[gnafgnaf]

Is it a norm for child care centre to charge admin charge if you did not make the fees payment 2 weeks in advance?

I was overseas and was not able to make the payment (since the bill came when I was overseas and I have no access to my internet banking). Came back and make the payment the day before his class started. I even apologise for this but the childcare still make me pay an admin charge.
Probably it was my fault also as I did not set an advance payment before I went off. I asked them to give me a chance since it is my first time. But it is a big NO.

I understand the rule is there to ensure parents do not delay paying their fees all the time but for my case it was something that I overlooked and not that I did it on purpose.

It was the first time that I was ever late. I had been on time all the while and make payment in full. They can give me a chance at least and penalise me if I do it again the next time.

They are so strict and told me I can complain to family assistance plan. It is something not set by them but by the govt.

Just like to understand how does the child care system works here as I am new to this country. They follow by the books and not negotiable at all or it is just my childcare?

[kerri76]

How much was the late payment fee?

[qak]

I don't believe there is any charge by family assistance, and that it is a charge from the day care. You should have been given their enrolment T&Cs when you booked your sn in, does it refer to the fee there?

In that case, you have agreed that you paid late, and it was your fault, so I don't see why they would not charge it.

[Bluenomi]

If they have stated the late fees on their T&Cs, then they can charge you if you were late paying. The might be nice and wave it but they don't have to, not matter what your reason is.

[jupiter71]

I think you're up for it, as you say you could have set it up and childcare fees are the same each time you use them. I set everything up to be paid in the future before we go overseas.

[charlottesmum04]

heres the problem...

What happens usually ( and not saying you but usually) is that the first time parents sing a big song and dance about how it doesnt usually happen and daycare backs down, next time parent is a little bit tight for money and goes 'well i'll just pay that one next week' and so on and so on and next thing you know all the payments are never on time.

Again not saying you will do this but it does happen extremly often.

There are costs involved if you dont pay on time. I am not a centre i am a FDC mum and I can tell you if parents are late paying me then my options are put MY bills on a credit card ( and incur interest) or be late paying my bills. So why shouldnt i charge you to at least discourage you from doing it if I'm going to incur costs?

I always say to people looking to set up FDC to start as you mean to go on and if there is one thing you dont be lenient on its fee's. I will overlook parents who occassionally have to pick up late or drop off early. But fee's never.

[tibs]

Our preschool charges a late fee too, I think it is $10 or $20 for each week you are late. Or maybe each day you are late I don't know I've never paid them late! But I agree with it, I want the staff looking after my kid not chasing up tardy fee payers.

[girltribe4]

Completely agree charlottesmum04 , though wish I had thought of adding a late fee earlier .Its probably my most annoying issue with doing FDC being paid late and sometimes has ment scrimping together to feed my own daughters .