Parents Who Don't Want To Pay Your Rate?

[Meyou]

For opening two hours earlier, I'd charge MORE, not less! Don't do it. Seriously.

I totally agree.

[My3cents]

I dont mind opeing that early I just don't want to cut my rates that much. I don't want to regret it either, especially when I take them then someone calls and is willing to pay my orginal rates. The money would be nice though because right now I do not have any dc kids. All the ones that I had have started school or the parent has been laid off

You say that you don't mind opening that early but wait till you actually start doing it. It takes a toll on a person. You should be charging her more then your regular rate to open early if you even want to do that. Don't cut your rates or do special, it bites you in the behind every time, and it gives all of us providers a wishy washy job. Be firm on your rates and the right clients will come. It is one thing to help someone out from time to time it is another to be swayed off of what you have most likely put a lot of time and effort into thinking through. I agree with everyone else don't lower your rates and don't open early unless you charge more for doing that.

I have opened early and I resent it. The child is a handful, the days are longer then I wanted to work and hard on my body. Hind site told me that I should have charged more for this service and risked losing the client. I know better now for next time. I committed so now I feel obligated to follow through but it makes me resentful of myself for doing it in the first place. Long days trickle down to family life outside of daycare- you end up having no energy to give come the end of the day.

[WDW]

For opening two hours earlier, I'd charge MORE, not less! Don't do it. Seriously.

Yes, this.

[My3cents]

Number one business rule in child care is do NOT discount your rates because of someone else's financial situation.

You will be sorry you did, the client will ALWAYS assume from this point forward that YOU will be the one to bend or give discounts any time she has financial issues.

She doesn't go to the grocery store and get $200 worth of groceries and then tell the cashier that she only has $150 so why are YOU allowing her to do that to you?

Families will NEVER respect and follow your policies if you don't.

bingo, wait it out- the right clients will come along. Get the word of mouth out there and advertise like crazy

[My3cents]

listen to the kitty!!!!

She had to cyber smack me to get me to listen to her and when i finally did, well lets just say I love my job, my daycare, DCK and the parents..... She helped me turn around my whole daycare business

yeap! It makes a big difference.

[My3cents]

Wish i could charge those rates! I could barely get 100 a week here.

It depends on where you live, what you offer and how you work your program.

Call and find out what other providers are getting for rates in your area

[MarinaVanessa]

Woah, not only is she asking for a HUGE discount but she's also asking you to open earlier than normal. I personally wouldn't do it for less since I don't do sibling discounts. One of the reasons that I don't do discounts is because it's not fair to my other loyal clients of only one child ... the other reason is because I don't like to have siblings in daycare. When a family moves then I'd be losing 2 or more kids at one time. Charging full price sort of gets me singletons instead of siblings which I'm fine with. Here's how I explain sibling discounts to my clients or interviews:

Sibling Discounts: No sibling discounts are given at this time. Please understand that all children are given the same level of care therefore it would be unfair to our other clients of single children if we offered clients with multiple children a discount.

As far as opening earlier ... well that's WAY early.

I personally wouldn't do both "special" at the same time ... only one or the other. I've given discounts also and opened earlier for clients BUT it was only one thing not both combined. I suppose that it just depends on what you are willing to do.

You can also tell her that you'd be willing to try it (if you really need the client and extra income and you feel up to it all) but on a trial only basis of one month to see how it goes. We already work long hours, you don't want to burn yourself out and you don't know how the kids will behave from being woken that early. If it works out for you then great, if not well then you terminate. I think that you should continue to advertise for the spot even if you do take this family on, just make sure you let the mom know. Just explain that it's a precaution just in case you decide it's not working out.

I still don't think that $40 for the 2nd child is worth it though. Even at a 50% discount that would mean she should be paying about $72.50 and I wouldn't dream of giving that much of a discount for siblings. Most places offer like 10-20% off for siblings. But you do what is best for you and your family.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Absolutely do not do it.

[HappyHearts]

I wouldn't do it. Like many said here, you will soon begin to regret it.

I know it's everywhere, but it seems more and more parents here in Nevada are asking for discounts and taking advantage. Once you start giving in to their requests, they will keep wanting more.

You say you don't mind opening up earlier, but I think after awhile you will regret it. I did the same thing years ago, and after about a month or 2, I was really resenting myself for doing it. After doing this for 20 years I've learned to say no, and stick to my policies. I find waiting for the parents that have no problem paying the fees I charge, and complying with my hours, are better parents, and we end up with a healthier business relationship.

[Building Blocks]

lowering rates

I would not lower your rates.

[Willow]

NO. WAY.


I'd probably bust out laughing if someone asked if I'd open that early for less money than I charge my current families.



I had a mom come and interview once telling me she couldn't afford my rates. She gave the impression she was single and struggling so I thought I'd do the "right thing" and help her out. Come to find out she was married, living in a much larger house than mine, with several nicer vehicles, several toys in the garage, the kids had several toy rooms stuffed to the brim and they liked to vacation out of state and often times out of the country several times a year.......never again.

I'm running a business, not a charity available for the general public to abuse.

[Lucy]

Oh, Sweetie... you're so kind-hearted to want to help, but please don't discount your rates or start earlier than you normally do!

Think about it this way: If you would charge her a total of $305 a week normally, but want to discount it to $250 a week, you are LOSING $2,860 per year!! ($55 X 52 wks) Can you really afford to do that? You won't be giving them less care, so why charge less? In fact when you think about it, you'll be doing MORE for them over and above the other families, because from 5:30 to 7:00, they will be the only ones there.

You have to do what you're comfortable with, but my 18 years of experience is begging you not to discount your service, or compromise your set hours. You'll end up regretting it and resenting the family because of it. Everytime the mom comes in with a new manicure, clothes, handbag, etc., or the kids show up in what you know to be expensive clothes, you'll steam over your decision to discount.

Best of luck. Let us know how it turns out.

[dave4him]

Its about normal here. the DHS pays so much less so its pretty poor

[Heidi]

I am going to join the choir here and say NO WAY!

Just last year I gave a pretty big discount to a family because I really needed to fill the spots, and it bit me in the a**.

no no no no no

Nicely tell her no, and see what happens. It's not like there are a million other providers willing to do care that early!

[biglou]

Number one business rule in child care is do NOT discount your rates because of someone else's financial situation.

You will be sorry you did, the client will ALWAYS assume from this point forward that YOU will be the one to bend or give discounts any time she has financial issues.

She doesn't go to the grocery store and get $200 worth of groceries and then tell the cashier that she only has $150 so why are YOU allowing her to do that to you?

Families will NEVER respect and follow your policies if you don't.

Hey, the kitty is on target. Kick this gal to the litter! $200 for two kids starting at 5:30am! No way! I would not take one For $200 starting at that time. Just think what other provider in your community would accept this deal? Any thoughts? IF NO ONE COMES TO MIND, THEN WHY SHOULD YOU DO IT?

Big Lou