Provider Posing As Parent

[theflyingflamingo]

Are you friends with other providers in your area? If so do you network together when you have open spots?

How do you feel about start up daycares calling to find out your rates? Would you rather they were honest or posing as parents?

[booroo]

well Im just going through the process of starting a day home...and I called the other providers here and they would not tell me there prices. I was honest and told them what I was doing. They got very pissy with me, and told me that there was no need for me to be starting a daycare. Of course after talking to the state, I found out that this community does need daycare.
Im going to go with..... Nope the providers here do not coop.

[booroo]

Are you friends with other providers in your area? If so do you network together when you have open spots?

How do you feel about start up daycares calling to find out your rates? Would you rather they were honest or posing as parents?

Well Im new to this town and Im in the process of starting a dayhome...the providers here would not tell me there prices and they got very upset with me for starting a daycare. I called the state and ask them if there was a need for daycare in this town....the response was YES!!.
Im guessin that in this town, the providers do not coop.

[Carole's Daycare]

I'd rather they be honest, I guess. You always wonder about those calls where a parent asks your rate & hours & nothing else, then hangs up & never calls back. Technically I believe it is against the law, at least here, to openly check rates and set them by competitors rates. Price fixing- although you think of it more w/gas stations & such. I do talk to a couple other providers that I consider friends when I have openings- and if she's full but gets a call she'll send them my way & vice versa- because I know her and the type of program she runs. Our Association runs a referral service for members if they let the Pres. know what our openings are, but as far as I know people don't openly discuss rates except for late fees and other policy issues.

[momofboys]

I'd rather they be honest, I guess. You always wonder about those calls where a parent asks your rate & hours & nothing else, then hangs up & never calls back. Technically I believe it is against the law, at least here, to openly check rates and set them by competitors rates. Price fixing- although you think of it more w/gas stations & such. I do talk to a couple other providers that I consider friends when I have openings- and if she's full but gets a call she'll send them my way & vice versa- because I know her and the type of program she runs. Our Association runs a referral service for members if they let the Pres. know what our openings are, but as far as I know people don't openly discuss rates except for late fees and other policy issues.

I've called & asked other providers' rates. But it was not so I could undercut their rates. I had my own kids in a HDCP years ago so I truly had no idea what the "going rate" was for my area & I didn't want to charge less than what was normal or be too high.

[booroo]

Well Im new to this town and Im trying to start a day home. I was calling around for prices and the provider got all mean and nasty with me, saying there was no need for more daycares in this community. I then called the state and asked them if there was a need and the lady said yes there was.
So Im guess here in this town....the providers dont do coops.

[gbcc]

Luckily I have made a few "email buddies" from my area and we help each other out. My area is filled with nasty competative people so many providers have to pretend to be a parent.

I on the other hand dont have any issues giving out information. I even give out my contracts and releases for free to help out providers. I would also rather them be honest so that I know if they hang up it's not me or my program but that they are just looking for rates and services offered.

I personally feel that if you are doing your job and being the best you can, there really is no such thing as competition for daycare. People will always need child care. JMO..

[momma2girls]

Hi!
I have a daycare group, that I formed here in town. It is great for referrels and helping each other out!! If you receive calls and you are filled, pass out everyone else's names. It works great if you have any openings as well. We go out once every other month, eat supper, bring along contracts to share, #'s, and talk about daycare horror stories we have ran into!! We laugh and laugh, it is so much fun!!!! It's really great to form a group of networking!!!!

[Carole's Daycare]

Luckily I have made a few "email buddies" from my area and we help each other out. My area is filled with nasty competative people so many providers have to pretend to be a parent.

I on the other hand dont have any issues giving out information. I even give out my contracts and releases for free to help out providers. I would also rather them be honest so that I know if they hang up it's not me or my program but that they are just looking for rates and services offered.

I personally feel that if you are doing your job and being the best you can, there really is no such thing as competition for daycare. People will always need child care. JMO..

I agree. Childcare is a personal choice- and we are all unique and bring something special to the table. People choose based on personality and individual preferences. I have known daycares who "undercut" rates to get business, and more power to them if they think the rest of us are overpaid . I share my contracts w/ other providers, as well as curriculum ideas etc. It's good to have a community that can support each other.

[tenderhearts]

I used to know a couple providers in my immediate area and was good friends with one, we would meet at the school with both our groups and let the kids play, she no longer does daycare and now I don't know anyone. I've talked with a couple of them but dont' know them. I often wonder too when someone calls and only asks rates if they are another provider, here in my state it's a violation of anti-trust laws. We have a service here that you can call and get the average rate in your zip code.
There are some pretty nasty providers in my area or there were, about 2-3 years ago when hanging signs to advertise was popular every time you would hang a sign someone would tear it down then up went another providers sign on the next pole down, not positiive it was them but it happened every time, awfully coinsidental but I have a reputable daycare in my area and most of my calls are from word of mouth now and my website. I wish I knew more people though that would be fun.

[DBug]

I check out other providers' websites and even kijiji ads all the time to check on rates, hours, what others offer, etc., etc. When I first started, I based my rates on this "market research". I'm not sure how accurate it was though, since people keep telling me I should charge more (dc parents included!). But still, if you're looking to compare rates, try searching for daycare websites in your area. Daycare database sites are good to check rates too.

I would be very hesitant to call other providers posing as a parent, in case it came back on me at some point in the future!

[originalkat]

I would rather they be honest. I would really like to network with other providers so we could refer to one another. I am more than happy to share my rates. They are on my website anyway.

[misol]

Try this - it worked for me

I had my sister do my dirty work. She pretended that she was moving to the area in the next couple of weeks and looking for childcare. A few providers gave her rates but they were reluctant.

Right after I opened, I responed to all of the craigslist ads for my immediate area. I was hoping that I could make friends and not be viewed as "the competition". My message said:

Hello. My name is _________and I've just started a home daycare in __________. I am looking to network with other providers in the area in order build a system of referrals and back-up care. Please let me know if you are interested in talking. Good luck with your business.

Of about 8 emails sent I got 4 replies one of them requesting that I change the name of my business because is was too similar to hers. I told her to take a hike :: The other 3 said that they were interested in chatting but only 2 ever panned out. I ended up being the backup for one of them while she was on vacation for 5 weeks. I only had one kid enrolled at the time so I was able to take all 3 of her kids. I am happy to report that I am full now but whenever I get calls I refer them to her even though I know she's full. I want her to know that I am returning the favor

[theflyingflamingo]

Thanks for all the pointers.
Misol- I think I'll give your suggestiona try once I am up and running fully.
Thanks again

[My4SunshineGirlsNY]

I wouldn't mind at all if a new provider called me to ask what my rates are. I'm new myself (registered in Sept.) and I am always curious to see if I'm running a fair rate.

Problem is there are so many snobby providers in my area, as if you're trying to steal their business away, I bet they wouldn't be willing to give out their rates to another provider. Give me a break...the way I look at it is, we are in the same profession, lets help each other out. Give ideas, share what works, communicate, and help each other.

I don't understand why some providers want to work against another, I'm always willing to help share what I have learned if another has questions.