Do you charge for Late collection and payment?

[MUM2BLESS]

Hi due to late payment and also late collection I have introduced charges for both. Have you and do you actually do it?

Advice please.

Thanks

Sorry should have mentioned I am a Childminder.

Occasionally I do and it works, but I am not really strict enough about it.

It's in my contracts but never actually charged as I have great parents and the odd ones are not their fault. I did have a parent who paid late (their bank messed up!) and they INSISTED I had the fees, even though I said I wouldn't charge.

I think the circumstances would make me decide whether or not to charge.

I have found that when I have charged things improve very quickly.

If someone is stuck in traffic is so different from if someone is just chatting with a friend. Had both of these.

I always let everyone off the first time it happens -banks mees up, parents forget, it takes longer to set up vouchers etc, but tell them so at the time that way they know if it happens again it will be charged. I also have it clearly stated in my terms they sign when starting.

That said everyones getting a rocket in my next newsletter as only 1 out of 5 paid me on tim for May But 2 added on late fees without being asked to and send profusely apologetic emails - I'm not scary I promise - or at least I didnt think so until now

For any early drop off (as well as late pickups) my contract allows me to charge. All arrival and departure times are recorded on an attendance register and at the end of the month I simply tot up the number of minutes early for drop off or late for pick up and add it to the next month's invoice - I charge double-time for the extras.

By doing it this way, I have found the parents are quite happy with this arrangement as I used to charge in half-hour multiples but it meant if they were 15 minutes late picking up, they would have to pay for half an hour (at double-rate). Doing it this way I think is very fair to both sides.

All my mindees are paid for at the beginning of the month and generally I receive payment on the first contracted working day of each month. Luckily, I do not have a problem with late payers but if I did I would certainly charge a fee and again this is stipulated in the contract - £5 per day per child.

From the point of view of what to do about the problem, there are of course many suggestions on here but the key thing is make your move quickly and establish the way you need to work. Nip it in the bud as the longer the problem is left, it becomes a greater challenge to resolve. Good luck.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I really appreciate Mumsnet for allowing us to give advice to each other.

I have sent out a letter to parents letting them know of my charges. I guess if I dont nip it in the bud the lateness will not change.

I want to be friendly with the parents but I also want to be professional too.