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I had this woman call 3 times recently. She's a teacher, looking for care for her 2 year old when she moves here in a few weeks. Every time she calls I say, well, I'm only open 4 days. She says, oh ya, I already talked to you. After 3rd call, she calls right back and says "Maybe I can find a way to make the 4 day schedule work." I do have an opening, but wasn't really looking to fill it. She tells me she is desperate and can't find quality care. She also asks about rates, then seems unhappy with my answer! I agree to meet with her briefly today.
She arrives with 2 of her 4 kids, and another woman. Introduces everyone with 1st names. Kids play, we chat. I explain in detail my rate schedule which is similar to Nannyde's in that I charge for the amount of time needed, later pickup costs more. I have a late fee ($5 every 15 minutes), that I am strict with. She wants to pay for the earlier pickup, and use that mostly, but be able to be up to 45 minutes later, with no penalty, if traffic is bad. I hold my ground about my rates. She says, "I was paying $20 less for 5 days at old daycare." Although my small town is right next to where she lived before, everything is more expensive here, school district is top notch, and everyone wants their kids in it (and it is small, around 200 kids/class vs. 600 in neighboring cities). She likes my low ratio, my food, my no TV policy. I basically had to say, hey woman, why do you think I quit my nursing job and am doing daycare? It's difficult to find quality care, and when you do, you are going to have to pay for it!
She then blurts out, "How do you feel about there being 2 mothers?" Mind you, this other woman has said about 2 words. I'm completely fine with it, in fact, my husband was raised with 2 mothers, but the way she went about slipping it into the conversation was really uncomfortable!
Kinda hoping she chooses the other daycare. With how much she has tried to haggle with me, I don't think she'd be happy paying for my care! However, I'm really glad we discussed rates on the phone, because I was prepared to fully hold my ground on my more expensive rates and the way I handle charging parents.
She arrives with 2 of her 4 kids, and another woman. Introduces everyone with 1st names. Kids play, we chat. I explain in detail my rate schedule which is similar to Nannyde's in that I charge for the amount of time needed, later pickup costs more. I have a late fee ($5 every 15 minutes), that I am strict with. She wants to pay for the earlier pickup, and use that mostly, but be able to be up to 45 minutes later, with no penalty, if traffic is bad. I hold my ground about my rates. She says, "I was paying $20 less for 5 days at old daycare." Although my small town is right next to where she lived before, everything is more expensive here, school district is top notch, and everyone wants their kids in it (and it is small, around 200 kids/class vs. 600 in neighboring cities). She likes my low ratio, my food, my no TV policy. I basically had to say, hey woman, why do you think I quit my nursing job and am doing daycare? It's difficult to find quality care, and when you do, you are going to have to pay for it!
She then blurts out, "How do you feel about there being 2 mothers?" Mind you, this other woman has said about 2 words. I'm completely fine with it, in fact, my husband was raised with 2 mothers, but the way she went about slipping it into the conversation was really uncomfortable!
Kinda hoping she chooses the other daycare. With how much she has tried to haggle with me, I don't think she'd be happy paying for my care! However, I'm really glad we discussed rates on the phone, because I was prepared to fully hold my ground on my more expensive rates and the way I handle charging parents.
MnMum married to DH 9 years
We have 3 grocery stores in town and each one will price match an item if you find that one of the other stores is selling it cheaper.
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