"But You CAN'T Be Out Of Diapers Yet!"

[Pestle]

I'm switching to providing my own. Partly because I don't want to deal with arguing with parents over whether or not I could possibly have used all the diapers they brought. I had a text fight with a parent over whether or not they were going to make me wait until the right size diapers arrived in the mail later in the week!

It's coming from two of my parents at this point. Anybody else have parents react with incredulity that you've run out of diapers?

[Leigh]

I'm switching to providing my own. Partly because I don't want to deal with arguing with parents over whether or not I could possibly have used all the diapers they brought. I had a text fight with a parent over whether or not they were going to make me wait until the right size diapers arrived in the mail later in the week!

It's coming from two of my parents at this point. Anybody else have parents react with incredulity that you've run out of diapers?

I have. It's why I have started providing EVERYTHING myself. I raised my rates by $17.50 per week and buy it all myself. I figured that everything comes to about $7 per child when I spread it across the group, so I profit $10.50 per week, per child, and I no longer fight with parents over diapers, wipes, sunscreen, etc.

[finsup]

I have. It's why I have started providing EVERYTHING myself. I raised my rates by $17.50 per week and buy it all myself. I figured that everything comes to about $7 per child when I spread it across the group, so I profit $10.50 per week, per child, and I no longer fight with parents over diapers, wipes, sunscreen, etc.

Yup, I did the same for the same types of reasons. Got tired of the arguments and threats of turning away at the door, then the rude attitudes etc. Raised rates and covered it myself, much less stress on my part!

[Pestle]

So are they just leaving their kids to stew at home, or do you think they change diapers reasonably often at home but don't pay as close attention to how many they're using? I wouldn't consider "my child's genitalia" a good place to cut costs. Rash treatment isn't exactly cost-effective, if you're going to be THAT utilitarian.

[mommyneedsadayoff]

I have never had this issue. They OVER supply with me diapers and I have to find a space to store them!

There is usually an estimated number of diapers you will go through each day/week, so it should not be so surprising when they need to be refilled. If it is an issue, I would tell them you will begin providing diapers at $$ extra per week. And then you get to control the type and amount you use and they don't have to worry about it! Win Win!happyface

For infants, I average about 4-5 per day. For toddlers, it is closer to 3-4. This is in a 9-10 hour time period. Of course, I change them in between if needed.

[Cat Herder]

I had more issues with parents providing the wrong size.

The smaller size you buy, the more that are in the pack.

Yep, we are all on to those parents, too.

[Pestle]

I had more issues with parents providing the wrong size.

The smaller size you buy, the more that are in the pack.

Yep, we are all on to those parents, too.

And the poop stains that result don't seem to be a deterrent.

[Silly Songs]

In childcare centers, we are required to change infants and toddlers every 2 hours. We went through many diapers per day. If we ran out, after reminders, we would use another child's stash and then replace them when a parent finally brought them in. Naturally, the supply would get low quickly after giving back the ones we borrowed.

[bklsmum]

I used to have parents that would complain until I changed my policy to one large sleeve per month dropped of the last Friday of the month before they are being used. Last time I raised my rates I figured in the cost of extra diapers for each kid and I just supply if they go over the sleeve but most don't, usually I have extra and we change every two hours or more as needed.

[AmyKidsCo]

No, but my policies state that I will provider "consumable" items like diapers, wipes, etc, for an "extra fee." So far I haven't had to charge it, but it's there if I need it.

I wouldn't want the expense of providing them, but if you don't mind, go for it.

Or you could offer to provider them on a week by week basis for an extra (super high) fee, charged ahead of time. Then if a parent doesn't bring the diapers, charge the fee and provide them for the next week. That'll give them a week to bring the diapers or pay the fee again next week.

[Leigh]

No, but my policies state that I will provider "consumable" items like diapers, wipes, etc, for an "extra fee." So far I haven't had to charge it, but it's there if I need it.

I wouldn't want the expense of providing them, but if you don't mind, go for it.

Or you could offer to provider them on a week by week basis for an extra (super high) fee, charged ahead of time. Then if a parent doesn't bring the diapers, charge the fee and provide them for the next week. That'll give them a week to bring the diapers or pay the fee again next week.

I understand wanting to avoid the expense. I thought long and hard about that, too. However, I come out over $100/week AHEAD by providing these things (because of raising rates when I started providing), and I load up on diapers when they're on sale. I have 3 big boxes of Pampers Swaddlers, size 5 (372 diapers) coming July 6th, and I paid $34.49 for those boxes. That's just over 9 cents each! I change every 2 hours, barring a need in between, and average 4 changes a day (most of my kids get dropped off late AND picked up early these days!) per child. This means that I take in $325.50 for the 18.6 weeks these should last, and my cost was only $34.49 for ALL THREE boxes! That's $291 in PROFIT and money I'd have never seen before I started providing diapers. My parents love it, and I think that when I tell them at interviews that I provide EVERYTHING, they think that my rate being higher than other childcares is totally worth it because they're using MY diapers, wipes, etc. When I figured my rates, I figured an average of 25 cents per diaper. I'm not paying anywhere near that. I charged ALL of my families my increased rate, so the 8 kids that I have that are NOT in diapers pay that increased rate, as well. I figured that it costs me about $7 per child to provide everything, and I upped rates by $17.50. I truly doubt that I ever come close to that $7 per child that I had estimated it to cost.

[Leigh]

Tried to edit, but I was too slow (dang 5 minute limit!). I'm just going to copy and past my edited response:

I understand wanting to avoid the expense. I thought long and hard about that, too. However, I come out over $100/week AHEAD by providing these things (because of raising rates when I started providing), and I load up on diapers when they're on sale. I have 3 big boxes of Pampers Swaddlers, size 5 (372 diapers) coming July 6th, and I paid $34.49 for those boxes. That's just over 9 cents each! I change every 2 hours, barring a need in between, and average 4 changes a day (most of my kids get dropped off late AND picked up early these days!) per child. This means that I take in $325.50 for the 18.6 weeks these should last, and my cost was only $34.49 for ALL THREE boxes! That's $291 in PROFIT and money I'd have never seen before I started providing diapers. This is the profit for ONE child. Take that times 4 other kids who are in diapers, then, the 8 kids who are NOT in diapers still pay the extra $17.50 per week. I'd guess (I'm not doing math at midnight!) that I come out $5000-$7000 ahead every year because of this switch. I do also provide and that's My parents love it, and I think that when I tell them at interviews that I provide EVERYTHING, they think that my rate being higher than other childcares is totally worth it because they're using MY diapers, wipes, etc. When I figured my rates, I figured an average of 25 cents per diaper. I'm not paying anywhere near that. I charged ALL of my families my increased rate, so the 8 kids that I have that are NOT in diapers pay that increased rate, as well. I figured that it costs me about $7 per child to provide everything, and I upped rates by $17.50. I truly doubt that I ever come close to that $7 per child that I had estimated it to cost. I buy sunscreen on the cheap, too, from Amazon or Jet.com (just bought a bunch of BIG-like, the double sized-cans on Jet.com for $4.58 per can).

[LysesKids]

Tried to edit, but I was too slow (dang 5 minute limit!). I'm just going to copy and past my edited response:

I understand wanting to avoid the expense. I thought long and hard about that, too. However, I come out over $100/week AHEAD by providing these things (because of raising rates when I started providing), and I load up on diapers when they're on sale. I have 3 big boxes of Pampers Swaddlers, size 5 (372 diapers) coming July 6th, and I paid $34.49 for those boxes. That's just over 9 cents each! I change every 2 hours, barring a need in between, and average 4 changes a day (most of my kids get dropped off late AND picked up early these days!) per child. This means that I take in $325.50 for the 18.6 weeks these should last, and my cost was only $34.49 for ALL THREE boxes! That's $291 in PROFIT and money I'd have never seen before I started providing diapers. This is the profit for ONE child. Take that times 4 other kids who are in diapers, then, the 8 kids who are NOT in diapers still pay the extra $17.50 per week. I'd guess (I'm not doing math at midnight!) that I come out $5000-$7000 ahead every year because of this switch. I do also provide and that's My parents love it, and I think that when I tell them at interviews that I provide EVERYTHING, they think that my rate being higher than other childcares is totally worth it because they're using MY diapers, wipes, etc. When I figured my rates, I figured an average of 25 cents per diaper. I'm not paying anywhere near that. I charged ALL of my families my increased rate, so the 8 kids that I have that are NOT in diapers pay that increased rate, as well. I figured that it costs me about $7 per child to provide everything, and I upped rates by $17.50. I truly doubt that I ever come close to that $7 per child that I had estimated it to cost. I buy sunscreen on the cheap, too, from Amazon or Jet.com (just bought a bunch of BIG-like, the double sized-cans on Jet.com for $4.58 per can).

See providing diapers here makes no sense for 2 reasons; 1st all but one family uses cloth , 2nd I have no space to store diapers because of limited storage in my small home. I do supply wipes, but never had issues with parents running short

[Jupadia]

So far all my familys are good about bringing them when requested. They all buy diffrent kinds depending on what they like best so I find its easier to let them supply their own. I actually have a family who will just bring some if they think I may have gone threw their supply and bring a big box each time. I uselly try too give parents a least a week heads up that I need a resupply that way they can bring a whole case in after going shopping that week.

[daycarediva]

I have. It's why I have started providing EVERYTHING myself. I raised my rates by $17.50 per week and buy it all myself. I figured that everything comes to about $7 per child when I spread it across the group, so I profit $10.50 per week, per child, and I no longer fight with parents over diapers, wipes, sunscreen, etc.

I had more issues with parents providing the wrong size.

The smaller size you buy, the more that are in the pack.

Yep, we are all on to those parents, too.

I understand wanting to avoid the expense. I thought long and hard about that, too. However, I come out over $100/week AHEAD by providing these things (because of raising rates when I started providing), and I load up on diapers when they're on sale. I have 3 big boxes of Pampers Swaddlers, size 5 (372 diapers) coming July 6th, and I paid $34.49 for those boxes. That's just over 9 cents each! I change every 2 hours, barring a need in between, and average 4 changes a day (most of my kids get dropped off late AND picked up early these days!) per child. This means that I take in $325.50 for the 18.6 weeks these should last, and my cost was only $34.49 for ALL THREE boxes! That's $291 in PROFIT and money I'd have never seen before I started providing diapers. My parents love it, and I think that when I tell them at interviews that I provide EVERYTHING, they think that my rate being higher than other childcares is totally worth it because they're using MY diapers, wipes, etc. When I figured my rates, I figured an average of 25 cents per diaper. I'm not paying anywhere near that. I charged ALL of my families my increased rate, so the 8 kids that I have that are NOT in diapers pay that increased rate, as well. I figured that it costs me about $7 per child to provide everything, and I upped rates by $17.50. I truly doubt that I ever come close to that $7 per child that I had estimated it to cost.

yes, yes yes.

I just increased rates and supply everything.