Question If You Charge A Flat Day Rate

[Unregistered]

Do you require the parents to come at a certain time or since they are paying anyhow do you not mind if they come right at closing time? I have a family who gets off work at 2:30 and has never come a minute before 5:30, which is my closing time. I realize they are paying a flat rate but feel torn about this.

[momma2girls]

Place work and commute times only in your contract. Do not place times in at all. Then you will find out what the parents actually need for drop off and pick up, and those hrs. are their contracted times.

[Soupyszoo]

It's unbelievable to me the amount of parents who do this! When I had a job outside of the home, I counted the minutes until I could go pick up my babies!! Parents these days blow my mind... Sorry just a quick vent

I agree only contract commute times.

Why do people have kids if they don't want to be with them?? :confused:

[Blackcat31]

I charge a flat weekly rate but the weekly rate they get is based on what time they pick up.

If you know the mom doesn't work as many hours as she is leaving her child in care, then charge a different daily or weekly rate based on the times they pick up.

For me, my weekly rate options are pick up at 3, 4 or 5.

[momma2girls]

It's unbelievable to me the amount of parents who do this! When I had a job outside of the home, I counted the minutes until I could go pick up my babies!! Parents these days blow my mind... Sorry just a quick vent

I agree only contract commute times.

Why do people have kids if they don't want to be with them?? :confused:

I agree!! I once had a family with a newborn baby, that gave me a deposit to hold her spot for 10 months. They called me and told me one week, before the baby was to start here" we don't think your times will work for us any longer" they found an in home that was open 12 hrs. per day, and they planned on using all 12 hrs. daily!! OMG!!!!!

[MNMum]

I've taken Nannyde's rate structure and adapted it little. I have a "core" rate, that goes until my closing time of 4:30. I give the parents a discount of $1/15 min that their contracted time is earlier up to 3:30 (ie, if you pick up before this it is the same as paying until 3:30). My core rate begins at 8am, if they want an earlier drop off, it will be an extra $1/15. These charges are per day. This works for me, as I figure 8-3:30 I will always have kids, plus, I want fewer kids before 8 and after 3:30, because that's when my schoolagers get home (3:45). I've found in my few months of doing daycare, as all of the experienced gals(and guys) will say, in the beginning parents will pick up right after work, once they get a taste of child free non work time, FOR FREE, they will use it to their advantage. It doesn't bother me in the least if little Johnny's dad wants to go home after work and play video games for an hour, as long as he knows he is paying to have that "extra" time.

[AnythingsPossible]

I have a flat daily rate, but have never really had anyone leave their children here till closing, unless they are working. I guess the way I look at it is they are paying for the spot, they can use it how they want. I have had families on occasion leave their children here because they need to run by the store or pick something up, but as I said, they pay for the spot, so they can use it how they want.
I like the idea of different fees for 3, 4, 5 oclock pick ups.

[Blackcat31]

I have a flat daily rate, but have never really had anyone leave their children here till closing, unless they are working. I guess the way I look at it is they are paying for the spot, they can use it how they want. I have had families on occasion leave their children here because they need to run by the store or pick something up, but as I said, they pay for the spot, so they can use it how they want.
I like the idea of different fees for 3, 4, 5 oclock pick ups.

I did it that way because I too believe if they are paying for something it is up to them how they use it and I just can't see saying they can't come because they aren't working so I did the 3,4,5 thing and honestly it works awesome!

I get what I need for a weekly rate (with pick up at 3...which is my base rate) and anything after 3, I am compensated for so I never mind having to stay later. To me, it is a win-win for everyone.

[Country Kids]

I'm glad you asked this. I'm contenplating going to a flat rate next year but not sure how my parents will react. Right now I'm hourly and its always worked great for me but some months I lose money and some months I gain money. I want it to even out for me so I can figure it more easily for my budget.

I was thinking of $25.00 a day but some of my kids I have here sometimes 10 hour days, so I will actually lose money on them so I'm not sure what to do.

Not trying to highjack, just typing and thinking at the same time.

[Blackcat31]

I'm glad you asked this. I'm contenplating going to a flat rate next year but not sure how my parents will react. Right now I'm hourly and its always worked great for me but some months I lose money and some months I gain money. I want it to even out for me so I can figure it more easily for my budget.

I was thinking of $25.00 a day but some of my kids I have here sometimes 10 hour days, so I will actually lose money on them so I'm not sure what to do.

Not trying to highjack, just typing and thinking at the same time.

Then you set your base rate at $25 per day. Depending on your open time....you put the $25 at an 8 hour day and add around $3.00 per hour ( or whatever amount you want) for anything over the 8 hours. so your families that are there 10 hours would pay you $31 per day.

An 8 hour day for me is a 3:00 pick up time. Make sense?

[AnneCordelia]

I also have a flat rate fee based on pick up time. Similar to NannyDe's schedule but geared towards the price point in my area. Then I don't mind the ones who stay later, cause they pay more...and even though I get paid less for those who go home earlier, at least I get a break towards the end of my day. I love it.

[Country Kids]

Then you set your base rate at $25 per day. Depending on your open time....you put the $25 at an 8 hour day and add around $3.00 per hour ( or whatever amount you want) for anything over the 8 hours. so your families that are there 10 hours would pay you $31 per day.

An 8 hour day for me is a 3:00 pick up time. Make sense?

Oh, it makes sense but I would probably be the highest paid provider in my area and I'm afraid people will leave.We have the highest unemployment in our county for our state so people are very money worried here.

Also, my parents that have the children here 10+ hours are actually working so thats why I'm not sure about how to do it. I don't want to "punish" them for being at work. At least their working and not goofing off.

[KDC]

Great thread... may have to adopt this!

I have families that are constantly pushing the closing time. Some work from home, last week a DCM was late because she decided to shower kid free (mind you she works from home and lives 5 minutes away)... came after 5:30 with wet hair. Other family lives across the street, and I see the car in the driveway, for a couple of hours. They do their workout, mow the lawn, get changed out of work clothes, get dinner prepped. During the interview/contract they wrote 4:00 pick-up, now I'm lucky if they get there before 'closing'.

I see a change coming This is a wonderful idea, and appears to be a win win WIN situation, they get a price break, and quality time with their kiddos & I get more quality time with MY kids!

[wdmmom]

My per day rate varies depending on departure time. It could be as little as $20 per day (5 hours or less) or as high as $50 per day (my part time daily rate.) My average daily rate is $27-35 per day.

[Meeko]

I am open 6AM to 6PM just like a store. I have parents who drop off at 6AM and pick up by 2PM. I have parents who work until 5:30PM and rush to get here by 6PM.

I am here for 12 hours regardless.

Parents all pay my full rate (even my before and after school kids)

I don't want to stop and figure out who owes what. Everyone pays the exact same amount every Friday.

But pick up after 6PM....and watch the late fees ($1 per minute..no grace period) mount up!!!!!!