Sibling rates

[t_sconnolly]

Hi ladies,

I am in Alberta, my hubby and I run a dayhome that caters to shift workers. Yes I know how odd this is. I have a mom whom needs care for her 3 little girls. My question is, how much do I charge for siblings? The same as my daily rate for one child? Or do I give them a break?

Thanks!

Tara

[5 Little Monkeys]

This will sound harsh and like I have no heart BUT.....

THEY chose to have 3 kids. It is up to THEM to support those 3 children and that means paying for daycare. Why should you give them a break when you could take on 3 different families with one child each and be making your full amount?

There are pros and cons to taking on families with multiple children (the biggest con for me is when they leave I'm stuck filling 3 spots as opposed to 1) and it is ultimately up to you to decide what you want to do but for myself, I don't offer sibling discounts. It wasn't my choice to have all those children so why should I be the one loosing out on pay because of it.

[Crayola kiddies]

No discount .....

[monkeys]

I do not provide discounts for siblings. Their level of care is no less just because they are related.

[kassiemom]

i wouldn't necessarily give a discount but if there is one that is older and more independent perhaps charging less? i know some providers will charge $5 less for children over 6 yrs old. maybe that is an option?

[Busy ECE mommy]

No discounts. It is still the same quality of care for all 3, as well as meals/snacks/art etc. Don't undersell yourself, especially for shift workers, which is a unique service in itself.

[Secondtimearound]

Um , I give a discount , I have a family of 3 . However I wish I wouldn't have and will not in the future . It is how the other providers have explained , you are feeding , caring and buying crafts /food ect for them you should be getting the same pay !

[mickyc]

No discount. I find siblings more work! They spend every second with each other so get tired of each other quickly and I find there are more fights. Plus side though is that if they are away then usually ALL away. I still give no discount for siblings and never will.

[Other Mummy]

I could see the temptation to do so to attract more clients. Especially when you are trying to fill 2 spots (me) or more... What I've found in the past by allowing a discount (it wasn't for siblings though) was that at first I was just relieved to have a relatively normal client sign on. Then a few months into the contract, I would feel taken advantage of, resentful and kicking myself. In the end, you lose income. And yes, it is much harder to fill 2 (or more) spots when a family of siblings leave.

[Rachael]

I don't give sibling discounts either. Why should I decrease my income level for their financial advantage?

If they go to a gas station and fill up two cars, do they get a discount?
If they go to the grocery store as a family of 5, do they get a discount?

My daily rate is my daily rate and I understand that larger families have larger expenses but it was fully their choice to have a large family and I am not financially obligated to assist them make that affordable.

Would they take a pay cut if you (someone who is a complete stranger at this point) asked them to?
And bear in mind, these reduced fees aren't just a one-off to fill places, it's a loss that you will continue to incur, potentially for years until their children go to school.

[t_sconnolly]

Thanks ladies, I'm very new to running a dayhome so I wasn't sure. I have heard of some moms getting a cheaper rate for siblings, so I thought I would ask. My hubby and I don't actually do this full time, we both have full time jobs on top of running the dayhome...so this is not my primary income. We also only have 3 part time kids, be cause we are kinda like the fill in care the the shift workers, for the shifts they can't cover. Odd, I know. But it works really well. For us anyways! Thanks again!

[Rachael]

I have heard of some moms getting a cheaper rate for siblings, so I thought I would ask.

Yes, some day home do give it. Some near me offer a sibling discount. Traditionally it was something larger centres offered as it's rare a centre is at max capacity and therefore it was in their interest to do what they could to retain children when parents were expecting a new baby. Plus of course, they would also get the new child too.

I think parents started asking for it from in-home carer's because it was common in centres and then, because some in-home carer's agreed, the expectation/requests have continued.

Like any aspect of your business, it's entirely up to you if you wish to offer a discount. I don't and I won't for all the reasons already given. If that doesn't suit a client, so be it.

As a side issue - I would absolutely avoid three siblings anyway. I prefer single children from different families as then, if they move away before starting school, I only have one vacancy not two or three. Being limited to 6 here, multiple empty spaces have a huge financial impact. The times I have had siblings (8 times to date), it's been because an existing client has had a second child but I've never been asked by an existing client for a sibling discount. I have been asked by new clients and I've always declined.