Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Your Rate Compared To Local Centers?
EntropyControlSpecialist 10:13 AM 03-12-2013
This is a spin off thread. How do your rate compare to the local centers close by you?
I charge $5.00 less than the one daycare center less than a mile away but I open 1.5 hours later in the morning and close 1.5 hours earlier in the evening. They are open 6:30-6:30.
I charge about the same as the Preschools in the next city over but offer more.
I charge $5.00 less than the one daycare center less than a mile away but I open 1.5 hours later in the morning and close 1.5 hours earlier in the evening. They are open 6:30-6:30.
I charge about the same as the Preschools in the next city over but offer more.
momofboys 10:15 AM 03-12-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
This is a spin off thread. How do your rate compare to the local centers close by you?
I charge $5.00 less than the one daycare center less than a mile away but I open 1.5 hours later in the morning and close 1.5 hours earlier in the evening. They are open 6:30-6:30.
I charge about the same as the Preschools in the next city over but offer more.
For a toddler/preschooler I am about $10-15/less per week & for infants I am about $25/less a week. Of course my hours are not as lengthy- the local center we have in town is open 6:30 am - 6:00 pm & I am only open 7 am - 4:45.This is a spin off thread. How do your rate compare to the local centers close by you?
I charge $5.00 less than the one daycare center less than a mile away but I open 1.5 hours later in the morning and close 1.5 hours earlier in the evening. They are open 6:30-6:30.
I charge about the same as the Preschools in the next city over but offer more.
wahmof3 10:15 AM 03-12-2013
My rate is $25-$50 per week less than centers locally.
slpender 10:23 AM 03-12-2013
my rates are about $5-$10 less for 3-4 yrs and about $15-$20 for toddlers and about 25-30 less for infants. My hours are also less with most centers in the area being 6-6 Iam 7:30-5:00 I also that off 2 weeks at christmas and the week of spring most centers are only closed on the major holidays.
DaisyMamma 10:26 AM 03-12-2013
My rates are $25 less per week than the one center in town. But I open at 8:30 and they open around 6am. No thanks!
I close at 6 and so do they, but soon I will change that to 5:30
I close at 6 and so do they, but soon I will change that to 5:30
MarinaVanessa 10:34 AM 03-12-2013
Centers in my area all charge more than I do. I charge $165/wk and centers in my area charge $200+/wk for FT.
youretooloud 10:35 AM 03-12-2013
I charge $25 a day. The closest center to me (tutor time) charges $70 a day. The "Little Scholars" school charges $60 a day, and a center in a lower income part of town (but is mostly AHS kids) charges $45 a day.
They technically do a lot more than we do, so I guess it's normal. But, I think centers are right for some people, and family daycare is right for others.
They technically do a lot more than we do, so I guess it's normal. But, I think centers are right for some people, and family daycare is right for others.
jokalima 10:36 AM 03-12-2013
I charge 165.00, centers here are way over 200, some close to 285.00
CedarCreek 11:05 AM 03-12-2013
I charge 135 for over 18 months. The nearest center (which I wouldn't recommend) is 155. The better centers in town are around 180.
I charge 150 for infants. I think the centers around here charge over 200.
I charge 150 for infants. I think the centers around here charge over 200.
blandino 11:09 AM 03-12-2013
Centers here charge much more than in homes.
Our infant rate is $150-160.00 and most nice centers around here are over $200.00.
Local centers have different rates for every age group (140.00-180.00) and we only have 1 rate for over 2 and that is $140.00.
Our infant rate is $150-160.00 and most nice centers around here are over $200.00.
Local centers have different rates for every age group (140.00-180.00) and we only have 1 rate for over 2 and that is $140.00.
Evansmom 11:19 AM 03-12-2013
I'm a little different in that I charge one rate for my spots no matter the age. I only have 3 spots. So this means that for toddlers I charge about $200 less per month, for 2/3 I charge about the same but for preschoolers I end up charging slightly more. My home and program are totally different than most if not all centers around here so it works for me.
KnoxMom 11:21 AM 03-12-2013
On average: $50 less for infants, $40 less for toddlers, $30 less for preschool than the closest centers within 20 miles. Still about $50 MORE across the board than the SAHMs on Craigslist, but I refuse to waiver! 
HomeMADE 11:25 AM 03-12-2013
My infant rate is $135
Center Rates range from $160 - $222
Above age 2 rate is $125
Center rates range from $130 - $160
I open at 5:30am and close at 6:00pm
Centers open at 6:30am close at 6:30pm
Center Rates range from $160 - $222
Above age 2 rate is $125
Center rates range from $130 - $160
I open at 5:30am and close at 6:00pm
Centers open at 6:30am close at 6:30pm
williams2008 11:35 AM 03-12-2013
My rate for infants is $5 less than a center 5 blocks from me and for toddlers I'm about $10 less for toddlers. They open from 5:30a.m.-midnight and I open from 6a.m.-6:30 as of right now. My hours will be changing April 1st, so I'll be opening later!
CedarCreek 11:40 AM 03-12-2013
Originally Posted by KnoxMom:
On average: $50 less for infants, $40 less for toddlers, $30 less for preschool than the closest centers within 20 miles. Still about $50 MORE across the board than the SAHMs on Craigslist, but I refuse to waiver!
Same here! The sahms on Craigslist kill me with those rates! On average: $50 less for infants, $40 less for toddlers, $30 less for preschool than the closest centers within 20 miles. Still about $50 MORE across the board than the SAHMs on Craigslist, but I refuse to waiver!
Sunchimes 11:59 AM 03-12-2013
As of about a year ago, I was $12 less for toddlers and $27 less for babies. I have more flexible hours, but my families have been with me a long time and I won't raise their rates right now. I could probably get more without any problem because both centers in our town have a lot of high level citations. I've heard from parents who tried them that they are not very good. Maybe I'll go up a little next year.
Starburst 12:01 PM 03-12-2013
Originally Posted by Evansmom:
I'm a little different in that I charge one rate for my spots no matter the age. I only have 3 spots. So this means that for toddlers I charge about $200 less per month, for 2/3 I charge about the same but for preschoolers I end up charging slightly more. My home and program are totally different than most if not all centers around here so it works for me.
Thats what I was thinking of doing too- just a flat weekly "time slot" rate no matter the age but depending on the number days or hours attened (a full-time, part-time, or drop in rate). Thats what I see a lot of people doing in the area I plan on moving to. I think that way is better in some ways because then I wouldn't have to worry so much about when the child is potty training that the parents insist on their child being "officially" potty trained to get a cheaper price and having to worry about making up that income or feeling like I am getting a pay cut for working with them longer than If I just got a new child. I was thinking since I will do preschool maybe see about having a flat rate for just preschoolers who are only their for 1 or 2 hours a day (maybe a higher drop in rate or just charge them a lower daily rate that is still manditory wheather they are present that day or not)I'm a little different in that I charge one rate for my spots no matter the age. I only have 3 spots. So this means that for toddlers I charge about $200 less per month, for 2/3 I charge about the same but for preschoolers I end up charging slightly more. My home and program are totally different than most if not all centers around here so it works for me.
daycarediva 12:15 PM 03-12-2013
I am pretty close to the local centers. However, they do not offer preschool and I do.
Preschools in the area (with after care included) are around $200-250/week or $25-75 more and are in SUPER high demand, waiting lists for 1 year+.
I also have a waiting list.
Preschools in the area (with after care included) are around $200-250/week or $25-75 more and are in SUPER high demand, waiting lists for 1 year+.
I also have a waiting list.
JLH 01:15 PM 03-12-2013
I charge $25/day to all of my old clients.
My new rates are $30/day for 18 mo to 2 years. $25/day for 1/2 day kinders and $20/day for all day kinders and school-agers. Those rates stay the same regardless of the amount of hours the kids are in my care and regardless of school closures, 1/2 days, etc. I do really like the idea of charging a flat rate for the spot though.
The center down the street charges around $38/day.
I thought that by getting a house right in the middle of town (right on the highway and literally surrounded by big businesses, restaurants and strip malls) I would always be full and I could charge as much as the centers in my area. My home is even zoned residential/commercial and my driveway looks like a small parking lot for about 3 or 4 cars. However, it hasn't worked out like that. We are also surrounded by a lot of big centers and they really do seem to stay full where we seem to have to work a bit harder for it. Maybe it's just because we are still pretty new though...
My new rates are $30/day for 18 mo to 2 years. $25/day for 1/2 day kinders and $20/day for all day kinders and school-agers. Those rates stay the same regardless of the amount of hours the kids are in my care and regardless of school closures, 1/2 days, etc. I do really like the idea of charging a flat rate for the spot though.
The center down the street charges around $38/day.
I thought that by getting a house right in the middle of town (right on the highway and literally surrounded by big businesses, restaurants and strip malls) I would always be full and I could charge as much as the centers in my area. My home is even zoned residential/commercial and my driveway looks like a small parking lot for about 3 or 4 cars. However, it hasn't worked out like that. We are also surrounded by a lot of big centers and they really do seem to stay full where we seem to have to work a bit harder for it. Maybe it's just because we are still pretty new though...
SilverSabre25 01:30 PM 03-12-2013
The crappy-looking "National Child Care Center" in a beat-up strip mall across the street from my neighborhood charges $180/week for toddlers my son's age. I try to get $140 for all ages, though have been as low as $100 or $120 within the past year or so. I consider that center to be one of the bottom of the barrel ones and certainly never a place I'd EVER send my child. But I still charge less than them and still get people rolling their eyes at my rates.
I think for a decent center, we'd be looking at $220 or more/week but I'm not sure. I only know about the one center because I was fed up with my son one day and seriously considering sending him to daycare.
I think for a decent center, we'd be looking at $220 or more/week but I'm not sure. I only know about the one center because I was fed up with my son one day and seriously considering sending him to daycare.
Evansmom 02:01 PM 03-12-2013
Originally Posted by Starburst:
Thats what I was thinking of doing too- just a flat weekly "time slot" rate no matter the age but depending on the number days or hours attened (a full-time, part-time, or drop in rate). Thats what I see a lot of people doing in the area I plan on moving to. I think that way is better in some ways because then I wouldn't have to worry so much about when the child is potty training that the parents insist on their child being "officially" potty trained to get a cheaper price and having to worry about making up that income or feeling like I am getting a pay cut for working with them longer than If I just got a new child. I was thinking since I will do preschool maybe see about having a flat rate for just preschoolers who are only their for 1 or 2 hours a day (maybe a higher drop in rate or just charge them a lower daily rate that is still manditory wheather they are present that day or not)
Yes, it's much less stressful to have a more dependable income and there is less haggling over days/pricing and you don't have to calculate weekly invoices. My tuition is due at the first of each month, no exceptions. No refunds for missed days. They pay for a spot. If I have a sick day I do not charge but I do not refund so the day is deducted from the next month's tuition. Does that make sense? Also I don't charge for my 3 weeks vacation. But I do for federal holidays.Thats what I was thinking of doing too- just a flat weekly "time slot" rate no matter the age but depending on the number days or hours attened (a full-time, part-time, or drop in rate). Thats what I see a lot of people doing in the area I plan on moving to. I think that way is better in some ways because then I wouldn't have to worry so much about when the child is potty training that the parents insist on their child being "officially" potty trained to get a cheaper price and having to worry about making up that income or feeling like I am getting a pay cut for working with them longer than If I just got a new child. I was thinking since I will do preschool maybe see about having a flat rate for just preschoolers who are only their for 1 or 2 hours a day (maybe a higher drop in rate or just charge them a lower daily rate that is still manditory wheather they are present that day or not)
Patches 03:01 PM 03-12-2013
I charge much less than centers around here, which I'm pretty sure is the norm for home daycares.
I'd say on average about .......
$40-$60 less per week for infants and toddlers
and it gets closer in cost as they get older. I might charge about the same for a 4 year old
I'd say on average about .......
$40-$60 less per week for infants and toddlers
and it gets closer in cost as they get older. I might charge about the same for a 4 year old
Patches 03:03 PM 03-12-2013
Originally Posted by CedarCreek:
Same here! The sahms on Craigslist kill me with those rates!
^Ditto Same here! The sahms on Craigslist kill me with those rates!
frgsonmysox 09:01 PM 03-12-2013
Everyone around here, all home daycare, and CL SAHM's charge about $20-$35 per day. Those closer in Omaha charge more, I live in the suburbs so I charge $25/day because I offer a very expensive prek program and I have a lot of experience. Since I live in a military community though, and am military myself, I have a LOT of competition with military families babysitting one or two families for super cheap. I don't live in Base housing anymore so I was able to actually set up a prek room, and by word of mouth from my first few families I am getting a lot of attention.
I've had a lot of people try to talk my prices down. I'm already working for less than min. wage. Some people expect too much.
I was on care.com the other day looking at local jobs. This one lady wanted a full time nanny for her two newborn twins, all nigh feedings, during the day all care as well as 100% devotion to educational activities for them, housework, all errands and groceries, as well as all meals provided. She was offering $5/hour. I was flabbergasted.
I've had a lot of people try to talk my prices down. I'm already working for less than min. wage. Some people expect too much.
I was on care.com the other day looking at local jobs. This one lady wanted a full time nanny for her two newborn twins, all nigh feedings, during the day all care as well as 100% devotion to educational activities for them, housework, all errands and groceries, as well as all meals provided. She was offering $5/hour. I was flabbergasted.