Ya ... for me my prime reason is that if I have two infants in care and a space opens up I might have sit open for a while loosing income while trying to find an 'older' kid because I have made a commitment to the two clients that I will not enroll another under two kid.... if I did not DO that than no I would just charge 'different' .... cause if I needed the income I could take 5 children who were 10 months - 16 months and be full ALL the time

I know providers in my area who run a program with 'low ratios' aka they promise to never have more than 3 kids in care at all .... so they charge MORE for that premium lower ratio to clients who value that verses the other option of having 5 kids in care plus the providers own kids.... they need their business to still be viable to them as well.

Lots of reasons for varied fees in our industry ... I honestly look at some providers fees and cannot fathom how they possible make ANY money at all ... $20 a day would not cover my expenses for a child for example - I spend half that on food for ONE kid, than there is insurance premiums on my home and vehicle, increased cost of heat, hydro, sewer, etc, advertizing and website costs, the paper and ink to cover registration and my bookkeeping costs ... not to mention field trips, consumable program costs for creative, sensory, science, baking with kids ... and well toys and equipment too boot!