I have no doubt that if I went to my bank to stop a check, they would do it for free. If not I would just move all my cash to another account. I will concede that now that she has been dismissed it is probably wise to stop payment since she is unlikely to return it if she finds it.

 

of course, some banks would do it for free, depending on your relationship with them, or worst case, threatening to go across the street. my point was, the fee is a common, normal occurance, the check loss was her fault, ie. she's responsible for any charges incurred for replacement of the check. and she should know that. if she was that worried about $28, why wasn't she more careful with the check? that was worth $125!

 

The last one of my kids comes home after school now, Yay!

IMO, (after 20 years paying daycare), this isn't worth filing a complaint. Things happen, like lost checks. The bank doesn't take too much persuasion to waive the fee. People need their money.

I used to fight this kind of thing, too. Now, I look at it as an opportunity. The way they love to charge big bucks for late pickup, you need a relationship based on give and take. My favorite is when they are late opening in the morning and I have to wait a few minutes. I never get mad now, just smile and let them know that it's worth a late pick-up or two.

One thing to watch is time. I've caught a couple providers over the years setting the big clock they have on the wall ahead a few minutes. Doesn't seem like much, but at $2/minute with 5 kids - it's a quick $50 if everyone is 5 minutes late. Works great if none of the parents know each other, and who remembers if they were late 3 weeks ago?

The business side of daycare can be very profitable, with the Federal grants and food programs paying almost as much as you do. But it's a lot of work for them with paperwork and keeping track of every nickle.

There's a lady up the street I used to use. Single, three kids of her own, huge house. She watches 5 kids and takes advantage of every program there is, and is a meticulous bookkeeper, (I could never get anything over on her). She has a new Ford van for the kids and a vette in the garage. Takes a vacation or two every year and comes back tan, (which I had to pay during - what's up with that? Darn contracts anyway...)

I'm glad it's over for me. Now I worry about cars and insurance and what's really happening when they come home late at 1am.

 

Hey guys thanks for all of the tips you know it wasn't the money that I was looking at it was the fact that she went from very calm to a nasty person in about 2.5 seconds I just wasen't comfortable with someone with that kind of mantality watching my kid and consitering we have been using her for 2 years you would think that she would be more understanding? that is how I see it anyway. But thanks agin you all for the helpful insight.

 

There is two sides to all truths.
Lets look at her side.
How long has see been sitting for you?
Any issues or past problems, does your child like her?
When you were late in the past she obviously did not charge you.
Maybe she needs every cent she makes for something very important?
You are correct she lost the cheque, can happen to anyone.
Eat the service charge first time, but tell to be more carefull and explain that you are paying for the service charge but can not do it in the future.
At the end you have done what you think is right and there is no changing it now.
if you are worried about court give her the $28 as a nice jesture and maybe that will be the end of the matter.

imho - but what do I know

 

like I keep saying it is not the money it was her attitude when I just brought up the subject of the fees she told me that I was going to pay it and she wasn't I just don't understand some people insted of being an adult about it she acted like a child I think she has been babysitting for too long. Also There has been tons of issues in the past that I have just let slide but there are some things I just cant let go attitude like hers is one of those things.

 

See there is more info. you have let things slide, how serious I do not know?
Always remember that you are paying for a service and you are the boss. When you are not happy with a sitituation be forth coming.
When all is said and done if you are not happy with the services being rendered - 2 words - "YOU'RE FIRED"
Most important it's your child and no small claims or any court would stop me from what I believe to be right.

 

if the contract has no provisions for late fees, she is out of luck.

 

She dose state her late fees but she dosent state her hours in her contract. She dose however ask you to fill in the time that the child will be attending but it dosen't state that those are the hours so who knows when they are on overtime or not?

 

Those providers get that way after watching the kids all day. I can tell when they need a break, when they don't let you go - they start to crave adult conversation. When they start to get snippy, "Do we need a timeout?", usually works. Works for me anyway... Man, I'm glad I don't have to deal with it anymore.