Parent arriving late (20min every day) do I charge?

**mrs lilly** · 14-11-2010, 06:12 PM

Originally Posted by kymberly

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Think I'll have to bite the bullet and say to her (yikes). Just before I do, what's the thoughts on adding up her 20 mins (so over 3 days that would be an hour) and just adding it to her bill. I charge her £3.50 per hour which is £28 per day (9-5 or 5.20 more like) and feel wick asking her for more money. Is £29.75 not a bit much for a childminder??

Thanks in advance xx

err no not where i live!! to give you some perspective my parents pay £5.50 and hour and a 8.5 hour day costs £ 46.75. I charge £5 per 15 mins that they are late picking up too!

**charlie potato** · 14-11-2010, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by kindredspirits

I'd give her the benefit of the doubt and ask her if she needs to change contracted hours to 5.30 collection. If she says no then say I'm sorry but I will have to charge you an extra £5 when you are late in future because its unsocial hours/your insurance needs you to be charging to keep you covered - up to you!

Thats what i think too. xx

**glitzygal** · 14-11-2010, 07:10 PM

Originally Posted by kindredspirits

I'd give her the benefit of the doubt and ask her if she needs to change contracted hours to 5.30 collection. If she says no then say I'm sorry but I will have to charge you an extra £5 when you are late in future because its unsocial hours/your insurance needs you to be charging to keep you covered - up to you!

AGREED, and she will be able to think about it, and change the contract to 5.30

good luck,
your running a business not doing anyone favours.x

**MaryMary** · 17-11-2010, 10:16 PM

I was so naive when I first started!

I used to just charge the parents for the hours I actually had the kids. If I didn't have them I charged half. One parent worked flexi time - and sometimes I would pick up the 2 girls from school (9 & 10 at the time). They would come in, eat me out of house and home, then get picked up at 4. I would charge for an hour.

I actually stopped & thought about it one day

I was getting paid more on the days I didn't have them than some days that I did!! I stopped that, and charged the contracted hours every day

Also (I am so stupid - sorry - was!) another parent would pick up anytime between 4 and 6.30! I work 'til 6

I would never know when they were going (3 siblings - again like locusts!!) I would only charge 'til they were picked up (I was never really told when they were actually supposed to be picked up, but it was more often than not about 5.30) I then started charging 'til 5.30 every day, unless they were picked up later, when I would charge more (an extra half hour to 6, then double time in 15 min increments) That adds up quite a bit for 3 kids! It wasn't a problem after that!
I have learnt my lesson now

but this sort of thing is really hard when you first start out

**Katiecate** · 19-11-2010, 05:07 PM

I had a parent who was going back to work to a new job after maternity leave & she said would have to drop child off at 7.30am. Told her I didnt start till 8am & would charge her an extra £5 a day due to the unsociable hours, also then emailed her a copy (updated of course) showing my fees if she came before 8am & collected after 6pm. All ok tho as she took a different job & child comes after 8 & collected at 5.

**Eskysbabe** · 29-11-2010, 08:00 AM

I have the same thing every week with one mum! Every week she is due to pick up at 4pm and I'm lucky if she turns up by half past. I wouldn't mind if she said "sorry" but she doesn't! She doesn't pay me so it doesn't bother her but every week I know shes gonna be late

**kymberly** · 29-11-2010, 10:25 AM

Eskysbabe, why doesn't she pay you? Half an hour is loads - she's taking the mickey. You should definately start charging.

**Ripeberry** · 29-11-2010, 12:11 PM

I've got a parent who 'slides' She will either come 10-15 mins late in the morning and then collect 10-15 mins late in the evening. Does not happen too much.
But if she 'slides' too far, then i'll start charging late fees

**Ripeberry** · 29-11-2010, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Eskysbabe

I have the same thing every week with one mum! Every week she is due to pick up at 4pm and I'm lucky if she turns up by half past. I wouldn't mind if she said "sorry" but she doesn't! She doesn't pay me so it doesn't bother her but every week I know shes gonna be late

If I was you I'd just start adding the extra time onto the bill and if she moans, just show her the start and finish times in your register, then she may pull up her socks

**Eskysbabe** · 30-11-2010, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by kymberly

Eskysbabe, why doesn't she pay you? Half an hour is loads - she's taking the mickey. You should definately start charging.

Social/family Services pay me

**Bushpig** · 30-11-2010, 09:12 AM

Well I would charge her DIRECTLY for the late fees... tell her social doesn't cover when she picks up late, anything over and above she has to pay for. You need to get payment for ALL your hours worked.

**Eskysbabe** · 02-12-2010, 06:05 AM

Originally Posted by Bushpig

Well I would charge her DIRECTLY for the late fees... tell her social doesn't cover when she picks up late, anything over and above she has to pay for. You need to get payment for ALL your hours worked.

Sounds like a plan

**The Juggler** · 02-12-2010, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by Eskysbabe

I have the same thing every week with one mum! Every week she is due to pick up at 4pm and I'm lucky if she turns up by half past. I wouldn't mind if she said "sorry" but she doesn't! She doesn't pay me so it doesn't bother her but every week I know shes gonna be late

time to start charging late fees then hon, or offer to change her contract hours