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 CF parents have broken the T&Cs from 31st July.

They ignored repeated requests and reminders to pay up front as per their contract. That’s incredibly ignorant - not just not to pay but to not even acknowledge or respond to repeated communications.

They shouldn’t have been allowed to come that very first week of August because they hadn’t paid for it. That was OPs biggest mistake - not invoking her contractual T&Cs at the time they were broken.

They still hadn’t paid for the week they had already used (£350ish) - until the very final email - when they eventually paid for that week but some additional random amount without any explanation.

At this point they were still underpaid for the month of August without any explanation.

So even now they are still in breach of the T&Cs.

The confrontation is exactly how you would expect these ignorant people to continue behaving.

Entitled and arrogant bullies.

If the OP had terminated instantly she wouldn’t have got her £350 and late pay fees.

I do think that OP was hesitant at a few stages and gave them too much rope - not clear if she gave both an instant written deadline with clear late fee payment AND clear termination consequence on 1st Aug which is when such a process should be initiated.

Seems she was giving them some slack. Never a good idea in business.

I like the idea of PP who runs a nursery where a series of 3 letters are already drafted and only need to pop in names and dates.

With what else the OP has said about the behaviour of these people prior to this I suspect she is glad to have their negative and condescending shadow out of her life.

Good on you OP!

The entitled parents could have made a tiny effort and actually contacted the OP while they were away, but they didn't bother

Amber countries don't isolate if doubly vaccinated. Tests on day 2 but able to go about normal life. Just in case you were worried. They will also have tested before returning home.