How do you charge?

[Cozy_Kids_Childcare]

By the hour? By the day? Just a flat weekly rate? Do you charge different rates for infants/toddlers/preschoolers?

I'm taking my daycare back under my control and not the parents and I am changing a lot of things starting September. Each parent is getting the new contract on August 20th. This will give them plenty of time to decide if they want to go by my policy and pay my fees "my way" or they can use it to give two weeks notice and find someone else. Come September 1st it is gonna be all about me when it comes to the business side of things... happyface

[Happy Hearts]

I really wanted to charge by the week and take full time only. But, even though I was getting positive feedback, I got no clients. So, now I'm charging by the hour ($6) and I don't like it (however, my business is only a month old.)

Once I'm established and get the feel for how daycare works in this town, I'll hopefully get to charge how I want.

Good for you for doing it your way!!

[snbauser]

Pay by the spot and a flat weekly rate.

[MN Day Mom]

Flat weekly rate which does vary from infant to toddler to potty trained to school ager.

[Oneluckymom]

I charge one weekly flat rate for all age groups. So far all I have are 4 full timers and I'm a small...I guess I'm lucky.

Stick to your gut and do what YOU want...it will eventually work out.

[DaisyMamma]

Full time flat rate that is higher for infants since I can only have two.
I also have a higher part time daily rate and a drop in hourly rate.

I don't like using the drop in hourly rate and no one uses it right now. Most of my kids are full time. There are two part time families but they have the same schedule every week.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I have a flat weekly rate (doesn't vary by age). I have one family that needs tues/ thurs, started when they had one ds... now, 2 years later they have 3. They pay me well though. I do not charge them 3 full time spots. I have another mom that uses the MWF and she has 2. She is county so I don't have to charge them. Then I have one mom that I do drop in care for. I can turn her down if I am too full. Generally it is an hour or two late afternoon if her dh has to be at work before whe is off. I charge her hourly. I tease her it is my pizza money.

Ideally, I would have one full time rate and be full, but in reality, I really like my strange schedule. I do not have the same group of kids every day which means I get to do different things. I end up with my kidlets "by themselves" at some point during the week so I get to snuggle on them individually. So like this week, monday I have 3 kids, tues 3 wed 5 thurs 6 fri 5. I span from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm so that amount varies by times too I have done 6 kids full time but, wow that turns into a lot! I have to balance need for money and sanity.

[Angelsj]

I charge hourly, but it is higher for the fewer hours you use. Plus full time (or close to it) trumps part time or drop ins, so the parents know they risk not having a spot if they are only a few hours a week.

[akpayne]

under 18 months- $30/day up to and including 9 hours. after that, $5/hr.

over 18 months- $25/day up to and including 9 hours. after that, $5/hr.

this is standard for my area.

[MaritimeMummy]

Daily rate. I have one full time spot and 2 part time spots. That's exactly how I wanted it. Same daily rate straight down the board for everyone. I don't take school age or infants under 12 months.

[Blackcat31]

I charge a weekly rate but it varies according to how many days you need per week.

Parents can't change their rate each week. The set their schedule at enrollment and stick with the same rate/schedule thereafter.

There are several other factors that effect their rate too such as pick up times etc.

[Busy Bees]

I charge a flat weekly rate for full time ,$125
my daily rate is higer then my full time rate, $30 day, I dont like the daily so much put I`m new in this area and there is not a high need for day care so I have to take what is needed until I have made a name::.