Need Help

[blamoms11]

I have started a daycare and right now I am babysitting my neice Monday-Friday. I have posted ads here and and on Kijji. I have had two responses so far asking for rate info. I don't post it on my ads. One lady emailed me asking for rates she has two kids 10 year old before and after school and a 3 year old who would be full time. She shares custody with exhubby so she has them two weeks a month. I told her $65 a day for both kids. I never heard back from her. What is everyone asking for siblings?

What is a good rate for part time. My neighbour also does daycare she is $17 before and after school. $27 full time. She is way over in her numbers but it shows in the quality of child care they receive. What else can I do to drum up business.

[treeholm]

I'm a newbie, but based on what I've learned from these ladies, I told the one family who asked for a "sibling" rate that it was $35 per day per spot, and I could not offer a sibling discount. As one person on here said, it's not like the siblings can share food... LOL. I was too diplomatic to point that out, but I did say the cost was per space since I was legally limited to a maximum of 5 and could not just take on another child to make up the difference.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Does not matter to me if they are 'siblings' my rate is the rate for the space occupied ~ it does not cost me less to care for siblings and while it may seem that it is a good thing cause it fills two spots at once when you first 'open' the fact remains that when they leave it represents a sudden loss of 2/5 of my income so they are more of a risk to care for long term it would be just as easy to hold out for two single kids ~ so again why would I 'discount' their rate?

I personally would not take on two siblings in a 'shared custody' arrangement either because chances are she is not going to want to pay you for the two weeks the kids are in her spouses care and not needing daycare from you ~ better to find two full time clients for a more reliable income!

Where are you advertizing your business?

Do you have a website that showcases your program to prospective clients and sets you apart from your neighbors model of cheap fees but over ratio illegal program.

Oshawa is in Ontario unless other Provinces have Cities by that name But if you are indeed in Ontario have you gone to your Local Ontario Early Years centre to see if they have a home childcare binder you could place a flyer in?

Slap a flyer on your stroller or wagon and get yourself out to local parks and outings and let the neighborhood see you in action and get the word of mouth going.

[sunnydays]

The rates differ by city and even by neighbourhood a lot, so the best thing you can do is research what others are charging in your area based on Daycare Bear ads, Kijiji, and even better, talk to some daycare providers at neighbourhood parks, playgroups, etc. I did this before starting up and I am so glad I did because I would have undercharged if i had not.

[Littledragon]

Ugh I pressed post by accident. You can check this website. Punch in your postal code and it will pull up all the daycares around your home and it will have their rates. If they don't have part time rates, you could always email a daycare near your home and ask them what they charge. It's different everywhere. In my neighbourhood the norm is $35-$40. Ten minutes drive from here, norm is $50-$60 (full time)

[Littledragon]

In my opnion, the people who email solely for your rate aren't serious. They're shopping. Do you have a website? Weebly has awesome templates. I put the address on my ad in kijiji so they can receive any information they want (it has my rates, what I offer, my daily schedule and ALL other information that pertains to my daycare). This way, all they have to do is email and say: when can we meet? It means I don't get as many emails, but then it also means I don't get my hopes up and I don't have to deal with people who are "shopping" and getting my hopes up

[kidlove]

To add to littledragon: I have also noticed if a parents first question is, what do you charge, not only are they just shopping around but no offence, the money should NOT be the FIRST concern. its def important but I would and any good parent would be willing to pay a little more for higher quality care!

[Momof4]

Well, you mentioned you are 'babysitting'. Does that mean you just set the children in front of the tv all day and feed them crap and working under the table and breaking the law and going over 5 children every day?

No? Are you are feeding the children nutritious food and running a program with great crafts, learning, activities, exercise, a scheduled naptime? Are you providing receipts and staying in the limit of 5 children per day? Then you are a home daycare provider.

This is how you should determine your rates and the kind of establishment you are running and set your rates accordingly and have a good contract and stand strong and confident.

[Inspired by Reggio]

LOL Momof4 ~ I was going to make a comment about the reference of 'babysitting' as well because that is a huge pet peeve of mine too ~ babysitting is something I did on Friday night for my neighbors as a teenager while I raided their fridge for pop and chips and talked on the phone to my boyfriend

[blamoms11]

LOL I didn't even think of the "babysitting" comment. What websites do you use? I never heard back from the lady with the shared custody. I am just starting out and dont have a lot of toys for different ages I am slowly building as I go. I am worried when I take pictures parent are going to think where are all the toys in the pictures.