What Do You Charge Teachers During the Summer

[SilverSabre25]

Another teacher summer option would be to do your weekly rate * 52 (or 51, or 50, or however many weeks you charge other families the full rate) and divide the yearly total by 9, or however many months/weeks the teaching family works. It's a higher per week rate, but then you can not charge them anything over the summer and still have the same income for the year.

[bgmeyers]

This is what I came up with. It cover maternity also.

EXTENDED LEAVE/MATERNITY LEAVE/SUMMER LEAVE
If you request a leave of absence for more than two weeks, you will be required to pay a part time rate of at least two days per week for up to 12 weeks. Your child may attend during this time any two consistent days that work for both of us. If a holiday falls on one of your days, you will be required to pay for that holiday. You may pay for additional days at the part time rate if space is available. After 12 weeks, full tuition is required.

[Meeko]

I wouldn't personally charge a teacher for the summer, maybe for a couple days a week, but full time? if they are keeping their kid home, no way, and the analogy of they still pay their other bills, sure they pay their cell phone, but if they were barely ever using it, they could drop it to the lowest priced plan, Same with cable.

That is true...IF the phone company or cable company HAS a lower priced plan already in place. A customer cannot simply demand one because they want one.

I don't have price plans in my day care. One space. One price.

[wdmmom]

The first teacher I took on, I didn't charge summers.

Now I offer the option of dropping down to part time...minimum of 2 days per week. They have to pay a flat fee regardless of whether they use the days. If they do use the days, they must be picked up at their regular departure time. (Before 4pm)

[CheekyChick]

I charge a tiny "holding fee" yet have never actually made anyone pay it.

[MissAnn]

Another teacher summer option would be to do your weekly rate * 52 (or 51, or 50, or however many weeks you charge other families the full rate) and divide the yearly total by 9, or however many months/weeks the teaching family works. It's a higher per week rate, but then you can not charge them anything over the summer and still have the same income for the year.

What if that teacher leaves your program before summer? Does she just "eat" the lost because that was the option she chose? I really like this idea....but I need to know what those who have this option do. I would advertise this as "flexibility" since it shows you are willing to give choices.

[Cat Herder]

What if that teacher leaves your program before summer? Does she just "eat" the lost because that was the option she chose? .

I used to do it that way often, and yes, the loss was hers since the choice was hers.

I stopped offering it because most would try to loophole it every way possible.

It became too much discussion over money. The discussion was NEVER child CARE related, always money.

Not worth the fraction of business it brought me.

I watch my two sisters kids (my nieces and nephews) go from center to center, every year, for this reason.

It is their choice. You get what you pay for.

[MissAnn]

It became too much dicussion over money. The dicussion was NEVER child CARE related, always money.

Yes...and this type behavior start right away. If I am not desperate to fill a spot....I will try to avoid giving it to someone's who's first priority is mone.

I am the only 3/3 star family home daycare in this town......I am much cheaper than one local center who requires each kid bring their own lunch.

Sorry.....but good luck finding a better deal unless you want to go with the 0/3 facility on the other side of town!

I know I sound petty.....but I feel the only discussion would be about money if I didn't require reading over my polices during orientation.

[KDC]

I struggle with this too... Many of my families are teachers (out of 5 kids, all but 1 have teacher parents). I really struggle financially to take the entire summer off. I have always been 'full'... except for finding summer spots. I even have a waiting list. I definitely feel in my area, there are more people looking for quality home daycare then in other areas, have a waiting list and could find other families to take over... but have always hesitated because of the loyalty I have towards the existing teacher families. I've never charged before, but am thinking of changing this to require 50% holding fee. IF their willing to pay the 50%, then I'll hold their spot. IF, they aren't willing to hold the spot they run the risk of losing the spot. I feel this is coming half way?

[MissAnn]

I struggle with this too... Many of my families are teachers (out of 5 kids, all but 1 have teacher parents). I really struggle financially to take the entire summer off. I have always been 'full'... except for finding summer spots. I even have a waiting list. I definitely feel in my area, there are more people looking for quality home daycare then in other areas, have a waiting list and could find other families to take over... but have always hesitated because of the loyalty I have towards the existing teacher families. I've never charged before, but am thinking of changing this to require 50% holding fee. IF their willing to pay the 50%, then I'll hold their spot. IF, they aren't willing to hold the spot they run the risk of losing the spot. I feel this is coming half way?

I do just what you said. I have a total of 9 kids and only 1 is a non teacher's kid. One problem about this year......I have 5 leaving for kindergarten...they can either keep their kids here over the summer, pay for new contracted days, or pay 5 dollars more per day for drop in.....IF I have room (believe me, I will!). Parents can either contract for a minimum of 2 days per week at part time rate ($25 per day) or take their chances that I will have space in Fall.

I also charge full price for Christmas (my vacation and 3 holidays), spring and fall breaks, and Holidays. I know they came from a program where I used to work, they only take teacher's kids and they did not have to pay for any of these, including summer. On the other hand, they had to bring in food. Parents are pleased here....and I think they will pay for what I ask for...in reason.

I also give 5 free days for parents. I have 2 vacations....one at christmas and one in the summer. The summer vacation is unpaid and christmas they pay.

I do "contests" to entice parents to actually read my facebook page for my program. They will win one free day for the next week. I usually ask a question they need to ask their kids....which open up communication between school and home too.

[SilverSabre25]

Another teacher summer option would be to do your weekly rate * 52 (or 51, or 50, or however many weeks you charge other families the full rate) and divide the yearly total by 9, or however many months/weeks the teaching family works. It's a higher per week rate, but then you can not charge them anything over the summer and still have the same income for the year.

I have no idea! :: I've never had a teacher's kids. It's just in my basket of tricks should the situation ever arise. Most likely, if they leave, they are simply out the money because it was their choice. I wouldn't even necessarily tell them up front that they were being charge more than other people...I try not to tell how much I charge until I know things like what the parents do and what hours they need. That leaves me open to tweak things. Being able to say, "Well, your rate is is $155/week and I won't charge you for the summer" makes them think (maybe) that they are getting a deal.

[bunnyslippers]

I only take teacher families. Here are my policies:

* I charge 55 per day, no matter how long you are here. If teachers are expected at school, I expect payment.

* The first five snow days per winter are not charged (they are made up at the end of the year)

* Each teacher is allowed two staff meetings per month free of charge. I will not cover for before school meetings, and will not stay aFTER 4:30.

* My hours are 7:30-4:00. Each family is allowed contracted hours only (15 minute window is allowed for pick-ups, as long as they do not go past 4:00).

* I take 5 paid/personal days per year.

* I am closed all school vacations and holidays, with no exceptions. If school is closed, so am I. I do not charge for the days that teachers do not need to report for work.

I charge a lot more than other child cares in the area, and I plan accordingly for the summer months. I love my schedule, and feel that it works best for my family dynamic.

I opened my child care specifically because I was a teacher, and I couldn't fathom spending hundreds of dollars in the summer when I didn't need to. I now understand why childcares do charge in the summer - it is your livelihood - but I didn't want to do it! I found a niche, and it works for us. I know the families I care for also appreciate the service I offer.

I have also seen some funky practices and abuse of teachers. My friend pays for her kids spots in the summer, but doesn't use them and her provider takes in another family to fill those spots. Soooo, she gets paid twice. I believe that is SO WRONG, ethically.

I love my model, and love my vacation time. I definitely could not and would not do this any other way!

[MamaBear]

I have several teacher parents and I don't charge them for the summer break. BUT I wish that I at least charged half for the summer. For the next families I am definitely going to charge half for the summer. It is too costly to let them not pay at all and still hold that space.

[Blackcat31]

I have also seen some funky practices and abuse of teachers. My friend pays for her kids spots in the summer, but doesn't use them and her provider takes in another family to fill those spots. Soooo, she gets paid twice. I believe that is SO WRONG, ethically.

Um, yeah that is soooo wrong! I used to take teacher's kids and NOT charge because I was able to take on school age children to fill the spaces. However, I stopped taking SA kids now and have 2 teacher parents now.

1 pays a higher rate to make up for her absence in the summer and the other one attends all summer. The mom teaches summer school so she pays the same as other parents.

If I was able to fill the spaces, I would absolutely NOT charge teachers (or anyone else) who doesn't come due to work.

I FULLY support a parent who chooses to stay home with their child.

[Country Kids]

Is she paying to have them held for her in the summer or is she paying to have them still there in the fall.

I'm seeing it no different than those that do drop in but still charge parents who don't show up.

Many of us charge parents one fee-whether they use it or not. Alot of those same providers do drop in and will tell parents to please let me know early if you are going to be here or not in case I have a drop in call. So the original person is still paying but maybe not come that day, and then you have a drop in call, and they are paying you also. You would still be getting paid twice for one spot.