School teachers???

[MonkeyPrincess]

I think I may be in the minority here, but I don't mind teachers children. They don't come during the holidays or summers, which lightens my load a bit, and allows me to do things alone with my kids, because all my kids vacation at some point during the summer. On the flip side, In my experience, I have always picked up 'summer only' children that make up for the teachers kids who are off all summer, or who rescue their daycare to once/twice a week.

I know I run my business differently than many of you, I don't mind part time kids, as 5 full time kids is way too much for me. Doesn't leave much time for my own kids, who are still young (6 and 2.5). I don't mind kids off for the summer because I know someone else will fill their spot. I also don't mind older kids as it is someone for my older child to play with, and I don't mind before and after school kids. It's a bit more money for me without having too many kids here all day. But that's just me!

[Momof4]

I'm with ya Lilywildcat! I enjoy have a part-time family in care so that I can have a few light days every week.

[Sandbox Sally]

I am enjoying my light load summer. I now have two teachers whose children attend my daycare. I have alternating 2/3 kids per day this summer, and it's giving me time and freedom to spend with my own kids, and just enjoy the weather.

The parents are paying an extra $5 per day so that they don't have to attend during school holidays. I am taking that extra $5 per day and putting it away to use in the summers. It ends up being about $100 per week for the eight weeks off in summer and three during the school year. I am good with that.

I am hoping to get ALL teacher's kids someday, and take my summers completely off. How nice would that be?

[treeholm]

I also love part-time children so I have a lighter load some days. If I had thought about it, I wished I had started by only taking teachers' families. I would love to be in the pool all summer instead of sweating with the toddlers LOL! As an educator, I'm used to having at least a month off in the summer, and this is my first summer doing daycare... I am really feeling it in the heat (no air-conditioning). Post-menopausal and a heat wave plus a bunch of toddlers is not the most fun I've ever had LOL. Good thing my munchkins are adorable and the parents are a dream

[gravy_train]

I charge a 2 week non refundable deposit at the time Of registration. Deposit is used for the child's last 2 weeks in care. When your new clients sign on with you, make sure you give them a receipt indicating that the deposit is non-refundable should the terms of your agreement be broken and non-refundable should the client decide not to start the hold in your care.
I also have my clients pay me every other Friday (they all pay on the same day) in advance of care for the following two weeks. If they don't Pay me I have the right to refuse care and keep the deposit.

[gravy_train]

As for teachers, I also have had a few inquire and I offered to charge 50% to reserve their spot. They then tried to get around t by satin they only wanted to sign on with me from Sept to June and take their chances with re-registering the following sept.
I said no - their child was 11 months old - way too much work to get a baby adjusted only to have them leave when they are getting to an easier age .

[momof4inpink]

I have offered a discount during the summer months for a teacher client still in my care (very high maintenance parents) however I would not offer that again as it has been a huge financial loss as I don't take on temporary summer clients, or older children to fill the gap. I have found with my experience from the past 3 teacher clients I have had, they expect a lot. They don't want to pay during the summer months or barely minimum, and want the privilege to bring their child anytime during the summer and expect you to be available with open arms in September. After this teacher dcg, I will no longer accept teachers children unless they pay fulltime rated year round for sure. It was my rookie mistake big-time.

[playfelt]

Different school boards pay differently but they get the same amount either way. Some make more per month others have the same amount spread out over 12 months.

[mickyc]

I take a $150 deposit which I apply to the first 2 weeks of care (it is non-refundable). I have a 2 week trial period where I can immediately terminate or if the family doesn't think the care suites them then they can terminate as well. I am guaranteed the $150 which turns out to be 1 week of care.

As for teachers I currently have 1 parent who is a teacher. Our agreement is that I get paid regular pay from Sept to June. For July and August I fill the spot with another child. If for any reason I can't find someone to fill those 2 months then they are prepared to pay to maintain their spot. So far I have had no problems filling the spot for July/August only as other daycare's in the area close down for 2 months or school aged kids need care.

[5 Little Monkeys]

I have always had at least one teacher's child in my dc. They pay full time sept-june and then if I can find a child to fill over summer they get it off free. If I can't get a child to fill the spot than they are required to pay the holiday fee which is $10 less a day or they can pay the full amount and send their child. Most of them keep their child home during Christmas and Spring break and just pay the holiday fee.

I look at it as they are paying for a spot in my daycare not days used. For those of us who are private we are only allowed so many so I charge for the space.