School teachers???

[daycaremom9]

I had a teacher a year ago and I asked for half-time rates but I would now give the option of them paying full-time rates or take the chance of there being an opening in Sept.

[SLD]

It's simple. Charge slightly more through the school year to cover off for summer. One school break or the other becomes the holiday time other family's would use if you offer that.

[Momof4]

This didn't apply to me when the thread was current back in May but it does now. I've signed on a teacher family and they will be paying full regular fees from Sep-June, no matter if there are stats or days off for them, except for my closed vacations. Then we agreed they can switch to part-time in the summer and use 3 days/week and the Mom will be able to have some days to herself to get lots of things done at home. I like our deal.

[playfelt]

Problem I had with the arrangement you have momof4 is that come June teacher changed her mind and wanted off for the summer afterall and not pay anything but wanted to come back in Sept. So I had the option of start to advertise in July for a Sept opening or take no pay and take back the now older child - take a 2 year old back or start another baby were the options. That is why I went to the pay higher in the Sept to June and then I am covered for the summer no matter what parent decides to do.

I also take a two week deposit due by the end of June for the first two weeks of Sept if they return or forfeit if they change their minds over the summer. Very likely they will find some desperate caregiver over the summer willing to let them off the hook for paying and they won't come back afterall. With my method I have been paid and have till end of Sept to fill space.

[Momof4]

Yes playfelt, I did think of that and I actually talked to the new Mom about that and told her I'm trusting her to remain a client for the long term and keep her promises as I'll keep mine. However, I started to think about it. Do we ever know from one month to the next if we are going to keep our clients? Anything could happen, but we always hope parents are being honest and forthright with us and will keep their word.

[KellyP]

I am open all year.

Someone else's seasonal, part year or sporadic employment has NOTHING to do with me.

I have a set number of spaces available. If they want a space, they pay for it. If they don't use it part of the year, that isn't my problem.

I am NOT a time share. I am a self-employed business owner who needs to eat ALL year, not just during the school year. I don't take school ager's to fill the gaps as I don't take school age children at all.

[sunnydays]

I am open all year.

Someone else's seasonal, part year or sporadic employment has NOTHING to do with me.

I have a set number of spaces available. If they want a space, they pay for it. If they don't use it part of the year, that isn't my problem.

I am NOT a time share. I am a self-employed business owner who needs to eat ALL year, not just during the school year. I don't take school ager's to fill the gaps as I don't take school age children at all.

This is exactly my view on it as well. I had a teacher family last year and they paid full fees year round to keep the spaces. They chose to send their kids to me much of the summer as well, but had they kept them home they still would have paid. While I am sure I would want to not pay during summer if I were a teacher, I cannot afford it on my end. I don't take school-agers either and don't plan to, so I need that steady income. If a teacher doesn't like this, they simply don't sign with me in the first place.

[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?