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Been one of my families since the beginning, now there are a total of 4 kids. They are also very good friends of ours outside of daycare. Love the kids to death, but why do I feel terrible charging them what I do?? And it's only $20 per day per kid for summer which are 10 hour days, includes breakfast, lunch, snacks, drinks all day. But I just feel blah each week as I take a check from them. I know they struggle, but I can't do anything less. They have never asked for anything less, just joked about it a few times. I guess my heart is just too big...
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That's ridiculously inexpensive. When you have kids, it costs money. When you have more than one kid, of course it costs more. I think they knew what they were getting into with four kids. I have 4 myself and it IS expensive. That's also one of the reasons I became a provider myself. 3 in daycare with the going rate of $20 for my SA, $30 for my preschooler, $30 for my toddler and then $40 for my infant....I was working to pay for gas and daycare. -
I know what you mean BUT they chose to have the kids, they choose to both work, they hopefully knew it would be costly having kids.
Is there a chance they'd qualify for subsidy or any help financially?
You are being MORE than reasonable with your rates. This is a job where it's so difficult to stay 100% business because it involves families with children.
I had a dcm that worked just for her insurance, the rest of the paycheck went to me.
I always felt guilty but then thought why doesn't she open her own daycare and stay home? Well, she did quit her job and open a daycare but quit after a couple years. 
Guess what I'm saying your job is hard, darn hard, and can be quite tedious. But you chose to do child care, she chose to go out and work. You earn every cent. Just curious, is that the going rate in your area?
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Don't feel bad - you work hard! I work from 6:45 am-6:45 pm 5 days a week. And after that I have to clean up and plan for the next day. This is not easy and it takes a special person to be able to do it.Comment
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Remember, at the end of the day, this is a business! I have a fam who sends me a check each week during the summer...I am on their 4th child as well, the older 2 are in school. I have had this fam for 7 years since the oldest was 11 months old and they have paid every summer without bringing their kids to me. I know these families are few and far between sometimes but they are the ones who truly appreciate us! happyfaceComment
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this would never happen in a regular job setting, even if these friends where your employer or superior. You earned your money, childcare is not free, end of story. These arent friends that you are taking advantage of, these are clients that WILLINGLY put their children in your care. They are more than fortunate to have such cheap rates with a provider they know very well and who clearly loves the whole family. I feel bad for you, not them, because I dont think you get paid enough!Comment
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Besides, think about it....they're going to pay someone to care for their children anyways, it might as well be a good friend who they love and trust!! It's win-win for both sides!Comment
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That's why when I did my home dc I never took in friends or family. Family wanted free service and friends wanted ridiculously low prices. Back when NJ didn't have the five children cap, I notice the providers who took in friends and family were the ones who has the most behavior issues. Funny enough, I had a woman marry into my family who owns a licensed center. She would take in friends and family for very low prices and compensate by charging more to the other parents. She actually told a family who confronted her on when it was slipped out, as these things never stay secret for long, "What do you expect? Your children aren't anything to me".Comment
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Wow. I charge $40/day. Sometimes $35/day.
Its a lot that they pay you but they each take up a space. There's not much you can do. They shouldnt joke about it, that's disrespectful to you and likely why you feel bad.Comment
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