So What Is That For?

[familyschoolcare]

I interviewed a parent today and they asked what my registration fee was for?


So this parent let me know early in the interview that her friend did day care but was full and lived in one of the neighboring district meaning that she would not be able to provide care for the girls. So when we got to talking about money I told mom that there is a $50 per child registration fee.
Mom—(With a confused look on her face) so you know my friend does day care and what is the registration fee for what does that cover.
Me—(this appoint was set up for after hours to accommodate the parent) It cover my time for the interview process and all the ink and paper cost associated with enrollment, basically all the things the weekly fee does not cover.
Mom (shaking head) What ever.

The mom clearly thought this was a strange thing for me to be asking for or at least for that reason.

So what I would like to know is,
1. Was there a better way to answer the question?
2. Do any of you not charge a registration fee?

[PitterPatter]

I interviewed a parent today and they asked what my registration fee was for?


So this parent let me know early in the interview that her friend did day care but was full and lived in one of the neighboring district meaning that she would not be able to provide care for the girls. So when we got to talking about money I told mom that there is a $50 per child registration fee.
Mom—(With a confused look on her face) so you know my friend does day care and what is the registration fee for what does that cover.
Me—(this appoint was set up for after hours to accommodate the parent) It cover my time for the interview process and all the ink and paper cost associated with enrollment, basically all the things the weekly fee does not cover.
Mom (shaking head) What ever.

The mom clearly thought this was a strange thing for me to be asking for or at least for that reason.

So what I would like to know is,
1. Was there a better way to answer the question?
2. Do any of you not charge a registration fee?

1st of all I really hate being told "Whatever" that just chaps my ass! It comes across very rude to me. She could say something simple yet polite like "I see" or "oh ok"

2nd I think your answer was just fine. It's YOUR business and although I do not charge a registration fee we are now allowed to charge even the state paid clients a reg. fee!! SO it must be more common that I even thought.

Personally the paperwork and time getting packets together isn't cheap. I use good stury folders and bind my policy/contracts. Plus all the other forms needing printed. AND I have handed them out to never see them again. That gets expensive. If they aren't happy with your current explaination and u would like to add to it just simply state it also helps to provide the materials used for craft time or something. The "whatever" reply is just stuck in my craw tho so I would be 2nd guessing this client already. It's just rude! Good luck to u!

[Crazy8]

I think your answer was fine. I do not charge a registration fee but I have heard of plenty who do.

[sharlan]

I think your answer was fine.

I don't charge a registration fee.

[Michelle]

I don't charge a registration fee, but I will now after just paying $180 for field trip shirts!

[laundrymom]

I don't charge one but I can see it covering their nap materials, consumable art and paper supplies, kleenex, etc. Explain that you put all registration fees in a separate account and use it for administrative, consumables, and personalized supplies for the children. If she says but WHAT do you use it for? , I would answer with,

" I place the money in a separate account to purchase and replace items and services outside the routine expenses of childcare. Like the expenses I incur when enrolling a new child- contract printing, nap items, photo printing, meal supplies. These items cost money above what is already being spent on the child out of weekly tuition. It also pays for my time to do the interview, the advertising costs to secure the interview, and the extra things noone thinks about until they are a small business owner. I think a lot of people assume the weekly tuition goes directly to my pocket, without understanding everything it goes to support. Like, $200 per week for food and supplies, extra money if the children break Something or if something wears out. I also try to add new items to our toys, library and discovery areas when I find something fun. I run a quality program and that costs me more money than if I was like some and parked the children in front of a tv all day and did the minimal state standard of care. However, I choose to provide a warm, safe, stimulating environment for those in my program and do so as cost effectively as possible for the parents. Does that answer your question effectively or is this interview over?"

[wdmmom]

::Effective July 1, 2011 I started charging $50 enrollment fee per child.

If a parent asks me what the enrollment fee is for, I simply state this:


"The enrollment fee is to cover costs not included in your weekly rate. "

If they want to know, "like what",

I start listing this:

"Kleenex, toilet paper, paper towels, dish soap, laundry soap, sanitizer, cleaning agents, towels & washclothes, a new vacuum if mine breaks, markers, crayons, coloring books, glue, glitter, construction paper, pipe cleaners, reading books, etc."

I've never had anyone argue about it yet!

I thought about saying this:

"Well, I could charge you more weekly if you prefer." ::::::

[cheerfuldom]

that mom was plan out rude. She's assuming because she knows a provider that 1. you will think she has extra knowledge on childcare and 2. that you might be scared she would remove her children at a moments notice and have that friend as backup. The fact that she was rude would make me not work with her. A first impression is VERY important to me and if she feels comfortable responding that way to you now then she only going to get worse when you actually work together. Even if she disagreed with the fee, there's a better way to question it then acting like a snotty teenager.

[MommyMuffin]

I dont know if I would take a family that was so rude.

I charge a $25 registration fee because I thought $50 sounded like a lot for struggling familes in my area but that is just me.

I tell them that it covers, blanket for nap time, sippy cup, diaper cream, ink, paper. I have never been asked what it covers. I have a spot in my parent handbook that states the registration fee and what it covers.

[flightlessbird11]

Personally, I would not take this family. By her mentioning this "friends" daycare, what I' hearing is "I dont really need to bring my kids here, so I'll try the threatening that I could easily go somewhere else, to get her to either come down in price, or be intimidated by me so she wont enforce policies."
It doesnt sound like this parent is going to respect you or your policies.

I do charge a registration fee of $25/per child, and I tell parents it's used to cover any supplies needed to be all set up and ready for their child, and office fees.

Hope that helps. Your answer sounded good!

[Cat Herder]

"It was so nice meeting you. Have a safe drive home." Most likely would have been my reply to the "Whatever " response.

[Sugar Magnolia]

I charge a registration fee ($100) AND an annual supply fee ($175). However, I use the registration fee as a "hook" mostly, by waiving it. For example "I am running an enrollment special right now, and if you sign up by the end of July, I am waiving this fee." We are a fully licensed center though, and every single center in town charges a registration fee. A very swanky place charges (are you sitting down?) a $250 registration fee, a quarterly supply fee of $100 and a $50 nap mat/t-shirt fee, on top of the 4 weeks up-front tuition. They charge $215 a week. So to go there, it costs $1260 to set foot inside. I know the director there and she said she does that high fee scale because "That will keep out the riff-raff". Of course, they do not accept state-funded kids. She asked me why on earth I did accept them. I replied "so under privileged kids can have a nice place to learn." She rolled her eyes at me! Here's the kicker : they are not even participating in our local Early Learning Coalition's "Quality Rating" program. Its all flash, and no substance.

Charge your fee! Charge a separate supply fee. Your reply was fine!!!!!!! And yes, that lady was totally rude. If I am suspicious that a family is flaky on paying, I do NOT waive the registration fee.

[Hunni Bee]

"It was so nice meeting you. Have a safe drive home." Most likely would have been my reply to the "Whatever " response.

Yes, this.

[familyschoolcare]

Thank you everyone for your in put. I just need to make sure I was not the strange one in the situation.

[nannyde]

The enrollment fee pays for the cost of interviewing.