Cl

[momofboys]

I got an e-mail from my CL ad. I can tell which ones are legitimate & which are not. The parents were seeking FT care for their 2-year-old, 10 hrs/day (which I don't do - I only allow 9, would possibly allow 9 1/2 depending on locations of parents' work). The mom seemed really interested but wanted to know if there was anyway I could lower the rate if they provided lunch? I charge between $110-125/week depending on age. She told me they currently pay $60/week for 50 hrs/week & she is looking at new sitters because her sitter has to get a "real job". You don't think the slave wages she is earning now have anything to do with it?!?!? I did tell the potential client I couldn't work for less than my rates as I claim my taxes & even if I only made $60/week I would still have to claim taxes making my rate even lower. Why do parents think $60/week is sufficient? It makes me ill

[Leigh]

I just tell those parents that I have to file a rate declaration with the state and am required to charge all parents the same rate. However, I also add that I could not possibly work for less and still provide the high level of care, healthy meals and activities that I provide, and that I take half the kids that most other daycares do in order to provide lots of one-on-one time with children. I remind them that they get what they pay for, and lowering my rate would mean lowering the standards of care that I have set for myself, and I could not do that.

When someone tells me that they can only "afford" to pay XXX per week, I refer them to the state's child care services department that helps low income families pay for child care-it always offends them (just like they offended me!).

How terribly offensive to offer you $60/week-I'd have told her straight out that her babysitter needed a "real" job because NO ONE could live making $60 per week, and that you HAVE a real job, which is why YOU get paid a wage that allows you to provide a high level of care for your DCK's, as well as to feed your family.

[melilley]

I had a call once and they asked me my rates. I told them and they asked if that's the best I could do, or something like that. I just repeated my rates to her. Some people!

[MarinaVanessa]

I think it's interesting that she asked you to lower your rate if she provided lunch. A nice way of saying no is explaining that "My rate is set because that is what my service is worth. I do not charge for meals, that's a perk that my clients get at no extra charge." If you say that you do not include the price for meals in your rates then clients won't insist that you lower your rates if they provide meals because they want to or because of a special food need (personal beliefs, allergy etc.)

[Familycare71]

I am going to start suggesting the state childcare supplement to people who question my rates from now on! Genius!!! happyface. If they really can't afford childcare it's helpful and if they can but don't want to it will shut them up!
I have had a lady call me for two days a week for three kids - she asked how low I was able to "adjust" my rates! She ended up contacting me twice because after finding me online she got referred to me by word of mouth too! happyface. Her kids still aren't coming