Need Advice on What to Charge

[Orie]

Hi,
I am hoping some of you can give me advice on what to charge a family. I have a new baby starting on Monday. She has a 3 year old brother who has been coming to me for over a year now. They have a guaranteed 4 day a week spot for him in my day care, that they pay me for each week regardless if their 3 year old son comes to day care or not. He has been coming to day care most of the days while his mom has been on maternity leave.
I have been holding a spot in my day care for this infant for almost a year now, since the mom found out she was pregnant. I have not charged anything to the family for holding this spot.
So, here is my question. They are contracting me for a guaranteed 4 days a week for care for their infant, just as they are for their 3 year old son. The first two weeks she is coming they only want to bring her 2 days one week, and 3 the other week. She is now asking me if she has to pay the full 4 day rate, or can she just pay me for the actual days she is coming the first two weeks. I feel like I should charge her the full 4 day rate, as I have been holding this spot for so long for their baby. What would you do? I just want to be fair. After the first 2 weeks, they know that they will always have to guarantee me payment for 4 days a week, regardless if the baby comes or not I feel that whenever I am nice and give someone a break, I end up getting taken advantage of.

[Blackcat31]

You already held the space for a loooong time for free.

I would charge ALL infants (because infant space is hard to come by) one flat weekly rate.

They can bring the child 1 or 5 day but the rate is the same.

I would explain to her rates are based on enrollment NOT attendance.

[Crazy8]

Her start date is ______. She starts paying her contracted weekly rate on that date regardless of how many times each week she wants to bring her. Remind her that she is free to use all of those days if she would like but yes, her weekly fee is due when the child starts.

[Chellieleanne]

I personally charge daily however in your case with holding the spot for so long I would let her know that you are charging the normal rate due to holding her spot for x amount of time at no charge. Also that she is free to bring infant for the four contracted days each week as well since you will be charging the full fee.

[Orie]

Thank you all for answering my question. After 14 years of being in this business, I really knew what I should do, but I sometimes question myself when it comes to keeping things business like. It is good to know that there are others in this business that understand what we go through.