Charge by the Day?

[lovemykidstoo]

They dont pay for their slot - I charge per day currently. Almost like drop in care (though I don't do drop in care).
They do have regular days , I have a child who comes Mon-Thurs, full days. I think his mom likes how i charge because every Friday she has care through grandparents. So she pays 160 per week (40 per day). But last week she paid nothing as her child was home all week sick.
The other child comes three half days per week.
I live in the Pacific NW and we've had a lot of snow. Normally this is only an issue two weeks of the year though. Tops.
I feel like my rate is a bit high as a new provider but I only charge 40 because I charge daily.

I charge per day. They are obligated for whatever days they're contracted for. Monday through Friday, 3 days, 4 days etc. Whether they come or not, whether they use 2 hours out of a day, they all pay the same amount per day. So if you person didn't come at all last week, they would still pay.

[lovemykidstoo]

Storybook I totally hear you- And with me my two clients already have different rates because I gave a low price so I could get my first client. One pays 30 for full day the other pays 40 - that said - the one I charge only 30 usually only does half days anyway. (20)

It's kinda funny to me though that the one with the lowest rate is my hardest kid by far 😝

Like you I'm grateful to both clients as they've "made" my daycare, I mean, now I can actually say I have one and we so needed a second income.
But after reading all this I think I'll be tweaking my system. Not in these clients - my four year old will age out soon anyway.
Thanks everyone! Very helpful to get others' rationales and experience.

I also don't do half days. No way for you to fill the other half of the day, so why should you get half rate?

[CountryRoads]

I charge per day. They are obligated for whatever days they're contracted for. Monday through Friday, 3 days, 4 days etc. Whether they come or not, whether they use 2 hours out of a day, they all pay the same amount per day. So if you person didn't come at all last week, they would still pay.

I do it this way as well. I also do not do half day rates.

[Lovisa]

I charge a flat rate for either part time or full time per week. They pay whether their child is here or not. The only time I charge per day is for my drop in rate and that is higher than my normal rate(s).

[Mtucker95]

My (original families) are also at a cheaper rate but only $2 less a day. I honestly like easing into my work week having the two gone on Mondays so I am okay with what I have going currently. If I was hurting for money or had a family to support I would have changed when I have them renew contracts every January but for now it is fine. My personal expenses are not that high. 2 of my 4 original kiddos age out this September.

My SIL (teacher mom) is pregnant again so the baby will be taking one of the open spots and I am charging her the new rate for the little one. I will not be making her pay holidays or vacations but when you put it in place of the one she’s replacing (off every Monday and also doesn’t pay holidays and vacations/sick days at $2 less a day) I’ll still be coming out ahead.

My other spot will be filled with another pregnant mom of an already enrolled child that is already on my newer contract with higher rate so I’ll come out a bit ahead on that one as well.

How do you go about the way you charge? Is it by age?

[knoxmomof2]

I've done this for 6 years. I started with no experience, except for having my own children and volunteering in the church nursery for a couple of years. I charged $25/day or $120/wk if they used all 5 days which is pretty typical for my area. I thought it was unfair to charge for work I didn't do AND I thought that people actually went to work every day like I did... Haha.... Silly, inexperienced me!! 😁😂 Once kids were off this day to be with Grandma (ie: free child care) and that day because it's a random Tuesday and Mom decided to stay home (and has paid personal days, unlike me..), I realized how unfair it was to ME that I was here and open 50 hours a week, but only making $50 this day and $25 that day. This board was also instrumental in opening my eyes.

I honored my rate with my first 4 families because they gave me a chance when I had no experience, but with any new children (including siblings), I went to full time rate and I don't feel bad! I even added in 5 paid holidays with this year's new clients. (The down side is they WILL send the kids more often than they would have, but it is what it is.)