Price fixing is illegal... yes. I wasn't suggesting that no one offer care for under $40 (as others have suggested there are places where it may be appropriate) or that we all band together to push for $40 and above (the mere fact that I am talking rates AT ALL could be construed as illegal). What is also illegal is predatory pricing... undercutting the competition to put them out of business or offering your product at such a cheap price that no one can compete with you. Often these daycares end up going out of business around here... then parents are flabergasted as to why they can't find full-time daycare for $20/day! Exclusive dealing is also illegal... where providers offer special rates/discounts/times to lure people in, then up the rates or offer different clients different rates for same services. There are MANY MANY legal issues involved with being self employed, I'm suggesting they work FOR us as much as they work AGAINST us.

Yes, being self employed is difficult. You do need to "move up the ladder" with years of experience, but that IS based on your past relevant work too. My point here was NOT to enter into a debate about who is worth more... my point is that ALLLLL legitimate, caring, dedicated home daycare workers should be valued... but need also to value themselves AND each other. Each daycare is different, with different ammenities, values, etc. but by continually undercutting each other and suggesting daycare providers should NOT talk about this does not sit well with me.... also by continually accepting LESS we are, as one woman suggested, teaching people how to treat us.