Discount for siblings?

[mimi]

No siblings discount here. It costs the same as any other child and I have had siblings leave at the same time. Also, if one was sick, yes, the other one came if they were well.

[Other Mummy]

No way would I do a sibling discount. For the exact reasons mentioned above. Usually a seasoned provider will never do a sibling discount. Usually it's the newbies. Then they learn. The hard way.

[mom-in-alberta]

No way would I do a sibling discount. For the exact reasons mentioned above. Usually a seasoned provider will never do a sibling discount. Usually it's the newbies. Then they learn. The hard way.

Hahahaha.... Yepppp.
I offered a sibling discount for the first year and a half I was in business.
Then I realized that I am not working any less, nor am I giving any less time/food/crafts/etc to the sibling(s). So I no longer offer it.
There are upsides and downsides to siblings. True; when one is out, usually both are. But if they up and leave, you now have 2 or more spaces to fill instead of just one.
I suppose I am saying the same as everyone else, which is: if it's "norm" in your area, you should think about offering it. Or, alternatively, if filling spaces has become difficult, that may be the way to fill a niche and offer something that others don't.

[Manue]

No discount here either. As other people stated these are spots and when we discount we loose money that goes towards supplies. Also I have brothers in my care who are moving at the end of the month and now am trying desperatly to fill 2 full time spots but it seems to be hard at this time of year. So yes when you have siblings and they move for example you now have not only one but two or three spots to fill at once! Makes it very dificult

[monkeymama]

Ive only done it once. My very first family who had 3 children. I still watch 2 of them to this day
(oldest is school full time now). I dont regret it because they have been wonderful to me but I wouldnt do it again. I watch another set of siblings and gave no discount. As others have mentioned, it doesnt cost any less to watch them and any smart family realizes this.

[kidlove]

uh oh! I am the odd duck here! I do, but only for those I have cared for over the years, like if I had one child for 3 years already and the parents are expecting a second. I will offer a 5$ day discount, but only for regulars. If I have occasional kids or summer only kiddos, the charge is full.

[gramma]

I've done it before for some and not for others. Generally, there has to be something in it for me to agree to a discount. In April i will have the younger sibling of a child currently in my care starting with me and mom has asked about a discount. I would have no problem filling this space with a full rate child but mom is changing her work hours and will be dropping off at 8am and pickin up at 3:45 so for me, there is value in having those 2 kids gone that early because 1 of my other kids is gone at 4:00. That leaves me with 2 kids who go home anywhere between 4:30 and 5:00. So basically, 3 of my 5 kids will be gone by 4pm so for me it was worth it.
I agree with what others have said but you need to evaluate your situation. Do you have to fill the spots quickly? Can you afford to wait? Have you had many other calls? Not to say that you should take them out of desperation but sometimes we have to do those things. I wouldnt agree to deep discount, afterall, center only offer 10% off the second child. You could also not allow as many vacation days or some paid sick days for you for this client or something along those lines to make up the difference

[kidlove]

good point gramma! I should consider that....no one week free vacation to the families I discount for sibblings, that's a nice meet in the middle.