For Kicks!! What Do You Charge?

[LaLa1923]

Please feel free to log out for privacy!

This question came up in another thread, do I thought I'd make a post!

What do you charge? Is that for pt, ft, drop in, hours, slot??etc

Here's me- I live in Anne Arundel County MD
I charge $200 for infants and $185 for toddlers

In Baltimore MD the rates are a lot lower- $150 for infants, $125 for toddlers.

I haven't had any sa children yet.
My rate is for FT, haven't had pt. Up to 50 hrs a week but each family has CONTRACTED hours.
I know the rates change all over MD. A provider about 15mins from me charges $275 for an infant, & $200 for a toddler!!

I am licensed for 6 (will be 7 in july). I can have two under 2.

[littlemissmuffet]

I live in the prairies in Canada - the average in my city for home or center based child care is $600/month (almost all daycares charge monthly here). I charge $650/month - regardless of time/hours used. All my parents are on contracted hours between 7:30am and 5:00pm. Most of my kiddos are 4-5 days a week, I get the occasional part-timer - but the price is still the same. I don't provider any kinds of discounts - parents are only ever reimbursed a daily rate of $25/day if I go over my 5 paid sick days or use an optional unpaid week of vacation above and beyond my two weeks paid - neither of which I have ever had to do.

[Blackcat31]

I live in Northern Minnesota, farther north than most Candians living in Ontario

I am licensed for 14 children with a helper but keep 11 daily with a helper only between 11-2.

I do not take school age children and only accept infants from current families.

I charge a flat weekly rate starting at $140 up to $165 based off pick up times.

I don't offer sibling discounts, charge for some holidays/vacations.

I won't work before 7:00 a.m and won't work after 5:30 p.m.
I don't offer evening or weekend care. All payments are pre-pay, no exceptions, no excuses.

[bunnyslippers]

I charge 275 a week for ages over 12 months-kindergarten age. I charge 300 a week for under 12 months.

I do not accept part time, half days, etc. Full day full time only.

I am open from 7:30-4:00. Each family is contracted for whatever hours they need. Price does not change depending on contracted hours.

I do not charge for holidays, school vacations, or the first 5 inclement weather days. I do get 5 paid personal days per year.

Payment is due regardless of attendance, on the first day of each week. I do not give parents any free days to use at their discretion. If I am open, they need to pay.

I live in MA, in a high socioeconomic area.

[MNMum]

Here's my chart. I have an upcharge from 7am-8am. I also offer a discount if picked up between 3:30-4:30pm. Most of my kids are here 7:45-4:30. I'm only open Mon-Thurs.

Tuition:

8am-4:30pm 6 weeks-2 years Until potty trained Preschool
3 Days 135 130 115
4 Days 155 145 135
Drop-in 50 45 40

Each family will contract for their drop off and pick up hours. The above chart is for the hours of 8-4:30. A discount will be given for a contracted pick up time earlier than 4:30pm. This is $1 for each 15 minutes earlier than 4:30, up to $4/day (ie, for a 4-day infant with a pickup time of 3:30, the discount would be $16, and the weekly rate would be $139). A drop off time earlier than 8am may be available for $1/15 minutes.

[Willow]

Plenty enough to pay my bills and help support my family of 4 is all that needs to be said about my specific rates IMHO

I don't want to give anyone the impression that I am under or over paid because rates are incredibly subjective to location. Typically the more one charges, the more they're also paying for their mortgage, their groceries, their taxes....it all pretty well evens out so the numbers are really a moot point for me.

I hate when people shoot out that they make $x00.00 a week and then newcomers automatically assume that's what they should be charging for offering the same services......can dig them quite the hole just starting out as well as be a dig to the self esteem/worth of others, and I don't want to be part of that. All feels a bit like a pissing match to me and I don't see the value in it. Growing up my dad would have slapped my face if I sat down at the table and asked the size of the bacon everyone was bringing home......this board is the only place I've ever seen it be seemingly socially acceptable actually.



I will say I live rurally. I invoice my parents every two weeks and charge hourly. I do not offer evening, weekend or part time care. I do offer sibling discounts. I do not charge different rates for different age groups nor do I charge for any time I'm not actually caring for someone's child.

I am licensed for 10 but prefer to keep a small group of no more than 5 or 6 (plus my own two school agers).

[littlemissmuffet]

Plenty enough to pay my bills and help support my family of 4 is all that needs to be said about my specific rates IMHO

I don't want to give anyone the impression that I am under or over paid because rates are incredibly subjective to location. Typically the more one charges, the more they're also paying for their mortgage, their groceries, their taxes....it all pretty well evens out so the numbers are really a moot point for me.

I hate when people shoot out that they make $x00.00 a week and then newcomers automatically assume that's what they should be charging for offering the same services......can dig them quite the hole just starting out as well as be a dig to the self esteem/worth of others, and I don't want to be part of that. All feels a bit like a pissing match to me and I don't see the value in it.



I will say I live rurally. I invoice my parents every two weeks and charge hourly. I do not offer evening, weekend or part time care. I do offer sibling discounts. I do not charge different rates for different age groups nor do I charge for any time I'm not actually caring for someone's child.

I am licensed for 10 but prefer to keep a small group of no more than 5 or 6 (plus my own two school agers).

I find that's a really big problem in this business, that people don't actually put enough effort into researching HOW to operate a dayhome before they actually open one. Getting some random prices off of a public forum filled with providers from around the world isn't appropriate research, IMO. One should be researching LOCAL prices.

I don't at all see how this is a pissing match when very few of us live in the same location - and all of us obviously have different costs of living. I think it is interesting to see what areas do charge what!

[Hazel]

I live in the burbs outside Philadelphia Pa. I charge different prices depending on enrollment. I used to have a 3 day minimum but people are more frequently asking for 2 days so..
Prices are for infant to school age.
5 days- $175
4 days - $140
3 days- $120
2 days- $90
I don't do discounts for siblings anymore and I ask people to try to keep their days consistent if they are part time. Since I only have 5 kids, I need to keep all spots full, so if they want random 2 days a week I tell them they need to pay more.. They usually understand where I'm coming from and try to get a set schedule. I don't normally take drop-ins unless a PT family needs an extra day, or a out of town relative of a DCF needs a day here or there.

After school kids (k-8th)Rates:
$10 before or afterschool($15 for both)
$15 half day
$25 full day

I am actullly much cheaper than most centers around here since they normally charge $225 to $300 a week for infants!
I also provide breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks.

[Willow]

I find that's a really big problem in this business, that people don't actually put enough effort into researching HOW to operate a dayhome before they actually open one. Getting some random prices off of a public forum filled with providers from around the world isn't appropriate research, IMO. One should be researching LOCAL prices.

I don't at all see how this is a pissing match when very few of us live in the same location - and all of us obviously have different costs of living. I think it is interesting to see what areas do charge what!

I definitely agree with your first paragraph. I think putting a disclaimer like that out on all of these posts would be a huge help to those who actually search threads like these.

The second I understand the curiosity, so I don't fault anyone for wondering....it all feels a bit like someone is asking me what color my underwear is....or how many times I have "relations" with my spouse every week.....it's just no one's business! I've answered a few of these threads, and I really didn't like the way it made me feel. I know it bothers others too because we've discussed it before in pm's. I wish more would speak up in that regard.

Thank you for not lighting me up for expressing my feelings

[Blackcat31]

I definitely agree with your first paragraph. I think putting a disclaimer like that out on all of these posts would be a huge help to those who actually search threads like these.

That may be true but at the same time, I don't see how it could or would help anyone, seasoned or a newbie. You are going to find out really quick in this business if you are over or under priced.

This is also about the millionth time I have answered a thread question like this because it has been asked several times since I joined this forum.

I answer because I don't have issues sharing my rates. I am comfortable with what I make and don't give a second thought to what others charge in or out of my area as I am fully aware that the rates are definitely dependent on location.

I also feel anyone just starting out that chooses to simply charge the same as some stranger on the internet probably has bigger issues than figuring rates. (OP~ that was NOT meant towards you as I am taking your thread question as light hearted and as a curiosity since you said "just for kicks..." )

The second I understand the curiosity, so I don't fault anyone for wondering....it all feels a bit like someone is asking me what color my underwear is....or how many times I have "relations" with my spouse every week.....it's just no one's business!

What color undies ARE you wearing?!? :: Perhaps the color is directly related to how many times you have "relations" with your spouse...

I've answered a few of these threads, and I really didn't like the way it made me feel. I know it bothers others too because we've discussed it before in pm's. I wish more would speak up in that regard.

Personally, I love a good, meaningful and worthwhile discussion so when threads come up that make you feel badly or ones that you have issue with, you should say so. State that a thread makes you feel a certain way etc as I think that just because this is a public forum, doesn't mean that everything should always be nicey nice or all sunshine and rainbows....kwim?

I LOVE hearing other perspectives and ways others feel about things, especially if I would never have even thought about it from that angle. It can and is educational to see from all viewpoints.

I too, wish people would simply post without fear of flaming, backlash or scrutiny by others and not feel as though they need to hide behind PM's and unregistered posting.

As child care providers, we all know one thing and that is there is NO one right way to do anything. Only what does and doesn't work for you.

[melilley]

I find that's a really big problem in this business, that people don't actually put enough effort into researcg HOW to operate a dayhome before they actually open one. Getting some random prices off of a public forum filled with providers from around the world isn't appropriate research, IMO. One should be researching LOCAL prices.

I don't at all see how this is a pissing match when very few of us live in the same location - and all of us obviously have different costs of living. I think it is interesting to see what areas do charge what!

I agree that I don't see how this is a pissing match either. The thread does say "FOR KICKS" don't answer if you are not comfortable. I do agree that people shouldn't look on here to set their prices and that they need to research local prices, but I guess I thought that was a given. I too think it's interesting to see what others charge in different parts of the country/world and like others have said, some of the posts show charts or other info. that I could use to help determine what I could charge and how some of you break it down. I will admit that I am not opening until Jan., but some these posts have helped me see the different methods and reasoning for charging for different circumstances. I have done local research and know I can't charge what others are charging, but like I said I thought it was a given to do so.

[MNMum]

These posts on how to charge have helped me to find a way to charge that I feel comfortable doing. Especially Nannyde's rate chart and all the explanations given along with the chart. It opened my eyes to many areas surrounding the business side of daycare.

[Binkybobo]

Not enough....

[AnneCordelia]

My prices are average for my area; neither high nor low. I'm 45 minutes outside of Toronto, Canada.

I charge:
Fulltime: $175/week
Parttime (3 day minimum): $120/week
Drop in: $45/day

[Crystal]

Plenty enough to pay my bills and help support my family of 4 is all that needs to be said about my specific rates IMHO

I don't want to give anyone the impression that I am under or over paid because rates are incredibly subjective to location. Typically the more one charges, the more they're also paying for their mortgage, their groceries, their taxes....it all pretty well evens out so the numbers are really a moot point for me.

I hate when people shoot out that they make $x00.00 a week and then newcomers automatically assume that's what they should be charging for offering the same services......can dig them quite the hole just starting out as well as be a dig to the self esteem/worth of others, and I don't want to be part of that. All feels a bit like a pissing match to me and I don't see the value in it. Growing up my dad would have slapped my face if I sat down at the table and asked the size of the bacon everyone was bringing home......this board is the only place I've ever seen it be seemingly socially acceptable actually.

I will say I live rurally. I invoice my parents every two weeks and charge hourly. I do not offer evening, weekend or part time care. I do offer sibling discounts. I do not charge different rates for different age groups nor do I charge for any time I'm not actually caring for someone's child.

I am licensed for 10 but prefer to keep a small group of no more than 5 or 6 (plus my own two school agers).

Wow! That was incredibly rude and unneccessary. I have to ask, (and OP I am sorry for going off topic) but why bother even responding to a very basic question if it bothers you so much?Why not just move on?