Advertise Rates?

[Mom2Two]

I'm about to change my hours and I think I'll change my rate structure as well.

I want my new hours to be 7:30-5:30 but I'm a bit undecided if I'll do daily, weekly or monthly, and I'm also undecided how to "encourage" parents to keep their days as short as possible.

I've been doing hourly, which has worked well for me as a niche and has also had me having shorter days, or at least less kids here at a time.

But one of my questions is should I advertise rates? On our state licensed provider website, I don't list rates. But I'm wondering if I should mention them on a facebook page (I was thinking online yard sale page). Something like: "Rates starting at $25 for a 9 hour day."

Actually...as I typed that I felt like I didn't like it. It sounds like I'm advertising a Motel 6, . Ew. But I'm still wondering how you all handle advertising.

[Mom2Two]

P. S. I am going to read up on Daycare's and BC's rate structure and think that over.

[Sumshine]

I post pics of our daycare area and a few of our latest activities with a description of what I have to offer, where I'm located, hours etc. I use the BST FB groups a lot and my towns "Bulletin board" FB Page. I always put on there to check out my FB business page because it shows all the fun stuff we are up to and has some more details about us. I never put my rates out there. They have to inquire with me to get them

Craigslist was a total flop for me I just got a bunch of spam.

I sometimes pay to run an add from my FB business page and thay always brings some inquiries but nothing has actually followed through from it.

[LysesKids]

I post pics of our daycare area and a few of our latest activities with a description of what I have to offer, where I'm located, hours etc. I use the BST FB groups a lot and my towns "Bulletin board" FB Page. I always put on there to check out my FB business page because it shows all the fun stuff we are up to and has some more details about us. I never put my rates out there. They have to inquire with me to get them

Craigslist was a total flop for me I just got a bunch of spam.

I sometimes pay to run an add from my FB business page and thay always brings some inquiries but nothing has actually followed through from it.

I get a whole lot less Spam on CL when all I list for contact is a website ... believe me it cuts down crap when there isn't a cell or email hooked to the ad; I still show pics etc, but people actually have to go to the Web to get info - and no I don't list address or phone, just a contact page on the website... the email it gets sent to is hidden

[finsup]

When I advertise, I say "rates and hours vary based on the needs of your work schedule" then I give them a quote after they give me a schedule. That way I can set my rate accordingly. Hours I don't really want but would be willing to do gets a higher rate. Early pick ups, shorter days etc gets a slightly less rate. No one here posts rates on anything.

[Unregistered]

When I first started I didn't advertise my rates. I ended up with lots of calls but once I gave my rate half of them said it was too high (my rates are higher than most but I offer more of a preschool type care). A few years ago I started putting my rate on my website and this cut down on people that couldn't afford or didn't want to pay my rate. This helped because I got calls and enrolled families that were great families to have.

[AmyKidsCo]

I've gone back and forth. I like advertising my rates because it cuts down on the calls from people who can't or won't pay my rates.

[LysesKids]

I've gone back and forth. I like advertising my rates because it cuts down on the calls from people who can't or won't pay my rates.

This is me... I charge by the month and seeing the rates on my website immediately weeds out people that tend to pick the cheapest care

[childcaremom]

When I advertise, I say "rates and hours vary based on the needs of your work schedule" then I give them a quote after they give me a schedule. That way I can set my rate accordingly. Hours I don't really want but would be willing to do gets a higher rate. Early pick ups, shorter days etc gets a slightly less rate. No one here posts rates on anything.

This is what I do currently.

I've also debated just posting them so that I don't get the people who can't afford me.

I've also debated doing the tiered pay according to pick up times via BC and daycare.

I don't have set hours, per se, as I currently do contracted hours. I know what hours I like and will actively vet according to hours when I'm screening during busy times. If times are slow, I may consider staying open a bit later and charging higher rates for it.

[Blackcat31]

P. S. I am going to read up on Daycare's and BC's rate structure and think that over.

My website and advertising material all say "Rates are competitive for the area and are offered in a variety of ways to meet the needs of every budget"

As you know I do contracted hours and bill according to pick up time but I "sold" the entire concept to parents as a positive for them so all of them embrace it.

Those that still choose to leave their child here late, pay extra for that time and I don't mind because I am being paid extra.

Those that pick up early save themselves some money AND get the extra time with their child while I still make the same income I made previously when simply allowed open to close attendance.

I will PM you my rate sheet and the letter I used to "sell" parents this concept.

[daycarediva]

I've gone back and forth. I like advertising my rates because it cuts down on the calls from people who can't or won't pay my rates.

I only advertise my FT rates and put contact for a quote on PT care (bc my PT rates vary)

BC can you PM that to me as well? I am thinking of going that route when I reopen.

[childcaremom]

My website and advertising material all say "Rates are competitive for the area and are offered in a variety of ways to meet the needs of every budget"

As you know I do contracted hours and bill according to pick up time but I "sold" the entire concept to parents as a positive for them so all of them embrace it.

Those that still choose to leave their child here late, pay extra for that time and I don't mind because I am being paid extra.

Those that pick up early save themselves some money AND get the extra time with their child while I still make the same income I made previously when simply allowed open to close attendance.

I will PM you my rate sheet and the letter I used to "sell" parents this concept.

Can you pm me as well? thanks

[LysesKids]

My website and advertising material all say "Rates are competitive for the area and are offered in a variety of ways to meet the needs of every budget"

As you know I do contracted hours and bill according to pick up time but I "sold" the entire concept to parents as a positive for them so all of them embrace it.

Those that still choose to leave their child here late, pay extra for that time and I don't mind because I am being paid extra.

Those that pick up early save themselves some money AND get the extra time with their child while I still make the same income I made previously when simply allowed open to close attendance.

I will PM you my rate sheet and the letter I used to "sell" parents this concept.

Could you PM me too.. I need to change a few things around here; how well does this work if you charge by the month?

[renodeb]

I never advertise my rates. I guess I just feel like if they at least call me about dc I can give them information.
Debbie

[Sumshine]

My website and advertising material all say "Rates are competitive for the area and are offered in a variety of ways to meet the needs of every budget"

As you know I do contracted hours and bill according to pick up time but I "sold" the entire concept to parents as a positive for them so all of them embrace it.

Those that still choose to leave their child here late, pay extra for that time and I don't mind because I am being paid extra.

Those that pick up early save themselves some money AND get the extra time with their child while I still make the same income I made previously when simply allowed open to close attendance.

I will PM you my rate sheet and the letter I used to "sell" parents this concept.

Can you pm me this too??? I have an interview tomorrow night with my new hour based rates and I'm trying to "sell" it as well! Wondering if maybe your sheet will help make sure what I have typed up to attach to my rate breakdown is truly "selling" it to the parents