What would you charge?

[williams2008]

I have a parent who informed me on last night that her schedule will change during the summer. Right now she is contracted for 7:30-4:00 everyday. This summer her schedule will be 6a-6p 3 days one week and 2 days another. I don't open until 7 and most of my kids are gone by 5:45.

Would you consider this change in schedule and if so what would you charge? Right now she pays $80.00 a week. Thanks for your help!

[jenboo]

If you are willing to accommodate the long hours and don't think you will regret it later, I would still charge her $80.

[williams2008]

If you are willing to accommodate the long hours and don't think you will regret it later, I would still charge her $80.

That's the thing, I used to open at 6 everyday and it made for such a long day. Since it would only be 3 days one week and 2 days another, I'm thinking it may be okay.

[spinnymarie]

12 hours is a crazy long day. I charge $5/hour after 9 hours a day.
I'd do something similar, or maybe just an extra $20 each week while she keeps that schedule.

[williams2008]

12 hours is a crazy long day. I charge $5/hour after 9 hours a day.
I'd do something similar, or maybe just an extra $20 each week while she keeps that schedule.

So you would charge her $100 a week instead of $80? When she asked me about it, my first thought was to charge her more because of the longer hours, but then I thought about dck would only be here 3 days one week and 2 another.

The dcm has somehow figured in her head that she will be only paying $16 a day for the days dcg comes. How she figured that, IDK, but she's wrong.::

[Leigh]

I would charge a premium for opening an hour early-make it something that is worth it to YOU to have the longer day and to wake up an hour earlier. I would charge at LEAST $50 extra per week to open at 6AM.

[butterfly]

I wouldn't accommodate it. - especially in the summer. I value my time too much. In my experience the 2 or 3 days a week ends up turning into 5 days per week - "because they are paying anyways". It wouldn't be worth it to me. I'd wish them well in their search for other daycare. However, if you are willing to do it - you need to charge for it!!

[williams2008]

I would charge a premium for opening an hour early-make it something that is worth it to YOU to have the longer day and to wake up an hour earlier. I would charge at LEAST $50 extra per week to open at 6AM.

I surely wouldn't mind getting up for a extra $50 a week!

[williams2008]

I wouldn't accommodate it. - especially in the summer. I value my time too much. In my experience the 2 or 3 days a week ends up turning into 5 days per week - "because they are paying anyways". It wouldn't be worth it to me. I'd wish them well in their search for other daycare. However, if you are willing to do it - you need to charge for it!!

I haven't even thought of the 2 to 3 days turning into 5 days because of the " I'm paying anyway". Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

[NeedaVaca]

So you would charge her $100 a week instead of $80? When she asked me about it, my first thought was to charge her more because of the longer hours, but then I thought about dck would only be here 3 days one week and 2 another.

The dcm has somehow figured in her head that she will be only paying $16 a day for the days dcg comes. How she figured that, IDK, but she's wrong.::

$80/5 days is $16. She must think you will break it down the same way. $16 for a 12 hour day plus all the food-no thanks! She is still taking a spot, it's hard to find PT to fill in the gaps. I would charge her the same or even extra for the early mornings and very long days.

[craftymissbeth]

My area's rates are similar to yours. I open at 7' but am willing to open between 6 am and 7 am for an extra $5 per day per child. I close at 5 but I'm willing to stay open between 5-6 pm for an extra $5 per day per child.

So if my base rate was $80 per week (I don't have part time rates) then their new rate would be $100 for the 2 days and $110 for the 3 days.

[Unregistered]

If you think you would be able to get another child to replace this child I would tell her sorry that you can't accommodate her new hours.

[MarinaVanessa]

I have a parent who informed me on last night that her schedule will change during the summer. Right now she is contracted for 7:30-4:00 everyday. This summer her schedule will be 6a-6p 3 days one week and 2 days another. I don't open until 7 and most of my kids are gone by 5:45.

Would you consider this change in schedule and if so what would you charge? Right now she pays $80.00 a week. Thanks for your help!

So right now she's paying $80/week for 9 hrs/day and 45 hrs/week (I'm cringing btw). That breaks down to $1.78/hr.

If she were my client I would consider the following choices:

#1 She can pay 3 days a week flat rate with a choice to be able to bring him that 3rd day on that every other week or not. Her spot is guaranteed.

#2 She can pay 2 days a week flat rate and a higher drop-in rate for that 3rd day that she needs every other week.

#3 Even though her pick up time now is 4pm each day to me that's FT because she goes 5 days a week and for me my FT clients pay less (when broken down hourly) than my PT clients. She's reducing her hours and going from 5 days a week to 2-3 days per week. I would think about charging a higher hourly rate for 2-3 days/week.

Either way if you now typically start at 7am-7:30am and you are comfortable with that yet are open minded about opening up an hour earlier for her then I would charge the drop in rate for that 6am-7am hour then the regular rate after that.

6am-7am hour = $5
7am-6pm = 11 hours x 1.78 = $19.58
$19.58 + $5 = $24.58 per day

2 days/wk = $24.58 x 2 = $49.16
3 days/wk = $24.58 x 3 = $73.74
Drop-In = $5/hr x 12/hrs = $60
You can offer a discount drop-in daily rate of like $40 or something.

So she can either pay:
$73.74/wk for 3 days each week or
$49.16 for 2 days one week and $89.16 for 3 days (because of drop in rate of $40/day) the next week

Of course the drop in rate would be based on your local rates (mine is $6/hr and mid-range for my area).

Take into consideration that even though you will only be opening early 2-3 days a week those are still long hours. You should make it worth your while. And I definitely think that your client is now FT and so if she is reducing her hours you should charge her a higher hourly rate. Personally I would increase it by rounding it up so for me (based on your rates) I would offer:

6am-7am hour = $5
7am-6pm = 11 hours x $2 = $22
$22 + $5 = $27 per day

2 days/wk = $27 x 2 = $54
3 days/wk = $27 x 3 = $81
Drop-In daily rate= $40

[williams2008]

If you think you would be able to get another child to replace this child I would tell her sorry that you can't accommodate her new hours.

I love this idea!!

[bklsmum]

I have a parent who informed me on last night that her schedule will change during the summer. Right now she is contracted for 7:30-4:00 everyday. This summer her schedule will be 6a-6p 3 days one week and 2 days another. I don't open until 7 and most of my kids are gone by 5:45.

Would you consider this change in schedule and if so what would you charge? Right now she pays $80.00 a week. Thanks for your help!

I would go up to at least $100 a week since it is a lot more hours daily and it is such an early start.