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I have been providing child care for 5 years now. I am registered, with several other certifications, and enroll in more credit hours than needed to because I want to provide the best program possible for my clients. I have a large indoor and outdoor play area, lots of developmental toys, activity centers, and a seperate sleeping area. I run my home a lot like a center because professionalism is important to me.
Rewind to a month ago...I interview a single mom who needs second shift care(for 11 hours). I only enroll DCKs 2nd shift if they are the same age as my children and allowed to participate in whatever activities I have them enrolled in. Her child was a perfect fit and got along with my children exceptionally well. She was very unhappy with her current babysitter and was looking for a new one (not a child care provider, she had a day job and just watched her child for extra money in the evenings) The reason she was wanting to leave is because her sitter spent her evenings on the computer, playing games and visiting dating websites. DCM is friends with her on FB and could see her activity, and some of it was very vulgar. Not to mention, the child was often left with her teenage children (who had foul mouths and behaviors) so she could run errands or go on dates.
Her babysitter charged her $20 a day and did not charge her on days she didn't attend, not did she give her a receipt for taxes. My rate is $150 per week regardless of attendance, and I claim all DCKs income on taxes. My rates are clearly outlined in my contract and I do not deviate from them in case clients talk, I don't want them to think anyone is treated unfairly. I did want to help this DCM out, because her child was not in a good environment and really got along well with mine, so I came up with a compromise of $25 per day and would not charge on days she wasn't there, but I would not give her a receipt. (This interview lasted 3, yes 3, whole hours of her trying to talk down my rate...I have never had one last that long and I did actually kick her out when I realized how much time had passed) She agreed and wanted to start that evening, and I told her I could begin her next week after I receive her paperwork for her file. So her start date was supposed to be Jan 7. The weekend before she says she wants to stay at the current provider and try to get her to understand her concerns, but wants to stay in touch with me if it doesn't work.
On Jan 10th I receive a text saying how much she liked it here and how much she wants her child here, but I really need to work with her as a single mom and let her pay $20 per day. I declined her offer and told her that she needed to respect my child care business and how I handle it much differently that where she is used to going and would not be lowering my rate.
There were a few texts in between then and yesterday that mainly consisted of how great my family was, how unhappy she was at the other providers, and how she is a single mom who doesn't get child support...
Yesterday I receive a text that says that she really wants to have her child in my program and knows it's the perfect fit for her, but tells me she will enroll at the $25 a day rate and I will give her a receipt because she talked to a tax advisor and I legally have to, or she will pay me $20 per day. Lol! I reminded her that I would gladly provide a receipt for taxes, and that my weekly rate is $150, and left it at that. At this point, if she sends me another text, the spot was filled.
Rewind to a month ago...I interview a single mom who needs second shift care(for 11 hours). I only enroll DCKs 2nd shift if they are the same age as my children and allowed to participate in whatever activities I have them enrolled in. Her child was a perfect fit and got along with my children exceptionally well. She was very unhappy with her current babysitter and was looking for a new one (not a child care provider, she had a day job and just watched her child for extra money in the evenings) The reason she was wanting to leave is because her sitter spent her evenings on the computer, playing games and visiting dating websites. DCM is friends with her on FB and could see her activity, and some of it was very vulgar. Not to mention, the child was often left with her teenage children (who had foul mouths and behaviors) so she could run errands or go on dates.
Her babysitter charged her $20 a day and did not charge her on days she didn't attend, not did she give her a receipt for taxes. My rate is $150 per week regardless of attendance, and I claim all DCKs income on taxes. My rates are clearly outlined in my contract and I do not deviate from them in case clients talk, I don't want them to think anyone is treated unfairly. I did want to help this DCM out, because her child was not in a good environment and really got along well with mine, so I came up with a compromise of $25 per day and would not charge on days she wasn't there, but I would not give her a receipt. (This interview lasted 3, yes 3, whole hours of her trying to talk down my rate...I have never had one last that long and I did actually kick her out when I realized how much time had passed) She agreed and wanted to start that evening, and I told her I could begin her next week after I receive her paperwork for her file. So her start date was supposed to be Jan 7. The weekend before she says she wants to stay at the current provider and try to get her to understand her concerns, but wants to stay in touch with me if it doesn't work.
On Jan 10th I receive a text saying how much she liked it here and how much she wants her child here, but I really need to work with her as a single mom and let her pay $20 per day. I declined her offer and told her that she needed to respect my child care business and how I handle it much differently that where she is used to going and would not be lowering my rate.
There were a few texts in between then and yesterday that mainly consisted of how great my family was, how unhappy she was at the other providers, and how she is a single mom who doesn't get child support...
Yesterday I receive a text that says that she really wants to have her child in my program and knows it's the perfect fit for her, but tells me she will enroll at the $25 a day rate and I will give her a receipt because she talked to a tax advisor and I legally have to, or she will pay me $20 per day. Lol! I reminded her that I would gladly provide a receipt for taxes, and that my weekly rate is $150, and left it at that. At this point, if she sends me another text, the spot was filled.
: will wait
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