DCM Pregnant, Wants to Know Cost For 2 Children... WWYD

[TaylorTots]

I have 2 DCMs actively trying for a sibling. One of them told me this morning she just found out she was pregnant. She wanted to know how much daycare for two costs.

Uhm, there is no discount - especially since I will be holding a spot for 10-11months easily. In fact, if you read the handbook, there is a fee of one week. Not to mention I charge $135 in an area that $150 would fly fine for the care I provide (and the centers are $175+ weekly here)...AND an infant is a lot more work than a toddler in my eyes.

I told her I would write it up for her and give it to her at pick up. I am undecided whether to explain the above items in a short letter or just hand her a paper that says $270 weekly.


WWYD

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

For the first year I was in business I offered a sibling discount. But, I found that I REALLY do not like having siblings in care. The parents act like I am their employee because they are paying more than the other parents and when they leave care I have more spaces to fill.

I altered my Parent Handbook last year to say the following:
Sibling Discount
No sibling discounts are given at this time. Please understand that every child is provided the same level of care, same opportunities, and utilizes the same resources thus making it unfair to our clients with one child if we offer clients with multiple children a discount.

If you want to use it on a pricing sheet for DCM then you are more than welcome to. Although, I have also found that once a baby comes Mom tends to become a SAHM shortly after (especially since it IS much more expensive to have 2 in daycare) so I would be cautious about holding a spot for that long that may end up being empty anyways.

[Cat Herder]

I would just tell her the rate for two kids.

Sometimes we create a problem that does not exist, YKWIM? Has she asked for a discount, yet?

I am often guilty of imagining the worst case scenario. :::: She may even think the infant will cost more.

[cara041083]

I would just write it up and then explain if she asks why. Then when she shops around, and finds that you are the a better deal, then she will agree to it.

[Meyou]

I would just tell her my rate and my terms for holding a spot for that long.

[CraftyMom]

I wouldn't hold a spot that long, you never know what will happen in that time.

I also do not offer a discount

Infants can definitely be more work, depending on the infant. I currently charge slightly higher.

I would tell her it would be $270 and don't even mention a discount or try to explain unless she were to ask

I think I may use Entropy's sibling discount policy in my handbook as well

[VTMom]

I would just tell her my rate and my terms for holding a spot for that long.

Me too. Including your holding fee will save you from asking/explaining for it later.

[TaylorTots]

For the first year I was in business I offered a sibling discount. But, I found that I REALLY do not like having siblings in care. The parents act like I am their employee because they are paying more than the other parents and when they leave care I have more spaces to fill.

I altered my Parent Handbook last year to say the following:
Sibling Discount
No sibling discounts are given at this time. Please understand that every child is provided the same level of care, same opportunities, and utilizes the same resources thus making it unfair to our clients with one child if we offer clients with multiple children a discount.

If you want to use it on a pricing sheet for DCM then you are more than welcome to. Although, I have also found that once a baby comes Mom tends to become a SAHM shortly after (especially since it IS much more expensive to have 2 in daycare) so I would be cautious about holding a spot for that long that may end up being empty anyways.

I think I will include that in my handbook - thank you!

I would just write it up and then explain if she asks why. Then when she shops around, and finds that you are the a better deal, then she will agree to it.

Very good point. I know of a couple illegal providers around here that charge hourly rates that are near nothing really, but this mom does have high expectations for her child's care and I know (even by just the area/housing those providers live in) that this particular DCM wouldn't give it a second glance.

[TaylorTots]

I wouldn't hold a spot that long, you never know what will happen in that time.

It's a permanently empty spot. I don't have to fill it and have never tried to fill it.

I can offer it to the sibling for 2 months before summer (mom is a teacher so summer off) have neither child over summer and then my DD goes to Kindy in that fall when both babies come back, putting the permanantly open spot open again.

So, if DCM changes her mind along the next 10-11 months, no biggie.

[Blackcat31]

Don't add any additional "issue" to her question. She asked the rate for 2 kids.

Type up a sheet outlining the cost for both and give it to her.

I wouldn't try and add anything else or explain anything. She didn't ask.

She just wants to know the cost for two.

Let her deal with and question the info you give her AFTER she gets IF she chooses to do so.

She might be perfectly fine with the quote. There actually are a few parents out there still that DO understand why sibling discounts are silly to simply expect...kwim?

[Cradle2crayons]

She may simply be thinking that an infant will cost her more than the rate for the other child and not be thinking about a sibling discount at all. I charge more for infants so my rate would be an extra 20 bucks a week compared to the sibling.

I'd just give her the quote with a big

[Shell]

Don't add any additional "issue" to her question. She asked the rate for 2 kids.

Type up a sheet outlining the cost for both and give it to her.

I wouldn't try and add anything else or explain anything. She didn't ask.

She just wants to know the cost for two.

Let her deal with and question the info you give her AFTER she gets IF she chooses to do so.

She might be perfectly fine with the quote. There actually are a few parents out there still that DO understand why sibling discounts are silly to simply expect...kwim?

I stress about these issues, too. But, BC is right. She might just want the figure, and nothing else.

[TickleMonster]

Same situation here. Just had a dcm tell me last week that she is pregnant with her 2nd. She is due in November. I never hold spots that long (ive been burned doing that) so I told her we will continue to keep all of our spots filled and when it comes that time we will see if we have something available. I also told her the rate up front for both kids and that there are no sibling discounts. my advice is just keep it honest and simple.

[jenn]

I would just keep it short and sweet.

"My weekly rate is $135 per child. Your rate for 2 children attending will be $270 weekly."

If she later questions why there is no sibling discount, explain it then.

[LeslieG]

I would just tell her the rate for two kids.

Sometimes we create a problem that does not exist, YKWIM? Has she asked for a discount, yet?

I am often guilty of imagining the worst case scenario. :::: She may even think the infant will cost more.

I am guilty of this too sometimes!... I agree, just tell her your rate for two kids and leave it at that. If she then asks for a discount, then explain everything. As Cat Herder said, no need to create a problem that doesn't exist.