ASK for what you're worth!!!

[playfelt]

This came up years ago with the annual caregiver survey of rates as what was found is providers were using that to see what was "normal" and then changing to those rates. Our decision basically was that the chart is just information and what someone does with it is no different than a store putting out a flyer of prices and the store down the street adjusting their prices accordingly as in nothing illegal in what the association was doing by giving us the info but that was as far as it could go.

[Judy Trickett]

Price fixing.....it's absolute crap. You know it and I know it. I mean, honestly, is it any wonder WHY the same brand of frying pan is within a 25 cent range in price between Canadian Tire, Walmart and Target? A box of macaroni is pretty much the same price within a few PENNIES at any grocery store. Price fixing goes on ALL....THE...TIME... ..everyone know it. The only difference is that big companies do it behind closed doors.

I'm not disagreeing that it's against the law. But it's a stupid law that is habitually broken time and time again.

AND, I would like to know HOW a government body is going to accuse any industry of price fixing. So every provider charges $40 a day? How do they PROVE that is it price fixing? Maybe that's just the precipice of price that needs to be charged to earn a living. You know?

Every single professional college - the college of optometrists, dentists, chiropractors, podiatrists etc etc - have recommended fee schedules as set out by the college. Tell me how that isn't "price fixing". And every member of those colleges had the ability to charge more or less for their services without penalty - it's ultimately their choice. But the recommended fee schedule is still there, in bold print and you will find most professionals pretty much stick to it.

[Fun&care]

I'm not sure why everyone gets so worked up over pricing. Like others have said, we are NOT all equals. When I started out, I lived in my apartment still, I had a good little setup but no yard. So I advertised at 25$ per day to the first client that signed with me. The client after that I charged 30$. I was trying to be competitive because I knew parents would be taking a gamble starting out with a new provider plus I didn't feel I had the setup to charge a whole lot. Also I was honestly happy to just be home with my kids and the money earned from daycare helped a lot even if it was just a little. Since then I have moved to a townhouse with a large basement dedicated to the daycare and we have a big yard and my program and contracts are much better etc. so now I am advertising at 40$. But, if I can't find any clients within the next couple of weeks I will probably drop my prices, again to stay competitive. It's not that I don't value myself. It's that I want to keep my job even if it means making a little less. And let's not forget that just because WE know that we are not equal, to parents must of us probably are very similar so their decision in the end might come down to pricing because everything else seems hunky dory. Just my two cents.

[Not Mommy]

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.

[Not Mommy]

Just because you are not an ECE or don't go to play gyms does NOT mean you aren't worth it!!! This is exactly my point... I know providers who stay at home primarily with a backyard playground and those that tote the wee ones all over town in those 6 seat van-wonders! What it boils down to is the caregiver... ladies even if you don't have the most expensive ammenities or the biggest house... if you love what you do and are good to/for your kiddies than YOU are worth it

[playfelt]

Being worth it and getting prospective parents to believe you are worth it is where the issue lies and sometimes price is what sells. Parents will pay more for more services and if they see trips to the museum as a service one offers and one doesn't they are not going to pay the same for not getting the service. That too is the same in any business.

[Judy Trickett]

Being worth it and getting prospective parents to believe you are worth it is where the issue lies and sometimes price is what sells. Parents will pay more for more services and if they see trips to the museum as a service one offers and one doesn't they are not going to pay the same for not getting the service. That too is the same in any business.

I agree. And this is why I have always said that there really isn't competition in daycare. Everyone offers something different.

But, that being said, when I use the words "worth" and "value" I am referring to individual worth and value. You have to value what you offer and yourself or others won't either.

Nothing bugs me more than when I see posts by providers complaining about something that could easily be solved if they would just realize their worth and value and then stand up and use their back bone based on what they believe of themselves. Nearly 90% of daycare problems could be resolved with a little 'value reflection' on the part of the provider.

[playfelt]

I see a lot of the other side of the coin too Judy in that a lot of the "complaints" from providers stem from feeling entitled to perks they had working outside the home ie in one business and then are upset when they find out the other business doesn't offer the same thing - paid freetime lunch breaks being one of them - oh for a leisurely stroll alone on my lunch hour.

Just because one had a perk at one job does not mean they can automatically import it to the next job and expect to get it since all jobs come with certain limitations. Yes value what you do so you do not feel belittled by the new job but remember you gave up some of the perks so whether you are worth them still is up for debate. Ask/demand away for whatever perk you want but remember not every providers feels as "entitled" and therefore you will be up against competition. Our contracts are a reflection of us and what we have gone through in life good and bad. Not sure if I am saying all this right but some people that must have held some very high and mighty positions on the corporate ladder are now doing daycare and well finding out the grass isn't greener and maybe demanding that we all ask for the same perks so they won't feel bad about asking for them themselves sort of supports what I am saying.

[Fun&care]

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.

Exclusive dealing? This happens all the time, how is it illegal exactly? For example with phone companies they give new customers oodles of discounts and special offers, while their old customers are paying a higher rate...I've never heard of this being illegal.

[Not Mommy]

Yes, exclusive dealing happens but it is illegal in some ways, just like price fixing... my point is that there are always loopholes and we shouldn't be made to feel scared about having a discussion concerning fair practices, recommended fee schedules and job contracts etc.

This thread (as with most here!) seems to have flown in a different direction. This is ABSOLUTELY NOT a discussion about being "entitled" to increased pay, vacation, sick days etc. I'm glad that was mentioned. What it IS about is having the courage to stand up for yourself and your profession. I do not come from some corporate job where things were thrown at me... the exact opposite actually which is why I'm so passionate about people standing up for themselves, pushing through barriers and making life better for everyone (including the parents).
I see a group of people (home daycare providers) who are badly undervalued (both pay and personally) across the country no matter where you live or whether you think you are or not. I'm hoping to help change that.... healthy debate is where it starts... lets think about ways to help, support and value each other AND our profession for the good of everyone.
We can't expect others to respect our profession when we can't respect each other. I value each and every person on this board whether they agree with me or not (trolls aside!)... these are the people talking about it... working towards something better.