How Much To Charge

[midaycare]

I want to find out what home daycares are charging in my area, but no one posts their prices. I tried to ask someone, but they looked at me like I had 3 heads and wouldn't tell me.

I think I can raise prices by as much as $15- $30 a week. Not for current clients, but new ones.

How to be a sleuth and figure out prices?

I've tried Craigslist - that's just for crazies around here (I will take all of your babies for $3 a day!)

[Blackcat31]

I want to find out what home daycares are charging in my area, but no one posts their prices. I tried to ask someone, but they looked at me like I had 3 heads and wouldn't tell me.

I think I can raise prices by as much as $15- $30 a week. Not for current clients, but new ones.

How to be a sleuth and figure out prices?

I've tried Craigslist - that's just for crazies around here (I will take all of your babies for $3 a day!)

Do you have a friend or family member that can call and ask? As a potential parent looking for care?

I know that many providers hate that but I see it as either post your rates so families can make an educated decision on whether your program fees fit their budget or don't.

But those providers that are hesitant to be transparent in my area are ALWAYS looking to fill spaces...

I want a family to know before they waste my time if my rates work for them or not.

You could always create a "fake" email account and email them all asking what their rates are....again as a potential parent.

My community of provider's used to be very competitive/secretive over all but since several long time veteran providers have retired, the new group of providers is much more open to sharing and supporting verses being so competitive. I think it benefits everyone to share and support.

[midaycare]

Do you have a friend or family member that can call and ask? As a potential parent looking for care?

I know that many providers hate that but I see it as either post your rates so families can make an educated decision on whether your program fees fit their budget or don't.

But those providers that are hesitant to be transparent in my area are ALWAYS looking to fill spaces...

I want a family to know before they waste my time if my rates work for them or not.

You could always create a "fake" email account and email them all asking what their rates are....again as a potential parent.

My community of provider's used to be very competitive/secretive over all but since several long time veteran providers have retired, the new group of providers is much more open to sharing and supporting verses being so competitive. I think it benefits everyone to share and support.

I'm really trying not to get someone to call. I would hate it if someone did that to me.

Daycares are in such high demand right now that people can't go to work.

[MarinaVanessa]

Try calling your local child care resource and referral agency. Typically they can send you average rates per city/county etc.

[LysesKids]

I want to find out what home daycares are charging in my area, but no one posts their prices. I tried to ask someone, but they looked at me like I had 3 heads and wouldn't tell me.

I think I can raise prices by as much as $15- $30 a week. Not for current clients, but new ones.

How to be a sleuth and figure out prices?

I've tried Craigslist - that's just for crazies around here (I will take all of your babies for $3 a day!)

I go to the state daycare websites to see the most recent Market rate survey & the subsidy payouts; here in TN the voucher rates haven't increased in years but I also found out from the market survey a few years back that I am still at about the 75% mark for infants in my county. I did the same for MO & AR when I lived there

[Leigh]

I go to the state daycare websites to see the most recent Market rate survey & the subsidy payouts; here in TN the voucher rates haven't increased in years but I also found out from the market survey a few years back that I am still at about the 75% mark for infants in my county. I did the same for MO & AR when I lived there

the state reimburses less than I charge, but the market rate survey does help me find out what others are charging.

[LysesKids]

the state reimburses less than I charge, but the market rate survey does help me find out what others are charging.

Oh the subsidy rate here isn't worth going by if you are legally licensed exempt; I get almost twice what the state pays, but the Market rate is really helpful. I just wish they did it yearly or at least every 2 years

[midaycare]

Oh the subsidy rate here isn't worth going by if you are legally licensed exempt; I get almost twice what the state pays, but the Market rate is really helpful. I just wish they did it yearly or at least every 2 years

I need to find this market rate! Having trouble, but I will take another look at naptime. Thanks!

[Max]

Difference between ages

How much of a difference is normal to charge between ages? I'm sure that, to a degree, it depends on the area...

For example, the old town I lived in there was a $45 difference in weekly rate between an infant/toddler and a preschooler. This was at one provider.

Where I live now (25 min away from the old town) the average weekly infant rate is only $23 more than a preschooler (pulled these rates from our state's site on rates - https://www.thinksmall.org/for_early..._and_marketing )

Right now I have my rates written with a $28 difference between infant and preschooler, and since there is a high demand, I wonder if I'm undercharging for an infant opening :confused:

[Annalee]

Oh the subsidy rate here isn't worth going by if you are legally licensed exempt; I get almost twice what the state pays, but the Market rate is really helpful. I just wish they did it yearly or at least every 2 years

TN has a wide range of pricing/cost of living across the state, though! Two counties one way get triple what I get, two counties another way get half what i get, etc. When I did take state kids, the client had to match what I charged or I did not keep them. They need to update those subsidy rates but not gonna happen! The stars do offer a higher rate for subsidy pay but still not acceptable in my opinion. Not sure how other states are when it comes to child care pay!

[daycarediva]

Market rates. I also called centers. It's illegal to price set, which is why I think providers are hesitant to give rates to other providers. I list mine right on my website. Saves time.

Max- do a flat rate if you can get away with it. Make it a little towards the high end for infants and keep it throughout the entire time the child is with you. Infants are more work, but preschoolers eat more and use more supplies, so it evens out.

[laundrymom]

I'd put a post on your local FB sale
Site.
Hey, what's the going rate for ft daycare in town.
You'll get responses.

[Max]

Max- do a flat rate if you can get away with it. Make it a little towards the high end for infants and keep it throughout the entire time the child is with you. Infants are more work, but preschoolers eat more and use more supplies, so it evens out.

I never thought of that (preschoolers using more so it evens out)! Good point

[Blackcat31]

How much of a difference is normal to charge between ages? I'm sure that, to a degree, it depends on the area...

For example, the old town I lived in there was a $45 difference in weekly rate between an infant/toddler and a preschooler. This was at one provider.

Where I live now (25 min away from the old town) the average weekly infant rate is only $23 more than a preschooler (pulled these rates from our state's site on rates - https://www.thinksmall.org/for_early..._and_marketing )

Right now I have my rates written with a $28 difference between infant and preschooler, and since there is a high demand, I wonder if I'm undercharging for an infant opening :confused:

I do like Diva said and charge a flat rate for infants/toddlers. Once they turn two, the rate options are available. But since infant/toddler space is super hard to find, I charge a flat rate.

What are you thinking of charging for infants? If you would rather PM me, feel free... I can shed light on whether you are short changing yourself or under charging.

[Max]

What are you thinking of charging for infants? If you would rather PM me, feel free... I can shed light on whether you are short changing yourself or under charging.

Thanks BC! I sent a PM