All about the money parents

I agree i wouldn't buy a $500 car just because it's the cheapest, but if I had a budget I would only look at the $500 cars first to see if i could get what I want in my price range.

I used to pay $30 a day when I had my kids in care, I started charging $30 a day, then I realized the rest of the area was at $35 so I went with the flow and have never had a problem or question about it.

I don't think I've ever had a client ask me for price first, but then again I post my prices so they know what they are when they start.

I think a client is a client and just because they ask how much you charge doesn't mean they are going for the cheapest daycare, it may mean that they're concious about money and making sure they get the best bang for their buck.

I know people in my area who have amazing programs, much better then mine, and they charge the same amount that I do.

Maybe when clients call and ask about price have something to tell them that no one else has. Maybe you don't charge for vacation time... or maybe you supply all of the milk... maybe you can focus on healthy meals and snacks... maybe let them know that there are plenty of good daycares in the area, everyone offers somthing different, so suggest they make an appointment with you anyways because daycare is all about finding the right match!

Good luck filling your spots, I hope it comes quickly.

If I was in the market for daycare for my children, I would def question the quality of care if the cost was low. In my area if a provider is offering way below the going rate...there is a reason. Go to her house in the afternoon, the TV on soap operas/talk shows, shes got a cigarette hanging out of her mouth and the phone on her ear. or she runs a baby factory.....always over limit and open 24/7. No thanks....a good parent sees the value in quality care, heads up on parents who's first concern is "what do you charge?" their priorities are not where they need to be to be in your day care anyway. I have had a lot of calls like that...."what do you charge?" I tell them, then they say, "thank you" and hang up. I say, "no thank you" :)

using the car analogy, when we purchase a vehicle my husband and I discuss what features we want and features we need. Then we go shopping with our list and try to find the best value. Some providers will charge their areas going rate because they can, but do not give the client the value and vice versa. That is why shopping by price does not give you good insight into anything you purchase or service you use. Everyone has to do the product/service research. I have a woman looking for daycare for 2 siblings in August. I told her I wouldn't be able to give her a definitive answer that far in advance, however I invited her to visit my daycare and get an idea what my rate should get her. I invited her for the sake of being professional (good for our industry rep) and perhaps I might have the spots open when she needs them. Either way, it will help her chose quality home daycare and she might recommend me in the future. Karma. :D

Get this one:
About 4.5 years ago I had a Mom come to me for a first interview...she was about 6 month prgnant at the time. She seemed really nice, enjoyed our time, and called me a few days later to let me know she wanted to go with my day Care. Yay! she seemed so nice! I kept in monthly touch with her for a few months (you always wonder when they a pregnant, if its for sure) we talked a few times after that and she still seemed fine. I didn't hear from her for a while, it was past her due date.....hmm. Then, I got a call from her, boldly informing me she had found someone who was a little closer to her home and who charged less. She was going with this one instead.....I happened to know the woman she named and also knew she was not licensed :( I informed the Mother of this, told her that her choice was ok with me but I just wanted her to know that not only was this woman operating illegal but was also not certified in life saving skills such as first aid and cpr, tried to point out to this mother that it was def more of a danger to put your baby in the care of someone unqualified. She said thankyou for letting me know, and hoped she wasn't making the wrong choice, and we hung up. About 6 moths passed, and who calls? The Mother that gave me the heave ho! says the provider was trashy, hitting on her husband and her daughter was always dirty and sick. I wanted to say, I TOLD YOU SO!!! but instead I smiled and said I would give her a second chance. (i know I'm crazy) long story short, I had the child for 3.5 years, lots of ups and downs, but enjoyed it all......then, find out the Mom is 5 months pregnant and didn't tell me......bringing me back to that first day I met her about 4.5 years ago......and what does she do almost 5 years later? screwed me AGAIN over price, chose to put her new baby in "free" care rather than the loving home her daughter has been in for 4.5 years. Price over quality for some. In my opinion......HUGE MISTAKE. This is childcare not a car wash.

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Originally Posted by apples and bananas

I agree i wouldn't buy a $500 car just because it's the cheapest, but if I had a budget I would only look at the $500 cars first to see if i could get what I want in my price range.

I used to pay $30 a day when I had my kids in care, I started charging $30 a day, then I realized the rest of the area was at $35 so I went with the flow and have never had a problem or question about it.

I don't think I've ever had a client ask me for price first, but then again I post my prices so they know what they are when they start.

I think a client is a client and just because they ask how much you charge doesn't mean they are going for the cheapest daycare, it may mean that they're concious about money and making sure they get the best bang for their buck.

I know people in my area who have amazing programs, much better then mine, and they charge the same amount that I do.

Maybe when clients call and ask about price have something to tell them that no one else has. Maybe you don't charge for vacation time... or maybe you supply all of the milk... maybe you can focus on healthy meals and snacks... maybe let them know that there are plenty of good daycares in the area, everyone offers somthing different, so suggest they make an appointment with you anyways because daycare is all about finding the right match!

Good luck filling your spots, I hope it comes quickly.

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I think buying a car makes people think of what they want in terms of features/mileage etc and then the price tends to match accordingly.

Same with daycare. The type of care, food etc all play a part in what rate you should be willing to pay and seriously - you cannot put a price on safety and trust.

I have my price right on daycare bear so I am not sure why these parents contact me and then say I am too expensive or contact me saying they only have a budget between $55-$60 a day for their two children. My ad clearly states my rate. My ad also clearly states all about my program, foods etc. It seems they contact me liking what they read but then thinking I will back down when they mention budgets or how others are cheaper in the area. Sorry but I work really hard and $35 is a great deal IMO for what they get. lol :p:p:p

I hear what you are saying about selling our daycare and how great it is, what I offer vs others but I would never want to waste my time on these type of parents. Telling me their budget and knowing that I am over their budget just screams NOOOOO to me. lol I wouldn't want to waste my time interviewing, or even sign one of the 'price focused' parents because I feel like they would leave if a better rate comes along.

I just feel like these parents could be trying to 'guilt/pressure' me to lower rates based on their price and that would be the most awful way to start a daycare relationship and would mean I back down on my policies.

Do you have a website? I have found this helps me a lot...when I get an email inquiring about my daycare, whether it be asking for the fees or other things, I always direct them to my website where they will find all of the info including my rates. I charge right at the top of rates for my area (nobody is higher than me at this time)...so I figure if they look at my website and decide that what I offer is worth the fees, they will contact me back..if not, they are not the right clients for me.

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Originally Posted by sunnydays

Do you have a website? I have found this helps me a lot...when I get an email inquiring about my daycare, whether it be asking for the fees or other things, I always direct them to my website where they will find all of the info including my rates. I charge right at the top of rates for my area (nobody is higher than me at this time)...so I figure if they look at my website and decide that what I offer is worth the fees, they will contact me back..if not, they are not the right clients for me.

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Me too. I politely answer about 99% of the emails I receive but direct them to my website so that all of their preliminary questions can be answered and there's lots of info and pictures there so they can get a feeling if their childrearing philosophies jive with mine.

I had one call me last week asking, of course, about rates and nothing else. She wondered why I charged also for stats. You see, she runs her own private business and wouldn't dream of charging. I indicated that I was on par with other providers, my rates were middle of the road and my policies are what they are. I've no idea if she'll book an interview or not...doubtful. Even if she does, welcome to the waiting list hun :)

I had one like that last year...wanted to bargain me down on paid stats and paid vacation days because she is slef-employed and doesn't get them, so why should I? Well, I get them because I put them in my contract and parents agree to paying them...never had a complaint. I decided not to take her on as a client even though she wanted the spot.

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Originally Posted by cfred

I had one call me last week asking, of course, about rates and nothing else. She wondered why I charged also for stats. You see, she runs her own private business and wouldn't dream of charging. I indicated that I was on par with other providers, my rates were middle of the road and my policies are what they are. I've no idea if she'll book an interview or not...doubtful. Even if she does, welcome to the waiting list hun :)

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