Calling Other Providers For Information

[Sunchimes]

I need to try to find out current rates for our area. When you call another provider or a center for information, do you level with them and tell them what you are doing, or do you pretend to have a kid and be looking for care? I'm not a good pretender, so I haven't done anything yet, but I need to do it before the new contracts go out.

I thought about looking at their websites, but it appears that no one around here has a website.

[melskids]

Could you possibly call your local R&R for a list of market rates?

I'm not a good pretender either....so I would just ask them straight out. I would be prepared though, for some to not want to tell you, and/or not be very polite about it.

[daycare]

I go by what the R&R has listed as well as what the providers in my area charge.

You can do what most of the people do to me....

Phone rings...i pick up hello....how much do you charge and what does that include? I tell them they hang up.

I know it may feel bad and be wrong, but this way you don't have to go into detail about anything...

[Sunchimes]

I called the DFPS this morning. They referred me to the online list. Trouble is that none of them list their prices, just phone numbers and hours.

[VTMom]

I recently had someone call and let me know she was starting a daycare and asked about my hours and rates. I had no problem with letting her know. I talked to another area provider who said she was also called. She also let her know her info. We're all in this together in my opinion (easy to say when our area isn't too competitive).

[Sprouts]

Yes! My area is very competitive! Someone called and complained About my lawn sign! So I had to remove it and they also complained about s
Another providers down the road, I checked to see if there is any new providers and there is one just down the road.....got their license 12/9.....****s to have so many providers in like a 5 block radius.....

[Abigail]

Yes! My area is very competitive! Someone called and complained About my lawn sign! So I had to remove it and they also complained about s
Another providers down the road, I checked to see if there is any new providers and there is one just down the road.....got their license 12/9.....****s to have so many providers in like a 5 block radius.....

That was one of my biggest fears. When we bought our house a few months ago I called to make sure if other providers were nearby if I would be limited in my numbers for enrollment since i was last to get licensed.....I guess they thought I was silly for asking! LOL

When I search online I know a licensed provider is about 5 blocks north of me. I also see a sign in the side yard of a house about 6-8 blocks west of me too. I'm not too concerned. I hope I'm in a convenient area to a lot of work places. It ****s they had you remove your sign. Maybe you should try to find out the scoop on their daycares or have a close friend of yours actually tour it and take notes and get back to you! LOL

[Childminder]

You can go to your state website and do a search for childcare rates. It will be an average for the year for a center, home, etc... but just divide it by yearly weeks of operation to get a weekly rate.

[Childminder]

http://www.naccrra.org/randd/data/docs/TX.pdf Try this. or google

[Unregistered]

Just FYI, there is a law against daycare providers knowingly discussing their rates with each other. It was written in response to some providers who would raise their rates together, leaving parents to pay higher than average rates with no other options in thier area. Of course, it would have to be proven, and prosecuted which I wouldn't think is very common, but I just wanted to let you know.

[daycare]

Just FYI, there is a law against daycare providers knowingly discussing their rates with each other. It was written in response to some providers who would raise their rates together, leaving parents to pay higher than average rates with no other options in thier area. Of course, it would have to be proven, and prosecuted which I wouldn't think is very common, but I just wanted to let you know.

but my rates are public information....so how could this be??

[small_steps]

but my rates are public information....so how could this be??

I have never heard of this law before...and even if it was I would imagine it would be state by state and not a federal law?

Sorry Daycare, I meant to quote the one you quoted.

[Country Kids]

I have never heard of this law before...and even if it was I would imagine it would be state by state and not a federal law?

Sorry Daycare, I meant to quote the one you quoted.

It is a federal law I believe. Tom Copeland can explain it better as I asked about it one time. A very silly law I believe but a law no less.

[small_steps]

It is a federal law I believe. Tom Copeland can explain it better as I asked about it one time. A very silly law I believe but a law no less.

I guess a lot of us are breaking it then. Oops!

[mac60]

Our business is no different than any other business. Walmart sends people to other stores to "check their prices", then lower theirs 1 cent less, to beat their competition. I have never heard of anyone having a "town meeting" of daycare providers to "set" rates.