Rate--Granfathered In

[Patches]

When I first opened, I had rates based on age (under 2, over 2), then I recently had a pretty big turnover and decided to switch to contracted hours for new clients (thank you, ladies!) Now, here is my problem...well, it's not a problem, yet, but I want to think ahead.
I have 2 clients who are granfathered in at the old under 2 rate. Both are infants and I'm thinking ahead for when they turn 2. I'm sure the parents are expecting me to lower their rate when their child turns 2 but I don't want to go that low again. (They are currently paying the same as my lowest new rate). They don't know that I switched to contracted hours. So, I'm wondering if I should tell them that I no longer offer that over 2 rate, but I will keep them at their current rate (because if they were on contracted hours, they would be paying MUCH more) or let them drop down to the old over 2 rate?
I hope that makes sense.

[Familycare71]

When I first opened, I had rates based on age (under 2, over 2), then I recently had a pretty big turnover and decided to switch to contracted hours for new clients (thank you, ladies!) Now, here is my problem...well, it's not a problem, yet, but I want to think ahead.
I have 2 clients who are granfathered in at the old under 2 rate. Both are infants and I'm thinking ahead for when they turn 2. I'm sure the parents are expecting me to lower their rate when their child turns 2 but I don't want to go that low again. (They are currently paying the same as my lowest new rate). They don't know that I switched to contracted hours. So, I'm wondering if I should tell them that I no longer offer that over 2 rate, but I will keep them at their current rate (because if they were on contracted hours, they would be paying MUCH more) or let them drop down to the old over 2 rate?
I hope that makes sense.

I was going to post almost the exact same question! I have an under two who when he turns two will be at the new 2+ rate. I don't know if its ok to leave him there (I don't think parents will notice) or if I should drop his daily fee...

[Cat Herder]

Personally, I'd skip it for now. IME, The bigger a deal you make of it, the more suspicious and poorly behaved they can become.

Add the new terms to the contract and have them fill out/update new forms at your usual interval.

I do contract updates every two years in January as I tend to go up $5 and add whatever new regs the State dropped on me.

I understand "Grandfathered", though, as I have a two clients at a much lower rate scale (over 5 years each, now ).. you know back when I offered sib discounts.

I did not think it through that they would keep having more kids...:::: Live, learn, adapt.

[Moppetland]

When I first started my business, I always went on whatever pay the Child Care Assistant Program went on. As the children got older, the rates went down. No wonder I stayed full ::. But I only had 20% private pay parents.

But this time around (I just opened back up a month ago), I want to charge a flat weekly fee for both PT and FT. I don't know about drop-ins. I even considered monthly fees instead of weekly. I just think it's much better. The Child Care Assistant Program don't like us to charge their clients more than what they are paying me for providing services for their children. But I might charge the difference this time around. After all, they still need to pay their late fees and co-payments, so why not charge the difference of my fees? That is fair all around.

[blandino]

I offer the old rate as long as both siblings are enrolled.

This month, I had two infants (both siblings of children we have had) begin care.

The infant with a brother still enrolled, rate is $140.00 a week (the same as her brothers when he enrolled).

The infant with a brother who started school this fall is $150.00 a week, even though they paid $140.00 for the brother.

[butterfly]

Personally, I'd skip it for now. IME, The bigger a deal you make of it, the more suspicious and poorly behaved they can become.

Add the new terms to the contract and have them fill out/update new forms at your usual interval.

I do contract updates every two years in January as I tend to go up $5 and add whatever new regs the State dropped on me.

I understand "Grandfathered", though, as I have a two clients at a much lower rate scale (over 5 years each, now ).. you know back when I offered sib discounts.

I did not think it through that they would keep having more kids...:::: Live, learn, adapt.

I do grandfathered too, but I do it for the child that's currently enrolled. All new siblings come in at the new rate, whatever that may be when they enroll. I've had a couple question it, but none ever leave. I think they must realize what they would pay elsewhere vs. what they would get for care....