Tweet
I am opening my first home daycare. I am operating it as a preschool. (I am only taking ages 3-5) I have all of my licensing, I have my Masters in Education, and I have worked in public schools and in a daycare center. Every time someone asks my rate, they balk. I am charging $125 per week. That is NOT as much as local centers but as soon as I tell a parent the price, they disappear. Today, I decided to tell a parent $25 per day hoping it sounds less daunting. I have a dedicated space, curriculum, and years of experience and I cannot lower my rates. I am nervous I won't get any clients and my husband is ready to kill me for leaving my job to do this. Are my rates way out of line??
-
-
Where do you live and what are the home daycares in your area charing, the daycare centers, and preschools?
I operate much like you plan to, but with 2-5. I am only $5 cheaper/week than the center for 3's and 4's, but I am about $25 cheaper for 2's. I am the same rate or a little bit more expensive (by $5 both ways) than all in-home daycares here. -
How many hours per week do you offer at that price? Here 50+ hours would be expected.
- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.
Comment
-
Once you prove yourself you'll get them calling and not balking. I only have an associates but I have a good reputation for getting the kids ready for kindergarten. Once you start sending them to kindergarten the school teachers will be able to see how well prepared the kids are.Comment
-
Is this half day? full day? How many days a week? Hours?
You sound awesome
Part of it is not having any kids enrolled yet. Parents like to feel they are getting a much sought over spot.
Comment
-
My question was also about the hours. If it is full time it probably is close to in line I would think. If not, then it may be high.Comment
-
Sorry- my hours are Monday-Friday from 7:30am to 5:30pm. I am cheaper than centers as they offer 2 or 3 day preschools for $90 with additional "daycare" charged per hour putting them over my rates.
I know I will be fine once I get 2 or 3 children but my husband is getting less impressed with this "dream" of mine by the minute. The stress is unreal. This site has been amazing for ideas and support.
Thanks everyone!Comment
-
Oops! I am in Western Pennsylvania.Comment
-
Tell your hubby it takes time!!! I had a daycare before 10 years or so ago in Kansas and am reopening here in Ohio. I reopened in August. I had one kiddo for a week until mom didn't want to pay me. I just signed on my second family for drop in on weekends today. It just takes time. Agonizing, hard time.Comment
-
How long have you been looking for families?
Some months it is really tough to find families and other months I am turning away people left and right because I am full.
Even if you are the cheapest place in town, you'll still have parents balk at your rates because they want the most for their money...it seems most don't want to pay at all.
Play up your curriculum and emphasize your experience and education. Offer to email them the info (rates) they requested and then slip the rates in between some info about your wonderful program so they will see what they are getting for their money.
I dunno...you sound good on paper to me. Around here your rates would be pretty awesome but that depends on your area.
Comment
-
I would lower your rate to get people in the door. Once you build a positive reputation and show what you are worth, people will be knocking down the doors.
It took me a good 4.5 years to really make a good chunk of money teaching preschool.
I recently went from 215 a week to $260............... I have worked my tail end off for it though. I also consulted Nannyde, who really opened my eyes about what I was really making and that I was worth way more than I was charging.
Old clients are still paying the old rate, they will have a slight increase at the new year. New clients are coming in at the much higher rate.
I am in Expensive CA, so at $260, I am still below all centers....Comment
-
In November and December there will be an influx of "red flag" families that jump care due to their providers, earned, paid vacation. They don't want to keep their word and will maliciously leave them short of income during the holidays. Happens every year.
Is it fair? No.
BUT this can be an opportunity for you to at least get some initial enrollment. No "golden" parent wants their kid to be the experiment kid..
Plan to replace the "red flag" families with others ASAP because they will have already shown you they are unreliable.
*** No guilt as they will have earned their own karma. :
:::
Make them pre-pay for services!!!! That would normally be unsaid, but JIC.- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.Comment
-
Thanks everyone!
Yes, I am absolutely making them pre-pay.
Also, this weekend there is a Women's Expo at the mall so I am going to grab a stack of flyers and business cards and head out.
This area is economically depressed however, I am appropriately priced given my education/experience. When I taught in public school, I paid $250 a week for my oldest to be in a center. I was happy to pay because we had 2 nightmarish experiences previously and I never had an issue with the final place. I guess I just have to be patient.Comment
-
I worked in a center prior to this and trust me...they don't respect you any more if you work in a center.Comment
Comment