do you or dont you?

**tara** · 22-01-2009, 08:33 PM

Dose any body have to hint for there payment from a parent and if so what do you say.On tuesday l asked if the tax credits were sorted yet.As l like payment in advance.I have a lovely mum but l hate asking for my money.

**Winnie** · 22-01-2009, 08:44 PM

I give out the invoice before payment is due, if i didnt recieve the money before the end of the week i think i would have to remind them. Some minders charge a late payment fee, have you got that in your contract? Even lovely parents can forget so maybe she just needs a gentle reminder ....but there does seem to be more childminders with parents not paying these days (credit crunch?) so i would say dont let it go on too long

And I do not get involved in conversations about tax credits- the parents pay me not the govenment and i think it can be used by people as an excuse not to pay their childminder

**tara** · 22-01-2009, 09:05 PM

Originally Posted by Winnie

I give out the invoice before payment is due, if i didnt recieve the money before the end of the week i think i would have to remind them. Some minders charge a late payment fee, have you got that in your contract? Even lovely parents can forget so maybe she just needs a gentle reminder ....but there does seem to be more childminders with parents not paying these days (credit crunch?) so i would say dont let it go on too long

And I do not get involved in conversations about tax credits- the parents pay me not the govenment and i think it can be used by people as an excuse not to pay their childminder

I think your right totally but l started of 4 weekly payment now shes saying that the tax credits are paying her weekly so shes paying me out of her money and she will pay me then.I never work with out payment first but im still quite new started minding 1st october so l think l need to learn some tricks.I was putting her baby in my car and l said have you sorted out tax credits yet.I did this so she would pay me.She then took my money out of her pocked and said sorry.I feel bad as shes a single mum and has a lot going on.But in my head l thinking im providing a service so l want paying for it.

**berkschick** · 22-01-2009, 09:06 PM

I just ask them outright.

It normally is enough to make them ashamed!

**tara** · 22-01-2009, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by berkschick

I just ask them outright.

It normally is enough to make them ashamed!

What do you say?

**mum22** · 22-01-2009, 09:08 PM

Monthly invoices given out the last day i see them and payment by return (all in advance) mind you most of mine are voucher direct debit so no real issue

**berkschick** · 22-01-2009, 09:10 PM

I have a mixture of parents from a very well off couple with a 6 bedroomed house down to a single Mum in a rented flat.

They are ALL treated the same. Their personal circumstances are not my concern. They are all invoiced monthly in advance and all fined for not paying on time!

**berkschick** · 22-01-2009, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by tara

What do you say?

Have you got my fees? If they say no I will bring them tomorrow I will say please make sure you do as I am waiting for yours before I bank everyone elses. Only really have an issue with one parent and its normally just a few days late. I did have a parent last year who was lovely but always forgot so I asked her to pay by standing order weekly in the end, that worked well.

**miffy** · 22-01-2009, 09:18 PM

I invoice a week before payment is due and put the due date on the bottom of the invoice.

Most of my parents are good payers

I agree it's good to ask parents directly (not always as easy as that though)

Miffy xx

**tara** · 22-01-2009, 09:20 PM

Ive looked after her baby since october 1st over night which lve had 4 weekly payment.She upped her hours to day times as well this january.Since she has started to say can she pay weekly.I hate my money in dribs and drabs.She said on tuesday ill have to give it to you weekly but she said she will pay me out of her wages and keep the tax credits.Which makes my life hard as l have bills to pay.I think she must think im well of or somthing.But even then l still started 4 weekly payment.Its like taking money l feel dirty for asking for money to look after her lovely baby.I need to learn to be firm but nice.When l ask directly thats when l get the tax credit talk and im fed up with hearing about them.I have date when payment is due and l even have a late payment line at the bottom but im a push over

I know this sounds nasty but im not interested in her money just want my payment.God its so hard.

**berkschick** · 22-01-2009, 09:28 PM

Is she behind with her payments to you?

I have one who I often have for extra hours here and there. I have just done February invoices so I have charged for the hours needed in Feb and then added the extra hours she has done in January at the bottom.

**tara** · 22-01-2009, 09:37 PM

No shes not behind but l like the 4 weeks in advance and if l state 4 weekly before he started she should stick to it.Im worried that im getting into a habit of hoping for my money.I m due my 4 weeks night next week but l think ill only get the 1 week

**miffy** · 22-01-2009, 09:55 PM

You don't sound nasty at all

You are only asking her to stick to what was agreed when she started with you.

I think you are going to have to talk to her and say that you must have the fees paid as you agreed at the start.

Good luck

Miffy xx

**tinkerbelle** · 23-01-2009, 07:55 AM

i invoice wednesdays and text them fridays to remind them to bring payment on collection works for me

**Mollymop** · 23-01-2009, 07:56 AM

You are doing your job and you need to be paid for it, so don't feel guilty about asking for your money.
I never do x

**tara** · 23-01-2009, 09:10 AM

Thankyou you are a real good support.Im so glad your all there

**Blaze** · 23-01-2009, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by berkschick

I have a mixture of parents from a very well off couple with a 6 bedroomed house down to a single Mum in a rented flat.

They are ALL treated the same. Their personal circumstances are not my concern. They are all invoiced monthly in advance and all fined for not paying on time!

Same...they know how much it's going to cost when contracts are signed...I invoice in advance...if payment doesn't happen I ask outright for it & have a copy of the invoice to hand & gently remind about late payment fees...the odd note in my newsletter doesn't go amiss either! I usually say something like...Whilst \i appreciate times are tough, I am running a business & have bills to pay too, so would appreciate fees being paid on time.

**Lottie** · 23-01-2009, 09:33 AM

Luckily I haven't really had this issue. If a payment hasn't been made on the day I have asked the parents if there's a problem. They have been normally extremely apologetic and it's paid that evening.

**angeldelight** · 23-01-2009, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by berkschick

I have a mixture of parents from a very well off couple with a 6 bedroomed house down to a single Mum in a rented flat.

They are ALL treated the same. Their personal circumstances are not my concern. They are all invoiced monthly in advance and all fined for not paying on time!

Same here

Although the one does come it sometimes but thats another story

Just invoice the parent in advance so she knows what is expected of her

So what if you are getting into the habit of getting your money - we all do and we need it

Good luck

Angel xx

**Lottie** · 23-01-2009, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by tara

No shes not behind but l like the 4 weeks in advance and if l state 4 weekly before he started she should stick to it.Im worried that im getting into a habit of hoping for my money.I m due my 4 weeks night next week but l think ill only get the 1 week

Is it in the contract that you are paid 4 weeks in advance? If it is then maybe a gentle reminder that she is under contract and this is what she signed up for.