Need opinions..please

[Provider_Manda]

Ok I have been stressing and working on rates, here is what it was before $25/day 6wks-3yrs
$20/day 4+up
Before/after school $6/day

I have now came up with this
$140/week 6wks-3yrs
$115/week 4+up
$40/week before/after school

Does this look unreasonable ? My rates before was based on 9 hrs a day.

[midaycare]

I don't know your area specifically, but it still seems a little low. $115 for a week is a steal! I used to charge $125 a week when I first started and I was food I was the lowest in town by about $15 - a day!!! Are you in line with prices around you?

[Blackcat31]

Ok I have been stressing and working on rates, here is what it was before $25/day 6wks-3yrs
$20/day 4+up
Before/after school $6/day

I have now came up with this
$140/week 6wks-3yrs
$115/week 4+up
$40/week before/after school

Does this look unreasonable ? My rates before was based on 9 hrs a day.

Yes, why the drastic rate drop from age 3 to 4?

Does your area offer free preschool that you have to compete with?

[Provider_Manda]

They do offer preschool, but I just didn't know to charge a difference in age or not.. Everyone seems to ask, so I guess I just did it. I'm tryin to help my parents the best I can I guess.

[jenboo]

They do offer preschool, but I just didn't know to charge a difference in age or not.. Everyone seems to ask, so I guess I just did it. I'm tryin to help my parents the best I can I guess.

If you are going to decrease the rate when they turn 5, I couldn't decrease much... Maybe charge $125?

[NeedaVaca]

I wouldn't charge less for the 4+, I think they cost me MORE! More food, more craft supplies etc.

[melilley]

I wouldn't charge less for the 4+, I think they cost me MORE! More food, more craft supplies etc.

That's how I look at it. Around here, a lot of providers charge more for infants. I'm probably the odd one out, but I think it's more work potty training older kids and they do cost more as far as activities and food. Babies are not as much work to me (UNLESS they cry all day)....

I do charge the same for all ages.

[Provider_Manda]

So do you think $140 is reasonable for everyone as a weekly rate?

[CraftyMom]

That is a fair rate, if that is average in your area. If you want to charge a different rate for infants (I used to bc they are demanding and your schedule has to revolve around them) then I would charge the $140 for the preschoolers and $150 or $160 for infants. Infants require a lot of your time, you should be paid for your time.

[Blackcat31]

So do you think $140 is reasonable for everyone as a weekly rate?

Yes! I think $140 is a great weekly rate for ALL ages.

I would, add $5-20 more for infants. THEY are the hardest to care for, require the most supervision and set the stage for the entire day.

Not to mention that most states/providers are limited on the number of infants that can have. Because of that, I charge infants one flat weekly rate NO MATTER how much or little time the family needs.

My infant rate is $20 more than the regular weekly rate.

[Crazy8]

Rates are VERY subjective by area. What we all think is a great rate may not fly in a lower income area. You really need to look at what daycares in your area charge and be competitive with them.

If $25/day was low for your area then I would think $140/week would be fine. If you want to charge less for the 4+ I wouldn't make it a as drastic a difference. Maybe $125-130/week.

[Laurel]

Ok I have been stressing and working on rates, here is what it was before $25/day 6wks-3yrs
$20/day 4+up
Before/after school $6/day

I have now came up with this
$140/week 6wks-3yrs
$115/week 4+up
$40/week before/after school

Does this look unreasonable ? My rates before was based on 9 hrs a day.

I've always charged the same for everyone although some providers here charge more for infants. I would charge $140 for all ages.

My rate was $150 but it may be different in your area.

Laurel

[Cradle2crayons]

Ok I have been stressing and working on rates, here is what it was before $25/day 6wks-3yrs
$20/day 4+up
Before/after school $6/day

I have now came up with this
$140/week 6wks-3yrs
$115/week 4+up
$40/week before/after school

Does this look unreasonable ? My rates before was based on 9 hrs a day.

I would also do $140 a week for all ages.

Also, your after school rate doesn't seem to match your full time rate. With a full time rate of $140 a week I would charge at LEAST $50 a week. My after school rate is $50 and my full time rate is way under yours.