Field Trips - Is This Fair?

[Childminder]

Do you have school age children? Do you have to pay for their field trips as a parent? On the permission slips just put the fee that is to be turned in when it is due. That way you know how many plan on coming. I always charge parents for the child's admissions and require they provide a sack lunch for the trip, it's just like the real world. Never had one parent complain.

[Carole's Daycare]

A contract update is definately needed. You need to make clear that if a field trip has a cost it must be paid by the parent, or - if you choose make sure your contract states field trips are included in full-time rates, but part-timers and drop ins must pay the additional cost. As far as parents getting mad- If being decent and fair makes them mad, you are better off without them. Many families will be grateful for the opportunity for their child to even have access to field trips. I take part timers, but I require a set 3 day minimum they must pay regardless, and they must give me the schedule in advance. Once a field trip is announced if its not on their prev. scheduled day, they can't change their 3 days. They may pay for an additional 4th day and the field trip cost if they want to participate ( on a space/ticket/helper available basis, of course)

[Unregistered]

Oh i like Carole's Daycare answer..

[My4SunshineGirlsNY]

That is a BIG expense, that is so great that you are doing that...that already goes above and beyond what most providers can do. I would love to purchase a vehicle that could fit more, I'm lacking 1-2 seats to fit my daycare kids and my own for trips. So the only time we can do trips is if someone is absent for the day.

I would definitely update your contract...I would explain due to the expense of purchasing a vehicle plus insurance, you will have to have parents responsible for the cost of all field trips. I would even consider this for the full timers as well due to the cost of buying the vehicle and insurance...but that's up to you.

I don't think that's fair at all for those part timers to make sure they are there on field trip days....I would make them give you set days that the children will come in the summer...then try to schedule the trips on days they DON'T come.

[Unregistered]

#1: 15 passenger van. I had one, loved it so much. Then found out I had to pay the same insurance as a taxi, as if I was driving 24/7 with 15 passengers at all times. Sold it immediately. Check out insurance before you buy one....

#2: These parents who bring their kids on field trip days only, do they pay for the day or the whole month? If you allow them to drop in throughout the summer and pay for whenever they are there, they likely think they can choose to just come on f-t days. Even when I had the 15-p van, I didn't take everyone every day. If you are going to publish ahead of time what your f-t schedule is, include a fee on that schedule for whatever activity it is. Let the parents choose if they go or not.

Good luck.