My New Teachers Policy - Feedback?

[Sandbox Sally]

Ok so I am getting a few inquiries from teachers, as my sis in law had her friend post my ad on the internal website for the local school board.

I have been caring for one teacher's kid this year, and really felt duped by the arrangement we had in place, so I decided to revamp. Let me know what you think:


Option A) pay daycare fees the same as my other families throughout the school year, including all holidays, and when summer comes, pay 80%, with the option of sending your child two days per week for summer. This guarantees your spot for your return to work in Sept 2013.

Option B) pay a higher daily rate throughout the school year - basically I subtract the 9 weeks off for summer 2013 plus March Break plus 2 weeks at Christmas = 12 weeks, and divide these lost fees evenly between the remaining 40 weeks in a year. This option also guarantees your spot for Sept 2013.

Option C) pay regular fees weekly, regardless of attendance, throughout the school year, and remove your child from daycare at the end of the school year, knowing that I will advertise to fill your child's space.

Opinions?

[playfelt]

I used to offer options but then they would change their mind. A lot didn't care about holding their spot since they had two months to find a new placement and often in the grand scheme of things did based on taking their kid to the neighbourhood park and meeting caregivers with spaces so it was more convenient than travelling to my house so never came back anyways.

I now only give the pay more so it is $225 a week instead of $200 for teachers and they pay for pd and breaks too but do get the 10 days at half price all full time families get. They pay $450 in June non refundable to hold their space for Sept which goes towards the first two weeks of care but can also bring the child one day week in the summer at no charge - day of my choosing.

The purpose of the one day a week is to allow me to keep in contact with the family over the summer so I don't have them leaving unannounced as readily.

I had too many teachers opt for regular fees and oh we plan to leave him in care all summer or at least most of the week and then come June change their story and there isn't much you can do about it so now there isn't a choice you pay for the summer up front - no backing out.

[Sandbox Sally]

Thanks for all that info too, playfelt. I was kinda thinking that they may all choose the option to pay normal fees too, but to be honest, I guess I don't care as long as I am not expected to keep the spot open. If they choose this one, I guess I start advertising in April or earlier to replace them for July. Having said that, maybe I'll just offer the pay more thing from now on too. I think that's the best option for everyone anyway.

[sunnydays]

I actually don't offer any special deals for teachers. You pay for the spot or risk losing it. I have a teacher family now and they are paying throughout the summer and sending their kids for most of it so they don't lose their spots. I just can't afford to take a pay cut like that. Now, I do like your idea of adding up all the weeks of holidays and then dividing that amount equally to get their new rate...that would work so that you don't actually lose any money and you do get a lighter load in the summer...as long as they are willing to pay that rate as it could be quite a bit higher.

[playfelt]

A lot of teachers are paid that way as in only for 10 months of the year too so their daycare fees come out when they are paid money. No pay in the summer, no daycare rates to pay but they still get one day a week to catch up on whatever they want to do.

[bright sparks]

I actually don't offer any special deals for teachers. You pay for the spot or risk losing it. I have a teacher family now and they are paying throughout the summer and sending their kids for most of it so they don't lose their spots. I just can't afford to take a pay cut like that. Now, I do like your idea of adding up all the weeks of holidays and then dividing that amount equally to get their new rate...that would work so that you don't actually lose any money and you do get a lighter load in the summer...as long as they are willing to pay that rate as it could be quite a bit higher.

I am the same way but I havent always been. I used to charge the regular rate to teachers and then they had to pay a 50 % retainer for the summer upfront on the last day of the school year. I would then let them bring their child for 2 days per week. However, teachers are paid for 12 months of the year. Yes only 10 months of the year but its to cover a 12 month salary. There is no financial insentive for me to give a discount. Its just money out of my pocket. I know it sounds harsh, but its true. Fortunatly where I am there is huge demand for daycare so once my teachers child goes to school I will no longer be taking teachers children. I am always so comflicted wanting to be fair and reasonable in understanding their position but that doesnt benefit me and summer comes along and I have less income. While newly qualified teachers start at a much lower salary than those with years of service under their belt, the majority still earn far more than daycar providers so I can't afford to give them a discount when I only have 5 spots.