Early Hours

[Blackcat31]

Thanks everyone for your answers! I don't know if in my market I can be so picky, but I am curious about how the charging by pickup time works ... Anyone care to share?

I can PM you my materials if you are interested.

It shows parents how THEY can control their child care rates by picking up early.

9 out of 12 of my families has one parent dropping off and another picking up so that I rarely have a child attend over 8-8.5 hours a day. (like CMB said...they make it work because it directly affects THEIR wallet)

I work LESS hours but make the same if not MORE money than simply having open to close hours (with a daily max) and charging a flat weekly rate.

[midaycare]

I can PM you my materials if you are interested.

It shows parents how THEY can control their child care rates by picking up early.

9 out of 12 of my families has one parent dropping off and another picking up so that I rarely have a child attend over 8-8.5 hours a day. (like CMB said...they make it work because it directly affects THEIR wallet)

I work LESS hours but make the same if not MORE money than simply having open to close hours (with a daily max) and charging a flat weekly rate.

Wow! Yes please PM me! This is the perfect time for me to change something because I just lost a sibling set yesterday and I will have to interview to fill my SA's slots soon. Everyone else is part time.

[SignMeUp]

Do it! I have used a varying rate schedule too, for about ten years. I was hesitant to explain it to parents at first, but the selling point (for them) is definitely cost control. For me, it's time control ::
The hardest part of changing over for me was when I took a phone call from a prospective family and the rate question came up. I had to retrain my brain because I kept finding myself saying "I have a new rate schedule and it's complicated." No, no, no ::
Now I say, "What hours of care would you use? .... And that includes transportation time?" and then I quickly calculate the rate. I write down the times & calculation on my intake form so that there is no question about it later.

[craftymissbeth]

Okay what is this crazy talk and how does that work? Charging by pickup hour? Hmmm... I'm curious!

::
My drop offs can be anywhere between 7-9 am. I don't allow drop offs after 9.

Pickups and the corresponding weekly rate:
3:00 $90
3:15 $95
3:30 $100
3:45 $105
4:00 $110
4:15 $115
4:30 $120
4:45 $125
5:00 $130

Drop off between 5-6 am is $5 per day per child.
Pick ups between 5-6 pm is $5 per day per child.


All of my parents chose the absolute earliest time they could get someone here to pick up so they could save some $$. Like BC said, THEY are in complete control of their rates. They get to set their budget... as long as the pick up time corresponds with what they want to pay

[craftymissbeth]

Do it! I have used a varying rate schedule too, for about ten years. I was hesitant to explain it to parents at first, but the selling point (for them) is definitely cost control. For me, it's time control ::
The hardest part of changing over for me was when I took a phone call from a prospective family and the rate question came up. I had to retrain my brain because I kept finding myself saying "I have a new rate schedule and it's complicated." No, no, no ::
Now I say, "What hours of care would you use? .... And that includes transportation time?" and then I quickly calculate the rate. I write down the times & calculation on my intake form so that there is no question about it later.

That's how I answer the rate question, too. Would you mind sharing your intake form?

[Blackcat31]

Do it! I have used a varying rate schedule too, for about ten years. I was hesitant to explain it to parents at first, but the selling point (for them) is definitely cost control. For me, it's time control ::
The hardest part of changing over for me was when I took a phone call from a prospective family and the rate question came up. I had to retrain my brain because I kept finding myself saying "I have a new rate schedule and it's complicated." No, no, no ::
Now I say, "What hours of care would you use? .... And that includes transportation time?" and then I quickly calculate the rate. I write down the times & calculation on my intake form so that there is no question about it later.

My response is "Rates are individualized to meet the needs of each family. My rates however, are competitive with other area programs"

I leave it at that. If they ask for more info, I either ask them to set up an interview or send them to my web-site.

[Meyou]

Most of my parents split pick up and drop off. I rarely work past 4:45 even though I'm open until 5:30 technically. I actively interview for families that want to spend every off second with their children and I stress the importance of minimal daycare hours and maximum home time as the ideal for a happy, healthy childhood. I word this in terms that are clear including the fact that if they don't make the time then *I* will be raising their child, not them, since I will have almost all the awake hours. Getting parents to understand that perspective has worked wonders for me. People don't like the idea of someone else "raising" their child.

[midaycare]

All of this information has been so helpful - thank you everyone! :hug::hug:

[Crazy8]

I have found some teachers that even need till 5pm, or at least they say they do.

I have one family who mom is an accountant, works 9-4, four days a week. I believe she worked full time before she started having kids but this was the agreement they made to her going back. I have another who is a SAHM and picks up at 3:30, only because I won't allow a nap time pick up. And my other family is till 5. Mom's hours are flexible, she brings a lot of work home but more often than not dad picks up (and I am sure he is home a good hour before he picks up).

Last year I changed my weekly rate to reflect a 4:30 pick up time. I will charge extra to go later but I really don't want families here later so while I have one till 5pm if I find a 4:30 to replace them I will. Finding kids is hard here though, I am thinking of marketing towards teachers in the future. Maybe I can start that now for September.

[SignMeUp]

That's how I answer the rate question, too. Would you mind sharing your intake form?

I will try to figure out how to do that later today, when I am at the computer

[SignMeUp]

My rates however, are competitive with other area programs"

I can't say this because I am not competitive. I am in child care strictly for the money ::::::::

[Blackcat31]

I can't say this because I am not competitive. I am in child care strictly for the money ::::::::

Me too! :: ::

I'm also on the higher end of the rate scale in my area but the ability to control their own expenses seems to be a win-win for families here.

[SignMeUp]

Me too! :: ::

I'm also on the higher end of the rate scale in my area but the ability to control their own expenses seems to be a win-win for families here.

Same for me. And I think because we have established reputations, the quality of care is known, kwim? FCC was the main form of care when I began, and the reputation goes way back to then. I really do not often feel that I am in competition with centers like many providers here do. I am surrounded by centers, four within two blocks of me, but it does not seem to affect my calls or interviews at all.
Not that any of this pertains to this thread

[DaisyMamma]

I close at 5:00 and it took 2-3 years to get down to that hour from 630/645!

After each family changed pickup times down, even by 15 min., I just went with it and didn't give even a minute after that.
I also started telling new clients that I close at 5:00. When I got down to one family having a 5:30 pickup I just told them I prefer 5:00 now and they've made it work.
I could only dream of closing at 4:00 Or even 4:30! But my earliest drop off is 8:00, so unless I open earlier then I'm stiuck with 5.

[DaisyMamma]

I can't say this because I am not competitive. I am in child care strictly for the money ::::::::

Good for you. happyface
I will be raising my rates at the end of the summer.