Drop-in fees...am I charging too much??

I just had a parent call me inquiring about drop-in care. I told her that I charge $25 for up to 5 hours and $40 for 5-10 hours. She said that it was a bit high as there was a day home in her area that only charges $20 for a full day's care. I personally thought that the day home provider closer to her is undercharging and selling herself short.

I mentioned that I have 15+ years experience and provide all their meals and snacks through out the day. And really for on a Sunday, which would be the day in the week that she needs care for, I thought I was being generous not raising my weekday rate. What do you guys think?? Am I charging too much?? Or is this parent being unreasonable to think that I should charge in my opinion basically$2/hour or less for a full day??

Parent is being unreasonable. Drop-in fees should be higher in my opinion. She doesn't like it, the door is there!

If she was just coming on a day that I had open anyways ie filling in with other part timers then I would likely just charge my daily rate for the date. The fact it is a Sunday warrants a premium rate anyways. My weekend rate is $50. When I don't have other kids in care then I am the one entertaining the child all day and not getting my own things done so it needs to compensated. How regularly is she planning to drop in.

From the sound of it she was wanting to come every Sunday. That's why I was a bit stumped at why she was saying I was charging a bit high of a fee.

As playfelt said, you charge them a premium as they're taking your Sunday from them (for me, Sundays are a day of rest and cleaning up the house!). It's not high at all.

Thanks ladies...I didn't think I was charging too high, but sometimes I just like find out for sure if I was wrong or not lol

I'm in Calgary and have my drop in rate set at $50.00. This is a weekday rate. I wouldn't even considering doing care on a weekend since this is mine and my families time, but if I was to do it I would charge at least that if not more. You are not being unreasonable.

My drop-in/part time rate is exactly the same, $40 daily. IF I was going to take in a child on Sundays (which I wouldn't, as it takes my own family time away; so she is darn lucky that you are even considering it) I would absolutely charge a premium rate.
Sounds like she is trying to get a "deal". Tread carefully with that one!

That is exactly what I was thinking mom-in-alberta. She was pushing for a better deal and that worries me. Not only because I'm taking a risk taking this family on but I also get worried for the type of care the child will end up getting if she goes with the lowest quoted price (ie. the $20/day I had originally mentioned).

Just ask her if she is looking for quality care or cheap daycare!

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Originally Posted by MunchkinMinder

I just had a parent call me inquiring about drop-in care. I told her that I charge $25 for up to 5 hours and $40 for 5-10 hours. She said that it was a bit high as there was a day home in her area that only charges $20 for a full day's care. I personally thought that the day home provider closer to her is undercharging and selling herself short.

I mentioned that I have 15+ years experience and provide all their meals and snacks through out the day. And really for on a Sunday, which would be the day in the week that she needs care for, I thought I was being generous not raising my weekday rate. What do you guys think?? Am I charging too much?? Or is this parent being unreasonable to think that I should charge in my opinion basically$2/hour or less for a full day??

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I would kindly tell her to consider the one closer to her home as it is very cheap and she can also save on the gas and time to and from.

I always say "if you pay peanuts you will get monkeys" :)