Daily rates, food and pt vs ft?

[Chellieleanne]

I am trying to come up with my rates (and policies and contact)for when I am ready to take on new kids after a break I am taking in September for an undetermined time.

Right now I charge $20/day up to 10 hours with a minimum of 4. Less than 4 hours is $10. And sibling rate for when both kids are in my care is $10 additional per day.

Rates around here I have seen as low as $10/ day and up to $30/day for one child. Sibling discounts that are posted, are half the rate for one child.

I include food for toddlers and older and am thinking I should increase my rates a little bit more to help cover that cost more or have parents supply food( but rather not since I know allergies and all that it is easier for me to just prepare for everyone). Infants are the same rate but must supply all food(jar, finger foods, until child can handle table food).

Is it better to have a flat weekly rate or just charge by the days in attendance? Especially since when I start up again I want to be paid in advance as I have my part time dcg who is almost a month late (payment schedule was to be the end of the month) and I already did a reminder. Will be doing one more next week with a notice that she will not be allowed to come unless I am paid at drop off for the day.

Sorry if none of this makes sense, I had today off so my mind is not focusing today just ask if I need to clarify.

I am doing this for extra cash right now(legally unlicensed) and probably will not be licensed for a while until my kids are older as they will count in my ratios with the large family home license. I just want to get prepared, I am already aware of my laws regarding childcare but need to establish policies

[cheerfuldom]

You really need to streamline all this asap for your own sanity!

I would not do partial day rates at all because that is going to be more work for you. This will weed out the people coming and going at all hours as well as those that are wanting drop in type care like two hours a day for three days a week......too disruptive and takes up space you can give to someone that is there more often! If they want to come a partial day, they still pay the full days rate (which some parents will do! less work for you but same pay)

I would do one weekly rate for full time care to be paid regardless of attendance. you pay for the spot. that is the only way to insure reliable income. payment is due always in advance. most providers do payment each Friday for the coming week.

I would do part timers with a daily rate. The daily rate is higher than the full time rate divided by 5. So in my case, full time care is $140 a week. I charge part timers $30 a day, to keep it simple for me. I require part timers to give me consistent schedule and do not allow switching days. If you schedule M/TH/F, those are the days that will be reserved for you each week. Payment is due the first day of care for that week's care (so, always in advance!) If you take someone that needs every day availability but only wants to pay for three days a week, you are losing money on that family. you cant fill the other two days because you committed to leave every day open for a rotating schedule.

It sounds like you want to provide all food. That is fine. Whatever you do, make up your mind and be firm. Do whatever is easiest for you! Definitely charge for this.

If you can get the number of kids you want without providing a sibling rate, do it. Sibling rates eat into your income and if you are only keeping a small number of children and the demand is decent, you wont need to discount anything in order to be full. I personally dont do sibling discount.

If you are legally unlicensed, established provider who provides meals and has a decent setup, charge higher than the mid range on care. So I would raise rates to $25 a day. If I gave a discount, it certainly wouldnt be half off!

[renodeb]

I don't do a 1/2 day rate or a sibling rate. I charge $40 a day. I supply all foods, diapers and wipes. I think of it like this, if parents added up all the cost for diapers/wipes and foods there actually getting a good deal here. If they ask why no discount for the half day tell them that you can't fill the other hours with some one else. Also if they ask why no sibling discount tell them that they dont get less care while there at your house. I think 25 a day is more than fair.

[rosieteddy]

I am in Ma. we get a lot for a day.That being said I do charge a little less for full time. Part time is schedule days -Mon.Wed.Fri.at the three day rate. I would not offer half days,to disruptive. I do give a sibling rate of 10% off.My daycare provider friend when asked about sibling discounts allways says do you get a discount on the second happy meal? She does not provide lunches and sometimes I envy her.She makes more per week and doesn't have to be sure to food shop after a busy weekend. I would also suggest at least25.00 per day . I am paid the last Monday of the month for the next month .This way noone attends without paying .Originnally it was pay on thursday for the next week. Hope this helps /you are in a great place to make some fair changes ,go for it. Nan

[Chellieleanne]

I have only done the $10 pay once as she was here two hours. And come to find out I will be having her and her sister(sister is 7) so I don't exactly want to change rates now. I did let mom know that I will be unavailable after sept 15 for an undetermined time so I can prepare for my baby due the19th of September. I don't think mom was happy to hear but that is on her, she did know I was pregnant and this is quite a few months notice :: However when I am ready to come back (thinking two weeks after baby is born) I will have a contract in place for mom to sign and agree to as well as policies in place regarding payment. He schedule varies with the kids dad(not together) so days vary unfortunately as he doesn't get notice until day of for his schedule. I am just going to keep my same pay by the day in attendance, increase my rate to $25/day effective September (when I come back) to help more with food costs. And change to pay by Monday the week following care before I will accept for attendance again. That way I don't have any more of this not paying on agreed dates. As for sibling rate I will have to decide something since the sibling is school age so it is rare I have her.

Providing food is easier for me because kids can't fight over s/he has something different and they want it but their mom didn't pack it. I don't provide infant stuff or diapers or anything like that. I might start once I do get licensed though to preserve my sanity and make sure every kid has supplies here and not worry about parents forgetting. Like dcb I have and mom has forgotten extra pants for him


I need to set up my computer again so I can start typing up. Ipad just doesn't cut it for documents ! I do have a handbook started though that I am writing by hand so I have something to go off of. And of course changing things on the way as I get advice and learn. Thank you!

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