Features

Positive relationships: Let's talk about ... Late arriving parents

How tolerant should private nurseries be about what time parents pick up their children, and to what extent can they afford it? Melanie Defries talks to a group of managers.

Q: Why do you charge parents for arriving late, and how much do you charge them?

'We charge parents £1 a minute for being late. It's something we have done since we opened five years ago. We feel that staff already work a long enough day, and the late fee goes directly to whoever has to wait behind for any parents.'

'We charge parents £20 for every 15 minutes that they are late. However, we do not charge them the first time it happens, as long as they are no more than 15 minutes late. It acts as a deterrent and encourages parents to be punctual!'

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