Starting Preschool

[CheekyChick]

Absolutely! He is still taking up a full time spot, whether he is there or not.

[CaliMom]

does she know this, really know this? This does seem silly. What is her reasoning for this? I would want to know, esp if your offering this service already

No discount- I agree. It is a spot you can't fill for those hours

Yes! She absolutely knows that I do a program here. She is a teacher so maybe she thinks that this is something that her kids just have to do before entering Kindergarten. I guess I should just be happy that that I'm getting paid whether he's here or not.

[wdmmom]

Nope!

To ensure the child's spot, they need to pay the full time rate regardless of attendance.

I just had this scenerio play out with a current client. DCB was gone 2 hours per day, 2 days per week. The rate did not lower. They are charged a weekly rate that is converted into a daily rate, not an hourly rate.

If DCM barks at you about a discount, simply tell her that the rate is not based on attendance, it is based on the weekly spot. If she's not happy paying the weekly rate, you can change her to hourly, however it goes up significantly.

Example: You charge $150 per week...$30 a day. Say the child will be attending a total of 37 hours versus 45. She wants to save money but paying hourly ($5), will actually increase her weekly rate to $185.00. See how that works! Full time rates are cheaper than part time. Tell her that and you shouldn't have to discuss money with her again.

[My3cents]

Yes! She absolutely knows that I do a program here. She is a teacher so maybe she thinks that this is something that her kids just have to do before entering Kindergarten. I guess I should just be happy that that I'm getting paid whether he's here or not.

Strange.

Bright side of it, you will get a break from the little joy and still be paid-

but strange- Why would she want to pay for a preschool program on top of daycare when her daycare is providing the same service. I don't get people.

[CaliMom]

Nope!

To ensure the child's spot, they need to pay the full time rate regardless of attendance.

I just had this scenerio play out with a current client. DCB was gone 2 hours per day, 2 days per week. The rate did not lower. They are charged a weekly rate that is converted into a daily rate, not an hourly rate.

If DCM barks at you about a discount, simply tell her that the rate is not based on attendance, it is based on the weekly spot. If she's not happy paying the weekly rate, you can change her to hourly, however it goes up significantly.

Example: You charge $150 per week...$30 a day. Say the child will be attending a total of 37 hours versus 45. She wants to save money but paying hourly ($5), will actually increase her weekly rate to $185.00. See how that works! Full time rates are cheaper than part time. Tell her that and you shouldn't have to discuss money with her again.

Great idea wdmmom! That will put things into perspective. It will actually cost you more if you want to complain!!! LOL

[CaliMom]

Strange.

Bright side of it, you will get a break from the little joy and still be paid-

but strange- Why would she want to pay for a preschool program on top of daycare when her daycare is providing the same service. I don't get people.

I don't get it either. Is it just to "say" that later on down the road, your child went to preschool? Paying double, if you ask me!

[Blackcat31]

I don't get it either. Is it just to "say" that later on down the road, your child went to preschool? Paying double, if you ask me!

Sadly because most parents do not view any curriculum offered in an in-home childcare with a mixed age group as "preschool". Here the general consensous is that family child care is family child care where as preschool is taught by an educated teacher in a school like setting.

I don't agree, but that is the norm for most parents in my area....despite what education and curriculum a provider offers, it is still NOT preschool in their eyes.

[mac60]

Strange.

Bright side of it, you will get a break from the little joy and still be paid-

but strange- Why would she want to pay for a preschool program on top of daycare when her daycare is providing the same service. I don't get people.

I personally think it is a "status" quo with parents...Oh my little Johnny goes to so and so preschool. They have no problem paying for 4 hours per week of preschool, sending in over $40 worth of snacks when it is their child's turn to provide them, and no concept or care of the inconvenience to the provider.

Also, in our area, preschool teachers at the centers are no more "educated" than many home providers, actually "less" educated considering the ones that I know of.

[Unregistered]

I don't get it either. Is it just to "say" that later on down the road, your child went to preschool? Paying double, if you ask me!

My child goes to preschool (2x/w, 2h/d) for the social aspect of it. 20 kids vs. the 6 I have. I run a preschool program too.

Here, the preschools are more like social learning play groups with the same kids for an entire year. There is no staff turnover and very little student movement.

I happily drop off/pick up from the local preschool but charge for a full day. It works for me and I've never felt as though my program was being disregarded or that my DCP's were silly for wanting something extra for their child.

Different strokes for different folks, right?

[SunshineMama]

One of my moms wanted me to drive her 2 kids to preschool and give them a discount, for the monthly amount of the preschool. More work, more expense on my part (gas money), and less pay. I couldn't accommodate that. Even if I wanted to, I financially can't do it.

I do a preschool inspired program. I have Master's work in Education, and I work on activities with the kids all day long. I teach the kids all day long. We do crafts, math, hands on science, montessori activities, etc.

I do send my daughter to preschool, only because she needs to have experience outside of my home. Also, she is too mentally old for the daycare setting- she has outgrown it, and she tends to wear me out

I can see why a parent would want to pay less, but it is much easier for a provider to just replace that child and have the same amount of money, without the hassle and interruptions of children coming and going. Parents are paying for a spot, and hourly, part time care IS more expensive than full time care, so really they are already getting a discount.