Ok, I am debating this, and I know it might be a bad idea, but it also might be a good idea?

I received a response to my craigslist ad. I facebook and google stalked the lady, and see that she is a very young mom. Anyway, she seems normal, as far as everything I can find- no arrest records or anything. She has contacted me in the past, and told me the rates are a little high for her. I assume she plans on paying without any assistance, and is just looking for a rate she can work with.

She contacted me looking for care for her little one, one day a week. I can financially afford it to not charge her full rate, and I could really use a child her child's age, as I have been nervous that all my older children are going off to preschool, and another older child might keep some of the others around.

But, is it fair to charge her less than what everyone else is paying just because she is younger, and can't afford the regular rate? Or do some of you do this for some families? Is this a horrible idea?

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If it will work for you and be beneficial, then do it. Would I? @#$% no! My experience is cutting DCPs breaks financially always ends up in a headache and/or nightmare.

If you do be very specific as in ONE DAY ONLY. Tell her you will not be adding additional days under ANY & ALL circumstances or it will be full rate from that point forward. She also has to pay for two days in advance at drop off. She will have to still pay for absences.

If you do, may the force be with you….

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I would not. Especially for a part time child and even more so for a child that would only be attending one day. If I was inclined to charge less it would be for a family that would make it worth my while, like a full time family. For me, the less time you spend with me and the less money you pay the less perks you get.

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Plus, if it is only one day it seems she could get someone to help with the expense like a relative.

Laurel

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I suggest you meet the mother and child before even considering changing your rates.

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If she is eligible for state assistance, she should use it.

I understand some people not wanting to but it's there for a reason and rather than a provider having to take a financial loss, the parent should use whatever resources they have available to help care/raise their child.

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If she gets financial assistance for childcare I still wouldn't take a loss. I'd have dcm pay the difference for what assistance didn't cover but I understand that in some places that isn't always possible because the organization doesn't allow it.

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I would and I have done just that mrsmichelle! Currently, only 2 of my 6 families are paying the same rate. I charge what I want depending on how quick I want to fill the spot. I would have no qualms low-balling to get a certain-aged kid to entice other fami9lies to stay. I call it saavy business!

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Oh, I was just about to write that I would pass on this particular family, based on the sort of consensus I've gathered from the responses. Now, you've given me more food for thought!

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I have as well.

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There was one case at my old job where the father of an already enrolled daycare child (one of the provider's favorites) was killed by a drunk driver and the mom was losing the house they just bought together because she couldn't afford it by herself. The DCB was in her preschool program (as well as full day care) and the provider charged one of the highest rates in the area. She offered them a "scholarship" where she lowered the payment to only $100/month for the rest of the year until he graduated from preschool. The only problem was, once DCM was back on her feet and was in a better spot financially (even after he graduated and was in 1/2 kindergarden) she just assumed that the daycare price stayed the same (kinda milked it for a while) and continued only paying $100 a month and the provider felt awkward telling her "ok, your scholarship is expired, you need to pay full price". I think eventually the provider told her told her she would start charging full afternoon kinder price, but I think that was after he turned back to part time/drop in.

If you are still considering a discount or "scholarship" (if she doesn't qualify for assistants), another thing you could consider is trying to look at her shedule and seeing if she would be willing to do a "co-op" exchange. You give her a lower rate; in exchange, she will volunteer at your daycare a few hours a week. I have thought about doing that if I had a large family daycare and had 1 or 2 families who were financially struggling; it would also help you to not have to pay an assistant (if you do have an assistant or are a large family child care). The only thing is that you would need to make sure she has a clear background check and tb test (or whatever is required by your state for an assistant/volunteer). But I would recommend also doing it on a trial bases and if it doesn't work out then the agreement is null and void.

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I would too

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I would ( and have when I moved and had to find new clients) take a child for a little less per week but it would have to be either a full time child or a child that would fill the empty spot of a current part time child .

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This.

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