Holding Fees

[apples and bananas]

I have a client who really wants to join my daycare. She's been refered by a current client who talks very highly of me. She doesn't need care until November and I'll have space in September. That's 11 weeks that I would be holding the space for her. She's also 11 hour days once she does start (1 year old)

What would you charge her to hold the space?

I normally wouldn't hold at all, but it's my favorite family that referred her and I'm hoping she's a duplicate. They are very good friends.

What are you're holding fees and what do you charge for 11 hours? Or what is your extra charge for over your normal hours. I charge one rate for 10 hours or less. An additional 5.00 per hour after that, but it doesn't seem like enough.

[dodge__driver11]

I would charge her a total of 8 weeks fees and then half it for the remaining 3.

I would charge $10/day for that remaing hour

[Momof4]

I held spaces last year and only charged $100/month. I'm going to be holding a space this year and charging $200/month. Yeah, I'm too nice, but I don't spend any money on food and won't have any work to do so I can't justify it in my mind to charge full fees.

I work a 9 hour day and charge $5/half hour overtime. So if somebody wanted to stay here for an 11 hour day they would owe me an extra $20 every single day. This is where I'm tough because I am doing the work!

You know, it's pretty funny, but if you tell people they will have to pay an extra $20/day they all of a sudden find a way to use the 9 hour day.

[fruitloop]

I charge a $200/month holding fee to hold a space for longer than 1 month. I'm only open for 9.5 hours. I don't like to be open any longer than that if I don't have to be. That being said, I do have 1 family who I open up half an hour early for and they pay me an extra $100/month to do so.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Tough one ~ I honestly would have to pas if it were me ~ my cut off for extended hours is 10 hours cause that's my threshold ~ working longer than that I start to burn out :(

Also I normally do not hold a spot specially for THAT long ~ that is a lot of income to 'forgo' for someone specially if there is demand in your area and you could fill that spot with someone else.

If it is someone you really want to enroll and can afford the loss in income than find a holding fee that is 'fair' to both of you ... you could meet in middle with them paying 50% of your fee and than even do something like allow them to start sending the little one 2-3 hours a day for September and 3-4 hours for October or something and working up to full time for November so the wee one should be good and adjusted by the time they are expected to be there 11 hours a day?

[Play and Learn]

If they really want the spot, they have to pay $5/day to hold their spot, plus the 2-wk non-refundable deposit.

I work a 9 hour day PERIOD. I cannot accept anyone more than that as I have my family and another business that I run during the evenings. If they can't work within MY business hours, then see ya!

[Littledragon]

I'm open 7:30-5:30 and I charge $40 a day. If you're here the entire time, it's still only $40 a day. I don't charge more if they're here more. If they wanted to be here before ore after opening or close, I would charge $3 per half hour per day. (This is just what I do). As for a holding fee, I would take a security deposit of two weeks, and then charge $200 a month. That's just me though. :)

[kidlove]

If you really like her and think they could be another great family, I would try to keep them. Really great families are hard to find! maybe you could explain to them that you are concerned about the large gap in the current and the time they need care. Tell them if they are interested, they will need to either make a down payment or pay X amount each week to reassure you they will still come at the end of your wait. Is there anyway they can start with a minimum due each week, now? and just bring their kid one day a week or part time? if they really want you you would think they would be willing to make a compromise? maybe this is a good chance to find out how respectful they will be and just how good of people they are. If I was happy to find a care provider but didnt need care for another 10 weeks but knew she could fill my spot if I didnt work on a payment of some kind to secure my spot, I would work something out, within reason. (from parents point of view though....I would NOT pay full just to hold the spot)

[kidlove]

Momof4: your comment of once you tell the parent they have that extra charge if they go over and all the sudden they find the way to pick up after 9 hrs. had to chuckle......:) I too have noticed that money talks. Had a parent picking up like 5 sometimes 10 minutes late all the time, got tired of it, so I charged them a 20$ late pickup charge......they found a way to get here by close every day after that.

[apples and bananas]

Hmmm... thanks for all of your input. I just can't decide what to do.

Great family! long hours! Would probably pay 200 a month to hold and I'd probably have to charge 45 for the 11 hour days in my area.... but how long can I work 11 hour days 5 days a week? Might be ok at first as the baby will probably go down around 8am and then again with the rest of the kids at 1pm... but it's the getting up and being ready at 6:30 that's haunting me.

[playfelt]

The extra fee will add up quickly and buy you something nice to compensate even if it is pizza for family supper on Fridays to celebrate another week done. Think about it as a mom - kids are just there 24 hours a day. Remember that just because a daycare child is in your home that beyond supervision it doesn't mean you have to be directly working with that child. They can come and may even go right back to sleep or are put in the play yard with toys while you sit and eat your breakfast just like you would have been doing getting ready for the kids coming at 7. In other words your day isnt' really changing that much it just has another person in it. When they get older remember that tv makes a great babysitter first thing in the morning while you eat breakfast and check emails nearby too.

On the 11 hour day - just make sure they are paying for the full week as in government workers around here can work an extra hour a day - hence needing 11 hours care instead of 10 but get every other Friday off in which case you should too. That means you get paid the regular rate plus the cost of them coming the day off which of course they will and divide that by 10. The result is the parents paying an extra $5 each day which for $100 a month I don't mind having someone watch me eat breakfast and read the newspaper.

[kidlove]

Word to the wise on the 6:30 start. I have done it since opening, have lasted for almost 10 years. I am NOT much of a morning person and dont enjoy it! although I have made it work this far, def makes for a longer day though....... just posted starting in September they will change to 7:30 and I'm thrilled. any way could you compromise with this family and open 7 instead? that way you wont get to any point that you feel resentment toward them when the newness wears off?

[kidlove]

adding to playfelts response, I also informed one parent(she and hubby both go to work 6:30) although my hours are changing to 7:30 I will take their daughter, BUT...bring her in pj.s and I may answer door in pj.s, she will go back to sleep when she gets here. (they are my neighbors and I am willing to do the favor) but aside from proper safety/supervision, you dont have to be directly working with that child. they were just delighted I was willing to make an exception for them. win,win!!! :)

[apples and bananas]

Oh, you are almost talking me into it.

I have one at 7 am right now and 2 - 3 days a week I have one as early as 6:15 so on those days it's not a big deal. The conflict I have it I have 2 going on mat leave which means my 7am goes to an 8:30am. I have to be up to get my kids to school anyways..and it should be a big deal... at least it's early and not late.

I really have to talk to the client and see what kind of backup care they have and if there is any chance the hours will change down the road. I'm afraid to comit to it... take a deposit... have her pay months of holding fees and then feel that it's beyond what I can do.

[kidlove]

Well, if you are still worried, you must not be ready. If your not ready to do it for sure...dont. Thats were that "resentment" comes into play after the newness wears off. They seem like nice people you dont want to wreck it with being annoyed by too early drop-off. maybe they wont fit YOUR daily sched.?

note: Even though I dont like getting up that early and greeting "ready to go" kids. I guess the way I have always looked at it is....it's my job to provide for them what they need. Thats what sets me apart from other providers in my area. When people come to me for early care, they always say "you know how hard it is to find early morning care?" my response can be "not any more" :) love to please them. Thats just me though. Do whats right for you. :)