Have you ever had a parent negotiate you between you and another provider?

[MommyMuffin]

I'm going through something similar right now. I'm extremely bitter over it too.

I haven't slept well in two nights since she pulled that crap.

She doesn't want a price change. But, she wants me to spend 30 minutes a day teaching her son to "Write, cut and color in the lines. No more painting, no more free play". She wants workbooks and worksheets.

Number one, I do not believe in color and cut preschool programs. I am play based, creative based "It's the process not the product" type of person. I do NOT teach reading, writing or anything that should be left for grade school until the year before kindergarten. They paint, glue, cut... but, they don't cut on the lines because there are no lines.

Number two... this kid is FIFTEEN MONTHS OLD. I would never even dream of that for a toddler. He still needs to learn to hold a crayon without eating it.

THEN... she found a provider who would do that with him. 90 minutes of play time, two hours of nap.. the rest is "lesson time". He'll go home with a full folder every night.

BUT THEN, she talked two other families into leaving me to go with this other provider because they will learn to read before kindergarten, which will surely accelerate them right through the public school system.

Sorry for the hijack. I'm just still upset.

This lady takes six weeks vacation time.. they had the nerve to ask me if I'd take their five kids back when teacher is on vacations.

Wow that really stinks. Just go the the dollar store and buy the workbooks. Set them in front of the toddlers and watch them. The will rip them up...then send home the ripped up paper in a bag...TaDa..."the worksheet you request princess DCM"
haha

[cheerfuldom]

I can't believe a mom would want that for a 15 month old or that some wacko out there is guaranteeing that. What exactly can a 15 month old do as far as worksheets are concerned? Seriously!

[daycare]

I can't believe a mom would want that for a 15 month old or that some wacko out there is guaranteeing that. What exactly can a 15 month old do as far as worksheets are concerned? Seriously!

they can eat them.........

[jojosmommy]

I would not change my price and I would probably tell the mom that you will call the other provider over the weekend and chat with her personally about it. Tell her you like to know other providers in the area- good for networking. Maybe she is lying and trying the same with the other provider. Maybe when you and the other provider dump her she will get the idea.

[Dahlia]

If you need the money and dont think you could fill the spot then maybe think about barganing with her but if not then dont. It sounds like she wants to pay you nothing.

Keep your prices what you want them. I would even tell mom "I set my rates as such to provide quality care," then I would hand mom that nice checklist that R&R has about quality childcare.

I am not a forward person and if a dcp told me she was price shopping I would feel that she didnt care about the "care" I was providing her child.

And from a parent perspective, if I'm shopping for childcare and someone offers pricematching or lots of discounts, I'm going to wonder why and be biased toward those that seem to be winning clients on their own merits. It's not the same as buying a TV. Cost is certainly part of the equation, but I don't want "bargain basement" childcare. It seems like establishing fair prices and sticking to them, generally speaking, would be better for your reputation in the long run.

[cheerfuldom]

yeah I don't do negotiations on price for childcare. Any parent that I have ever met that does that really just wants to cheapest rate possible and doesn't have many other concerns about what sort of care they are receiving. I agree, childcare shouldn't be treated like you are price shopping for a TV

[Crystal]

This would not work for me. I would tell her that since she feels the need to negotiate between me and another provider based on price, not competetive quality, then my services are no longer available to her.

[Blackcat31]

Yeah apples are cheaper than oranges but they just don't seem to taste the same....