Inspirational and Empowering Child Care Business Owners To Build Successful Child Care Businesses

Posts tagged ‘Timely Tuition’

How To Get Parents To Pay Tuition On-Time

Recently, I have been asked the following question by many Child Care Business Owners: How do I get parents to pay on-time?

This is a tricky question, because it takes many different strategies to get parents to pay on-time and today I want to share one strategy with you that I use every week to let parents know that I am serious about collecting payments on-time and that is by posting a Tuition Due sign!

Every Monday I display my Tuition Due sign on the sign-in table where parents can see it. Also in small print you will see the words: If you have already paid your tuition for this week, please disregard this notice.

Having a Tuition Due Notice displayed on your sign-in table is a great way to enforce your tuition policy and also a great way to remind parents that payment is due.

To create your sign, simply type your notice using a Microsoft word program (use a very large bold font) and be sure to print the notice on a piece of yellow or orange paper. Then insert the notice in a plastic sign holder stand and display on your sign-in table. (you will find sign holders at your local Office Supply store)

Handling Delinquent Families
In the event that a parent fails to pay you after leaving the program, you have a right to send that family to collection or even collect your fees in small claims court. However, be sure that your failure to pay terms are clearly defined in your childcare payment agree and that you verbally tell parents about your collections procedures upon enrolling their children.

I hope this tip has inspired you to get diligent about collecting payments on time and you can start by creating  a Tuition Due sign. On-time Payments= Consistent Cash Flow in Your Business.

For more Tuition Policy tips, subscribe to my Tuition Policy Makeover eCourse. Also, be sure to subscribe to my Business Owner Makeover Tips eNewsletter, click here

Happy Tuition Collecting…..

Category:

Business Management, Tuition

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FIVE ESSENTIALS FOR COLLECTING TUITION by Karen Marx

Timely TuitionThe following post is a Guest blog post by Karen Marx of Timely Tuition, LLC.

Collecting tuition may be one of your least favorite jobs.  But without enough money coming in, you can’t do all the other things you love.

Here are 5 tips to make collecting tuition a little easier:

1.       Give yourself permission:

You are running a business.  You have a right to be paid for the excellent service you provide.  Any time you feel guilty or reluctant to talk with a parent about payment, remember all of the things you purchase for your center and how you can use the money to improve your service or give your staff better training.  Parents agreed to pay you a certain amount when enrolling their child.  You are simply asking them to keep their word.

2.       Keep it simple:

Create policies that are simple to monitor and easy to follow.  Consider late fees, vacations (yours and students’), sick days, late pick-up, deposits, enrollment fees, and supplies.  Be strategic.  For example, charge annual fees in August for everyone, instead of tracking individual family’s anniversaries.  As much as possible, set up charges so that families pay the same amount every billing cycle.

3.       Put it in writing:

Regardless of the size of your facility, be sure to have a written policy outlining your expectations and the consequences for failing to meet them.

4.       Set the tone:

Go over your payment policy with new parents.  Be polite but firm about your expectations.  Don’t apologize for your prices or fees; instead explain the benefits you offer.  “The supply fee will cover all Monica’s art supplies for the year.  Expect to see some really creative projects come home.”  Require parents to initial key points and sign the policy before enrolling their student.

5.       Be consistent:

This cannot be emphasized enough.  Set your policies and expect them to be followed.  Follow up on consequences (like late fees) immediately and consistently for every parent, every time.  If you don’t care enough about your policies to follow them, neither will your parents.

Would you like a free review of your tuition policies?  Contact Karen@timelytuition.com for more information or visit Karen’s website at www.timelytuition.com. Would you like to be a featured expert or submit a guest blog post? If so, click here to review our theme and submission procedures.

Category:

Accounting, Administration, Policies, Tuition

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