Registration Fee, What Are They For?

[CheekyChick]

I charge a one time small registration fee. That covers my time interviewing the family, giving them a packet with a Parent Handbook. If they enroll, I mail them an enrollment packet.

I can't see why someone would charge that fee every year.

[Nellie]

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.

I think you mean deduction instead of donation:confused:? All fee's wether material, registration, or non refundable yearly fees are income to the business. Every penny a parent provides to the daycare for the care of their child is recorded and parents are given yearly statements for their taxes. This includes late fee's, weekly tuition, yearly fee's, tips, and bonuses. Do you want to do my taxes?

[Nellie]

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.

I think you mean deduction instead of donation:confused:? All fee's wether material, registration, or non refundable yearly fees are income to the business. Every penny a parent provides to the daycare for the care of their child is recorded and parents are given yearly statements for their taxes. This includes late fee's, weekly tuition, yearly fee's, tips, and bonuses. Do you want to do my taxes?

[wdmmom]

I charge a one time enrollment fee of $50 per child. This covers the cost of the handbook, my interview time, and the costs associated with building the child's file.

I also charge a supply fee each consecutive year on their anniversary month. The supply fee covers expenses associated with crafts, toilet paper, kleenex, paper towels, paint, paper, ink for the printer, etc.

I previously asked for parents to donate items and they were very good at it but I wound up with ten times the amount of the cheapest item. Example: I got 16 glue sticks, 5 bottles of glue, 1 pack of construction paper and 1 box of tissues! ::

[Unregistered]

I charge an initial reg fee $25 per kid. Covers the cost of paperwork printed, files for each child and my time to interview. I do not charge a yearly fee. I think if you preger your provider can change the title to supply fee and charge it yearly or raise rates to cover whatever she is using the money for.

[Kim]

I charge a one time fee of $50 per child. It covers the cost of the initial paperwork, my time prepping for the interview and a new crib sized sheet, blanket and pillow for the child's cot. I buy them cheap from Ikea so it costs me under $10 per child. I like each newly enrolled child to have a fresh set of bedding. Any money leftover covers art supplies.

[Daycare Diva]

I charge a one time small registration fee. That covers my time interviewing the family, giving them a packet with a Parent Handbook. If they enroll, I mail them an enrollment packet.

I can't see why someone would charge that fee every year.

I have to update all paperwork annually,so my families are registered and re- registered each year. It is mandatory that I have them fill out new paperwork and give them an updated handbook each year.

[ECHOLSKIDZ]

I have been in childcare for many years and have noticed that parents don't think of the centers as a school. It is a place where your child is learning everyday. Just as in elementary, middle and high school parents have to enroll their children, have a registration fee and buy supplies.
Some centers registration fees the amount of their weekly tuition. Let's face it, children don't return because parents don't pay and you are left with the bill. Many times registration fees are the provider's security.

[texascare]

I have never chrged a yearly supply fee but I am now! I spend so much extra on stuf for the kids it's unreal!

[JuJubug]

We chrg registration every year. We chrg $100.00 that is to be paid with the application for each child. I use it for construction paper, copy paper, office supplies, cleaning supplies, paint, anything that we need for start up. Even half way through the school there is a need for something and that is were the reg comes in. Everything is so expensive.

[DCMama]

I think different people use it for different thing, so you should definitely ask your provider. For me and I think for most people, we use it for supply. I tell parents in advance that this fee is going straight back to their child services and education. I don't gain a cent from it.

[Unregistered]

Yearly Fees to cover Necessities?

I see a lot of you have said you charge a yearly fee, then go buy toys, office supplies (ink, paper), art supplies, paper goods (TP, PT, Etc). Do you not deduct them on your taxes as expenses for the daycare business? I have never charged a parent any kind of an activity fee that would cover something like that because as a Business, I am expected to supply those on my own, out of my pay, and in turn take it as a deduction.

IF i charged an activity fee, I would keep that money to cover entry costs into venues I might take the kids to, a paid art activity fee if we went somewhere that charged for something like that, etc. I cant see taking extra money from parents for things we can deduct off our taxes as expenses for our business.

[ACH247]

I'm not an accountant but I think you add the fee to income and still deduct the expenses.

[Unregistered]

yearly daycare registration fee

in ocala, fl, a daycare charges a 250 application fee, yearly, even to kids that have been continually enrolled for the prior year....say it helps keep undesireables out....how is this legal?

[storybookending]

in ocala, fl, a daycare charges a 250 application fee, yearly, even to kids that have been continually enrolled for the prior year....say it helps keep undesireables out....how is this legal?

Because it is your choice to pay it or not. No one is forcing you. You could refuse and just lose your spot. That being said I still think that this is ridiculous and taking advantage in a big way.