Need Some Encouragement :)

[daycare]

I have five spots total open. I do offer 50 hours of child care a week. Anything past 5:30p I am going to charge a late fee because I like an end to my workday the same as they do

As for the expenses I have to buy groceries, paper towels, toilet paper, hand soap and more hand soap along with anything else that I have to supply that we use throughout the day.

I definately have increased my soap usage because these two kids I am considering increasing have their fingers up their nose about 95% of their time here. So I have to constantly have them wash their hands!

Do you know what your total monthly overhead is? I think knowing this is important. Do you have an accounting program that you use like mmk??

[rhondawarren]

Do you know what your total monthly overhead is? I think knowing this is important. Do you have an accounting program that you use like mmk??

I downloaded the 30 day trial of Menu Minute but I havent had a chance to mess with it much because I have had a house full of kids everyday .

I really need to sit down and try it out. I planned on upgrading it to the year subscription if I liked it.

[daycare]

I downloaded the 30 day trial of Menu Minute but I havent had a chance to mess with it much because I have had a house full of kids everyday .

I really need to sit down and try it out. I planned on upgrading it to the year subscription if I liked it.

I could not live without MMK. I am very good with inputting all of my expenses, so I know at the end of each month how much I have profited. I know exactly how much I spent on educational supplies vs. cleaning supplies, gas for Field Trips and etc.

I took a daycare business class last year at my local community college. It has really helped me a ton.

[rhondawarren]

I could not live without MMK. I am very good with inputting all of my expenses, so I know at the end of each month how much I have profited. I know exactly how much I spent on educational supplies vs. cleaning supplies, gas for Field Trips and etc.

I took a daycare business class last year at my local community college. It has really helped me a ton.

That is an awesome idea! I am going to look into sitting down and trying it out for sure! I can tell already that I like the program!

[daycare]

That is an awesome idea! I am going to look into sitting down and trying it out for sure! I can tell already that I like the program!

With gas prices going up, the cost of everything is getting crazy. I may have to cut back on field trips as well as supplies. Just yesterday I tired to order some stuff from discount school supply and they have now added a fuel surcharge...what used to cost $20.00 will now be about $27.00 plus tax.....

The gas prices are affecting everyone so I don't think my families would enjoy a price increase to our already high rates...... UGH

[saved4always]

My rate was $25 per day...so pretty much the same as yours will be when you raise it...$125 for full week. I did not provide breakfast, only morning and afternoon snack and lunch. I also did not provide milk unless the kids drank skim (none did ) because I was not buying different kinds than my family drinks. I was legally non-liscensed and not on a food plan so I did what worked for me.

So, to me, your new rates are very fair. If I were you, I would also make them bring breakfast...that is what I did and my parents either fed the kids before they got here or they brought it. No one complained about my rates or meals I provided. In fact, I was less expensive than the other ladies on the street who provide childcare and way less expensive than the centers in this area.

Also, you may also want to add contracted hours to your new rates instead of open to close hours for everyone. That way, if someone is contracted to come from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., if they want to come earlier on a day or are late picking up, then you can assess late fees.

Good luck! Stick to your guns...as you said, it is not worth doing it if you do not get a rate increase. Keep that in mind...and use that backbone everyone on this forum is always talking about. If you are not being compensated fairly, you will not be happy.

[rhondawarren]

My rate was $25 per day...so pretty much the same as yours will be when you raise it...$125 for full week. I did not provide breakfast, only morning and afternoon snack and lunch. I also did not provide milk unless the kids drank skim (none did ) because I was not buying different kinds than my family drinks. I was legally non-liscensed and not on a food plan so I did what worked for me.

So, to me, your new rates are very fair. If I were you, I would also make them bring breakfast...that is what I did and my parents either fed the kids before they got here or they brought it. No one complained about my rates or meals I provided. In fact, I was less expensive than the other ladies on the street who provide childcare and way less expensive than the centers in this area.

Also, you may also want to add contracted hours to your new rates instead of open to close hours for everyone. That way, if someone is contracted to come from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., if they want to come earlier on a day or are late picking up, then you can assess late fees.

Good luck! Stick to your guns...as you said, it is not worth doing it if you do not get a rate increase. Keep that in mind...and use that backbone everyone on this forum is always talking about. If you are not being compensated fairly, you will not be happy.

Thanks so much! I appreciate this very much. This message helps!! I think these rates will be a good fair rate to give me what I need to make it worth it and sitll be affordable. Thanks again!!

[momma2girls]

Next yr. I will going up to $145.00 per child. Right now I am at $140.00 per week per child. I have not increased my rates for over 5 yrs. now!!!I think I deserve a raise!! Let alone everything in the store, sky high! I only allow work and commute times only. I have a 9 hr. workday, times 5 days week= 45 hrs. per week

[rhondawarren]

Next yr. I will going up to $145.00 per child. Right now I am at $140.00 per week per child. I have not increased my rates for over 5 yrs. now!!!I think I deserve a raise!! Let alone everything in the store, sky high! I only allow work and commute times only. I have a 9 hr. workday, times 5 days week= 45 hrs. per week

I am not sure people really put thought into just how many hours we put in and the work we put in We definately deserve to be paid decent money for all of the work we do!