Cost of Daycare

[cfred]

My rates have always increased by $1/day each year, which is on par with what larger daycare facilities do. At least, the facility I was in touch with did that and they said that was their understanding of other locations as well. I recently moved from a rural location to a townhouse in a highly populated area that is overflowing with providers. One provider who contacted me looking for my overflow said everyone in this area charges $40/day. My rates are $45/day and I have a waiting list. BUT, I target a specific clientele and have a 'theme' (for lack of a better term). It took some research and aggressive advertising....and maybe a little more sacrificing than most are comfortable with, but it's been worth it in my case. My philosophy has a very strong lean to nature, conservation and cultural/lifestyle diversity which is implemented daily through meals, activities and circles. I'm also "available' to parents in my off hours if they need to text regarding advice, behaviours, etc. Parents seem to dig it and I'm drawing clients that actually appreciate me and tell me so on a near daily basis. One couple recently took me out to dinner. The wife actually brings me coffee from Tim's every morning and even gave me a gift card to Winners (my mothership) after she got her Mother's Day gift her son made at daycare. One mother teared up when she saw the Father's Day gifts drying in the sun (flip flops with the kids' foot prints and names in fabric paint). Another family left me a very tear jerking letter and gift card to my fav restaurant when they moved. I am astonished at the amazing parents on my roster! I continue to interview frequently for my waiting list so I think price shouldn't mean much. Parents who appreciate you won't mind paying a little more. There's a lot of give and take from both sides, but, in my opinion, it pays off in spades. Don't listen to people who say daycare is too expensive!!!! We all know that it isn't! We offer an invaluable service that many people don't want to do. It's hard work and we earn every nickel of it. I have changed the way I do business and taken a risk in changing the way I do things and upping my rates drastically. Obviously there are oodles of people out there who really, really appreciate our roles in their children's lives. I'm extremely fortunate to have found 6 clients (2 are part time) who truly understand that. In my old location, I was becoming very disenchanted with this job as some of my clients were complaining and it was sooooo frustrating! Now, I'm actually able to cherry pick clients (again for lack of a better term) and have a group whom I adore! For the first time in years (12 to be exact) I'm exactly where I want to be, have a client base that I WANT and look forward to each work day. This is a great job when you have clients who recognize what they've got. Sod all the others.....in my humble opinion

Good luck and raise your rates! We have to make a living too