Struggling With Rates??? Help Please :)

[momma2girls]

I have done away with breakfast about 4 yrs. ago. I was never getting around to it til around 8:45 anyways. I having to get my own children ready for school, fed, dressed, and all the families coming in between 7:30 and 7:45 am, there just wasn't anytime to do it. Now I have am snack around 9:00-9:30 and dinner at 11:00. I cut back on items as well. If we make something for supper, spaghetti, lasagna, chicken, etc.. etc.. I will make extra just for daycare the next day or for 2 days that week. When we grill out I aways make alot of extras, so we can have it as leftovers, and for daycare the next day. It really saves on groceries, etc...

[Blackcat31]

I just called around my area this is what most said:

For a 2-3 year old: $118 - $135/Wk
4 year old and up ranged $110 - $117/Wk

So .... I was thinking maybe about charging:

Full Time:
2-3 year old FT - $120/wk for first child and $115/wk for each additional child.
4 year old & Up FT-$115/Wk for first child & $110/Wk for each additional child.


Part Time:
2-3 year old - $90 first child and $85/wk additional children
4 and up - $80 first child and then $75/wk for additional children


I provide breakfast, AM Snack, Lunch and PM Snack & Drinks still.

So does that sound ok???

Are you on the food program?

I think your rates sound better then the first ones you had but you need to add something about absences too. How many do you allow each family to take without paying?

I charge a weely flat rate and allow for unpaid absent days according to how many days per week they attend. Some of my families who only come 3 days a week don't get any unpaid absent days.

Your "first child" rate should also always be attached to the youngest child or parents will assume that as soon as oldest one ages out of daycare the younger kid discount will now be your new rate. Know what I mean?

[MrsB]

I just called around my area this is what most said:

For a 2-3 year old: $118 - $135/Wk
4 year old and up ranged $110 - $117/Wk

So .... I was thinking maybe about charging:

Full Time:
2-3 year old FT - $120/wk for first child and $115/wk for each additional child.
4 year old & Up FT-$115/Wk for first child & $110/Wk for each additional child.


Part Time:
2-3 year old - $90 first child and $85/wk additional children
4 and up - $80 first child and then $75/wk for additional children


I provide breakfast, AM Snack, Lunch and PM Snack & Drinks still.

So does that sound ok???

Better!

I dont want to discourage you, but is there a reason why you are seperating 4 year olds from 2 & 3 year olds? In my experience they are more work! and they are typically more temporary because you know they will be going to kindergarten soon. I charge the same for all ages (except infants, I can only have 2 and they are in high demand so I can demand a higher price)

What time do you do all your meals?

I do mine like this

Breakfast 8:00-8:30
Lunch 11:30-12:00
Snack 3-3:30

Any extra meals in between those and I end up tossing food.

[cheerfuldom]

What are your hours? Is there a reason why you have to serve breakfast at all? Unless kids are coming at some crazy hour, I think parents should just get up a few minutes earlier and do breakfast themselves. My kids get here beginning at 7:30 and I dont serve breakfast.

[renodeb]

Ok just a few things you should consider:
- I have found that kids dont really need an am snack so after a while I cut it out. If they did need something then give them a handful of cheerios. (pretty inexpensive)
-Your rates seem very low. I would definately raise them.
- Consider this idea: I know a provider who makes a list up each week adn then divides it up between her clients. That way she isnt bearing all the expence. She says it works great and very little grief from the clients.
- Heres another idea: you could have the parents pack there child's lunch and you could send a note out saying something like:
In Leu (sp?) of raising my rates as of ____ insert date parents are required to
pack there child's lunch. If I have to provide lunch there will be a $___ fee to cover the expence. And have them sign it ofcourse.
- I know another provider that simply does not offer breakfast at all and the parents know this going it.
I think a lot of the whole rates issue depends on where you live. Where I live I charge 165 a week for one child (ft) 4-5 days a week, 35 a day (pt) 1-3 days a week. I offer brk, lunch, and pm snack.
These are just ideas, food for thought really!
- I would really watch your local stores for sales and deals on foods as well.
A lot of daycares around here arent offering meals anymore becasue of the cost of things. I would love to know what you decide.
Debbie

[momma2girls]

What are your hours? Is there a reason why you have to serve breakfast at all? Unless kids are coming at some crazy hour, I think parents should just get up a few minutes earlier and do breakfast themselves. My kids get here beginning at 7:30 and I dont serve breakfast.

My daycare children do not start coming til 7:30am. There is plenty of time for parents to feed them breakfast at home.

[Soupyszoo]

Thanks so much for the input. I really want to make it worth my time. I dont want to babysit to feed the babysitting kids and make nothing else

I am going to seriously consider this!

What about Part Time rates or do you even offer Part Time? I know some people dont even offer part time at all.

I just do a flat weekly rate. If they don't come because of illness or by choice they still pay. Even if they have a short day. I don't charge if I'm sick or my kids are sick and I have to close etc...

[rhondawarren]

Are you on the food program?

I think your rates sound better then the first ones you had but you need to add something about absences too. How many do you allow each family to take without paying?

I charge a weely flat rate and allow for unpaid absent days according to how many days per week they attend. Some of my families who only come 3 days a week don't get any unpaid absent days.

Your "first child" rate should also always be attached to the youngest child or parents will assume that as soon as oldest one ages out of daycare the younger kid discount will now be your new rate. Know what I mean?

No I am not on the food program. So I pay for all food out of my pocket. Thats why I felt like I needed to really increase my rates atleast a little.

[MizzCheryl]

In my county subsidy will only pay $90 a week for a 3 yr old. That is for a 5 star home, but centers get $120 a week for a 3 star and $130 a week for a 5 star.
seems unfair.

[rhondawarren]

Better!

I dont want to discourage you, but is there a reason why you are seperating 4 year olds from 2 & 3 year olds? In my experience they are more work! and they are typically more temporary because you know they will be going to kindergarten soon. I charge the same for all ages (except infants, I can only have 2 and they are in high demand so I can demand a higher price)

What time do you do all your meals?

I do mine like this

Breakfast 8:00-8:30
Lunch 11:30-12:00
Snack 3-3:30

Any extra meals in between those and I end up tossing food.

As for the difference in pricing. When I called the local day cares in my area they charge a little more for 2-3 year olds I believe because of the whole potty training thing. So I was trying to keep my rates close to what other Day Cares were charging. Ya know??

Mine is:

Breakfast at 8:30am
AM Snack: 10:30am
Lunch: 12:30p
PM Snack: 3:30p

I serve breakfast because my kids are home schooled so when they get up in the morning then they need to eat. Well ... the kids that are here also want to eat whether they have eaten or not. So I just felt like I should serve them breakfast too. Didnt want to feed my own kids and not them

[rhondawarren]

Ok just a few things you should consider:
- I have found that kids dont really need an am snack so after a while I cut it out. If they did need something then give them a handful of cheerios. (pretty inexpensive)
-Your rates seem very low. I would definately raise them.
- Consider this idea: I know a provider who makes a list up each week adn then divides it up between her clients. That way she isnt bearing all the expence. She says it works great and very little grief from the clients.
- Heres another idea: you could have the parents pack there child's lunch and you could send a note out saying something like:
In Leu (sp?) of raising my rates as of ____ insert date parents are required to
pack there child's lunch. If I have to provide lunch there will be a $___ fee to cover the expence. And have them sign it ofcourse.
- I know another provider that simply does not offer breakfast at all and the parents know this going it.
I think a lot of the whole rates issue depends on where you live. Where I live I charge 165 a week for one child (ft) 4-5 days a week, 35 a day (pt) 1-3 days a week. I offer brk, lunch, and pm snack.
These are just ideas, food for thought really!
- I would really watch your local stores for sales and deals on foods as well.
A lot of daycares around here arent offering meals anymore becasue of the cost of things. I would love to know what you decide.
Debbie

Thanks for the ideas Debbie

[rhondawarren]

Okay let me ask you all this ...

I am unlicensed and provide Child Care in my home. As I previously mentianed that I called around to the Day Cares to see what their pricing was because I felt that my rates were to low. Well ... With me not being licensed and not knowing really what other unlicensed sitters charge should I even consider raising my rates since I am not a licensed Day Care? Or should that matter????

My husband seemed to think that the rates where to high that I chose. But the reality is ... Im spending ALOT in groceries and I want to be sure that I am making enough to make it worth it.

[cheeseheadmama]

I am legally unlicensed and prefer to keep things small; I do charge less than the centers in my area, but not by much. Keep in mind that the center rates you have include a larger ratio for providers to kids, so I "spin" it with parents by telling them that the kids will get more one-on-one attention with me for the same money.

Your rates a much lower than my area, but you have to go with what your area can tolerate while still being able to afford groceries. Have you tried checking the local craigslist and seeing if you can find other rates for in-home care on there? If nothing else, I think the idea of having the parents provide lunch while you provide the snacks might work.

Good luck!

[jojosmommy]

Can you not get licensed or do you have reasons not to? The food program is an amazing help financially. You still get the same tax deduction so that doesn't change.

Second, I suggest charging the same across the board because you probably won't enjoy getting a pay cut when they age out of the younger rate. Also like others suggested, I would charge full time rates for 3 days or more and make your full time rates very close to the full time price since they are really taking up a full time spot anyway. I charge 120 for pt and 130 for full time.

[CheekyChick]

Wow! I charge almost $200.00 for infants, $165.00 for for toddlers, and about $145.00 for 3 through 5 years. I am also on the food program and I serve breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snack.

I would:

1. Drop the morning snack unless it's for under two's.
2. Get on the food program if you're not already.
3. Raise your rates by $20.00 per week.
4. Give 10% off the oldest child.