Do You Give Discounts for Siblings?

[Meeko]

Parents who ask for a discount are actually saying

"Hey! We decided to have two kids and boy it's expensive! So we want YOU to take a cut in pay to make life easier for US....OK??

NOPE!!!!!

[Jo123ABC]

I do $10 per week right now but will likely do away with the discount soon too because having siblings really doesn't benefit me in any way other than having less parents to deal with.

[sahm1225]

A few times a year would never be a problem with most requests (doctors appt, scouts sign up, ballet recital, etc.). Same goes for early/late arrivals. Heck, I've done free care for over a year and overnights for parents emergent medical issues. Pre-approved requests are pretty easy to get. It is the double schedules (half day programs) and weekly/chronic requests I simply can't do. I am out-lawyered and outbadged by my higher earning neighbors on the traffic issue. ::

This. A few times a year requests are fine. But I wish parents understood that not every child can handle more than one drop off / pickup a day. Or understood that the sibling was going to meltdown if they weren’t picked up early too. Just work w me on things and please believe me when I say things (like Dcb will cry for about a quarter of the day or they will be miserable if you do xxx.) life is so much easier.
For sibling discounts - I do offer a small discount a week and the discount goes w the older sibling. I will probably phase that out soon but in the meantime, it’s worjed for me and I’ve been lucky with my sibling sets that parents just keep both home in case of any illness.

[Gemma]

I do not offer a discount for siblings! I find that siblings actually require more out of me than the rest of the kids because they are allowed to "play rough" at home and not here, if something they should pay more, not less ::::

[mommyneedsadayoff]

As a parent I've never been given discounts for siblings, nor have I expected a discount for siblings.

Going off another post, I noticed many of you have a policy of "one drop off and pick up per day per family"....I personally believe this should only be a policy IF there is a siblings/family discount. Otherwise it seems a bit hypocritical. If they were from different families there would be 2 drop offs and pick ups every day....and if there were a reason where I needed to pick up one child early and leave the other child in care, I would expect to be allowed to do that.

I know a lot of providers have that policy per family, but I have it per child. The main thing I want to avoid is a parent dropping off, picking up for an appointment, and then dropping off again. That is why I encourage parents to schedule appointments either very early and bring the child after, or late in the day. I think for many people it's a way to reduce traffic, but for me it was more about not dealing with multiple drop-offs of a child, because that second drop off can be very tough when they think they get to spend the day with mom, and it was usually right before nap, so an even bigger bummer for them. If I have siblings, and one needs to come 8 to 5, but the other sibling goes to a morning program and arrives at 11, I would have no issue with that. Each child can have a contracted time, but it must remain that way, as in the other child is not allowed to be dropped off until their contracted time. No switching! Routine is very important to me::. I've only had that once, though. Mom brought newborn when she went to work at 6am and dad brought their toddler a few hours later at 8 when he went to work. I got to snuggle baby one on one, so it worked well for me! This is my long-winded way of saying I see your point.

Oh, and no discounts! If anything, sibling spots are very coveted and worth even more, although I don't charge more. But I do charge the same!

[MyAngels]

I do not offer a discount for siblings! I find that siblings actually require more out of me than the rest of the kids because they are allowed to "play rough" at home and not here, if something they should pay more, not less ::::

Based on my current group, this!

[Unregistered]

Parents who ask for a discount are actually saying

"Hey! We decided to have two kids and boy it's expensive! So we want YOU to take a cut in pay to make life easier for US....OK??

NOPE!!!!!

Excellent point Meeko!

[littlefriends]

No. I’m only allowed 10 spots and those spots are worth what I charge.