

What does your contract say about it holiday

You are overthinking this.
It doesn’t matter who they are, they need to pay in advance.
A t&c reminder could be sent to all parents stating that if the contract is broken (failure to pay), you will not take their child.

@Tangledtresses

I'd text them saying until they pay what they owe you won't be able to look after the children on the 23rd. And will be taking on another child from your extensive waiting list

This. It is the only obvious thing to do. You can't work for nothing.

I'd just say

After the constant reminders to pay, I am having to give you 7 days notice from this email to pay your outstanding balance otherwise your child's place will be lost and I will be seeking the remaining balance via a specified company

Thanks "

Hope you sort it op, how annoying !! Xx

I run a club and parents have the choice of paying each lesson at drop off or they can pay for a block of lessons in advance (and get a discount).

We have one set of parents who pay a block and then not pay again. We send the child home with reminder lessons but nothing (both parents are doctors so not skint) and until we threaten to refuse the child access they dont pay. Annoyingly they'll then just pay what they owe, and the pattern starts all over again. If the child wasnt one of our best students and totally in love with our club activity I wouldnt continue this game. But I feel bad for the child.

*reminder letters

SpnBaby1967 that’s the problem isn’t it, because it’s kids you feel bad turning them away.

I don’t know how people have the cheek to turn up week after week when they haven’t paid - I would die of embarrassment