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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>What's Your Usual Response To "Daycare Costing A Fortune"???
Crazy8 10:08 AM 07-28-2013
I swear people think we are getting rich quick in this job!!

I'm sure many of us have gotten the snide comment or two about it so wondering if anyone has a favorite reply. I had someone recently emailing me about openings and in just a few exchanges they rubbed me the wrong way on a lot of things - one being how they want care that "doesn't cost a fortune". I won't even entertain interviewing them after the emails but had to sit on my hands to keep from sending them a laundry list of reasons daycare costs so much.
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NeedaVaca 10:31 AM 07-28-2013
Daycare doesn't cost a fortune, kids cost a fortune...
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EntropyControlSpecialist 10:42 AM 07-28-2013
I get paid $3.22 an hour for children that come from 8-5. I get paid $2.90 an hour for children that come from 7-5. My response would reflect that.
"I'm sorry that you feel that $2.90 an hour is too much for child care. Children are expensive. I wish you the best of luck in finding quality child care elsewhere for cheaper! "
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JoseyJo 10:43 AM 07-28-2013
Not sure this is the best response but what I normally say is "You're right- it is a lot when your paying it, but it's not nearly at much when your receiving it!" or "You're right- I wish I made enough to afford to pay for daycare, aren't you glad you do??!!"
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julie 11:25 AM 07-28-2013
My response would be "I'm sorry you feel that way. Quality childcare does cost a lot of money as I put a lot of work and effort into my program, as do the other wonderful caregivers in my area. The families that fit here generally have no problems prioritizing a wonderful, safe, and engaging place to be for their children over other materialistic needs. The peace of mind they have is priceless; therefore they do not have trouble paying, and certainly would not argue my price. Sounds like you are not a fit. Best of luck to you and your child in finding an alternate care situation that will work with your priorities."
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nannyde 11:56 AM 07-28-2013
Yes it is. Just paying for the roof over your child's head when he's away from home is SO expensive. The electric and gas he needs to have lights, hot water, heat and air conditioning under that roof away from home is SO expensive. The equipment under that roof is Redoinkulously expensive. That water he needs to wash his hands and clean his dishes aint cheap either. Then on top of all of that, you aren't under the roof so someone has to be paid a wage to care for him and supervise him. That's super expensive.

It's just cheaper for him to stay under the roof you are already paying for and use the utilities at your house then to pay for him at a second location. He doesn't need a second set of toys or equipment to play with if he is playing with the toys under your roof every day. He doesn't need a second set of equipment if he's at home. And best of all, you can care for him and supervise him for no additional money cuz Mama care is free.

Yes having second anything is going to be expensive but having a second roof and all that it protects and houses and someone other than the Mama caring for him is a very very expensive second. You may find that he just really doesn't need a second everything. It may be better for you to only pay for one of each instead of two.

It costs xyz to have his seconds here. If you can afford to pay for his seconds in two locations and can afford the second price here, I would love to visit with you.
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MissAnn 01:26 PM 07-28-2013
Originally Posted by Crazy8:
I swear people think we are getting rich quick in this job!!

I'm sure many of us have gotten the snide comment or two about it so wondering if anyone has a favorite reply. I had someone recently emailing me about openings and in just a few exchanges they rubbed me the wrong way on a lot of things - one being how they want care that "doesn't cost a fortune". I won't even entertain interviewing them after the emails but had to sit on my hands to keep from sending them a laundry list of reasons daycare costs so much.
Running a daycare is so expensive too!
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cheerfuldom 02:50 PM 07-28-2013
I just agree with them, yes daycare is expensive. And remind them that it is not any easier on the providers end. I have no problem letting parents know that even when I do have the max number of kids allowed, I still make only minimum wage, if that. So yes, daycare is a sacrifice for both the parents and a provider.
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Cradle2crayons 03:04 PM 07-28-2013
I've only had one parent ever tell me that daycare was expensive. Not speaking of mine in specific, just in general.

First, I told them not really. They are away from home 50 hours a week. Those 50 hours the parents and kids aren't at home, they are saving water, electricity, costs of heating and cooling etc. plus the costs of food that they aren't eating while at home.

Add up that 50 hours of savings they aren't at home, and move only a part of that expense over to someone else's costs to take care of your precious nugget, leaving them a buck an hour after expenses that they make to take care of your child. Now isn't a buck an hour pretty cheap for childcare ??
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Blackcat31 03:18 PM 07-28-2013
Included BOTH on my web-site and in my enrollment packet is a nice little write up about the costs of child care and why it is expensive. (attached)

It isn't suitable for a witty comeback when some one makes a snide comment about it and it certainly doesn't appease those that refuse to pay for quality care but it does a nice job of explaining that providers don't just sit back and charge per hour per child and then bring home the big bucks.....easy peasy....

Children ARE expensive, caring for them is also expensive and hiring someone else to do it is also expensive....

Bottom line is child care is an expensive service to purchase because it is labor intensive.

Children need to be supervised and cared for and it takes a provider to be there to do these things in order for the parents to report into work without worrying about their children.
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Starburst 04:43 PM 07-28-2013
"I'm sorry you feel that way. Maybe it would be cheaper to higher someone to come into your home, watch your TV, eat your food, use your electricity/water, and trust them to not snoop through your personal belongings or steal from you while paying them at least $8 per hour (minimum wage) for about 9 hours per day 5 days a week instead of a much lower flat rate of less then 1/4 of minimum wage per hour and about a 2/3 less per week. And don't forget overtime laws, taxes, background check fees, and reimbursing them if they buy your child a gift or use their own car to drive the child somewhere. "

Okay, so I probably wouldn't have the chutzpah to say that to someone but I would think it (or at least water it down a bit if I did say it).

P.S. I also heard (in my state at least) that they have been discussing for a while passing a law that, just like with other employees in other proffessions, that babysitters/nanny's will need to be provided a paid 15 minute break after ever 2 hours of work and a (non-paid) 1/2 hour lunch break before every 5 hour of work. Meaning the employers (aka the parents) will have to find substitute care every 2 hours for 15 minutes or 1/2 and will have to still pay both parties (the sub for the time she fills in and the regular sitter for their breaks but not their lunches). As well as overtime pay for over 8 hours.

http://www.thenewamerican.com/cultur...babysitter-pay
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nannyde 04:45 PM 07-28-2013
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Included BOTH on my web-site and in my enrollment packet is a nice little write up about the costs of child care and why it is expensive. (attached)

It isn't suitable for a witty comeback when some one makes a snide comment about it and it certainly doesn't appease those that refuse to pay for quality care but it does a nice job of explaining that providers don't just sit back and charge per hour per child and then bring home the big bucks.....easy peasy....

Children ARE expensive, caring for them is also expensive and hiring someone else to do it is also expensive....

Bottom line is child care is an expensive service to purchase because it is labor intensive.

Children need to be supervised and cared for and it takes a provider to be there to do these things in order for the parents to report into work without worrying about their children.

The real true issue is that parents believe the cost of child care is for the physical care and supervision of the kids. Some understand that Centers have operating costs to house their kid but very few parents of children in home care realize that a big portion of the tuition is to cover their child's portion of the roof and everything under.

You can't have your child somewhere else for 50 hours a week and have their only need to survive be physical care and supervision.

Child care is expensive because your child is somewhere else under the care of someone else. That is expensive.
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Laurel 05:17 PM 07-28-2013
Originally Posted by Crazy8:
I swear people think we are getting rich quick in this job!!

I'm sure many of us have gotten the snide comment or two about it so wondering if anyone has a favorite reply. I had someone recently emailing me about openings and in just a few exchanges they rubbed me the wrong way on a lot of things - one being how they want care that "doesn't cost a fortune". I won't even entertain interviewing them after the emails but had to sit on my hands to keep from sending them a laundry list of reasons daycare costs so much.
"Yes, it is expensive. Having children is very expensive. It would be nice if before we had children we knew the real expenses involved but most parents don't really sit down and figure that out ahead of time. It comes as a shock, doesn't it? I can sympathize with you. I raised 3 children myself. Wait until you have a teenager eating you out of house and home and then again when they check out colleges. It never ends! If I only knew what I know now."

Then maybe...."Child care providers don't make as much money doing this job as one might think. Consider the times we are not full and families leaving with little or no notice. Our income is never dependable and our income is uncertain. It is tough all around."

Laurel
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Memc2001 06:29 PM 07-28-2013
I make less than $2 per hour per child. Sounds reasonable to me considering I am supplying everything except diapers. Running a nice daycare and keeping it that way isn't cheap either.
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Familycare71 08:28 PM 07-28-2013
I just figured it out- if I am full of pre schoolers I make close to min wage after expenses!! please- don't ever let me do that again!!!
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blandino 08:40 PM 07-28-2013
I LOVE blackcat's explanation page.

I usually emphasize the hours, and amount of work that my job requires. I have one high school friend who always complains about the cost of daycare (her child doesn't come to me). But then once when she was inquiring about referrals in her area she told me in the same message that "daycare is so expensive" & "I know I couldn't do what you do".
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MarinaVanessa 12:08 AM 07-29-2013
Originally Posted by NeedaVaca:
Daycare doesn't cost a fortune, kids cost a fortune...
This has always been my answer.
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Josiegirl 03:12 AM 07-29-2013
Our bon bons and cable channels are going up in price ya know.

I can't remember if I've ever had anyone tell me that or complain. They do have options. Go to that over crowded minimum charging 2nd rate place up the street, or stay home, or enroll here and know their child will be loved and taken care of as if it were my own.

I wonder if these people are the same ones who have all kinds of 'toys' sitting in their backyard, big honkin' boats, camps on the lake, 3 cars, snowmachines and atv's and their yearly vacas to Disneyland.
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coolconfidentme 04:24 AM 07-29-2013
Originally Posted by Crazy8:
I swear people think we are getting rich quick in this job!!

I'm sure many of us have gotten the snide comment or two about it so wondering if anyone has a favorite reply. I had someone recently emailing me about openings and in just a few exchanges they rubbed me the wrong way on a lot of things - one being how they want care that "doesn't cost a fortune". I won't even entertain interviewing them after the emails but had to sit on my hands to keep from sending them a laundry list of reasons daycare costs so much.
I always says, "I always thought my child was worth being in a safe environment. Everybody's different though."
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skipper 05:22 AM 07-29-2013
Daycare is cheap if you look at it as value for dollar.

For instance, one of my DCM's has no problem dropping $100 plus weekly on a spa treatment. That buys her MAYBE two hours and when she's done she's done.
Yet $36 will buy her 9 hours of top quality child care.

Another DCF go to Boston Pizza once a week. 2 kids, 2 adults. So two entrees with beer, and two kids meals... probably close to $60 or more. For an hours worth of eating.
But $55 buys them childcare for two kids - 9 hours of childcare!

Priorities, priorities..... I have to laugh when they complain
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Familycare71 06:46 AM 07-29-2013
Originally Posted by skipper:
Daycare is cheap if you look at it as value for dollar.

For instance, one of my DCM's has no problem dropping $100 plus weekly on a spa treatment. That buys her MAYBE two hours and when she's done she's done.
Yet $36 will buy her 9 hours of top quality child care.

Another DCF go to Boston Pizza once a week. 2 kids, 2 adults. So two entrees with beer, and two kids meals... probably close to $60 or more. For an hours worth of eating.
But $55 buys them childcare for two kids - 9 hours of childcare!

Priorities, priorities..... I have to laugh when they complain
Love this!!! Maybe I should do a cost comparison sheet to had out with paper work...
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DaisyMamma 07:17 AM 07-29-2013
Originally Posted by coolconfidentme:
I always says, "I always thought my child was worth being in a safe environment. Everybody's different though."
Love it!
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