What would you charge for a holding fee...MDO

[SunflowerMama]

I'm going to be offering a Mom's Morning Out beginning late summer/fall. It'll be twice a week, 9:30 - 12:30p. I have 2 interviews on Monday and I'm trying to decide on a holding fee if they are interested. They wouldn't be starting until June and August.

For full time care my holding fee is one week's fee per month. I did the math on the MDO and if I used that same concept it would be $35/month to hold the spot.

Would you charge a holding fee for MDO or should I just ask for a registration fee? I'm charging a $50/yr registration fee for supplies, etc.

[dEHmom]

hmmm. I'm not sure. If you are already charging a $50 registration fee for the year, why would you charge a holding fee? you're guaranteeing that child will be there for the whole year already. What you could do is this:

$50/yr = 4.17/mth

Charge a 5 or 10 dollar monthly fee instead, and it is required PRIOR to the month start if they want to enroll for that month. This fee is to cover costs associated such as crafts, etc. This way if parents don't use you EVERY month, it still works out. Because if they drop out after 6 months are you going to refund 25?

Example:
Option 1) 7/month (works out to 84/yr) registration fee for supplies, snacks and ______
Option 2) 30/6 months (works out to 60/yr) registration fee
Option 3) $50/year registration fee

All fees paid are non refundable.



Then charge them the fee for whatever the option they choose, and charge them for whatever the care costs on top of that.