Questions About Rates

[momma2girls]

OMG! You should be charging a LOT more for before and after school! School age kids are often harder to deal with than the little ones! I charge $10/day for before or after school ONLY, and $15/day for before AND after school. I'm going to be raising my rates next year, too!

I charge $10.00 a day also. The going rate here is between $50.00-$75.00 for before and after school rates. I am thinking of even going up on this to $60.00, but haven't changed rates in a long time! I have one before and after school plus my son, it is difficult, they come in are loud, and demand a snack right away, then want to be entertained doing something til parents arrive!!! Same thing in the am-

[momofboys]

I charge $10.00 a day also. The going rate here is between $50.00-$75.00 for before and after school rates. I am thinking of even going up on this to $60.00, but haven't changed rates in a long time! I have one before and after school plus my son, it is difficult, they come in are loud, and demand a snack right away, then want to be entertained doing something til parents arrive!!! Same thing in the am-

I know I am totally too low on my before & after school rate. I was a newbie when I started (back in August '09) & I had planned on charging $25 a week for the rate BUT the mom told me her husband would be driving her school-ager to school so he would only be here AFTER school. That never happened, . I am thinking of sending out a new form amending the price and saying if you only use one or the other my rate will stay the same BUT if you continue to use both before & after the rate has to go up. In essence I am only providing care for about 2 - 2.5 hrs a day but for only $3 it's sort of like I'm watching him for almost free. Do you think this is fair? I know the daycare center here in town charged $55 or $60 a week for B & A care. So she is getting off so well paying only $15/week.

[Crystal]

My rate for b/a school is the same as my part-time rate for other age groups - $120 per week. I have never had an issue with it, but then I am in an area that there is a huge need for b/a school care, and parents would pay more if they put them in the b/a school program on school campuses.

[momofboys]

I know I am totally too low on my before & after school rate. I was a newbie when I started (back in August '09) & I had planned on charging $25 a week for the rate BUT the mom told me her husband would be driving her school-ager to school so he would only be here AFTER school. That never happened, . I am thinking of sending out a new form amending the price and saying if you only use one or the other my rate will stay the same BUT if you continue to use both before & after the rate has to go up. In essence I am only providing care for about 2 - 2.5 hrs a day but for only $3 it's sort of like I'm watching him for almost free. Do you think this is fair? I know the daycare center here in town charged $55 or $60 a week for B & A care. So she is getting off so well paying only $15/week.

How does this sound:

"Effective March 14, 2010 my rate for B & A care is being amended. When I originally set rates I was under the impression that __________ would only be here after school, not before & after. As a result I need to amend your current rate to properly relect care given at both timeframes. My new weekly rate will be _______________. Please sign below to acknowledge your understanding of the new rate. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you."

Should I adjust the way I worded this? Or do you think it sounds okay?

[misol]

How does this sound:

"Effective March 14, 2010 my rate for B & A care is being amended. When I originally set rates I was under the impression that __________ would only be here after school, not before & after. As a result I need to amend your current rate to properly relect care given at both timeframes. My new weekly rate will be _______________. Please sign below to acknowledge your understanding of the new rate. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you."

Should I adjust the way I worded this? Or do you think it sounds okay?

This sounds good but just correct the spelling of the word "reflect". Also, I would take out the phrase "I was under the impression that... " and replace it with "We agreed that..." This lets her know that she has been in violation of the original agreement and not that you misunderstood something.

Also, you should make the new rate effective immediately. A two week notice for CHANGES are appropriate but this does not involve a change. This is an enforcement of the ORIGINAL arrangement.

[momma2girls]

I totally agree with everything you have written Misol.

[momofboys]

I totally agree with everything you have written Misol.

Thank you both! :-) I'll keep you posted as to what happens. I'm slightly concerned that the mom will pitch a fit but they've gotten a free ride for too long & I am not waiting until the fall to adjust this (they don't come in the summer, mom is a teacher).

[momofboys]

Not only did I write out the new fee for the before & after care to give to mom today but I also wrote out my two week notice for family #2. I was sort of sad & felt bad about it since they have only been with me for about 2 months now but I am trying to get over it. I really have to do what is best for me & my family & I think one family is the max that I can manage right now. Feeling like a heavy burden has been lifted!!!

[misol]

Good for you! How did everything unfold?

[momofboys]

Good for you! How did everything unfold?

Good as far as I know. Mom with the school-ager never said a word & seemed nice as can be. I was relieved! Mom who I gave notice to called last night to say she wouldn't have her daughter her today so I have no idea if she is mad/upset. But she did say I'll see you next week. I don't really care though I won't keep watching someone when it makes me feel so overworked. Feeling relieved!