Aww I'm so sorry to hear that. As you said you have done this before so you know you provide a good program and quality care. Don't get down on yourself or think of sacraficing parts of your program/reduce fees to get clients. I understand that you need income but you have to think, do you want parents that want quality care or the ones willing to cheap out on the person that is responsible for thier childs welfare.

You WILL find parents willing to pay more than bargain basement prices because that know it's for quality. Thier children will eat better, do enriching activities and have a GOOD provider. I personally wouldn't want parents that are willing to think of price as the main thing they look for. Of course price has to play a huge factor but when faced with a $20 per day you have to wonder what activites these children do or what the provider feeds them. If the less expensive options are all these parents can afford would you run into problems with them paying on time, arguing about stats sick days etc.?

With the cost of running a daycare I know that if you charge so little you can't be serving them fresh fruit and veggies, from scratch meals with real meat (ie not chicken nuggets, burgers and hotdogs) etc. There just wouldn't be any worth while profit after crafts supplies, food, new toys and all the other million little expenses that come up.

Other than the bargain basement providers how do you compare to others in your area? What is the range and where do you fall within it? The only way I would consider a rate drop is if you are in fact charging significantly more than most others within the area.