Rate Increase

[tymaboy]

I am going to raise my prices come Jan. 2010. It will be the 1st increase since 2007. How many weeks notice do you think I should give my parents? I think 2 months is to much notice but dont know if if 2 weeks is notice enough. I dont think any of my parents will leave due to the increase but no one can really know.

[AmandasFCC]

I haven't done a rate increase myself yet, but I think when it comes time to, I will give 1 month. I agree that 2 weeks feels a little short, however I don't see anything wrong with it. I'd say as long as you stick within the amount of time you require for notice of termination at the shortest, you're doing fine

[judytrickett]

I increase my rates by one dollar each and every year. I hand out new contracts on December 1st and ask for the signed copy back within 2 weeks. ALL my contracts have an expiry date of Dec 31st for any year.

[jen]

I increase my rates by one dollar each and every year. I hand out new contracts on December 1st and ask for the signed copy back within 2 weeks. ALL my contracts have an expiry date of Dec 31st for any year.

One dollar per day?

[My4SunshineGirlsNY]

One dollar per day?

That's one dollar every year...not per day...I think you misread her post.

[judytrickett]

One dollar per day?

One dollar per day. So, my rate is $35 right now per day. In January it will go to $36 per day.

[tymaboy]

One dollar per day. So, my rate is $35 right now per day. In January it will go to $36 per day.

I would have no families if I charged that for a day. My rate increase is from $2.25 an hour to $2.50 an hour or $21 a day (max 10 hours) The parents that will do the daily rate are normally hear 9 hours a day.

[judytrickett]

I would have no families if I charged that for a day. My rate increase is from $2.25 an hour to $2.50 an hour or $21 a day (max 10 hours) The parents that will do the daily rate are normally hear 9 hours a day.

Yeah, but prices are set my the individual market in your area and the price of commercial daycare. So, in my area I am on the high side but honestly the cheapest rate for home daycare would still be around $30 a day. Meanwhile, in a town only 100 miles away where my sister lives the same care is only $25 a day. It's all about geography.

[Unregistered]

It is definitely dependant on where you live. I'm in Northern VA and my day rate is $50 and I'm low! It's up to $80/day here.

[jen]

One dollar per day. So, my rate is $35 right now per day. In January it will go to $36 per day.

That is a great idea...

[Unregistered]

I have it in my contract that I may increase the rate at any time I deam necessary. I also state I must provide at least 1 months notice.

[momma2girls]

Raising rates

Is anyone raising their rates in Jan. 2010? I haven't raised mine since 2006, and mine weren't even raised then, I moved into the city then.
I really feel I need to raise my rates. I have checked around at daycares near me, and large centers, and I am below most of them.
If you are raising your rates this upcoming yr. how much?????
Do you take on part-times?
Thanks!!

[Texasjeepgirl]

I'm in my 17th year as a home child care provider.
I've always raised my rates once per year...in January.

However...In the past, I've only increased my rate on NEW customers.
I 'froze' the rate of the current clients.
But...I basically always knew, in my heart...that it was not a good business practice.
Parents who enrolled their child as an infant...potentially would 'skip' 3 and even 4 rate increases by the time the child would leave my care for preschool.
I ended up with clients paying all different rates...

Beginning January 2010...I will increase my rates to all current clients.
I gave them notice several weeks ago, over 2 months of advance notice, IN WRITING.
All of my clients were very supportive.

It's JUST GOOD BUSINESS.

As for whether to charge daily/hourly/weekly rates.
I think you should choose 1...
and I don't think you should allow a client to 'decide' what/how they will pay you.
This is YOUR DAYCARE BUSINESS.
Set your policies.
Set your fees.
And inform your clients what they are.
You should never allow a client to run your business ..
If you do...then what is the point of being 'SELF' employed.
You're the boss.

I state in my PARENT HANDBOOK that my policies and fees are well thought out...and they are.
I compare prices of other area providers....but I also consider what I have to offer...that many other providers do not.
I feel I charge a fair price for the service I provide.