Teachers Schedules

I’ve never had a teachers child before. I have one interested in my program. The hours aren’t bad but she wants summers off. How do you go about that situation? Doesn’t want to pay full rate to hold the spot. My contract is you pay for the spot not attendance.

Also this is an infant. I worry about adjusting after being out of care for three months. Basically the baby would only be in care for two months and then out for three months during the summer.

Would you guarantee a spot in the fall?

[Sunshine69]

No, I would not guarantee the spot in the fall.

Infant spots are too easy to fill, there’s no way I’d be willing to lose that kind of money.

For people who want a full-time spot but don’t want to pay weekly, I just raise their weekly rate to cover the weeks they don’t want to pay for.

[CountryRoads]

If she doesn't want to pay in the summer, then she loses her spot. I would just make sure she understands that a spot may not be available when she needs it and she will need to contact you closer to that time to see if you have any availability.

Why would you take a major loss so someone else can save?

[Blackcat31]

I charge 52 weeks a year. My rates are based on enrollment not on attendance or time used.

It's important to remember that even though teachers only work a partial year, they still receive a full yearly salary.

If they pull out for summer I will not re-enroll. Even if I have the space. I refuse to lose money so someone else can save money. That is not good business practice.

Options that work nicely are

Charge full rates 52 weeks a year. Allow parent to pull out for summer and risk loss of their space

OR

Take what your yearly fee is (weekly rate x 52 weeks) and divide that by 9 months and make that higher rate the rate for the time the child is in care. This allows the parent to withdraw from care for the summer and you will still be paid the same as any other family


I feel if providers give teachers "special" rates etc for not working in the summer then I think you need to do the same for all families. This includes seasonal workers that may get laid off in the winter etc and those that work shift work etc. Teachers aren't special in regards to child care.

[e.j.]

Teachers are no different from other working parents as far as I'm concerned. If they want me to hold their spot for them, they need to pay for it. I always tell them if they want a guarantee that their spot will be available to them in the fall, they will need to pay me to hold it. They can bring their child throughout the summer or not; that's up to them but I need to maintain my income. I can't stay in business if I'm not making enough money to justify staying open. I am willing to take them back in the fall IF I have an opening but since I'll be working to fill the spot, there's little chance that I will. When I explain why I charge, most parents understand and choose to pay even if they don't like it. Most of my parents are teachers and they've all referred others to me so it isn't the deal breaker you would think it could be.

[Ariana]

I charge teachers a higher rate all year and then have their child attend part time over the summer. It works for me because I have my own kids home all summer and want less kids. You have to do what works for you. I think charging a higher rate and giving them the summer off or option of part time makes them feel they are getting a good deal.

[AmyKidsCo]

My policies state that they need to pay to guarantee their spot in the fall, and if they don't they might not have a spot. I do allow them to switch to part time for the summer rather than pay for full time.

So far the families who didn't want to do part time haven't had to pay because I've been able to fill the opening with one of my school-age grandchildren or an enrolled child's school-age sibling.

[AmyKidsCo]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

I charge 52 weeks a year. My rates are based on enrollment not on attendance or time used.

It's important to remember that even though teachers only work a partial year, they still receive a full yearly salary.

If they pull out for summer I will not re-enroll. Even if I have the space. I refuse to lose money so someone else can save money. That is not good business practice.

Options that work nicely are

Charge full rates 52 weeks a year. Allow parent to pull out for summer and risk loss of their space

OR

Take what your yearly fee is (weekly rate x 52 weeks) and divide that by 9 months and make that higher rate the rate for the time the child is in care. This allows the parent to withdraw from care for the summer and you will still be paid the same as any other family


I feel if providers give teachers "special" rates etc for not working in the summer then I think you need to do the same for all families. This includes seasonal workers that may get laid off in the winter etc and those that work shift work etc. Teachers aren't special in regards to child care.

IMO the second option is better because I've had too many families give notice effective the week before one of my paid vacations. Now I pro-rate like BlackCat described for everyone and they don't bring payment when I'm closed for "pre-paid" vacation.

[Jo123ABC]

I've mostly preferred teacher parents over non- teacher parents actually. I try to snatch them up for my daycare. They are the easiest to work with I think. I have one that works a different job in the summer and another who does part time usually though I've made it clear I may not always be able to do that. She often switches to full time the beginning of August anyway so really it's only 2 months of part-time care. If part-time is a possibility for you this year maybe you could try to work with them and offer that but make it clear that you don't know what your situation will be next year. If you have more than one teacher family or if they have two kids maybe they could switch days so it functions like a full spot split between 2 kids. My part time teacher family has two kids. One is school age so I can have her on top of the 7 under age 5. She'd bring her two kids three days a week so I actually made more money than I would with one full time kid. Does that make any sense? I know of daycares who only take teachers kids then they get their summers off! They probably have a higher rate but teachers prefer them for the summers off.

[Snowmom]

Figure out what's important to you in this instance.

Some questions to ask yourself:
Do you truly feel it's too difficult or stressful on you to have a child off for 3 months and have to adapt all over again?
Are infants spots in demand in your area?
Can you supplement the income during summer months with another temp family?
Do you like a lighter load in the summer?

Personally, I make a little more off teacher families!
I charge a two week enrollment deposit every Fall. They pay a slightly higher fee all school year long. No discounts for school holidays or closures and they still pay my vacation. In June, they forfeit their enrollment deposit to "hold the summer" and pay a new one when they return in late August.

Essentially, the higher rate and 2 week fee has me coming out about $100 ahead compared to all year round families. Plus, they're the families that usually pick up around 4pm and don't come school holidays- so I save some food/supply costs there too.

There's always the chance that they'll change their mind about a Fall return though. That's a drawback- since I am holding it. But I like lower enrollment in the summer and don't have too many issues with enrollment inquiries.

[Littlepeopleprovider]

I absolutely love working with teachers! I wish I could just have all teachers and take summers off to go bikepacking! I'm working towards that goal now.

From my experience, the children from teachers seem to be better behaved, come prepared and well-rested. The teachers also seem to have more respect for me as a provider.

I haven't charged more for teachers yet, but after reading what other providers are doing, it seems like the right way to do business.

You all have some excellent ideas here!

[Blackcat31]

Originally Posted by Littlepeopleprovider

I absolutely love working with teachers! I wish I could just have all teachers and take summers off to go bikepacking! I'm working towards that goal now.

From my experience, the children from teachers seem to be better behaved, come prepared and well-rested. The teachers also seem to have more respect for me as a provider.

I haven't charged more for teachers yet, but after reading what other providers are doing, it seems like the right way to do business.

You all have some excellent ideas here!

No idea where you found those teachers but IME teachers kids (and therapists) kids are THE worst. Read older threads and you’ll see so many others agree.
Good for you that you’ve had some good teacher kids.
I’ve never been that lucky...lol!

[Snowmom]

Originally Posted by Blackcat31

No idea where you found those teachers but IME teachers kids (and therapists) kids are THE worst. Read older threads and you’ll see so many others agree.
Good for you that you’ve had some good teacher kids.
I’ve never been that lucky...lol!

Doctor/Nurses kids... oye. Worst of the worst.


But yes, be super picky about those teacher families. You'll always find the teachers who feel entitled to get summers free, holidays prorated and always, always have a spot saved.

[dolores]

Originally Posted by Snowmom

Doctor/Nurses kids... oye. Worst of the worst.


But yes, be super picky about those teacher families. You'll always find the teachers who feel entitled to get summers free, holidays prorated and always, always have a spot saved.

I will add lawyers to your list...what a headache!

[Jo123ABC]

Originally Posted by Snowmom

Doctor/Nurses kids... oye. Worst of the worst.


But yes, be super picky about those teacher families. You'll always find the teachers who feel entitled to get summers free, holidays prorated and always, always have a spot saved.

Yes! I've had the most trouble with nurse families and this one dentist family. They're all like "my kid's vomiting and diarrhea all over the place... I'll drop powerade off on my lunch break."

[Kajada]

I love teacher schedules. Almost all my kids are teachers' kids and I'm working towards 100%. I also find their kids to be super well behaved (and curious, adventurous, etc etc) and just a joy to care for.

I charge a spot-reservation fee during the summer months but don't charge for winter or spring break. I obviously would make more money charging full rate 52 weeks a year but right now I value the time off with my kids more. When my kids are older I'll move to a different fee structure. I'm fortunate that right now we can live off my husband's salary (it's tight, but it works) and my income is extra/savings/whatever.