Do You Supply...

[momma4many]

Called a provider who just moved to my town the other day to see what her rates were. She is advertising all over town, and so I was curious. Here's the deal, I cannot see how she is making any $$, but she says she has been doing this in a nearby town (true, I looked her up on the state website and the info is there) for 25 years and has always done things this way.

She provides:

Any OTC medication, suscreen, bug spray, teething gel, etc.
Diapers and wipes
Extra clothes (if you want to bring your kids in jammies, don't worry about bringing clothes with them, she will provide them. Never heard of this, but maybe I'm not seeing how this would work without her getting ripped off unless they go back home in the jammies they came in)
Shoes (that stay at her house, seems like a large expense for each child?)
She is open 24 hours
All food and/or formula


Sounds like a GREAT deal for parents, especially since she is $5-$10 cheaper than every one else in town that I know of. I just cannot figure out how she is making money! That is so much expense for each child! I asked her flat out and she said the food program paid for food, formula, diapers and wipes. I am not enrolled in the food program yet, but I was pretty sure they don't pay for diapers and wipes.

Anyone else here operate like this? I would love to simplify things for my parents, like providing diapers and wipes (I already provide food), but I cannot see how the expense is worth it.

[Cat Herder]

This is "New Provider Syndrome" at its finest.

She will be walked over and burnt out in under 24 months.

She has a bulls eye on her for daycare hoppers and licensing reps.

I have seen it many, many, many times.....

[Country Kids]

This is "New Provider Syndrome" at its finest.

She will be walked over and burnt out in under 24 months.

She has a bulls eye on her for daycare hoppers and licensing reps.

I have seen it many, many, many times.....

She has been doing it for 25 years! So she has something figured out. Doesn't Nannyde supply shoes for the kids? I thought I read a post about that. When I was on the food program I never did spend all the money on food because I made so much. So she might be taking the extra and buying the other stuff. Remeber everything she buys is a tax write off so maybe she restocks when she gets her taxes back. She has the upper hand because she offers all that and is cheaper and has 25 years experience.

[Cat Herder]

She has been doing it for 25 years! So she has something figured out. Doesn't Nannyde supply shoes for the kids? I thought I read a post about that. When I was on the food program I never did spend all the money on food because I made so much. So she might be taking the extra and buying the other stuff. Remeber everything she buys is a tax write off so maybe she restocks when she gets her taxes back. She has the upper hand because she offers all that and is cheaper and has 25 years experience.

AHHH... She already owns everything to include her home and vehicles. Age has its benefits.

I also provide spare shoes, clothes, otc stuff, wipes, baby food.... But I would never offer 24 hour care, formula or diapers.

Does she like punishment or something??? ::::

[SandeeAR]

How can one person offer 24 hour care? She has to sleep sometime.

[cheerfuldom]

It is probably due to the fact that she is ALWAYS full. If its the best deal in town, shes not going to need to budget for open slots and such. Besides that, after 25 years, you can bet she has a huge stockpile of yard sale clothing and shoes in every size. Some people would rather charge less and be full all the time with daycare hoppers and such than go the other route. I would rather be picky, find families that are in here for the long run and keep my numbers as small as possible for the benefit of all. The other thing is that she might sort of let the kids run loose and the parents don't complain because of the great deal money-wise. I know a few daycares like that.

[Lianne]

I supply wipes, bottles, pacifiers, sunscreen and bedding. I have a drawer full of clothes people have (purposely) left behind for me to use as spares. I have extra sunhats, sandals, snowboots, slippers, winter hats, mittens, snowsuits and rain boots. I don't necessarily have one of each thing for every child in my care but I have enough that if someone forgets something, I have something that likely fits them.

This, however, does not affect my fees in anyway.

[Mom_of_two]

I provide food and formula (am on the food program.) That's it! Aside from art supplies etc.

[greenhouse]

I stopped reading at "open 24 hours". She's clearly nuts.

[PitterPatter]

WOW and I thought I supplied a lot. I am no where near her! I don't understand how she can afford it. Especially the diapers and wipes unless he doesn't have many in diapers.

I too recall Nanny mentioning she supplies shoes. Keds I think if I'm not mistaken?

[DEBBIES DAYCARE]

I supply pretty much everything. I buy diapers with a coupon or sale, stock up when I can. Sometimes I even buy generic diapers. I supply all diaper changing supplies, children motrin, baby cereal and baby food ( i make my own usually) and of course, meals. I am on the food program. It dosent pay for diapers and stuff but with smart shopping, coupons and home cooking, I never spend all of what is granted, on just food. Gotta love the dollar stores and bargain bins! I also use my tax ID to be a member of the local restaurant distributer depot and buy in bulk at wholesale AND I have a garden! I have a pile of old clothes from Good Will plus I accept hand me downs from everyone. I dont supply formula. My contract states I do supply these thing but the brands are at my discretion. If you prefer a paticular brand or do not approve of generic products, then you must supply it yourself.
I do this for 2 reasons. One is, I find it easier. I try to avoid the BS and aggravation. Forever reminding them to bring wipes, clothes to change into, diaper supplies...nag nag nag. I keep it simple. I even charge a flat rate for the day. You have all day, the whole day and it avoids adding hours up and late fees. The other reason I do this is because it justifies me to charge little MORE, not less. Quality care, drop off your child and go. Easy breezy.
I am not opened 24 hours but I do offer extended hours, weekend care, overnight care and drop in care, when available and at my convienience. I charge hourly. Everytime I offer, someone takes me up on it. If asked, I often say yes but not afraid to say no. I must be paid on the day of service. Its a nice bonus
I have 4 full timers and 1 part time and a couple of drop ins. Ive been doing this for years.

[MarinaVanessa]

I stopped reading at "open 24 hours". She's clearly nuts.

I couldn't stop laughing ::

But sadly it's true. I've been trying to raise my rates for a bit now from $155 to $160 per week for full time to new clients and I'm having a hard time of it. Most people around here are charging $155 or even $150 per week and offering all kinds of crazy extras like preschool program and 24 hour care.

It's hard to compete with that. These aren't your newbies either. These are providers that have been around the block and back. I know a provider that has been in business for 25 years and always had a waitinglist (large daycare home) and only has 6 DC kids. Everyone now wants more daycare for less money and it's the licensed providers that are offering everythin including the kitchen sink that makes it difficult. But hey, everybody has to pay their bills somehow.

[nannyde]

I too recall Nanny mentioning she supplies shoes. Keds I think if I'm not mistaken?

http://www.nanshouse.com/apps/photos/photo?photoid=122398562

I dig Keds velcro. Easy on and built like a tank.

[jojosmommy]

I supply pretty much everything. I buy diapers with a coupon or sale, stock up when I can. Sometimes I even buy generic diapers. I supply all diaper changing supplies, children motrin, baby cereal and baby food ( i make my own usually) and of course, meals. I am on the food program. It dosent pay for diapers and stuff but with smart shopping, coupons and home cooking, I never spend all of what is granted, on just food. Gotta love the dollar stores and bargain bins! I also use my tax ID to be a member of the local restaurant distributer depot and buy in bulk at wholesale AND I have a garden! I have a pile of old clothes from Good Will plus I accept hand me downs from everyone. I dont supply formula. My contract states I do supply these thing but the brands are at my discretion. If you prefer a paticular brand or do not approve of generic products, then you must supply it yourself.
I do this for 2 reasons. One is, I find it easier. I try to avoid the BS and aggravation. Forever reminding them to bring wipes, clothes to change into, diaper supplies...nag nag nag. I keep it simple. I even charge a flat rate for the day. You have all day, the whole day and it avoids adding hours up and late fees. The other reason I do this is because it justifies me to charge little MORE, not less. Quality care, drop off your child and go. Easy breezy.
I am not opened 24 hours but I do offer extended hours, weekend care, overnight care and drop in care, when available and at my convienience. I charge hourly. Everytime I offer, someone takes me up on it. If asked, I often say yes but not afraid to say no. I must be paid on the day of service. Its a nice bonus
I have 4 full timers and 1 part time and a couple of drop ins. Ive been doing this for years.

I thought you HAD to provide formula if you were on the FP?

[jojosmommy]

I provide food/formula. In the summer I provide sunscreen but only so I don't have to manage who belongs to which bottle.

Diapers, wipes, extra clothes, sun hats, meds, diaper cream are all your responsibility.

I just read an ad in our area that is open 24 provides tons of stuff and only charges 12.50 a day. ??????????? Desperate or nuts I'm not sure...???????

I prefer to keep the type of client willing and able to provide these things, respect my schedule, and pay me appropriately.