mindy2137 06:40 AM 01-20-2010
Some of you may know that I run a home daycare. I have appx 7 to 8 kiddos a day, but that fluctuates depending on if the mom or dad has off, etc.
Right now I babysit for one family that has a just turned 3 yr old and a 19 month old. Back in August, the mom of that family told me she was surprisingly pregnant and asked me to told a spot for her baby due in April. We talked about it and the baby has to be 8 weeks old to join my daycare so the starting date would be approximately the first of June depending on when the baby is born. That's fine.
The mom is taking maternity from the first of April til the first of June. And she doesn't want or need daycare for her other two during that maternity time. I really did figure she would still send them at least part time because of having a newborn and taking care of two others, but whatever.
She pays me $185 a week now for two kids, which for my area, that is the going rate. My question is during that maternity time what do you think would be fair to charge her? The kids aren't coming, but I'm holding a spot for her two and the newborn.
The next part is this. When the kiddos come back in June, it will only be three days one week and two days the next. Every week, like that. So, it won't be a full time basis, which I'm fine with because I'm having a baby in July and taking maternity time.
What would you think would be the fair and yet the best way for me to charge them? It wouldn't be full time because the days not on our contract I won't watch them. It's not a five day a week thing. And they are good people and won't push that. I've been caring for there children for almost a year now. I don't think I should just charge them by the day though because I'm holding a spot for them. But I don't want to charge full time, which would be $285 because then I would feel like they would have the right to bring them full time, 5 days a week. I'm thinking I need a happy medium. Something more then by the day, but yet not a full time price.
Any thoughts?
mac60 12:38 PM 01-20-2010
For the time being off during maternity leave.....my policy is holding the spot for half rate, and they can bring the child for 2 days if they were 4 to 5 days per week, 1 day per week if they were 2 to 3 days per week.
I would come up with a weekly rate for 2 days and 3 days.....make sure you have a schedule for each week. Charge whether they are there or not. That way you will at least be guaranteed 2 or 3 days per week. For the 3rd child, I woul charge the full rate for a part time child.
Example......1 child 3 days per week: $75
Second child 3 days per week: $50
Third child 3 days per week: $75
I don't see how parents can expect us to give sibling discounts on the 3rd and 4th children.....we are losing our butt that way.
My parents pay me full rate to hold the spot. Honestly this is my business and way to support my son so just because they have a baby isn't a reason for me to give up on or cut my expenses. I have teachers children and have never had any of them complain about this policy. If they like you enough and don't want to change daycares they will pay it. If you are desperate to have them back I would not go any less than half price.
As far as the part time. I charge for the spot, not the day so I don't do part time payments. If you really want to compromise though. I would take what you charge for 3 days plus what you charge for 2 days and divide it by 2 so that it is an average of the 2 wks. Have them pay that same amount every week.
momma2girls 03:06 PM 01-20-2010
What I do during the summer, is a 2 week deposit. If someone would like me to hold a spot for their baby nonborn- I am going to be charging one week/per month. I used to only do only a 2 week deposit, which sometimes would be for 7-8 months! It is not worth it any longer, just think what I could be getting off that 7-8 months, far more than 2 weeks!!! $140.00 week x 7-8 months= $3900-$4480 I have lost out on!! That is alot of money!!!!
What do other ones do for holding for months?????
mac60 06:19 PM 01-20-2010
What I do, and what I would like to do, is 2 different things. I agree, holding spots is a big loss for us.
momma2girls 05:22 AM 01-21-2010
What do others out there do for holding spots? It's very interesting to see what everyone else does?
Thanks!
MarinaVanessa 09:56 AM 01-26-2010
Originally Posted by gbcc:
Honestly this is my business and way to support my son
I have to agree 100%. I see my home-based daycare as my business first. It is my way of supporting my family. I offer a service and I charge what I think my services are worth. I have contracts for full-time and part-time that I define as FULL-TIME When child care is needed on a regular basis and up to 45 hours a week. When child care is needed on a regular basis and up to 30 hours a week this is considered PART-TIME care. I also have a different rate for toilet trained children than I do for children that are not. I do it this way because this is what works for me. Families pay a weekly fee REGARDLESS of whether they bring their children or not. I do, however have an extended leave clause that reads
" In circumstances of your potential absence due to maternity leave, child’s school vacations and/or school breaks, leave from your job or any other extended leave of more than two weeks, a minimum of four weeks notice must be given. Half of the weekly rate must be paid in advance of the extended absence for the duration of your child’s leave to hold your child’s slot. When the child returns the regular rate will apply."
I do this because it is unfair that I have to keep a slot open for a child AND not get paid AND can't take on another child. I loose money this way and this is a bad business practice. It is simply not smart. Again, this method works for me and I have never had any complaints from any family. Do what makes you feel comfortable and what you think is fair.