What Do You Charge Teachers During the Summer

[laundrymom]

I have always given them the option to pay and bring them if they wanted, or not pay and risk losing their slot. I maintain 5 active names on my waiting list at all times and they know this. I tell them, are you sure you want to drop your slot for summer? You will lose it if I fill it with someone else. I've had two moms choose not to pay, I filled the position the evening they gave notice. They were mad because I had no loyalty to them the following august when they called telling me they were returning to care. I reminded them that I warned them they would probably lose their slot. They said" but I thought you cared about our child. I said, I do, but this is my income. It has nothing to do with caring.

[MrsB]

About half of my DCKs are teachers children. I charge 50% for the summer, unless I can fill their spot with someone who only needs summer care. You wouldnt think it but teachers have lots of connections and if it means you are saving them money they will bring you business! If they dont want to pay the 50% either they find someone to pay 100% for that time or they take their chances on a spot being available in the fall! It usually works out. In fact I have 3 daycare kids that come back every summer that were referred by teachers.

[Cat Herder]

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.

!

Yeah, that is unethical. If you can fill the slot for the summer only (and are willing to).... IMHO, you should not charge both clients.

My goal is stablility. I LIKE having the same 6 kids everyday, year round. They become a little family. THAT is my business goal.

[boysx5]

I don't have teachers but I would charge for keeping the spot. If you take a month vacation you still have your bills.

[MrsB]

Maybe you could give them the option of a 9 month or a 12 month plan. Say you charge 700 per month. They have the choice to pay 700 per month for 12 months or 933 per month for 9 months.

[sharlan]

I've had 3 teacher families over the years. I never charged them for full weeks off and I looked forward to the lighter load during the summer. One family chose to bring the kids 2 or 3 days a week during the summer and paid a daily rate.

[iheartkids]

I am in a predicament with a teacher's family as I come to think of the summer months. I told her that I would not charge her for the summer because I had a school age child that came last summer and may come again this summer. So she would fill her spot during the summer. But after the teacher-mom sent me a copy of her and her ex's custody plan I saw on there that she is teaching summer school! The previous family hasn't told me for sure if they want to bring their school-ager over the summer yet and the new family hasn't told me they would be using me for the summer so I'm trying to decide...who has priority over that spot!? Do I give it to the family that is with me permenantly even though I may be out money for the months of July and August..or to the old family whom I told them the spot was open but they haven't made a decision to yet????

[itlw8]

some people with only teachers children follow the school schedule and close for the summer. They also charge a bit higher rate during the school year than other people. One does 2 summer camps to keep the children in the swing of coming and so she knows they will be back in Aug.

You just need to find what works for you.