Summer Program Rates?

[AfterSchoolMom]

Hi everyone!

Currently I provide before/after school care only. During the summer I take on one or two part time kids for all day care. This year I'm planning on having scheduled trips, weekly themes, library summer reading, etc. I'm envisioning more of a "summer camp" experience, and I'm going to take on (hopefully) two school agers full time. My question to you all is this - how much is fair to charge for this? We will be spending alot of time outdoors, taking field trips, doing arts and crafts, etc. and very little or no time sitting around indoors or watching TV. In my area rates vary wildly from $75 per week to $300 per week. I've checked into five or six summer programs around here that are similar, and they seem to charge anywhere between $20 to $50 per day. I know that rates vary depending on the area, but thought I'd get some opinions.

[momma2girls]

What I charge here in Iowa is before and after school rates are $50.00 per child. Then weekly summer rates for school aged children are $25.00 per day per child.

[momofboys]

I'd probably charge at least $30 a day, especially if you are including the field trips, etc. Are you making parents pay the cost of the field trips or is that included? If you are not making them pay extra for the special activities I'd consider raising it a bit more if you think it is well within the normal range for your area?

[AfterSchoolMom]

I'd probably charge at least $30 a day, especially if you are including the field trips, etc. Are you making parents pay the cost of the field trips or is that included? If you are not making them pay extra for the special activities I'd consider raising it a bit more if you think it is well within the normal range for your area?

I haven't decided yet. I read in another thread here that someone charges a "registration" fee that they put in an envelope for each child and use that money for extras throughout the summer...I think that's a fantastic idea and I'd like to incorporate that, but as far as admission fees, etc...I just don't know. It'd probably be better to include them and charge a bit more than to bug parents for money all summer, right?

[TGT09]

I charge $25 a day, just for the care. I also charge the parents for field trips seperately as to exactly where we are going. I of course, eat a small portion but most of my parents insist on paying entrance fees and what not. I let them know at least 2 weeks ahead of time so they can plan alternate care if they either don't want their children to attend or don't have the money. This is for summer only though.

[Persephone]

Did you read the other thread that I had started on School Age Summer care?

I'm planning the same thing! I'm still thinking about if I'm going to charge for extra cost of things or add in to price.

Someone I know in a town an hour from me (bigger type city) charged $20 a day. She said she was too low. She provided meals also. That's another thing to think about. The two ladies on this site who do SASC (School aged Summer care) do not provide meals, stating that they are too picky.

The YMCA in my area charges $85 a week with no meals.

I figure I'd charge more then that and provide meals. I think that it will be just as easy since I'm going to be cooking for me and my son anyways. That would off set lunch cost for us.


Another thing to think about with SASC, is on your trips don't forget that most younger school kids need a booster yet in your car. Will you provide those if needed or ask the parents to provide an extra for you.

[AfterSchoolMom]

Persephone, I have two extra booster seats, so that's not an issue. I've debated about including meals as well - you're right, I'll be cooking for myself and my own children anyway, so it wouldn't take alot of effort to make two extra lunches. However, kids ARE picky, so I'm planning on giving parents the option of packing a lunch, and charging accordingly.

The good thing about my town is that there are a TON of things that we can do during the summer that are fun and that don't cost a cent. I'm planning on about four field trips during the entire summer that actually charge admission. When all is said and done, all of the admission costs combined will be about $35 per child.

[momma2girls]

If I am on a field trip that cost any money to get in- the parents do pay for this for their child. We usually go on free field trips throughout the summer. Once or twice we went to a zoo, and there is admission fees for this. I do provide all meals for field trips, I pack sack lunches for everyone, to save on lunches.

[Persephone]

Persephone, I have two extra booster seats, so that's not an issue. I've debated about including meals as well - you're right, I'll be cooking for myself and my own children anyway, so it wouldn't take alot of effort to make two extra lunches. However, kids ARE picky, so I'm planning on giving parents the option of packing a lunch, and charging accordingly.

The good thing about my town is that there are a TON of things that we can do during the summer that are fun and that don't cost a cent. I'm planning on about four field trips during the entire summer that actually charge admission. When all is said and done, all of the admission costs combined will be about $35 per child.

I'd maybe figure how much it might cost for the summer, divide that by the number of weeks of the summer and figure would that cost.

Don't forget the cost of state parks that charge to get in the front gate per car.

I wish my town had more that we could do other then parks and the library. There's the local pool that cost $4 (you can get coupon books that make is $2 each, which I would do if we would go). Then everything else basically is 30 mins to hour drive.

So those things will just be every other week or so.

[momma2girls]

We have splashpads that are free, a small zoo, libraries, and free movies during the summer.

[Persephone]

We have splashpads that are free, a small zoo, libraries, and free movies during the summer.

Oh! I didn't think about the free movies.

[AfterSchoolMom]

Yes! We have one splashpad, several parks with huge playgrounds, a big indoor play area at the mall, free movies, a children's petting zoo/farm, the library (they have a summer reading program with prizes), and our neighborhood pools (there are 3). I'm also trying to arrange a trip with another group to visit the local firehouse. I'm planning bowling, a "bounce house", a museum, and one lunch "out" at McD's or Chick-Fil-A - those things will cost money. Otherwise, we'll do arts and crafts, we'll create science projects, cook, play outside at home, and have free play inside to fill the gaps.

[Persephone]

Yes! We have one splashpad, several parks with huge playgrounds, a big indoor play area at the mall, free movies, a children's petting zoo/farm, the library (they have a summer reading program with prizes), and our neighborhood pools (there are 3). I'm also trying to arrange a trip with another group to visit the local firehouse. I'm planning bowling, a "bounce house", a museum, and one lunch "out" at McD's or Chick-Fil-A - those things will cost money. Otherwise, we'll do arts and crafts, we'll create science projects, cook, play outside at home, and have free play inside to fill the gaps.

I wish we had Splash pads around here. There's 1 pool in town, 1 in the town 15 mins away. There's an indoor water park 30 mins away, then the next thing is an hour drive.

The nearest zoo is also an hour drive, also the bounce house and museum. There is a small local museum, but it's not really for kids, but you could do like an hour trip there.

[Persephone]

Okay, this is what I'm looking to put in the local paper:

Summer Day Camp - Openings for ages 6-12. Near local Parks and Library. Field Trips. Meals provided. Call ***-****

Do I need to change anything? Do I need the park and library part? I'm going to add that I have openings for Spring Break also.

I'm going to see how the paper will let me run it. I know it's like $20 (16 words or less) for 6 days. I'd like to run it maybe every other day for 2-3 weeks. I'd also like make it so it stands out in some way. All the child care ads are the same font and none stand out.

[AfterSchoolMom]

I think it sounds fine - I'm not experienced with newspaper ads, b/c the majority of my families have come from referrals or Craigslist. Do you pay by the word?


Here's another question - what do you think a good daily schedule would look like for the summer for older kids? I'm thinking:

7am-9am - Arrival, breakfast, free play (they can watch a little TV during this time)
9-12 - Morning Activity (library, pool, etc.)
12-12:30 - Lunch
12:30 - 1:15 - Quiet/Rest time, Reading
1:15-3:15 - Afternoon Activity
3:15-3:30 - Snack
3:30-4:30 - Free Play inside or outside
4:30-5 - Clean up, Departure