Crying

[Play and Learn]

but the dad is quite often 10-15mins. late picking him up. I have addressed this issue so hopefully that changes! He is in my care from 8am-5:15pm at $35 per day. I normally charge $40 but had lowered it because he is my eldest sons age and that is the reason I am doing this, for my kids. However I am not sure if the stress is worth $35 anymore!, PLEASE HELP.

Agree with above posters about the behaviour.

For the discount - I would NEVER give ANYONE a discount - I don't care who you are!!! I would also charge the dad a late fee, as I would assume it's eating into your family time.
For myself, every minute you're late for pick-up, and after the 5 minute grace period, I charge $1/minute. After 20 minutes, it goes up to $5/minute. It's also by my clock which is set to the Weather Network. It's all in my manual.

[playfelt]

Here in Orleans rates vary but there are many caregivers that are charging $35 a day as their regular rate. I am raising my rates for new families coming in but right now my rate for all children in care is $35 with one at $38 that I raised last year and new families will be at $40 which is becoming the new norm.

On the dad being late, find out what is making him late and how much effort he is making to get there on time. It may be that he underestimated how much rush hour traffic had changed or his bus route and transfers had changed whichever method he uses since he worked before. IF it is going to be consistently late then you could negotiate a change to the contract and up the price per day for the extra hours.

I understand why you gave the discount. Getting an older child into care is very unusual these days and it was important for your own child to have a playmate of peer age., We do what we have to do in this business. Taking a hard line on some issues can prevent us from reaching our goals too. All of my 2-3 year olds are paying $35 a day because that was the going rate when they started so you are still in line with rates.

Hopefully as the days go on you will be able to talk with the parents and in a nice way be able to get them to see that the child's behaviour is a result of home and not daycare.