Maybe I Made a Mistake

[Thriftylady]

Oh I ordered an ebook today written by someone we all know!

[daycare]

I am doing something similar, only I don't offer them an enrollment fee unless I plan to offer the spot I don't feel right doing that. But if these parents want the spot, it is a $25 enrollment fee that pays for my ink and paper. Only after that do they get the enrollment paperwork. I just had to many people this time and before when I did daycare taking all my paperwork and then I never heard from them again it gets to expensive. Then before care starts I require the first week paid in full and arrangements made on the deposit (a weeks care applied to last week IF they give notice). I don't require the deposit all upfront, but I do make the payment plan part of the contract.

i never used to charge the 25 fee for the application until i added up all the hours i spent doing tours that I don't charge for...... Some of these people really over stay their tour. Some have valid questions and it's good conversation.

i wanted to find a way to be able to get paid for that time and i decided that I would charge and application fee. It is normal in my area.

[Shell]

I was in a similar situation about two months ago, where I strongly considered taking on a family for cheap, weekends included.

All my family and friends said no way, but I needed income, so I was about to say yes.

I thought about everyone on here, and I felt most would say it wasn't worth it.

I decided to pass- something just made me think they would take advantage, pick up late, etc. These were older kids that could have gone into an afterschool program theoretically, so I figured mom must be trying to pull something funny.

Your family time is so much more worth it and I think you did the right thing passing.

I happened to sign on a new family shortly after.

Love daycare's idea of charging the fee to cover your time spent interviewing. Sometimes I charge a fee, and sometimes not, but this seems perfectly logical, so I will be charging moving forward.

[Unregistered]

I used to work every other Saturday. It made me hateful and bitter.

[Unregistered]

When I interview I give a rate sheet that includes ALL fees.
I don't give paperwork until the enrollment meeting. At that meeting, the enrollment fee + deposit is due. All of that info is on the rate sheet.
That fee covers my time during the meeting plus my paperwork & policy book, plus the time I spend developing my paperwork. No one has ever complained, maybe because they know it all upfront.

[daycarediva]

Unless they are 18, neither can sign the contract as is... they need one of their parents to co-sign , regardless of being a family themselves

I think this may vary by state. I was a teen mother, and I was legally emancipated. I could sign as an adult.

[Thriftylady]

I think this may vary by state. I was a teen mother, and I was legally emancipated. I could sign as an adult.

I am assuming this is the case, they have bought a house and are moving into it this weekend. Or they may both be 18 my son was when he graduated because of his December birthday. When I say bought a house his grandfather helped with money for one they have been fixing up at auction.

[LysesKids]

I think this may vary by state. I was a teen mother, and I was legally emancipated. I could sign as an adult.

I was emancipated and still couldn't sign for an apt at age 17... depends on the state I guess. FYI, I was not in TN at the time

[Thriftylady]

I turned d 18 when I was pregnant so I never had the issue.

[Thriftylady]

I don't feel so bad now. I am on the phone with DH and told him about this. He said "so basically she wants to farm out her kids.". That wasn't how I had thought of it but maybe so .

[Josiegirl]

Wow, she'll be lucky to get good daycare. Does she actually work on Saturdays or looking for a babysitter so she can get that day free and clear? I'm shocked 175 for 3 kids, a week. No way Jose.

Couple years ago I tried working Saturdays, 3 boys. State paid so it was reliable and decent pay. It'd have to be a pretty special dcf to do that again. Like a PP I became bitter and hateful. The dcks were terrible(well 2 out of 3 were) and the dcm extremely difficult.

[Gemma]

Personally i wouldn't have interviewed at all if someone said 175 week for 3 kids...

That^
...not to mention the nice weather is coming and I sure wouldn't want to be working all day on Saturday!

[Thriftylady]

I haven't interviewed, it was just a facebook message contact.

[LindseyA]

I'm so glad you didn't interview! I just got 2 new daycare kids (brothers) starting April 1st, fulltime monday thru Friday and I'm charging $200 even. One of them is potty trained and the other is on the verge, so no diapers soon, hopefully. The dcm was shocked that my price was so "cheap"! It's so refreshing to get a dcf that understands good care costs money! I can't even fathom getting a message for 3 kids for 175! I am very proud of you for deciding that your services are worth more than that! Even though you could use the money! I was in the same boat as you a month ago... Must be a dry spell this year! Until I booked this new family of 2 full timers! Good things are coming for you! Just wait!

[Thriftylady]

DD is home today and I have my grandson for awhile. Actually DS got off work half an hour after mom dropped him off and called me and I told DS to leave him for a bit. GS is in a great mood today happy as a clam and I am loving it . Anyway DD has got my website started and has me working on it some and it isn't as hard as I thought it seemed! It is going to be time consuming though! I am hoping in a few days to have it turned on. Anyone have examples they wouldn't mind showing me of theirs? BC's is awesome!