What Should I Do? Advice

[Blackcat31]

Yes....I think that I am botherd by the fact that they seem to just want to ignore my policy. I think that I would feel different about it if they came to me and said ..." I know it's aganist policy, but would we be able to allow DCK to stay while I take the other with me"...

Instead

they are expecting for me to just do it. I do it this time, they will want it next time too. I let this slide, then next thing you know I have to let other things slide too.

I am not trying to be difficult, I am just trying to keep my policies in place.

and yes, I get paid for both children if they are here or not.

I think this is the part where being self-employed and being the boss comes into play.

I would definitely talk with the parents and let them know that this is an issue that needs to be discussed and YOU will be the one deciding if you will let it fly or not.

I would be upset too if they just assumed but at the same time, they may be thinking that you "both kids stay home when one does" rule is in regards to illnesses and such.

So like anything in this business, this is where ocmmunication comes in. If you are bothered that they assumed and didn't ask first, say so.

If you are willing to do it and break your policy, then do it and tell them it is a ONE time thing because YOU made the exception and that is your right as the business owner.

[daycare]

I think this is the part where being self-employed and being the boss comes into play.

I would definitely talk with the parents and let them know that this is an issue that needs to be discussed and YOU will be the one deciding if you will let it fly or not.

I would be upset too if they just assumed but at the same time, they may be thinking that you "both kids stay home when one does" rule is in regards to illnesses and such.

So like anything in this business, this is where ocmmunication comes in. If you are bothered that they assumed and didn't ask first, say so.

If you are willing to do it and break your policy, then do it and tell them it is a ONE time thing because YOU made the exception and that is your right as the business owner.

Im getting you a cape....cuz your my HERO!!!

Yes, this is what I need to do. I guess just wanted to make sure that I use my words to make it clear that this is NOT about money.

[My3cents]

I don't give discounted care so I don't do a discount. My services are still the same, probably more because you are dealing with two or more kiddo's from the same family and all that brings with it. If I were asked, I would have to look at that situation and go from there. Need verses just wanting that from me. My needs are that I am not working for nothing. I work hard. I do a good job and I don't think other jobs would offer a discount to employees for doing the same work. (or maybe they would and do) I don't. My rates are fair. Again I would have to access the situation and go from there- but it would have to be a true need and me wanting to help out another human being.

[Willow]

I don't give discounted care so I don't do a discount. My services are still the same, probably more because you are dealing with two or more kiddo's from the same family and all that brings with it. If I were asked, I would have to look at that situation and go from there. Need verses just wanting that from me. My needs are that I am not working for nothing. I work hard. I do a good job and I don't think other jobs would offer a discount to employees for doing the same work. (or maybe they would and do) I don't. My rates are fair. Again I would have to access the situation and go from there- but it would have to be a true need and me wanting to help out another human being.

I cannot speak for everyone but I personally offer discounts for families with multiple children in my care because fact of the matter is child care is expensive *and* I can more than afford to.

Doing so has nothing to do with providing a discounted level of care, working less hard than other providers, feeling like I'm working for nothing or that my established rates are fair or not.

[Heidi]

Then there is your answer.

You charge exact the same as you always do.



Although I'm not sure why this has anything to do with the sibling discount then? If you require parents to pay exactly the same regardless of attendance why do you feel like you're being slighted or put in some sort of pickle that would prompt you to take away a contracted discount?


I'd be throwing a little party if I were you, one less kid you have to care for that week and you're still going to get paid the exact same as always. Sounds like a fantastic deal for you if you ask me .

I agree with this. If they are paying whether there or not, then you are being paid the same to take care of one less child. Seems like a good deal for you!

So, I read a few more posts and now I get where your comming from. It sounds like you just need to have that conversation....

[daycare]

I agree with this. If they are paying whether there or not, then you are being paid the same to take care of one less child. Seems like a good deal for you!

So, I read a few more posts and now I get where your comming from. It sounds like you just need to have that conversation....

but its not about that....Its about the simple fact that they signed the contract and now want to just not follow it without asking.

Like CAT said, I need to talk to them and let them know that I will let it go this time, but not next. I have been doing this long enough to know that if I let this policy slide then it will be something else and something else and so on and so on.....

Of course we all don't run our businesses the same. You have your reasons why you do certain things, just as I do mine.

[MarinaVanessa]

I cannot speak for everyone but I personally offer discounts for families with multiple children in my care because fact of the matter is child care is expensive *and* I can more than afford to.

And that's great!! That's the beauty of this business, being able to set your own rules . I can afford to give discounts but chose not to of only for the simple reason that I am not responsible for a family's circumstances. Children are expensive in general and childcare is one of the biggest expenses related to having children (aside from college). I simply don't feel the need or a responsibility to discount my services for a family simply because they have more children. I have discounted services before and will again but for other reasons. I don't do it simply because they have more than just one child.

I love that about being a business owner. I can change and give "special" to whoever I want or choose not to happyfacehappyfacehappyface

I love my job

[countrymom]

first I don't understand why you want them to attend together, thats weird. I've had it where one child has an appoitment and the other doesn't but the parents can't take both because they need to listen to the dr.

I would just charge then for the one child full rate. I give a discount if both children attend, if one attends then I charge regular rate. My discount is only 5 dollars off.

[daycare]

first I don't understand why you want them to attend together, thats weird. I've had it where one child has an appoitment and the other doesn't but the parents can't take both because they need to listen to the dr.

I would just charge then for the one child full rate. I give a discount if both children attend, if one attends then I charge regular rate. My discount is only 5 dollars off.

I had to find a way to make up the loss that I am taking by giving a discount. EVERY business does it. Most do it by putting items on sale to get you in the door hoping that you will take advantage of buying NON-sale items.

I don't have that ability, so this was the way that I chose to do it. It may be weird to you, but it is what works for me.

when both children are out, it saves me money in the long run, making the only way for me to be able to give the discount. Which I know I will not even make back even close to the amount of the discount that I am giving

[Willow]

And that's great!! That's the beauty of this business, being able to set your own rules . I can afford to give discounts but chose not to of only for the simple reason that I am not responsible for a family's circumstances. Children are expensive in general and childcare is one of the biggest expenses related to having children (aside from college). I simply don't feel the need or a responsibility to discount my services for a family simply because they have more children. I have discounted services before and will again but for other reasons. I don't do it simply because they have more than just one child.

I love that about being a business owner. I can change and give "special" to whoever I want or choose not to happyfacehappyfacehappyface

I love my job

Meh.

It's not about feeling a "need" or "responsibility" to do anything. None of my families would be destitute or anything even near it if I didn't offer that.

It's not about being responsible for a families "circumstances" either.

I simply like to. It makes me feel good charging only what I need to make my ends meet and it makes my families happy that they can invest that money they're saving into doing things together when their kids aren't here with me.

I am swear on a stack of holy bibles one of those providers that would continue to work for free if I won the lottery tomorrow, and I wouldn't feel slighted by that in the least.


I will agree with you though that that's what I love about being a business owner too, and I absolutely adore my job as well

[daycarediva]

I don't see how both kids being out together hurts you? I fail to understand why you have this policy. To be honest, if I was the parent I would assume it was for illness as well. Can you explain it better? I guess I am still confused. LOL! Might be lack of sleep or my screamer today, who knows.

child A attends and pays $100 a week even when absent
child B attends and pays $75 a week even when absent

Child A is on vacation and child B is in attendance all week. You still get paid $175.

Where is the loss of income?

If Child A and Child B were on vacation, you would still be paid $175
If Child A and Child B were in attendance, you would still be paid 175

Where is the loss if one attends and one does not? I have had a few sibling sets, they pay for the slot, not attendance, and in summer older dcg does more things and is absent more often. They still pay, even though I gave them a discount (10%) it doesn't affect me either way. I may not LOVE that dcb gets upset because he knows big sis is with Auntie at the water park or grama at the lake, but it isn't my problem/business.

[daycare]

I don't see how both kids being out together hurts you? I fail to understand why you have this policy. To be honest, if I was the parent I would assume it was for illness as well. Can you explain it better? I guess I am still confused. LOL! Might be lack of sleep or my screamer today, who knows.

child A attends and pays $100 a week even when absent
child B attends and pays $75 a week even when absent

Child A is on vacation and child B is in attendance all week. You still get paid $175.

Where is the loss of income?

If Child A and Child B were on vacation, you would still be paid $175
If Child A and Child B were in attendance, you would still be paid 175

Where is the loss if one attends and one does not? I have had a few sibling sets, they pay for the slot, not attendance, and in summer older dcg does more things and is absent more often. They still pay, even though I gave them a discount (10%) it doesn't affect me either way. I may not LOVE that dcb gets upset because he knows big sis is with Auntie at the water park or grama at the lake, but it isn't my problem/business.

yes you are misunderstanding....it has nothing to do with money.......

I am not at a loss if one comes and the other does not....Please read the other post

[renodeb]

Ok, first off I dont mess with a sib disc. I would just charge them the same as they have been paying. Its still the child's spot right?
Deb

[daycarediva]

I had to find a way to make up the loss that I am taking by giving a discount. EVERY business does it. Most do it by putting items on sale to get you in the door hoping that you will take advantage of buying NON-sale items.

I don't have that ability, so this was the way that I chose to do it. It may be weird to you, but it is what works for me.

when both children are out, it saves me money in the long run, making the only way for me to be able to give the discount. Which I know I will not even make back even close to the amount of the discount that I am giving

How is it not about money?

[daycare]

How is it not about money?

I was simply explaining why I wrote this policy.

where am I losing money? by giving the discount. over $650.00 a year. It was my choice to give it and my choice to find a way to make up for it.

In this situation I was asking what to do about the fact that the DCP are completely ignoring my policy. Not about how much I should charge them or not....