Explanation of fees?

[mom-in-alberta]

Hello! I am tossing around the idea of adding a paragraph to my (already wordy and fairly lengthy, LoL) parent handbook that explains exactly WHAT the fees that parents pay are going to.
As in; explain the extra costs involved with running a daycare from home, and that only a portion of it goes into my pocket.
Do any of you do this? Part of me thinks it's not a great idea, but a larger part of me is feeling frustrated that people seem to think that the fees make me a rich woman!!
Nobody considers the extra food, the extra water/sewage/electricity/gas (because we are home and using the house ALL DAY and most of the evening), the supplies for crafts and activities, the cost of replacing/adding new toys, the added cost of cleaning supplies and extra steam cleans on the carpet, etc.
Good thing all those are write offs, eventually. But let's face it, few of us make money hand-over-fist in this business.
Is it just something we put up and shut up about??

[samantha3]

Are families questioning you on your rates? That would not be polite, especially if your rate is the average for your area.

I live in a high rate area, but this also means that my rent etc is also more, parents do not see this... they only see the dollar amount on the chq they write every month.

[Play and Learn]

Is it just something we put up and shut up about??

this. Yes.

[Inspired by Reggio]

I empathize with the frustration at the misconception about the profit in Childcare - if people really stopped to THINK they would realize there is NO PROFIT in Childcare otherwise big business would be all over it

I personally would not put it in my handbook however admit that I do educate clients when the comment about differences in fees to make sure to ASK what that fee is getting you ...what kind of budget for food? For program supplies? Are field trips included in few or extra and so forth ... to get them reflecting that YES there is expenses involved in providing this and some invest more into the program so therefore need to charge more to make it a viable business model

Plus we also educate online and with our families and community - one person at a time with each client we successfully impress with our professionalism and dedication to our programs to help them see what we do as valuable and an investment and something we do not to get rich but because we want to be home with our own and this allowed us a viable option to do that!!!

[fruitloop]

I have this on my website in my FAQ section. That's the only place it is and it's not really discussed.

[Cadillac]

I have this on my website in my FAQ section. That's the only place it is and it's not really discussed.

Really? What did you write?

I've never been questioned about this. Although I do see eyes widen when they get their receipts at the end of the year.

[Momof4]

I've actually mentioned to the Mom of the little boy who eats 3 servings of food daily that I certainly don't make any profit from them. It would be nice if somebody cut and paste something for some ideas. Fruitloop, I'd like it if you could do that too.

[mom-in-alberta]

No, nobody is outright questioning. (And that would be red-flagged, for me!!)
But I would like to slip something in, fairly discreetly, just to make parents aware. I just wonder how many parents grumble about the cost of daycare (which I freely admit is too much for me to be paying!!) but never actually break it down, to the hours that we work (minus costs) and determine how much they are paying us.

[Peek-a-Boo]

I don't think you need too much explanation. Yes, of course we pay for the food, craft, insurance, etc but first of all it is your business. As we all know business has to bring profit. I believe you did not open the day home just to help out parents and have fun. You work hard for that money. You feed kids, you play with them, you talk to them, you are there for them when they cranky and it is all for 10-11 hours a day. Most parent make more then $20 per hour while you make only around $50 a day. So, just relax and don't let it bother to you.

[jec]

I understand where you are coming from. I hear a lot of people comment on how expensive daycare is. Even some of my own friends who know how much effort and money goes into my daycare, they still make comments of it's over priced.
Try to let it roll off your back. I wouldn't address it either as you will have people questioning your handbook. It's just something people like to do- complain about how expensive things are...and then go shopping on a credit card-lol