Just Curious About Rates

[lovemykidstoo]

I am curious after reading alot of posts here. Why do people charge based on how much time the child is here. For instance, charge someone $25 if they're there until 3:00, $30 if they're there to 4:00, $35 if they're there until 5:00 etc. If you charge until 3:00, then you can't fill that spot from 3:00 until you close so you're losing money. I charge the same for the whole day no matter if they use 4 hours or 8 hours. They all pay $35.00. I was just curious because I thought maybe I'm missing something because I see alot of it. The thing is too I see that alot of times people get upset and don't know what to charge if they're over that designated time. My families know that at 5:30, I'm closed for the day and they better be here. Can someone give me some insight? Thanks everyone!

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I charge one rate for the week. I have some kidlets that are here for 12 hours somedays but get picked up early another. I have one kidlet that is here 11 or 12 hours 3 to 4 days a week but is off one to two days, they pay the full time rate. For me, it all averages out. I am available 6:30 to 6:30 but I don't have kids here every day those hours. Parents give me their schedules ahead of time so I can see what my life looks like

[dave4him]

That seems rather high. THe most people can get here is 20ish, i charge 90 a week myself. Would do more but i cant seem to budge higher

[lovemykidstoo]

That seems rather high. THe most people can get here is 20ish, i charge 90 a week myself. Would do more but i cant seem to budge higher

You're from Oklahoma? You charge $90 for 5 days? Wow, that is alot different than here in Michigan. Crazy how it differs so much between states. At $35 a day, I'm right in the average here. I call around a few places every couple of years to make sure I'm in the ballpark.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I am in Ohio and I charge $125 for a week.

[providerandmomof4]

I charge one rate for full time and half that rate for part time. I won't accept just any part time schedule (aka..schedules right smack in the middle of the day) but currently I have one dcb that comes from 12-530 and I could take one morning part timer if someone needed. Which they haven't! I really don't like part time schedules because like you were saying, now I have to find a part timer for mornings...but I wanted the sibling set. One was full time, and his brother was just afternoons, after pre-k. I used to charge hourly trying to accommodate parents that only needed a few hours a day, but decided that it wasn't profitable because the child was taking a full time slot. So....now I have full time-anything over 25 hrs, and I decide depending on the children in care, whether or not it is worth it to take a part timer.

[lovemykidstoo]

I charge one rate for full time and half that rate for part time. I won't accept just any part time schedule (aka..schedules right smack in the middle of the day) but currently I have one dcb that comes from 12-530 and I could take one morning part timer if someone needed. Which they haven't! I really don't like part time schedules because like you were saying, now I have to find a part timer for mornings...but I wanted the sibling set. One was full time, and his brother was just afternoons, after pre-k. I used to charge hourly trying to accommodate parents that only needed a few hours a day, but decided that it wasn't profitable because the child was taking a full time slot. So....now I have full time-anything over 25 hrs, and I decide depending on the children in care, whether or not it is worth it to take a part timer.

That's why I only charge per day. When you have a 12 - 5:30, it's going to be very difficult to find a morning person to fill that spot. I explain to my parents that exact thing and then also tell them it benefits them because on days that the child does not have school they are guaranteed the whole day with me because they're paying for it and then they don't have to worry about finding a place for him/her to go. I have never had anyone object to it at all.

[MNMum]

I find I get parents who are more respectful for my time if I charge in this way. I found the parents who made every effort to have their kids at daycare shorter hours, were essentially subsidizing those who had their kids in care 9-10 hours/day. Why should those needing care from 9-4, be charged the same as those needing care 7-4:30? I set my fees so that I am comfortable if they only need care from 8-3:30. Hours beyond that provide "extra" income. I have the ability to be picky and not be full, as I have a PT job I can pick up hours anytime, and it pays well.

Even doing this, I find parents still "pad" their hours. Which is fine, I don't mind so much now when they don't arrive 7am, but instead 7:30, because they are paying for that time.

[Former Teacher]

I am curious after reading alot of posts here. Why do people charge based on how much time the child is here. For instance, charge someone $25 if they're there until 3:00, $30 if they're there to 4:00, $35 if they're there until 5:00 etc. If you charge until 3:00, then you can't fill that spot from 3:00 until you close so you're losing money. I charge the same for the whole day no matter if they use 4 hours or 8 hours. They all pay $35.00. I was just curious because I thought maybe I'm missing something because I see alot of it. The thing is too I see that alot of times people get upset and don't know what to charge if they're over that designated time. My families know that at 5:30, I'm closed for the day and they better be here. Can someone give me some insight? Thanks everyone!

To answer your question: I think the reason why providers charge according to pick-up is so that the child isn't in care ALL day for parents to take advantage

Earlier pick-up times means cheaper rates for the parents. Earlier pick-up times means one less child at the end of the day for the provider happyface

[MNMum]

To answer your question: I think the reason why providers charge according to pick-up is so that the child isn't in care ALL day for parents to take advantage

Earlier pick-up times means cheaper rates for the parents. Earlier pick-up times means one less child at the end of the day for the provider happyface

This exactly!

[lovemykidstoo]

Thanks everyone. I didn't mean to offend anyone and say you were doing it wrong. I was just curious as to your point of view. In my opinion, there is no wrong way, just what works out best for you.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I live in a rural area, literally a village. I am on the way to work for a lot of my parents. I have one parent that drives about 40 minutes to bring her dd to me and back into town to work. I have another set of parents that live 40 minutes away from their work. They drive out of their way to bring me their child. I have awesome parents. They have my back. One day last week I realized I could have an afternoon off if I didn't have one kidlet, mom called gma and she came and got her. When my dd had an emergency at college (a friend was killed) one of my parents offered to watch the other kids and to loan me her car because dh and ds weren't back into town yet! They all said no problem on me taking the next day off so I could be with dd. I do have, at this point, awesome parents! So, if they want to stop and pick up milk on the way home, I understand. Generally they call to see if I need anything. If one of my moms gets held up in court, I understand. I have not had any of them take advantage of hours. And yes, I do what I can to simplify their lives.
That being said, it has not always been this way. The thing is, generally the ones that take advantage are county and there is nothing you can do but term them, no charging them more. And if there are money issues it seems that there are bigger issues than that.
I guess, if I had an issue I might adjust. But, at this time, I am happy and glad to have the parents that I have. I like having one price that I deem fair and not have to charge a different rate or fine for little things.

[Crazy8]

I think it all boils down to whether you are running on contracted hours or open to close hours. There are pros and cons to both - the pros of contracted hours are the most beneficial to me.

As for discounting for the earlier pick up, its often the "perk" to get parents to pick up and spend more time with their child. Too often if you are open till 5:30 you get parents who will want to "get their money's worth" and keep child there till 5:30 every day even if they are off work at 3:30, 4:00, 4:30. I'd rather lose a few dollars to have a child picked up earlier - its not about money to me in that case - its about the child spending more awake time with the parent and also the perk for me to know what time I will be done each day. If you are open till 5:30 you MAY be done at 5 some days but you never know. I have too much going on in my life after daycare hours that I need a commitment - if you get off at 4pm you are contracted till 4:30. Not some days you will pick up at 4:30 and other days you'll go grocery shopping or to the gym and pick up at 5:30.

I don't think I'm explaining it exactly as I am thinking in my head but maybe that gives you some insight.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

I think it all boils down to whether you are running on contracted hours or open to close hours. There are pros and cons to both - the pros of contracted hours are the most beneficial to me.

As for discounting for the earlier pick up, its often the "perk" to get parents to pick up and spend more time with their child. Too often if you are open till 5:30 you get parents who will want to "get their money's worth" and keep child there till 5:30 every day even if they are off work at 3:30, 4:00, 4:30. I'd rather lose a few dollars to have a child picked up earlier - its not about money to me in that case - its about the child spending more awake time with the parent and also the perk for me to know what time I will be done each day. If you are open till 5:30 you MAY be done at 5 some days but you never know. I have too much going on in my life after daycare hours that I need a commitment - if you get off at 4pm you are contracted till 4:30. Not some days you will pick up at 4:30 and other days you'll go grocery shopping or to the gym and pick up at 5:30.

I don't think I'm explaining it exactly as I am thinking in my head but maybe that gives you some insight.

I understand All of my parents have a pick up time, it just varies by their schedules, daily. But, they tell me at least a week ahead so I know what my week looks like. I just have a lot of parents with varying schedules.
If you can get your parents there earlier, great. But, my parents do not have any fleability in their schedules and generally they are off at 5 or 6 and 20 minutes to my house. One family, both work in the hospital system, just had their schedules switched to 12 hour days!!! eeek! poor mom, it is killing her! So one drops off and the other has to pick up. I still end up with him 12 hours but if one had to it would be 13! and I can't keep him until 7:30 on a regular basis. Now the perk is a 3 or 4 day work week.

[providerandmomof4]

That's why I only charge per day. When you have a 12 - 5:30, it's going to be very difficult to find a morning person to fill that spot. I explain to my parents that exact thing and then also tell them it benefits them because on days that the child does not have school they are guaranteed the whole day with me because they're paying for it and then they don't have to worry about finding a place for him/her to go. I have never had anyone object to it at all.

This sounds really good. I like the idea of a daily rate. So do you have people that only need one or two days a week? I'm worried that I would get into that and then have to worry that if I get full time schedules, 5 days, I would be over ratio some days when I have what I would consider part timers..that only come a few days...even though they are paying the full daily rate. How does that work for you?