Rates And What Would You Do?

[Tyna]

I have a family that wants to send their 3yr old son to pre school this fall for half a day afternoons. They want their rate reduced
This is how this day would go everyday M-F here at 8am...feed lunch and put on bus at noon and then back to me at 3:50pm until pick up at 5.

What would you do?

Thoughts... suggestions are all welcome
Thanks!

[Breezy]

That would still be considered full time for me and its still taking up a slot of care. I wouldn't reduce the rate.

[MyAngels]

I would not reduce the rate. They're still taking a full-time slot.

Any time a parent asks for a rate reduction I always tell them, sure I'll reduce your rate - when you find someone to fill those few hours that your child is gone. So far no one has taken me up on it .

[missjenny]

Well he is only going to be gone for about 4 hours and since he is coming back in the afternoon you can not take another child so to me that is also still full time. If he was not taking up a spot so you could take a afternoon part time child then I could see reducing rates.

[JenNJ]

That is a full.time slot. No rate reduction.

[Abigail]

What kind of rates do you offer now? Hourly, daily, half-day?

Hmm did you say this child was 3? No nap anymore? WOW. I would want my three year old to have a nap! I would say a percentage discount if he didn't come back in the evening or no rate change because it's just as much hassle and you can't fill the spot if you wanted. Who takes a child just during nap? Not me! Maybe a higher percentage discount is he was only half days or a low discount if he was coming back afterwards.

Ex. needs b/a preschool.......$150/week now so about 10% off is $135/week.
Just mornings......$150/week now so about 15% off is $125

Chances are she might already have another option for help since it's only part time care, but then again maybe not!

[cheerfuldom]

I would reduce rates but only if I really needed to keep this child and felt that I should accommodate the family. I am in the same situation for a child this fall and am reducing rates. It is so hard to find new families in my area and I would rather keep her at a reduced rate than not have the income at all. It helps that this is a GREAT family and a great kid.

[itlw8]

when kindergarten was 1/2 day I did not reduce the rate it was still full time.

and a pain you have to serve lunch early enough that everyone is done eating to go meet that bus and then you have to meet the bus after school.

[littlemissmuffet]

I don't offer part-time or discounted rates. Everyone pays me the same monthly rate regarless of how many hours per day or days per week a child attends!

This child's schedule wouldn't work for me anyhow - we do lunch at noon - and I don't shuffle my meal or nap schedules to meet the needs/wants of a single family.

[Meyou]

No rate reduction here. I regularly have kids that attend preschool. I don't drive or pick up and the rate remains the same. I can't fill a spot for a few hours and it is their choice to put their child in another program for part of the day.

[originalkat]

I have had parents sign their child up for part day preschool a couple days a week and then drop off afterwards. I do not discount for that. They are still taking up a full time spot. And in my case...I only take full time kids.

[Blackcat31]

I don't give any discounts for any time a child spends away from care once they have arrived so in this case regular full time rates would apply.

I do occassionally offer half days but half days are 4 hour blocks and NEVER include lunch or time during rest/nap time.

Most parents don't usually ask, but if one does and continually pushes for a reduced rate, I will do as My Angels and tell them I will gladly reduce their rate if THEY can find a child who has a schedule that will fill the space around what their child isn't using.

[momma2girls]

I used to give breaks for preschool children about 5 yrs. ago, and would never now!!!

[Meeko]

No rate breaks!

My full time school kids get here about 7AM and I head them off to the bus at7:55AM. They get back here about 3:45PM. They get picked up between 4 and 5 usually.

Just a couple hours a day...and yet they pay full rate. Because their mom wants to make sure they have a place anytime it's needed...ie all summer.

A spot is a spot.