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So in late November/early December, I was meeting with a family that now want to start their 3 month old in March, when done with maternity leave.
Usually I am super excited about new enrollments, but something feels weird about this.
At the interview they asked about rates and said that every other Friday the child would not be here, but would be here 9.5-10 hours every other day. I told them at the interview that it would be FT rate every week because FT is over 35 hours per week. Dad had been asking why the 4 day weeks weren't charged hourly so I had to explain it to him. I also told them I would get back to them as to what I would charge as a holding fee. So the next couple days we emailed and I told them I would charge $25 per week to hold.
I hear nothing. Fast forward to last week (3 weeks later). Got email saying they had the baby and have been chaotic. Dad calls me yesterday. He is again trying to 'understand' why the 4 day weeks are charged FT rate instead of hourly, so I explain to him again. He says he doesn't understand but it is what it is. Mind you, they looked at a variety of places and really liked mine best.
So we set up a time for him to come drop off the 2 week tuition and paperwork next Monday. Nothing is said about the holding fee.
So I'm not sure if it's that he was trying to get me to lower my fees for him or he really didn't understand. I also don't know if I feel fishy about this cuz they were MIA for 3 weeks and nothing was said about the holding fee, or that I don't want a baby here for 10 hours a day (which also makes me have to open 15min. early everyday), or just don't want an infant. I thought I did a couple months ago because my 2 youngest are now 12 months.
I also have a $6/hour charge for anything over 9.5 hours per day. He did not mention anything specifically about dollar amount he's bringing Monday and I didn't mention it.
I don't know if I really want this new enrollment and can't place my finger on why. I don't have kids of my own...would you really go 3 weeks without answering an important email like that to secure a spot at daycare? Or do you think he's trying to play games. Honestly, if I am going to take on a 10 hour per day infant, I want to enforce all my fees. I just don't know what to say. I have been used to being lenient in the past, but now I am a 4 star rated, practically full (this is my last spot) daycare and don't feel I need to be that lenient to have clients anymore. Any thoughts? I'm thinking maybe I might try it for now. I won't be able to do as much this summer again, cuz of an infant, but I do have an assistant who's hours will be going up.
Ok, sorry so long. I just haven't felt hesitant like this before about a new enrollment, or what to say to have my backbone about this.
Usually I am super excited about new enrollments, but something feels weird about this.
At the interview they asked about rates and said that every other Friday the child would not be here, but would be here 9.5-10 hours every other day. I told them at the interview that it would be FT rate every week because FT is over 35 hours per week. Dad had been asking why the 4 day weeks weren't charged hourly so I had to explain it to him. I also told them I would get back to them as to what I would charge as a holding fee. So the next couple days we emailed and I told them I would charge $25 per week to hold.
I hear nothing. Fast forward to last week (3 weeks later). Got email saying they had the baby and have been chaotic. Dad calls me yesterday. He is again trying to 'understand' why the 4 day weeks are charged FT rate instead of hourly, so I explain to him again. He says he doesn't understand but it is what it is. Mind you, they looked at a variety of places and really liked mine best.
So we set up a time for him to come drop off the 2 week tuition and paperwork next Monday. Nothing is said about the holding fee.
So I'm not sure if it's that he was trying to get me to lower my fees for him or he really didn't understand. I also don't know if I feel fishy about this cuz they were MIA for 3 weeks and nothing was said about the holding fee, or that I don't want a baby here for 10 hours a day (which also makes me have to open 15min. early everyday), or just don't want an infant. I thought I did a couple months ago because my 2 youngest are now 12 months.
I also have a $6/hour charge for anything over 9.5 hours per day. He did not mention anything specifically about dollar amount he's bringing Monday and I didn't mention it.
I don't know if I really want this new enrollment and can't place my finger on why. I don't have kids of my own...would you really go 3 weeks without answering an important email like that to secure a spot at daycare? Or do you think he's trying to play games. Honestly, if I am going to take on a 10 hour per day infant, I want to enforce all my fees. I just don't know what to say. I have been used to being lenient in the past, but now I am a 4 star rated, practically full (this is my last spot) daycare and don't feel I need to be that lenient to have clients anymore. Any thoughts? I'm thinking maybe I might try it for now. I won't be able to do as much this summer again, cuz of an infant, but I do have an assistant who's hours will be going up.
Ok, sorry so long. I just haven't felt hesitant like this before about a new enrollment, or what to say to have my backbone about this.
he probably didnt want to pay a holding fee. 
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