ASK for what you're worth!!!

[Not Mommy]

Am currently advertising to fill one space and I am SOOOO frustrated with the number of home daycares in the area seeking to undercut each other by offering ridiculously cheap prices and degrading options to parents.

Home daycares operating in this day in age (regardless of where you are located and I am only referring to full-time, year-round care) should be asking for a MINIMUM of the following:

-atleast $40/day (most areas should be $42-$45), including one lunch and 2 snacks... more food is more money, more than 9-10 hours/day is MORE MONEY... you see where I'm going with this...
-stat holidays PAID!
-some personal days off paid (most should have a week atleast if not more per year)
-some vacation time (you NEED time off, whether you choose to take this paid or unpaid.... you MUST take time off!)
-overtime... if parents are dropping off earlier or picking up later with or without warning... CHARGE THEM!
-additional hours... if clients ask you to open earlier or later for their child, CHARGE THEM EXTRA!

This is my first post on this forum and I have read MANY posts as to how devalued people feel doing this... hold your heads high ladies... THIS IS A TOUGH JOB. The only way we will gain more respect is to DEMAND it. For those of us going above and beyond for our job we should be acknowledged for it. When asked what I do I will proudly state "I have a home daycare!". This is not something to be ashamed of as if we are some kind of failure at "real life" or as if we couldn't get a "real job".

And to the daycare providers in my area letting parents get away with paying $30/day AND not taking any kind of vacay pay AND letting parents get away with non-payment or not paying for days their child should have attended... shame on you! Yup, I said it... you're bringing us all down (and likely you'll be closed in 3 months anyway when you realize how tough this job is). I realize this is a competitive market but by undervaluing yourselves you are undervaluing ALLL of us.

Ladies (and gentleman if you are out there!) ASK FOR WHAT YOU ARE WORTH!!

[jammiesandtea]

VERY WELL SAID! Welcome to the forum! I like you already. :thumbsup:

[Judy Trickett]

Well, you're preaching to the choir, here, with me reading your post. Lord knows I have said your exact words a thousand times over.

My question to providers is always: Why do you feel you are not worthy of being respected and paid fairly? Why do you feel that your dcparents are more worthy of keeping their money than pay you what you are owed and earned? What is it inside of YOU that devalues who you are and what you do?

Every provider needs to take a moment and reflect on those questions. WE teach people how to treat us. WE teach people what our value is.

You can not sell what you do not own.

If YOU don't value yourself or see your worth than how is anyone else supposed to? ;)

[FunnyFarm]

Amen!!!!! You reflect my feelings exactly today! I am in the midst of finding new kids for all of my spots (life happens) and it is not, I repeat NOT, easy! Thankyou for sharing your thoughts. I am encountering the same thing! Thanks again!

[momofnerds]

but you have to remember where you live. No one in my city that is a home daycare provider charges 40 dollars or more. The most people charge is 35 dollars and thats only a few. So really I'm not disgracing myself, I'm proud for what I do and I charge accordingly.

[playfelt]

Just as everyone starts out with a basic salary at work they earn promotions and bonus incentives for performance or taking additional training courses etc. and the same is true in daycare. Yes those starting out do not feel they are on the same level playing field as those that have been in the business for many years and the truth is they are not. Don't care what experience you bring o to the table home daycare is not the same as any other job out there. You start, you learn, you train and you move up the ladder like everyone else in every other job.

As to the perks you offer yourself well that is the privilege of being self employed.

You also have to be very careful. What you have just proposed is against the law. No group can conspire to fix the price in the marketplace - ie decide to all charge a certain rate with the same perks.

[jammiesandtea]

but you have to remember where you live. No one in my city that is a home daycare provider charges 40 dollars or more. The most people charge is 35 dollars and thats only a few. So really I'm not disgracing myself, I'm proud for what I do and I charge accordingly.

Edited to remove evidence of my own lack of knowledge about the subject I was discussing! lol :o

[jammiesandtea]

Just as everyone starts out with a basic salary at work they earn promotions and bonus incentives for performance or taking additional training courses etc. and the same is true in daycare. Yes those starting out do not feel they are on the same level playing field as those that have been in the business for many years and the truth is they are not. Don't care what experience you bring o to the table home daycare is not the same as any other job out there. You start, you learn, you train and you move up the ladder like everyone else in every other job.

As to the perks you offer yourself well that is the privilege of being self employed.

You also have to be very careful. What you have just proposed is against the law. No group can conspire to fix the price in the marketplace - ie decide to all charge a certain rate with the same perks.

I do not know this for sure, and I may end up being educated on this issue before this day is out, but I do not think the price-fixing laws apply to every type of business or service. I think it's only for the gas companies and bigger industries like that. If I am wrong and someone can show me proof of that, I will change my tune and admit to being incorrect. :p

Later edited to add: A quick search indicates you were correct, playfelt, and I was wrong. Apparently price-fixing is a big legal no-no not just in big industries like gas companies but in any type of business. So therefore, I am NOT publicly recommending y'all do that! lol ;)

[playfelt]

We were warned - years ago now so not sure changes - about discussing prices at provider meetings because it could be construed as attempting to fix the price.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_fixing

[apples and bananas]

My area has not yet creeped up to the $40.00 mark yet.

Price Fixing aside...

I don't think every provider is worth the same. I am not an ECE. I believe that the provider down the street has every right to charge more then I am as they are ECE trained.

I do not take the kids off site or include entrance fees to indoor playgrounds etc., so I don't feel that I can fairly charge the same rate as the lady across the street that does.

I think, like in every business, there are advantages and disadvantages to each and every person/product. You pay for what you get.

I understand your frustration in other providers making your fee's seem expensive. I think if we find a way to promote what we do, rather then how much we charge, we will attract the kind of clients that we want. And not just clients that are looking for a cheaper price.

[playfelt]

This came up years ago with the annual caregiver survey of rates as what was found is providers were using that to see what was "normal" and then changing to those rates. Our decision basically was that the chart is just information and what someone does with it is no different than a store putting out a flyer of prices and the store down the street adjusting their prices accordingly as in nothing illegal in what the association was doing by giving us the info but that was as far as it could go.

[Judy Trickett]

Price fixing.....it's absolute crap. You know it and I know it. I mean, honestly, is it any wonder WHY the same brand of frying pan is within a 25 cent range in price between Canadian Tire, Walmart and Target? A box of macaroni is pretty much the same price within a few PENNIES at any grocery store. Price fixing goes on ALL....THE...TIME... ..everyone know it. The only difference is that big companies do it behind closed doors.

I'm not disagreeing that it's against the law. But it's a stupid law that is habitually broken time and time again.

AND, I would like to know HOW a government body is going to accuse any industry of price fixing. So every provider charges $40 a day? How do they PROVE that is it price fixing? Maybe that's just the precipice of price that needs to be charged to earn a living. You know?

Every single professional college - the college of optometrists, dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists etc etc - have recommended fee schedules as set out by the college. Tell me how that isn't "price fixing". And every member of those colleges had the ability to charge more or less for their services without penalty - it's ultimately their choice. But the recommended fee schedule is still there, in bold print and you will find most professionals pretty much stick to it.

[Fun&care]

I'm not sure why everyone gets so worked up over pricing. Like others have said, we are NOT all equals. When I started out, I lived in my apartment still, I had a good little setup but no yard. So I advertised at 25$ per day to the first client that signed with me. The client after that I charged 30$. I was trying to be competitive because I knew parents would be taking a gamble starting out with a new provider plus I didn't feel I had the setup to charge a whole lot. Also I was honestly happy to just be home with my kids and the money earned from daycare helped a lot even if it was just a little. Since then I have moved to a townhouse with a large basement dedicated to the daycare and we have a big yard and my program and contracts are much better etc. so now I am advertising at 40$. But, if I can't find any clients within the next couple of weeks I will probably drop my prices, again to stay competitive. It's not that I don't value myself. It's that I want to keep my job even if it means making a little less. And let's not forget that just because WE know that we are not equal, to parents must of us probably are very similar so their decision in the end might come down to pricing because everything else seems hunky dory. Just my two cents.

[Not Mommy]

Price fixing is illegal... yes. I wasn't suggesting that no one offer care for under $40 (as others have suggested there are places where it may be appropriate) or that we all band together to push for $40 and above (the mere fact that I am talking rates AT ALL could be construed as illegal). What is also illegal is predatory pricing... undercutting the competition to put them out of business or offering your product at such a cheap price that no one can compete with you. Often these daycares end up going out of business around here... then parents are flabergasted as to why they can't find full-time daycare for $20/day! Exclusive dealing is also illegal... where providers offer special rates/discounts/times to lure people in, then up the rates or offer different clients different rates for same services. There are MANY MANY legal issues involved with being self employed, I'm suggesting they work FOR us as much as they work AGAINST us.

Yes, being self employed is difficult. You do need to "move up the ladder" with years of experience, but that IS based on your past relevant work too. My point here was NOT to enter into a debate about who is worth more... my point is that ALLLLL legitimate, caring, dedicated home daycare workers should be valued... but need also to value themselves AND each other. Each daycare is different, with different ammenities, values, etc. but by continually undercutting each other and suggesting daycare providers should NOT talk about this does not sit well with me.... also by continually accepting LESS we are, as one woman suggested, teaching people how to treat us.

[Not Mommy]

Just because you are not an ECE or don't go to play gyms does NOT mean you aren't worth it!!! This is exactly my point... I know providers who stay at home primarily with a backyard playground and those that tote the wee ones all over town in those 6 seat van-wonders! What it boils down to is the caregiver... ladies even if you don't have the most expensive ammenities or the biggest house... if you love what you do and are good to/for your kiddies than YOU are worth it :)

[playfelt]

Being worth it and getting prospective parents to believe you are worth it is where the issue lies and sometimes price is what sells. Parents will pay more for more services and if they see trips to the museum as a service one offers and one doesn't they are not going to pay the same for not getting the service. That too is the same in any business.

[Judy Trickett]

Being worth it and getting prospective parents to believe you are worth it is where the issue lies and sometimes price is what sells. Parents will pay more for more services and if they see trips to the museum as a service one offers and one doesn't they are not going to pay the same for not getting the service. That too is the same in any business.

I agree. And this is why I have always said that there really isn't competition in daycare. Everyone offers something different.

But, that being said, when I use the words "worth" and "value" I am referring to individual worth and value. You have to value what you offer and yourself or others won't either.

Nothing bugs me more than when I see posts by providers complaining about something that could easily be solved if they would just realize their worth and value and then stand up and use their back bone based on what they believe of themselves. Nearly 90% of daycare problems could be resolved with a little 'value reflection' on the part of the provider.

[playfelt]

I see a lot of the other side of the coin too Judy in that a lot of the "complaints" from providers stem from feeling entitled to perks they had working outside the home ie in one business and then are upset when they find out the other business doesn't offer the same thing - paid freetime lunch breaks being one of them - oh for a leisurely stroll alone on my lunch hour.

Just because one had a perk at one job does not mean they can automatically import it to the next job and expect to get it since all jobs come with certain limitations. Yes value what you do so you do not feel belittled by the new job but remember you gave up some of the perks so whether you are worth them still is up for debate. Ask/demand away for whatever perk you want but remember not every providers feels as "entitled" and therefore you will be up against competition. Our contracts are a reflection of us and what we have gone through in life good and bad. Not sure if I am saying all this right but some people that must have held some very high and mighty positions on the corporate ladder are now doing daycare and well finding out the grass isn't greener and maybe demanding that we all ask for the same perks so they won't feel bad about asking for them themselves sort of supports what I am saying.

[Fun&care]

Price fixing is illegal... yes. I wasn't suggesting that no one offer care for under $40 (as others have suggested there are places where it may be appropriate) or that we all band together to push for $40 and above (the mere fact that I am talking rates AT ALL could be construed as illegal). What is also illegal is predatory pricing... undercutting the competition to put them out of business or offering your product at such a cheap price that no one can compete with you. Often these daycares end up going out of business around here... then parents are flabergasted as to why they can't find full-time daycare for $20/day! Exclusive dealing is also illegal... where providers offer special rates/discounts/times to lure people in, then up the rates or offer different clients different rates for same services. There are MANY MANY legal issues involved with being self employed, I'm suggesting they work FOR us as much as they work AGAINST us.

Yes, being self employed is difficult. You do need to "move up the ladder" with years of experience, but that IS based on your past relevant work too. My point here was NOT to enter into a debate about who is worth more... my point is that ALLLLL legitimate, caring, dedicated home daycare workers should be valued... but need also to value themselves AND each other. Each daycare is different, with different ammenities, values, etc. but by continually undercutting each other and suggesting daycare providers should NOT talk about this does not sit well with me.... also by continually accepting LESS we are, as one woman suggested, teaching people how to treat us.

Exclusive dealing? This happens all the time, how is it illegal exactly? For example with phone companies they give new customers oodles of discounts and special offers, while their old customers are paying a higher rate...I've never heard of this being illegal.

[Not Mommy]

Yes, exclusive dealing happens but it is illegal in some ways, just like price fixing... my point is that there are always loopholes and we shouldn't be made to feel scared about having a discussion concerning fair practices, recommended fee schedules and job contracts etc.

This thread (as with most here!) seems to have flown in a different direction. This is ABSOLUTELY NOT a discussion about being "entitled" to increased pay, vacation, sick days etc. I'm glad that was mentioned. What it IS about is having the courage to stand up for yourself and your profession. I do not come from some corporate job where things were thrown at me... the exact opposite actually which is why I'm so passionate about people standing up for themselves, pushing through barriers and making life better for everyone (including the parents).
I see a group of people (home daycare providers) who are badly undervalued (both pay and personally) across the country no matter where you live or whether you think you are or not. I'm hoping to help change that.... healthy debate is where it starts... lets think about ways to help, support and value each other AND our profession for the good of everyone.
We can't expect others to respect our profession when we can't respect each other. I value each and every person on this board whether they agree with me or not (trolls aside!)... these are the people talking about it... working towards something better.

[Momof4]

My story shows up here and there in a lot of your posts. I started at $25/day because I didn't have anything when I started but a need to make a living. Then I went up to $30/day as soon as I had 5 families signed on who loved me, so within the first year. I'm now at $32/day and $35/day part-time. I'm worth more, but I live in an apartment with a small green space that I claimed as my own and set up my slides, water table, etc. but I don't have a yard.

My best selling point is what I offer and my clients are the types who look beneath the surface of the outside of my home to see all that I offer in the way of nutritious food, teaching, lots of parks, the library, etc. But most people are not interested when they find out I don't have a dedicated daycare room and a fenced in yard. How can I possibly charge more per day?

Also, my rent is low so if I raised my rates I would just be paying more taxes. I've thought about that!