Different Rates Based On Developmental Level?

[mountainside13]

Do any of you have different rates based on developmental milestones? I am wanting to change my rates and wondered if it would be a good idea. For example: 6 weeks to 2 years is $x amount. Then 2 to 5 years is $x amount but will drop to $x amount after child is fully potty trained.

I currently have is 6 weeks to 12 months is $x then 13 months to 5 years is $x amount. Lowering the rate at a year isn't working for me. Bc that age still requires a lot more than a 2 year old. For the PT I am wondering if that would give the parents a little incentive to work more with their child on it than putting it on me.

Is this a good idea or bad idea? Could it come back to bite me? Pros and cons?

[littlemissmuffet]

I charge the same monthly rate across the board - I don't want to have to take a pay cut each time a child goes to the next rate category, and I don't want to keep track of different rates for different families. But that's just me.

[melilley]

I charge the same monthly rate across the board - I don't want to have to take a pay cut each time a child goes to the next rate category, and I don't want to keep track of different rates for different families. But that's just me.

Same here. I charge the same weekly rate for all ages.

[littlemissmuffet]

Oh, and I would be EXTREMELY clear to parents on what your definition of "fully potty trained" is in order to qualify for the discount... I can't tell you how many parents claim their kid is fully PTed yet the child can't pull their own pants up/down, can't wipe themselves and can't wash their own hands

[Cat Herder]

Oh, and I would be EXTREMELY clear to parents on what your definition of "fully potty trained" is in order to qualify for the discount... I can't tell you how many parents claim their kid is fully PTed yet the child can't pull their own pants up/down, can't wipe themselves and can't wash their own hands

Not to mention the pressure for YOU to potty train them. They may accuse you of stalling for the $$$ if the kid takes longer than they feel is appropriate. The kids are often potty trained by punishment because it is costing them money.... It can set up many issues.

IMHO, every age has it's difficulties... the older they get the more they cost me (curriculum, damages, art supplies, food costs, etc). Keeping the rate the same across the boards makes things simple for me.

Larger centers can do it because the teacher to child ratio adjusts, so they can afford to charge less and take many more kids to make up the difference. I can't.

Now, I think a periodic "Good Citizenship" discount would be amazing. To foster great kids in the long run by actively rewarding awesome behavior.

[Candy]

You might want to put a cut off age that you will accept children in diapers. I don't know about you but I don't want to be picking up on a 4 year old in diapers unless special needs.

[Leigh]

I can guarantee that any mention of potty training will have parents swearing that their child is trained, and have them trying to force kids to train early.

I charge the same for 12 months and up, and a 50% premium for 0-12 months.

[mountainside13]

Not to mention the pressure for YOU to potty train them. They may accuse you of stalling for the $$$ if the kid takes longer than they feel is appropriate. The kids are often potty trained by punishment because it is costing them money.... It can set up many issues.

IMHO, every age has it's difficulties... the older they get the more they cost me (curriculum, damages, art supplies, food costs, etc). Keeping the rate the same across the boards makes things simple for me.

Larger centers can do it because the teacher to child ratio adjusts, so they can afford to charge less and take many more kids to make up the difference. I can't.

Now, I think a periodic "Good Citizenship" discount would be amazing. To foster great kids in the long run by actively rewarding awesome behavior.

So glad I asked! I never thought about it that way! I would love to charge a flat rate but everyone around me reduces their rates based on age. If I had a flat rate, it would make it harder to find new clients if they can go down the street and pay $25 less a week. KWIM?

I have had a 4 year old in pull ups before. It was not fun! He is now in preschool, wears underwear at school comes home and back in a pull up.

If I did change it to a flat rate and have a good citizenship discount. How would you do it? Worded in contract? Or another type of incentive to make the flat rate not seem so bad to new families?

[Annalee]

I charge the same monthly rate across the board - I don't want to have to take a pay cut each time a child goes to the next rate category, and I don't want to keep track of different rates for different families. But that's just me.

[daycare]

I charge a higher rate for under two because they take up more spots. I can only have 4 children under 2. They are also a lot more work, so the more work I have the more money I expect to get paid.

Once they are able to master their self help skills, like PT and what not I reduce the fee. Not by much, but enough to make a difference in the level of work I have to do.

[Laurel]

I charge the same monthly rate across the board - I don't want to have to take a pay cut each time a child goes to the next rate category, and I don't want to keep track of different rates for different families. But that's just me.

Not to mention someone might 'claim' child is potty trained to get a lower rate and they really aren't. That could be a battle I'd think.

Laurel

Edited to add: Oops, I didn't read all the responses before I wrote mine. I see the potty training issue was already addressed.

[Laurel]

So glad I asked! I never thought about it that way! I would love to charge a flat rate but everyone around me reduces their rates based on age. If I had a flat rate, it would make it harder to find new clients if they can go down the street and pay $25 less a week. KWIM?

I have had a 4 year old in pull ups before. It was not fun! He is now in preschool, wears underwear at school comes home and back in a pull up.

If I did change it to a flat rate and have a good citizenship discount. How would you do it? Worded in contract? Or another type of incentive to make the flat rate not seem so bad to new families?

When a parent calls they just ask me the price for their child. I've rarely had anyone ask me if I reduce my rate as they get older. If they ask, I tell them no but hardly anyone does ask. If it is done in your area they might assume you reduce the price. Once they discover you don't, as their child ages, they already love you so might not switch.

I guess I'm saying don't advertise it if they don't ask and don't automatically assume they would leave just to get a lower price. Some would but a lot wouldn't.

Just something to consider....

Laurel

[mountainside13]

When a parent calls they just ask me the price for their child. I've rarely had anyone ask me if I reduce my rate as they get older. If they ask, I tell them no but hardly anyone does ask. If it is done in your area they might assume you reduce the price. Once they discover you don't, as their child ages, they already love you so might not switch.

I guess I'm saying don't advertise it if they don't ask and don't automatically assume they would leave just to get a lower price. Some would but a lot wouldn't.

Just something to consider....

Laurel

I didn't think of it that way! Thank you! I am going to go ahead with a flat rate. One more question:
For the changes I make on my renewal contract for my current parents. Should I just give it to them and hope they notice the changes, go through it together or highlight the parts that changed?
I like the idea of highlighting it. A little less work for me but parents still know what has changed. Also don't want it to come off as rude.

[Annalee]

I didn't think of it that way! Thank you! I am going to go ahead with a flat rate. One more question:
For the changes I make on my renewal contract for my current parents. Should
I just give it to them and hope they notice the changes, go through it together or highlight the parts that changed?
I like the idea of highlighting it. A little less work for me but parents still know what has changed. Also don't want it to come off as rude.

I will usually bring attention to the parts with changes....either verbally, through a newsletter/coverpage, or something.

[Bookworm]

Not to mention the pressure for YOU to potty train them. They may accuse you of stalling for the $$$ if the kid takes longer than they feel is appropriate. The kids are often potty trained by punishment because it is costing them money.... It can set up many issues.

IMHO, every age has it's difficulties... the older they get the more they cost me (curriculum, damages, art supplies, food costs, etc). Keeping the rate the same across the boards makes things simple for me.

Larger centers can do it because the teacher to child ratio adjusts, so they can afford to charge less and take many more kids to make up the difference. I can't.

Now, I think a periodic "Good Citizenship" discount would be amazing. To foster great kids in the long run by actively rewarding awesome behavior.

My center charges this way. 0-36 mos is $125 and 36-60 is 120. There is a $5 discount for potty trained 2yos.