Daycare.com Forum
Curriculum>Do Parents Pay?
KEG123 08:21 AM 08-03-2011
If you use a purchased curriculum, do the parents pay for it? For example, I'm looking into Funshine and for my 4 kids it would cost 83.00 per quarter. Which would be roughly 21 bucks a piece. One of my families consists of twins, so that would be 42 every 3 months (coincidentally they are also on state assistance, so I'm not sure if they'll be willing to pay- but it's worth a shot to ask I suppose)
So I was thinking of writing an e-mail to the parents to let them know my intentions for this fall and see if they're willing to pay for the program. I could also offer the low income family a discounted rate if they cannot afford it. But their kids are almost 3 so I think it would be good to do something like this.
So anyways, if you had the parents pay, how did you word it to them? I'm looking for some tips on how to write this e-mail.
So I was thinking of writing an e-mail to the parents to let them know my intentions for this fall and see if they're willing to pay for the program. I could also offer the low income family a discounted rate if they cannot afford it. But their kids are almost 3 so I think it would be good to do something like this.
So anyways, if you had the parents pay, how did you word it to them? I'm looking for some tips on how to write this e-mail.
Blackcat31 08:28 AM 08-03-2011
I personally think that if you are going to do preschool and curriculum then your rates should simply reflect that. If you only provide basic care and supervision without all the structured preschool activities then your rates should be lower.
I do both. Summers are basic, easy and fun while the school year is structured, full of preschool activities and curriculum. My rates reflect the difference in the type of care I am giving.
BTW, I have used Funshine in the past and like the format however, I do my own curriculum now.
I do both. Summers are basic, easy and fun while the school year is structured, full of preschool activities and curriculum. My rates reflect the difference in the type of care I am giving.
BTW, I have used Funshine in the past and like the format however, I do my own curriculum now.
KEG123 08:47 AM 08-03-2011
Yeah, well my baby is due in October so I want something that is low fuss which is why I want to give a box-curriculum a try.
Blackcat31 08:53 AM 08-03-2011
Aha, completely good reason to do a boxed curriculum..
(FTR, I wasn't knocking you for using a boxed curriculum...sorry if it came off that way. 
)
What age are the kids you are looking to buy the curriculum for?
The one thing about Funshine I will say is there is alot of cutting and gluing that you have to do. It takes alot of time and although I loved their format, I think I stopped using it because I didn't have enough time to do all the prep work.
Carol's Affordable Curriculum offers a Tiny Tots box curriculum that requires no cutting...http://www.carolscurriculum.com/
(FTR, I wasn't knocking you for using a boxed curriculum...sorry if it came off that way. )What age are the kids you are looking to buy the curriculum for?
The one thing about Funshine I will say is there is alot of cutting and gluing that you have to do. It takes alot of time and although I loved their format, I think I stopped using it because I didn't have enough time to do all the prep work.
Carol's Affordable Curriculum offers a Tiny Tots box curriculum that requires no cutting...http://www.carolscurriculum.com/
Cat Herder 11:08 AM 08-03-2011
I use funshine AND do my own because they seem to stay on one topic WAY longer than I can... I think my attention span is eerily similar to the kids...but I digress...
I just added a $2 a day ($10 a week) rate increase back in January to cover the new curriculum and all the recently added State burdens...umm..I mean requirements.
I will check out Carols, too, Blackcat...does she offer separate pieces or is it also a subscription type/all or nothing thing???
I just added a $2 a day ($10 a week) rate increase back in January to cover the new curriculum and all the recently added State burdens...umm..I mean requirements.
I will check out Carols, too, Blackcat...does she offer separate pieces or is it also a subscription type/all or nothing thing???
KEG123 11:33 AM 08-03-2011
Right now they are 1.5, 2.5, 2.5 and almost 3.5 (mine).
And since they all started in May, it's been kind of a free for all over the summer, just playing and going with whatever they want to do. Blocks, puzzles, coloring, play doh, not much structure at all basically. PLUS my 2- 2.5 year old twins are going from part to full time, so I think it's a good time to get something started. I'm going to talk to the parents just in person tonight I think and let them know what I'm thinking.
And since they all started in May, it's been kind of a free for all over the summer, just playing and going with whatever they want to do. Blocks, puzzles, coloring, play doh, not much structure at all basically. PLUS my 2- 2.5 year old twins are going from part to full time, so I think it's a good time to get something started. I'm going to talk to the parents just in person tonight I think and let them know what I'm thinking.
Blackcat31 01:08 PM 08-03-2011
Originally Posted by Catherder:
I use funshine AND do my own because they seem to stay on one topic WAY longer than I can... I think my attention span is eerily similar to the kids...but I digress...
I just added a $2 a day ($10 a week) rate increase back in January to cover the new curriculum and all the recently added State burdens...umm..I mean requirements.
I will check out Carols, too, Blackcat...does she offer separate pieces or is it also a subscription type/all or nothing thing???
I think you can just order monthly but she gives discounts for 3,6 and 9 month programs. She also has some fabulous coloring packets, informational packets (daily reports/rewards) and specialty forms. She also sells really cool white noise/sound CD's like a safari themed one etc. I use funshine AND do my own because they seem to stay on one topic WAY longer than I can... I think my attention span is eerily similar to the kids...but I digress...
I just added a $2 a day ($10 a week) rate increase back in January to cover the new curriculum and all the recently added State burdens...umm..I mean requirements.
I will check out Carols, too, Blackcat...does she offer separate pieces or is it also a subscription type/all or nothing thing???
She offers a regular curriculum and a Christian based one as well. She splits them up into toddlers and preschool packages. I have found her prices to be comparable to other boxed curriculums.
It's definately worth checking out though.
pappyny 05:23 PM 08-03-2011
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
The one thing about Funshine I will say is there is alot of cutting and gluing that you have to do. It takes alot of time and although I loved their format, I think I stopped using it because I didn't have enough time to do all the prep work.
I just recieved September's curriculum today. Funshine now has a lot of punchout materials as opposed to all the cutting. There is still some prep involved, but not as much as before.The one thing about Funshine I will say is there is alot of cutting and gluing that you have to do. It takes alot of time and although I loved their format, I think I stopped using it because I didn't have enough time to do all the prep work.
Country Kids 07:20 PM 08-03-2011
I do Mother Goose Time. I did Funshine and just was so burned out by all the things I had to do. Tried my own and was spending 100+ a month on ink, paper, etc.
I don't charge the parents because I write it all off on my taxes. I have before just raised my rates a little to cover the costs and parents had no problem with that and it worked out great.
I don't charge the parents because I write it all off on my taxes. I have before just raised my rates a little to cover the costs and parents had no problem with that and it worked out great.
KEG123 06:22 AM 08-04-2011
Funshine has "buttercups" and "fireflies". Fireflies is for the olders 3-5, and buttercups is for 6-36 months. I'm going to do buttercups, even though my son may be a little bit too old (he turned 3 in April) and depending on how they do with it, may bump them to fireflies later on. It just depends on how we like it.
Cat Herder 07:15 AM 08-04-2011
Originally Posted by pappyny:
I just received September's curriculum today. Funshine now has a lot of punchout materials as opposed to all the cutting. There is still some prep involved, but not as much as before.
Mine should be here today....is it going to take up my whole storage cabinet???I just received September's curriculum today. Funshine now has a lot of punchout materials as opposed to all the cutting. There is still some prep involved, but not as much as before.
The shipping tracker says 9 pounds....
MommyMuffin 05:42 AM 08-05-2011
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Aha, completely good reason to do a boxed curriculum.. (FTR, I wasn't knocking you for using a boxed curriculum...sorry if it came off that way. )
What age are the kids you are looking to buy the curriculum for?
The one thing about Funshine I will say is there is alot of cutting and gluing that you have to do. It takes alot of time and although I loved their format, I think I stopped using it because I didn't have enough time to do all the prep work.
Carol's Affordable Curriculum offers a Tiny Tots box curriculum that requires no cutting...http://www.carolscurriculum.com/
I just ordered CAC and I love it. It's very simple and I dont have to do any prep work. What I am doing is going over the weeks topics and checking out books at the library that go along with it. After trying all the other curriculums this is the one that will work for me. Aha, completely good reason to do a boxed curriculum..
(FTR, I wasn't knocking you for using a boxed curriculum...sorry if it came off that way. )What age are the kids you are looking to buy the curriculum for?
The one thing about Funshine I will say is there is alot of cutting and gluing that you have to do. It takes alot of time and although I loved their format, I think I stopped using it because I didn't have enough time to do all the prep work.
Carol's Affordable Curriculum offers a Tiny Tots box curriculum that requires no cutting...http://www.carolscurriculum.com/
Price is right!!OP: I would like to charge my clients for the curriculum but I know they wouldn't want to pay for it. And then if I have a really busy day and dont get to the curriculum I dont want them to feel jipped because "they" paid me to do it.
actaktmdt 06:23 AM 08-05-2011
In January my rate is going up to help cover the cost of the curriculam, I'm trying mother goose time this year. It will only affect those who enroll as new. The past year I've not charged for it and used Funshine Express. This month what is our living room is being moved to our basement and the living room will become a more preschool and play room area. I like that it appears mother goose time offers more than funshine.