How much should I charge for drop ins?

[Cocoon]

Hello everyone,

I've been contacted by a parent who require drop in for 2 days a week and 4-5 hours each day. To my uderstanding if it is regular it is not drop in but anyway I'm not fussed. I don't know how much to charge? Should I charge hourly(parent asked my hourly rate)? Or my half day fee? I don't accept more then two children at any giving time. So should I charge more then the other home day cares as there will be only two kids? And my day home is in NW.

Thank you in advance.
Cocoon

[Play and Learn]

I would charge more personally. Or charge an hourly fee.

[Cocoon]

Thank you for your respond Play and Learn. Can you give me some numbers as I really don't know what to charge? Would $10 per hour be too much? Thanks.

[Play and Learn]

I wouldn't know! I don't offer half days, as it would interrupt my day! I think if they're staying for lunch, keep it as your daily rate.

Originally, I had the idea of doing half-days, and it would be 4 hours or less for $30/day (includes one snack). 4 hours or more was my regular rate at $35/day. BUT, then I started to think about it...some parents were dropping off at 9 a.m., and they wanted until 12. Well, they would get a snack AND lunch - not worth my time or money! So, it was just $35/day. Hopefully that makes sense....

If you go hourly, I'd almost do $14/hour! That's what I made as a nanny for the past years when I worked as one...

[Cocoon]

Thank you.

[mom-in-alberta]

Personally, I charge for the full day regardless. I explain to parents that their fee pays for a "SPOT" in the daycare, as opposed to a set number of hours, etc.
And if someone is coming for only half days, it is unlikely that you are going to fill the other half, so I didn't want to penalize myself and my income. Plus, like Play and Learn said, you will probably feed them at least once.

[Cocoon]

I said I would charge $13ph and I haven't heard from her again :)