Registration Fee, What Are They For?

[nancy123]

I have been paying registration fees every year(for 4 years now) and have never asked what they are for. What is the money used for?

[nannyde]

For me: Covers the cost of the interview process and paperwork to build the child's file.

[nancy123]

But they need $50 per child, every year.

[Cat Herder]

For me: Helps cover the cost of personal infant supplies that I supply like a new PNP, changing pad, linens, floor gym, etc.. And the office supplies to build your child's file as Nan stated above.

I only enroll infants

I think everyone has a specified use? Did they not cover it in the handbook? That would be odd IMHO...:confused:

[DCMomOf3]

That seems strange to me. A registration fee, to me, is logical on first enrollment, but not yearly. If it's a yearly supply fee, that could be justified.

Have you asked your provider why they charge that every year?

[Cat Herder]

But they need $50 per child, every year.

I do know the large centers I worked in used them to cover accountant fees and for the upkeep of medical/accident files by a dedicated employee (covered their salary). Keeping up with 300+ immunization forms, boo-boo reports, allergy management forms, special needs forms and looking for patterns of injuries in specific rooms to investigate is a pretty big task...

[youretooloud]

I used it as a materials fee. But, I called it a materials fee. Every August, the parents gave me $50, and within the month, I had huge boxes of new toys, paint, paper. Some years, I spent most of it on one large toy, and some years, I restocked my entire craft closet. Some years, it was new manipulatives.

[daycare]

does your daycare raise their fees at all? I used to do this instead of asking for a raise. You do have to think about the fact that things are getting more expensive every year and that somehow they have to offset the cost of those items that are NEEDED, like toilet paper, Insurance and etc.

If they are not asking for a rate increase each year, I think this would be fine.

[Blackcat31]

If you are on state childcare assistance, the state will pay a provider a registration fee and an activity fee once per year per family but ONLY if the provider charges all families the same fees.....could your provider be collecting from the state for those on assistance and charging you as well to stay legal? I know the maximum paid for each in my state is pretty high so ???? just saying...

[daycare]

If you are on state childcare assistance, the state will pay a provider a registration fee and an activity fee once per year per family but ONLY if the provider charges all families the same fees.....could your provider be collecting from the state for those on assistance and charging you as well to stay legal? I know the maximum paid for each in my state is pretty high so ???? just saying...

this is a great point.. I dont know anything about state assistance because I dont take any in my care, but that is very true. I do recall hearing this at one of my meetings

[JenNJ]

I charge a $50 registration fee which covers paperwork, buying a chubby, pack n play/nap mat, personal set of cups, and personal educational materials. Each September I charge families a $40 supply fee per child which covers any personal items that need to be replaced and replacing toys, books, and other items in the daycare.

[TBird]

It sounds like more of a yearly supply/maintenance fee rather than a registration fee. My registration fee covers paperwork, etc. This is secondary, but it also lets me know that the parents are serious about joining my group.

[Unregistered]

Fees

OP, maybe you could ask the provider specificallly what the fee will be used for. It's not wrong of her to charge the fee each year. My arts and crafts budget is pretty big and the products aren't always cheep. There are also some providers who do field trips and that costs money. Keep that in mind so that you can see that your money is paying for a great daycare experiences.

[missnikki]

For my program, it helps defray the cost of handbook, paperwork, billing, stamps, etc...not a 'billing' fee, but an administrative fee to ensure you have a spot in our records and data upkeep, which is done far more often than annually.

[Unregistered]

Daycare Registration Fee charged yearly

I too think that it's absurd to charge that fee. Registration fee means to register initially. Filling out paperwork and what not. If it's being used for any other reason besides that then it is not a registration fee, it is just a fee.

The daycare my daughter is in charges that fee every year but our state assistance program only pays it once and thats the first year you enroll. I think that if your child is not disenrolled then each year that reg fee does not need to be charged. If that money is being used for any other reason besides the registration of the child, it is not a reg fee. If you are using it for supplies tax wise, it's income to you. It's a donation to the parent and they should be receiving a tax donation form. If it's being used to pay salaries then it needs to be noted as an annual non refundable fee not a registration fee.

I'm an accountant and tax advisor. Charging a fee for something and using it for something else is against the law and punishable by the IRS.