So, You Want Cheap Childcare??? Get to Steppin'!!!

[TBird]

UGH!!!

I met this lady looking for childcare MONTHS ago. She called me and wanted to see my place right away. She sounded pretty desperate as her parents couldn't watch the little boy anymore, so I agreed that she could come over right then. She came and I could tell that she was very impressed as the other places she had seen weren't CLEAN and they were also overcrowded. So, I tell her how much I charge for two meals, two snacks, all outings & a formal mail order preschool program ($175 Flat Fee per week, which is actually right on point for my area). I gather ALL of my paperwork and email it to her....all of which took about an hour.

Anyway, obviously the pricing wasn't for her because I emailed her my paperwork and gave her a follow-up call. She said she would call me back and never did.

Well, guess who emails me today??? She starts off with how busy she is and sorry she didn't get back to me, yadda yadda. She wants to enroll her son NOW and she believes I quoted her $150 per week....HUH???

Anyway, I email her back and tell her NO...I quoted her $175 per week and all that it included and to let me know if she's still interested and THEN I would email her my contract again to review (by this time I already know that she's looking for 'top shelf' childcare at a cheap price). So, she sends me back an email that says: WOW! $175 and I thought $150 was extending my budget. That is steep...let me ask my husband and get back to you tomorrow, ok???

This is what I said to her.....
Yes. I provide all of the food, a great service, and my preschool program is mail-ordered at a cost of $85 per month (and more depending on how many children I have at a given time). I totally understand considering costs. I remember paying $200 per week, providing my own food, and there was no learning program whatsoever...we basically paid for someone who we knew was SANE! Again, good luck in your search!

She responded twice more saying that it was expensive and she'd have to get back to me. I kept saying GOOD LUCK IN YOUR SEARCH! I know she just can't afford me and that's fine. But to never get back to me and THEN comment on my pricing??? I'm not for everyone but I'm sure not hurting for kids so keep it moving sister....maybe those dirty, over crowded places are what you get for $150 in this area??? I haven't a clue but just keep it movin'!!!

[wdmmom]

I agree! My rates are comfortable with what I charge and I'm a little below the average for my area.

I've had some henous requests....If I bring food, will it be cheaper? Can I make it any cheaper? If I pay you on Monday will it be cheaper? ETC.

Payment is due on Friday for the upcoming week and no, daycare isn't cheaper. If you need less hours, we can talk. And, don't even consider bringing food in...thats the #2 rule in my handbook!

[cheerfuldom]

I get those people all the time. I always respond with "I agree, daycare is expensive. My rate is not negotiable and I feel, well worth the cost. However, I understand if my program does not fit your needs. Good luck in your daycare search. Feel free to contact me in the future should you wish to reconsider my program"

that says it all in a professional way I think but also, no wiggle room. she is emailing you numerous times to see if you will give on the cost.

[Ariana]

Yeah I'd do the same! Had a woman contact me and very rudely ask if I could lower my price. I just e-mailed her back saying "price is non negotiable sorry". Never heard back. Whatev's....

I also had a lady e-mail me about my program, I e-mail her back my contract to look over and she doesn't e-mail me back for 4 days!! When she finally did she's all "I'm so busy blah blah blah". I told her that I offered the space to another family. Good quality daycare isn't going to wait around for you to get your stuff together lady! I'm busy too

[TGPII]

$175 a week is cheap as he** and there are government programs to help with that. She going to fight over $25 bucks? Heck if I could find a place that cheap. ..

Originally Posted by TBird

UGH!!!

I met this lady looking for childcare MONTHS ago. She called me and wanted to see my place right away. She sounded pretty desperate as her parents couldn't watch the little boy anymore, so I agreed that she could come over right then. She came and I could tell that she was very impressed as the other places she had seen weren't CLEAN and they were also overcrowded. So, I tell her how much I charge for two meals, two snacks, all outings & a formal mail order preschool program ($175 Flat Fee per week, which is actually right on point for my area). I gather ALL of my paperwork and email it to her....all of which took about an hour.

Anyway, obviously the pricing wasn't for her because I emailed her my paperwork and gave her a follow-up call. She said she would call me back and never did.

Well, guess who emails me today??? She starts off with how busy she is and sorry she didn't get back to me, yadda yadda. She wants to enroll her son NOW and she believes I quoted her $150 per week....HUH???

Anyway, I email her back and tell her NO...I quoted her $175 per week and all that it included and to let me know if she's still interested and THEN I would email her my contract again to review (by this time I already know that she's looking for 'top shelf' childcare at a cheap price). So, she sends me back an email that says: WOW! $175 and I thought $150 was extending my budget. That is steep...let me ask my husband and get back to you tomorrow, ok???

This is what I said to her.....
Yes. I provide all of the food, a great service, and my preschool program is mail-ordered at a cost of $85 per month (and more depending on how many children I have at a given time). I totally understand considering costs. I remember paying $200 per week, providing my own food, and there was no learning program whatsoever...we basically paid for someone who we knew was SANE! Again, good luck in your search!

She responded twice more saying that it was expensive and she'd have to get back to me. I kept saying GOOD LUCK IN YOUR SEARCH! I know she just can't afford me and that's fine. But to never get back to me and THEN comment on my pricing??? I'm not for everyone but I'm sure not hurting for kids so keep it moving sister....maybe those dirty, over crowded places are what you get for $150 in this area??? I haven't a clue but just keep it movin'!!!

[MissK]

Originally Posted by tgpii@yahoo.com

$175 a week is cheap as hell and there are government programs to help with that. She going to fight over $25 bucks? Heck if I could find a place that cheap. ..

My area averages 100-110/week...the daycare my son is in is 125/week and thats expensive for here! lol

[mom2many]

Prices really do vary depending upon where you are located. My full time weekly rate for infants & preschoolers is $250 and I offer a preschool program. My rate for school age kids before & after school is $150.

[Hunni Bee]

I see threads about daycare prices all the time, and my mouth always drops. I work in a center, in the 4 year old class and 85% of our kids are on daycare subsidy.

We are paid $125 a week for infants, $98 for toddlers, $93 for preschool and $60 for B & A. We are required to provide food, do a curriculum, etc...

Is anyone else in Virginia? Is that the going rate or are we being robbed??

[Sunchimes]

In my area, full time home care is $85, part time is $20 a day for over 18 mo. Center care is about $105 a week for full time.

[Meeko]

Originally Posted by Sunchimes

In my area, full time home care is $85, part time is $20 a day for over 18 mo. Center care is about $105 a week for full time.

I'm only a tiny biy more than you Sunchimes.....but I think it's all depending on where you live.

My sister -in-law keeps telling us to move out to LA. When we went for a visit a few years ago I almost died at how much she pays for food. She was paying over $3 a gallon for milk. Even today I get a gallon of 2% for $1.69. It's all relevant.

[MsMe]

Originally Posted by Meeko

I'm only a tiny biy more than you Sunchimes.....but I think it's all depending on where you live.

My sister -in-law keeps telling us to move out to LA. When we went for a visit a few years ago I almost died at how much she pays for food. She was paying over $3 a gallon for milk. Even today I get a gallon of 2% for $1.69. It's all relevant.

I pay over $3 a gallon for skim!

[momma2girls]

Originally Posted by Hunni Bee

I see threads about daycare prices all the time, and my mouth always drops. I work in a center, in the 4 year old class and 85% of our kids are on daycare subsidy.

We are paid $125 a week for infants, $98 for toddlers, $93 for preschool and $60 for B & A. We are required to provide food, do a curriculum, etc...

Is anyone else in Virginia? Is that the going rate or are we being robbed??

I have a friend in VA and she charge $125.00 per week.

[MarinaVanessa]

Originally Posted by MsMe

I pay over $3 a gallon for skim!

Yep sounds about right. I'm about an hour away from LA and we pay over $3 a gallon for skim milk too . If I'm lucky I can get it on sale and I can get 2 gallons for $6 and that's CHEAP

[MsMe]

Originally Posted by MarinaVanessa

Yep sounds about right. I'm about an hour away from LA and we pay over $3 a gallon for skim milk too . If I'm lucky I can get it on sale and I can get 2 gallons for $6 and that's CHEAP

I am in Iowa....I am blow away our prices are similar to CA!