issue with being paid in time

[woahthere]

I have a problem with one of mindees parents. When we drew up contracts I stated that I ask to be paid in advance at beginning of month, and I expect to receive payment withn a week of issuing invoice. If I dont I charge £5 for every week late. All agreed and I was very happy that they wanted to pay me all of the amount they could draw in childcare vouchers (110 a week) because it was actually more than the invoice would have come to. This was in return for doing occasional other minding but only if I could.
At first he asked if he could pay weekly for a little while because of something to do with his accounts and because he wanted to try and get the vouchers set up so he would pay me weekly until then. However, this was 7 weeks ago, I keep having to hassle him for the money and on top of that they have incresed the days and hours so that 110 doesnt anywhere near cover the amount invoiced. Ultimately this means I am getting paid n dribs and drabs and the shortfall is not being made up and I keep having to ask for it. They do pay it but I hate the fact I have to keep asking for it. I asked the other day when he would start paying monthly and he said soon and so 440 would go in every month. I said, no there is a shortfall and he said well it must only be a few pounds and im like, no its a hundred odd. Im just getting so irritated, he doesnt seem to have a concept that this is a big deal. I dont know whats so hard to understand because its very clear on my invoice what there is to pay yet when I ask him he'll go oh but havent i paid you this that and the other. Everyone else is great and just pay me in full at beginning of month but they dont seem to be getting the message despite repeat requests. Also I dont want to be paid weekly, thats rubbish, Id rather get a big lupm sum at beginning of month. What shall i do? I cant afford to lose this business so dont want it to turn into a massive issue!

Issue an invoice for the outstanding amount, making it clear that it is payable by x date, otherwise you will give them notice to leave.
Confirm in writing what you have agreed in terms of payment. Sounds like you have agreed something initially, then verbally changed that.

While you may not want to lose the business, you also don't want the hassle of chasing the payments. With luck, the threat of giving notice will be enough to spur them into paying more regularly.

You could ask him to pay the whole sum monthly, but two weeks into the month so you get half before and half after you have actually provided the service. It's not exactly what you want. But it gives hime time to accumulate his vouchers. And you have one bill per month to chase up.

But, I think as a small business you do have to accept the burden of chasing up the bills. It's part of running a busness.

Sounds like they are trying to play catchup with the vouchers, is it 2 parents using vouchers as the max each is £243 a month so they need to use their own cash to catch up and then pay in advance with the vouchers.
Whats the £110 per week they are drawing or are you talking about the childcare element of the tax credits.

I know you say you want the business but if you give them notice you will be free to get a family who will pay you on time.