Would you give notice? Where do I stand?

[hbcm]

Hi all.

I hope it’s ok to post here for advice.

I started minding at the beginning of July. My first parent brings 2 children to me, the older of the 2 is now funded. Basically parent has been unreliable with payment since day 1. And them being my first parent I let them get away with more because I needed the income. I ask for £100 deposit per child to be refunded on last invoice. But allowed this to be paid in 5 instalments as I know they are on a low income. I’ve also allowed payment in arrears weekly as that’s when the money comes in. When they were struggling I agreed to accept lower payments for 4 weeks until tax credits got sorted and catch-up when they were in. I include all food and snacks in my rates. I even provide nappies and wipes most days as, if they bring any, they only provide 3 or 4 for 2 children for 7 hours/5 hours. I’ve never charged a late fee and only charged for nappies once. I’ve dropped the children off, met them in town as parent was running late for work.

Week 1 - payment plus 1/5th deposit due - received payment no deposit
Week 2 - nothing paid - funding approved so payments reduced and cancelled deposit for child a
Week 3 - paid week 2 & part of week 3 - also dropped a day for both children without notice (I allowed this as it fitted with me and made the new fees payments less than the reduced weekly fee)
Week 4 - paid rest of week 3 and part of week 4
Week 5 - nothing paid
Week 6 - paid week 5 and part of week 6
Week 7 - this week - due to pay yesterday no contact until today when I asked and was told tomorrow

Now week 5 parent was impossible to get hold of, not that I chased or anything, until they wanted to check I’d still have the children in week 6. I gave them a statement of account showing all late and partial payments, and a letter explaining I would be extending the settling in period due to having received only one payment on time (and that wasn’t even in full). I also made sure I said I would be within my rights to terminate the contract should any further payment be made late and that all contracted fees would now be applied to all invoices and if they wished to keep their fees low they should provide basic items for their children. All of which is in the contract they signed so it’s not new.

Now we are in week 7, payment was due yesterday, but I haven’t heard anything from them. I text today, reiterating that a £5 fee would be added each day unless I agreed to accept late payment, and was told it would be tomorrow. I was told a couple of weeks ago after the 2nd missed week that they had older kids birthdays within 2 weeks of each other and spent £500 between them. I’ve written off ever receiving the outstanding deposit.

Basically would you give notice? They found it hard to find space as it is for 2 children and everyone round here is full. Can I give notice to a funded child as easily as a fee paying one? I have allowed them to take advantage of me I know, I was trying to help out and be flexible but I don’t feel like paying for my services has been prioritised even once. I can probably fill those spaces again quickly as those specific days are in demand in my area. I’m in the settling in period until the end of August, after which I’d need to give 4 weeks notice.

Thanks. Hopefully this doesn’t come across as too much of a rant or anything. I’m frustrated, not upset, I have bills to pay as well of course and not knowing when or if money is coming in is stressful.