Term or not? I did this to myself....ugh

[LaLa1923]

I guess I should've titled this thread different. I don't really want to term, but if you've got a family who wants to pay the going rate($40 higher a week)...... What do you do?
I'm sorry if I'm confusing people!

[KnoxMom]

Don't be torn! Word of mouth is the greatest form of advertisement in this business and you definitely don't want them passing around information that you tricked them by raising the rates soon after they started. It is an unsound business practice and could potentially ruin your reputation. You have a great opportunity to make up for the pricing blunder by charging a premium overtime rate. If they aren't comfortable with the overtime, your wait list appears to be extensive enough to cover the loss (but at least it would be on their own terms). I hope everything works out for you!

[Blackcat31]

When I rasearched the rates on our dhs website I found out later that they were were old rates. I found out AFTER dcg stated.

The beauty of owning and running your own business is NOTHING is forever. Just because you found out the rates were different after the family started doesn't mean that you can't go back and change them now.

I'd start with saying something like "Due to unforeseen costs...." or "Rate increases are occuring due to rise in expenses" or something like that.

NEVER feel as though you can't say that something isn't working and we need to re-adjust or re-evaluate.

What WAS working, doesn't always continue to work. That's with ANYTHING in life.

[cheerfuldom]

I would change rates right now as well as let them know that they must abide by the contracted drop off times (or offer to change contracted times, either way, they have to commit to something). There is no way I would take a hit on $160 per month, thats almost 2000 a year hit on this kid. you made a mistake on rates, but its not too late to fix that. if she doesnt like it, she can go to a new place. I would have that rate at 10 hours per day, and then add more for the late hours.

[My3cents]

I guess I should've titled this thread different. I don't really want to term, but if you've got a family who wants to pay the going rate($40 higher a week)...... What do you do?
I'm sorry if I'm confusing people!

I commit to the people I work for until another client comes in. I would just tell her. I need to raise my rates, for some reason I quoted you my old going rate and I am sorry for this inconvenience but I need to let you know that as of blah blah, my rate for you will be. Don't be afraid to talk to your clients. It is hard at times but key to success.

[bunnyslippers]

I don't think you need to feel badly about this. That is the number one mistake we, as providers, make. It is your business, and your right to do what is best for you. She is asking for a crazy amount of overtime, for two months. That 8-8 is life altering! I would lay it all on the table. She may get mad, she may understand. Either way, you need to do what is right for you. You are not running a charity, it is a business.

Sometimes, when I go to Dunkin' Donuts...the prices have changed. It is a business! Life changes.

I once had a family here that wanted to stay for another year, but wanted a discounted rate. I discussed it with them, and explained that if another family came along that wanted to pay the full rate, I would have to take that family. Well, another family came along. I told the first family, and they left the next day. I didn't regret it for even a second. It was the first day I had my now very strong backbone!

[MarinaVanessa]

I came in a little late but here's what I think if it were me in your shoes. I responded in blue.

1. Mom never drops off at contract time, she's ALWAYS late!
I personally don't mind when parent's drop-off late. The way I see it is that they are paying me for this time and not using it so it makes it easier for me BUT I warn people (in my handbook and verbally) that we go out walks regularly and I may not always be here, and I wait for no one. I've had plenty of clients come to my home and I'm not here because we are at the park or picking up kids from school etc.

2. She does not like sharing me at all, she cries when I put her down to help someone else.
This is deffinetely a normal thing for an infant that is constantly held at home. I wouldn't necessarily chalk it up to the baby being attached to you in particular ... just that the baby needs constant attention. I have a 4mo like this 2 times a week for 4 hours that started about the same time as yours and let me tell you, I want to pull my hair out most days he is here. I'm still working on it with him but this alone makes me want to term him ... I doubt I'll be renewing his contract this summer when his mom goes to summer school.

3. When she is here, she sleeps all day. This makes it hard to have a schedule and go out to play etc.
I wouldn't mind this either, makes my day easier. I would just take the sleeping baby with me like others have suggested. If however the baby was grouchy if woken from sleep then it would peeve me.

4. She cries when another baby makes noise, any noise at all!!!
This would bother me lie #2. A baby that constantly cries at daycare for whatever reason would worry me and I'd feel like maybe my environment isn't best for the baby.

The biggest issue is I accidentally quoted her the wrong price when she enrolled.
I would chalk it up to a mistake on my part and wait before I raised their rates. Like someone else said I wouldn't ask them to pay more if it was my mistake but ....

In addition, she will also be coming 12 hour days May & June.
I would talk to the client and tell them that the quoted rate was for the number of hours the baby has now and charge her more for the extra time. I'd charge her extra for the hours that the baby will be there after your regular business hours.

If she decided to go elsewhere because of the extra charge then I'd be fine with that.