Explanation of fees?

This is what's on my website...

What is included in your fees?
Your fees pay for quality childcare, whole grain and organic (when possible) foods, weekly crafts, and a safe, fun, nurturing environment for your child. They pay for all supplies used in the daycare such as cleaning supplies, food, paper products, craft supplies, toys, lots of repairs and wear and tear, parties and special events, water, gas, electric, sewer and more. Your childcare fees provide my income including taxes and CPP to which I pay into.

Oh that's worded great fruitloop, without being 'in your face'. I want to borrow a little of that please? I'm already drafting a letter to give to my dcparents in the fall when I raise my rates and this is good stuff!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Momof4

Oh that's worded great fruitloop, without being 'in your face'. I want to borrow a little of that please? I'm already drafting a letter to give to my dcparents in the fall when I raise my rates and this is good stuff!

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Yup, for sure!

I don't have to and I never will explain my fees. It is non of their business. It is actually very rude.

If you are not happy with my fees you are more then welcome to go and look elsewhere simple. I will tell you something, the more you explain the more they will ask. They don't have to know more then what they suppost to know. I don't ask them extra when they receive bonus or a pay rise.

I don't have parents' hand book. I tell them what I want from them at the interview and I have a very simple contract. If any of my families object to "my rules" I have no problem saying it on their face and if they question me I will tell them it is not working. I learned that If I'm happy people around me are happy too. :)

Hope it helps.
Cocoon

I agree with Cocoon to a point and wouldn't have it included on my website or in my ad but nobody has ever questioned me about my rates. To be honest, my rates are at the low end of the scale and I actually tell parents in an interview that my rent is lower than most because I've been in my apartment for a long time. But I feed the children a lot of organic foods, all home cooked and they can see all the painting and crafting that is done and posted on my walls and sent home, so they know I'm spending a lot of money in those two areas. But food costs keep rising so that's why I'm raising my rates this year.

I don't think that parents are that stupid as to not understand expenses. Sure, they might not understand ALL the expenses because, as in any job, it's kind of a you have to have BTDT to truly get it. But I think most of them understand that it DOES cost us money to operate.

I think, as is usually the case, it's all in your demeanor with parents. I make sure the parents KNOW I run a quality program and they never, ever question my fees. I have some of the highest home daycare fees in my city and no parent ever questions it. I think great parents realize that great care comes at a cost and that it is not daycare that is expensive - it is kids who are expensive.

I have this on my site and in my handout.

"
I realize the financial burden child care places on parents, and hope parents understand that, as a business, child care places financial burdens on the provider. These include but are not limited to groceries, utilities, insurance, toys, equipment, as well as wear and tear on the home. I also have a financial responsibility to my family."

Thanks gals. I still don't know if I will throw a paragraph in or not...
But if I do, I really like the wording you used Fruitloop, and I may use the general idea, if that's okay? Not word for word, though!
:D

If you do put something in be careful what you say or how you say it in the sense that other than the food, craft supplies and paper products we pretty much pay what parents pay. Yes our utilities are more cause we use the lights and have the heat and air on all day but not as much as you might think compared to a working family that turns them down during the day. In other words not enough to put in your paperwork without sounding like a whiner, lol.

Rather than remind parents cause yes they know what the money is for putting something about how the fees that you collect from parents is your source of income and that from your income you provide nutritious snacks and meals that meet the food guide, provide learning resources, craft supples ....list whatever you want but include it wity your payment section so it is there but not dwelt on. Then go on to say something to the effect of therefore it is imperitive for the program to continue that payments be made on time etc.