Why Do I Stink At This???

[wahmof3]

Well didn't sleep last night. My mind was racing with this situation.

The last message from DCM was asking about daily rate. I haven't offered a daily rate in several years. I do however only offer a daily rate during the summer for teachers kids and if I take a personal day I deduct the amount for the day.

I feel I need to explain everything to DCM. I know, I know she has been a client for 4 years she KNOWS exactly what she is doing.

DCM really needs to get the "daily rate" out of her head. That is exactly what is confusing her.

How do I spell it our for her?

Do I remind her that in reality she should be paying $250/week so $200 is a steal for a licensed home?

I am past hurt and I am getting angry about this FOUR YEARS I have cared for this DCF and she is upset about $25?????

I am also irritated about the whole preschool thing. I mean around here registration is early May and she is just now telling me??? I have held a spot for her kids all summer and turned away several families.

I am not going to cave on this. She will either pay the rate or find someone else. I am worth it.

[Unregistered]

I think I would give here a new contract with your CURRENT price options that you would give to any new client coming in. Let her know that your rates are not negotiable she can pick from the price options listed. If you are feeling really generous you can give her the option of the CURRENT prices offered to parents coming in, or she can continue at the rate she is at. There is no benefit to you to keep this family on when you can bring in another family at a higher rate. At the end of the year it means you have taken a cut in pay, so less money in your pocket to meet your family needs and more money in her pocket to spend on her family. The expenses to keep a daycare running go up not down. Wages tend to go up over the years, not down.

Is she aware she is getting a discount of $50 a week already, and is now asking for more? Would you rather have the extra $3750 (50 weeks x $75) in your families pocket at the end of the year or yours?

[Unregistered]

I think I would give here a new contract with your CURRENT price options that you would give to any new client coming in. Let her know that your rates are not negotiable she can pick from the price options listed. If you are feeling really generous you can give her the option of the CURRENT prices offered to parents coming in, or she can continue at the rate she is at. There is no benefit to you to keep this family on when you can bring in another family at a higher rate. At the end of the year it means you have taken a cut in pay, so less money in your pocket to meet your family needs and more money in her pocket to spend on her family. The expenses to keep a daycare running go up not down. Wages tend to go up over the years, not down.

Is she aware she is getting a discount of $50 a week already, and is now asking for more? Would you rather have the extra $3750 (50 weeks x $75) in your families pocket at the end of the year or hers?

[MyAngels]

I'd tell her if she wants to renegotiate her rates you'll be bringing her up to your current rate, with no discount, and it will end up costing her more since she's grandfathered in with a lower rate now.

[mrsnj]

Oh been here and done it last year with a family! To make a long story short we kept having the "can I pay" debate on and off for a good week. I explained the rate. She would say ok. Then I would get an email/text/call asking the same question. It got to the point that I emailed her a final explosion and told her she could be paying XYZ, this is my current rate, this is what she is getting and what she could be paying elsewhere and if she thinks she can find better elsewhere let me know and I will fill her spots. Done. She didn't complain again.

They know what they are doing. They think if they keep pushing you will give.

Say enough is enough. I think you have explained it and I would no longer contact. And if she brought it up again in person I would clearly state I explained my rates. Done.

Then start interviewing.............

You give once you will be expected to do it again and again.

[Blackcat31]

I'd tell her if she wants to renegotiate her rates you'll be bringing her up to your current rate, with no discount, and it will end up costing her more since she's grandfathered in with a lower rate now.

THIS!!!!! ^^^^^


Any time someone wants to try and "negotiate" my rates with me and change up their schedule due to something like this...I tell them that their contract will be re-done at whatever the current rate is.

They ONLY get 2 choices. Remain at the exact same rate they were at (regardless of her reducing her hours because of preschool) OR they can re-sign a new contract with new rates applied.

THERE ARE NO OTHER OPTIONS.

If the mom continues asking about a daily rate, tell her you may have used to offer a daily rate but NOW you do things like THIS (give her your current rate scale).

DO NOT budge on this. She may have been a long standing client but it seems to me her longevity isn't based on any type of loyalty only that the situation has always worked for HER. The whole delay on telling you about preschool TELLS you that she will ALWAYS put her needs before yours.

NOT saying that is bad. Just saying you need to do the same.

YOUR needs (business wise, financially, mentally and emotionally) need to be YOUR priority.

Hand her two contracts. One with her old rate and one with the new one. Tell her to sign which ever one she is choosing and have it back to you by xxx date. (I'd give no more than 5 days). If she balks AT ALL, tell her there is a third option....she can give her two weeks notice.

Don't negotiate and don't give any other options. If she truly values everything you have done over the last 4 years, she'd be dumb to walk away.

If she does, then you will know that daycare works that way. Families put their needs first. You need to do the same. Guilt (by either party) should NEVER be in the mix.

[Familycare71]

Well didn't sleep last night. My mind was racing with this situation.

The last message from DCM was asking about daily rate. I haven't offered a daily rate in several years. I do however only offer a daily rate during the summer for teachers kids and if I take a personal day I deduct the amount for the day.

I feel I need to explain everything to DCM. I know, I know she has been a client for 4 years she KNOWS exactly what she is doing.

DCM really needs to get the "daily rate" out of her head. That is exactly what is confusing her.

How do I spell it our for her?

Do I remind her that in reality she should be paying $250/week so $200 is a steal for a licensed home?

I am past hurt and I am getting angry about this FOUR YEARS I have cared for this DCF and she is upset about $25?????

I am also irritated about the whole preschool thing. I mean around here registration is early May and she is just now telling me??? I have held a spot for her kids all summer and turned away several families.

I am not going to cave on this. She will either pay the rate or find someone else. I am worth it.

happyface happyface happyface

[wahmof3]

Weight.lifted.off.shoulders.

I did respond to DCM. I put it all out there. What she would be paying as a new client, what she is grandfathered into paying, that I only have 6 spaces, etc etc

I felt I was VERY professional and VERY clear. I know this DCM knows exactly what she is doing.

Blackcat- you are exactly right she IS trying to do whats best for HER and I am doing what is BEST FOR ME.

Stood my ground and grew a little bit stronger- gotta LOVE THAT!!

The only thing I am hesitant about was I gave her a deadline of Aug 7 to decide. I felt that if she is going to make changes I need to know asap so I can make adjustments. Her children don't even start back until mid August.

Thanks a million for all of your help!! I will keep you updated on how this turns out.

[Blackcat31]

Weight.lifted.off.shoulders.

I did respond to DCM. I put it all out there. What she would be paying as a new client, what she is grandfathered into paying, that I only have 6 spaces, etc etc

I felt I was VERY professional and VERY clear. I know this DCM knows exactly what she is doing.

Blackcat- you are exactly right she IS trying to do whats best for HER and I am doing what is BEST FOR ME.

Stood my ground and grew a little bit stronger- gotta LOVE THAT!!
The only thing I am hesitant about was I gave her a deadline of Aug 7 to decide. I felt that if she is going to make changes I need to know asap so I can make adjustments. Her children don't even start back until mid August.

Thanks a million for all of your help!! I will keep you updated on how this turns out.

happyface happyface happyface happyface happyface happyface happyface

[daycare]

nothing like some backbone rubbing!!!!!

great job......I am horrible at using mine, but with the forms help and more confidence I am getting better. THe more we use our BB, the better we get at it and eventually it starts to just become a natural part of the process....happyfacehappyfacehappyfacehappyface

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Weight.lifted.off.shoulders.

I did respond to DCM. I put it all out there. What she would be paying as a new client, what she is grandfathered into paying, that I only have 6 spaces, etc etc

I felt I was VERY professional and VERY clear. I know this DCM knows exactly what she is doing.

Blackcat- you are exactly right she IS trying to do whats best for HER and I am doing what is BEST FOR ME.

Stood my ground and grew a little bit stronger- gotta LOVE THAT!!

The only thing I am hesitant about was I gave her a deadline of Aug 7 to decide. I felt that if she is going to make changes I need to know asap so I can make adjustments. Her children don't even start back until mid August.

Thanks a million for all of your help!! I will keep you updated on how this turns out.

happyface You ARE worth it and there is no need for you to be "beaten down" into giving someone a lower rate. That's absurd.

[wahmof3]

almost 10 hours later.... no response from DCM.

Guess I made her mad.

[Unregistered]

She is too busy scrambling about calling around checking rates and seeing if she can find cheaper care, before she formulates her response If she can not find cheaper care you should get a polite response shortly.

[wahmof3]

She is too busy scrambling about calling around checking rates and seeing if she can find cheaper care, before she formulates her response If she can not find cheaper care you should get a polite response shortly.

bingo

[Unregistered]

Oh would it not be nice right now to have the phone ringing off the hook with clients looking for care, and have the ideal families show up for interviews. It would be nice to let current mom know her spaces had been filled with parents more than willing to pay your rates without hesitation.

One can dream right