Payment in advance

[JCrakers]

Definitely payment in advance. Parents can choose monthly or weekly and what date to pay on. Most of them have chosen the 1st of every month.
Two parents pay by standing order every monday

I've never had a non payer and everyone pays on time (give or take a few days, mainly due to vouchers going into bank)


If they cant pay in advance then I don't take them on.....because if they cant afford the first week or months pay how are they going to afford to pay it at a later point?

[WFeather]

Morning, yes I have always informed parents that payment is in advance as good business practice. Being self-employed and having to pay for equipment, resources and outings does require a reasonable outlay which the parents usually understand and happily agree to paying for so that their child has a varied experience. Although outings, toddler groups/pre-schools were charged for as and when and extra to fees, I don't think I ever had a parent who quibbled at cost.

However I have had late payments and been left with fees owing (which is the main reason for advance fees). You have to remind yourself and the parents, you are a business and sometimes this is difficult for ourselves. people who care as a profession, and quite easily pay for 'this and that' without asking for extra and then at the end of the year wonder why we haven't made any profit to plough back into the business for new equipment etc.

[BuggsieMoo]

Quite interested in this as at present I charge weekly/monthly in arrears. I am planning to charge weekly (if paying weekly) or 2 weekly (of paying monthly) or monthly (if paying monthly) - undecided re the monthly one when I move.

How do you word it in your paperwork
How do you word it to parents.

I obviously would take sickness,my holiday etc off the next months invoice (so carry credits forward to the next month iyswim) but I dread the conversation with parents.

Im also looking to phase out cheques (Im sure nearly everyone, if not everyone has internet banking) and im more than happy to take cash and pay it in. Cheques take so long to clear. If I keep them, I want them earlier iyswim so it clears by the due date.

How do I word it all -any help appreciated xx

[Chatterbox Childcare]

Mine are a month in advance. I split the years cost over 12 months and parents have a standing order which comes in by bacs or vouchers

[BuggsieMoo]

Mine are a month in advance. I split the years cost over 12 months and parents have a standing order which comes in by bacs or vouchers

Oh I like this idea. What do you do though if they go over their hours. For instance I have one parent who sometimes has to leave LO here for an additional 4 hours.

[notts]

Thanks everyone, payment in advance it is

[jane5]

I get paid monthly in advance and also take a 4 week deposit.

I have only ever had 1 parent say she could not afford this as she was on tax credits so I agreed for her to pay weekly in advance but she paid her 4 week deposit in instalments.

She gave up her job suddenly and had forgotten that she had paid her deposit in instalments and also a week in advance and I got a very apologetic text off her explaining that she is not working and can not afford to give me anymore money ect.... she actually thought she owed me a weeks money which was nearly £200 and nearly £800 notice period fees

I was so glad I read posts on this forum and charged a deposit and a month in advance or I would have been chasing her for lots of money and in September her child will be starting school in the same class as my dd that would have been awkward

[nokidshere]

Oh I like this idea. What do you do though if they go over their hours. For instance I have one parent who sometimes has to leave LO here for an additional 4 hours.

Any extra hours are paid for in cash at the time of use.