Where Do Your Rates Fall On A Scale?

[LeslieG]

I am just curious... Where do your rates fall on a scale of low to high based on your area? If your rates are on the high end, have you found it harder to stay full? What do you provide?

My rates are on the high end for our area. Now that I just got licensed I'll be looking for more families. I'm just worried b/c I know my rates are higher than others around here. But geez, I don't want to sell myself short for all my planning, hard work, long hours and love!!!

[Blackcat31]

My rates are on the higher end when you break them down.

I don't charge more because I offer anything better than anyone else in my personal opinion.

I think my rates are higher simply because I raised them as I felt comfortable doing and have never had an issue staying full.

Personally, I think a lot of it has to do with years in the business. Dependability, reliability, long term commitment to the job, and amount of time I am off for vacations/holidays or call in sick.

I don't know.... just my guess

It just seems in my area the older more seasoned providers all seem to operate similarly while the newbies or temporary providers do things very differently in comparison.....NOT in reference to the quality or type of program they offer but more so in the way they bill clients and handle policies and such.

That's my 2 cents.

[blandino]

My rates are on the higher end when you break them down.

I don't charge more because I offer anything better than anyone else in my personal opinion.

I think my rates are higher simply because I raised them as I felt comfortable doing and have never had an issue staying full.

Personally, I think a lot of it has to do with years in the business. Dependability, reliability, long term commitment to the job, and amount of time I am off for vacations/holidays or call in sick.

I don't know.... just my guess

It just seems in my area the older more seasoned providers all seem to operate similarly while the newbies or temporary providers do things very differently in comparison.....NOT in reference to the quality or type of program they offer but more so in the way they bill clients and handle policies and such.

That's my 2 cents.

I definitely think how established you are makes a huge different in where your rates fall on the spectrum.

[blandino]

Our rates are on the higher end as well.

For my area, the usual range is 125-150 (I know of one DCP who charges $160.00) for home daycares. And our rates are 140-150.

Like Blackcat said, that comes with an established reputation, and 10 years of operating in the same area. Also with a structured, developed, program & policies.

[jenn]

I am on the high end. I don't have a lot of trouble staying full. If someone leaves or is terminated, it might take a week or two to fill the spot, but I am picky!

I feel comfortable being on the high end, because I offer some things that others in my area don't. I have a teaching degree, I have 3 subs that have all the qualifications of being a provider so I never have unexpected closed sick or personal day, I have been open for many years, I offer a set amount of free days for families,...

Honestly, how I chose my rate was figuring out what income I needed to make to be comfortable (and save for taxes, expenses,...) and divided that by how many kids I could care for.

I don't think the price charged by a provider dictates the quality of the care offered at all. There are cheaper daycares with excellent care, and expensive ones with poor care.

[earlystart]

My rates are towards the higher end and I offer a preschool curriculum and come from a preschool teacher background of several years. I also have my mom as a part time assistant and don't charge extra for that because she just volunteers for free. I have had the same 5 families since the beginning when I started in October 2012, and there's been an extra spot that at first I didn't feel like filling, then started advertising for in late February and I'm just now filling it on Monday. No one seemed to have a problem with my rates, and I advertised them openly on my website. Also, I don't offer lunch (parents bring it), just breakfast and pm snack.

[MarinaVanessa]

Mine are on the mid level end of the high scale (if that makes sense :

I charge $165 per week for FT and the highest is at about $175-$200.

The lowest is $100 per week but those are the FCC's on the outskirts of our city or in the lower income part. I live in the mid-high income part of the city but not where the million dollar homes are.

[blandino]

I don't think the price charged by a provider dictates the quality of the care offered at all. There are cheaper daycares with excellent care, and expensive ones with poor care.

Absolutely agree ! Especially when it comes to centers. In my area centers are charging right around $200.00 a week for an infant, and that doesn't even indicate quality care. Don't get me started on why centers are allowed to charge more than FCC. That, to me, is a direct sign of cost not indicating quality.

[countrymom]

mine are in the middle. I will be raising them. I never thought of it because I'm well established and have been here for a long time (10 yrs) now there is a provider that charges 25 dollars, but you get what you pay for trust me.

[daycarediva]

I am on the high end, but with me you get a level of care and professionalism that most hdc's in my area do not have. I have a degree in ECE. VERY VERY few have a dedicated classroom set up (most are a living room with toys). I also serve healthy meals, monthly menus, newsletters, photos online/cds that go home, fun days for the kids, a preschool program, lots of outdoor play. I have a great reputation as well.

[hope]

My rates are far more expensive than other home daycares in my area but below what daycare centers charge. Most home daycares in my area charge around $150 a week for fulltime. Many have more children than they are legally allowed and do not offer much in the way of educational learning. They basically provide a room, a few toys and an adult to watch over a large amount of kids. Centers around here charge around $300 and offer academics. Their ratios are high.
I charge $250 a week for full time and a little less for teachers kids because I prefer the earlier hours. I am allowed to have 5 children beyond my own but I usually keep a small group of 3 or 4. Quality home daycares are rare in my area so I am able to charge more.

[bunnyslippers]

I am the highest in my area, and I have been since I opened. I have never had an opening for longer than a week, and I never have anyone leave in the middle of a contracted year. I never lose anyone, unless they are going to kindergarten.

I don't offer anything that different than any other providers. I don't have the childcare in my living space (separate classroom in the basement), and I operate like a preschool. I have never had anyone question me about my rates. I let them know right off the bat that if they are looking for the cheap daycare solution, I am not the right fit.

[LoraJenkins]

Mine are high for my area but I offer a smaller group...lots of personal touches...preschool curriculum.....weekend....overnight....extended hours, etc.

[mamac]

I am right in the middle for my area. I actually totaled all the prices for daycares in my city and took the average price. Most of them range from 150-170/wk and there are only a few that charge 180 or more. Centers are 200-225. I'm starting in Sept. at 160 for 45 hrs of care. With hourly rates for anything over 45 hours I will actually be on the higher end. Other dc's allow open to close care for a set rate so that sets me apart from a lot of them. Hope it works out in my favor though!

[Blackcat31]

Honestly, how I chose my rate was figuring out what income I needed to make to be comfortable (and save for taxes, expenses,...) and divided that by how many kids I could care for.

This is a GREAT way to do it. I used this formula for figuring out how to do contracted hours on a graduated scale

I don't think the price charged by a provider dictates the quality of the care offered at all. There are cheaper daycares with excellent care, and expensive ones with poor care.

This is so VERY true!!