School Calendar Programs

[EAP]

How do providers who only work during the school year structure payments. I am thinking about just having my clients pay for 43 weeks of care and have the 9 weeks off in the summer I am closed. I would love to know what works for others.

[butterfly]

I only charge for the weeks that I work. I don't charge for summer break or for christmas break, but I charge the same weekly rate throughout the rest of the school year even if there is a holiday that I'm closed. I consider those days paid days off. I'm closed ALL the days that the school is closed. I don't really charge any more to be closed in the summer. It's more important for ME to have that time off than to make up the extra money lost during that time. I'm a good budgeter so I just put away 1 child's payment throughout the school year to use for the summer months when I'm not earning any income. It works great for me.

[EAP]

I only charge for the weeks that I work. I don't charge for summer break or for christmas break, but I charge the same weekly rate throughout the rest of the school year even if there is a holiday that I'm closed. I consider those days paid days off. I'm closed ALL the days that the school is closed. I don't really charge any more to be closed in the summer. It's more important for ME to have that time off than to make up the extra money lost during that time. I'm a good budgeter so I just put away 1 child's payment throughout the school year to use for the summer months when I'm not earning any income. It works great for me.

So they pay for 42 weeks? How do your rates compare with centers in your area? I am similar to centers in my area now and would stay competitive if I change over to only charging for 43 weeks but when you average it out over 52 weeks I would actually be a lot less than centers in my area.

[butterfly]

Compare to centers? I'm a lot less. Compare to family daycare (in home)? I'm probably about in the average range for my weekly rate. Now if you took my rate and figured it over the 52 weeks, I'd be insanely low. It's more important for me to have the time off than the money though.

[AfterSchoolMom]

I charge my regular rate during the school year and take off with no pay during the summer. I set aside some of each week's payment and save that as "income" for the 10-11 weeks that I'm not being paid.

[bunnyslippers]

I charge a flat weekly full-time rate (contracted hours between 7:30-4:00). No payment due for school vacations, first five snow days, or holidays that school is closed. No payment for the summer. I will hold spots over the summer for returning families. I take up to five paid sick/personal days per year.

I charge $275 per week.

It has been a great model for me and my family. I am on vacation now...and have another long weekend in 6 weeks. Then 3 more weeks and the school year is over.

[bunnyslippers]

I charge my regular rate during the school year and take off with no pay during the summer. I set aside some of each week's payment and save that as "income" for the 10-11 weeks that I'm not being paid.

This is what I do, too. I make sure to have enough svaings by the summer months to allow for the same lifestyle we have the whole year.

[EAP]

Bunny slippers - how does your rate compare with centers? My current rate is $225/week on a normal calendar - to move to school year I am looking to increase between 10-20/week. My current rate is around $10/week lower than centers in my area and there are very few FCCHs but the similar one I know of is around 265/week.

[Cradle2crayons]

Oh my gosh... If I could make that much Ina week oer kid I could retire!!! Ohhhhhh wowwwwwwwwwwww

[bunnyslippers]

There aren't very many centers around me. The ones a few towns over are about 280-320 a week for full time care.

Other home cares in my area average about 240 a week, so I am about 35 a week more.

I don't even compare myself to centers, except to explain that I offer quality education and care in a small setting without a center feel.

If your families are able to follow the school year only schedule, I would suggest an increase of $2-30 a week. Sit down and look at the math ~ if you can show them that in the long run they will be paying the same, or even less, then they are with a full-year schedule, then you know you are on the right track.

I am closing my daycare in 9 weeks, but I can tell you I wouldn't have lasted a year if I had worked year round! I love my vacations and breaks ~ they save me!!!!