3.5k
Daycare and childcare providers in Winnipeg, Toronto, Vancouver, Ontario etc. in CanadaGarderies à Montréal ou au QuébecFind daycare or childcare providers in the USA
Forum control
+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12
  1. #1

    Just starting home daycare, advice please!

    I would like to start a home daycare and need some advice please. I was thinking of charging $25 per day for kids aged 3 and up and $30 per day for babies under 3 yrs. I was thinking of keeping the rate low to help parents and so that i will get a good response. Because the rate is low, i would require parents to provide lunches, i will provide snacks and breakfast if needed.

    My question is do i need to charge a different price to reflect the going rates in my area? How do i figure out what the going rates are?

  2. #2
    Euphoric !
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    1,505
    Thanked
    479 Times in 345 Posts
    Enter your postal code in the search engine here and you'll see the going rates for your neighbourhood. The average for Toronto is $50-75 per day. If you set your price too low a) you won't make any money b) parents may steer clear of you as your projected price is too low and they'll question why. You can't be in this to "help families" you are starting a business, not a charity.

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to torontokids For This Useful Post:


  4. #3
    Thanks, wow that's so expensive! How do parents afford it!? I did a search of my area here and the prices are like u said, but i figure i don't have ECE training, I don't have a recent CPR certificate and i'm just a mom that's raised 3 kids of my own, and babysit a few kids throughout the years. So i'm just trying to keep it fair, i'm not sure what to charge!

  5. #4
    Euphoric !
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    1,505
    Thanked
    479 Times in 345 Posts
    Maybe don't advertise your daycare like that heh heh "just a mom, no ECE." It depends on what you are offering as well maybe you are going to offer "babysitting" instead e.g more casual, no real program or set hours?

  6. #5
    Euphoric !
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Posts
    1,505
    Thanked
    479 Times in 345 Posts
    Update your CPR and first aid, big turn off for parents. Parents in T.O expect more as well because they are paying more.

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to torontokids For This Useful Post:


  8. #6
    Expansive... Artsand crafts's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    561
    Thanked
    145 Times in 116 Posts
    I am located north of Toronto. You need your Cpr/first aid training and clear police record for parents start taking you seriously. Omit in your ads that you do not have and ECE and instead describe what you are offering. I agree that going with a very low fee will make good families steer away from you because they will question your intentions or quality of care.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to Artsand crafts For This Useful Post:


  10. #7
    Ok, i figured i could do things the old fashioned way, a lot of families in my area are immigrants and complain that daycare is way too expensive. But i guess i have to rethink everything. Are there any other legal issues i need to be aware of when starting home daycare?

  11. #8
    Expansive... Artsand crafts's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2013
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    561
    Thanked
    145 Times in 116 Posts
    It is illegal having more than 5 kids plus your own in your house also daycare insurance is strongly recommended to protect yourself. You can also find very helpful information in this forum from past threats.

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to Artsand crafts For This Useful Post:


  13. #9
    Euphoric !
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Posts
    2,008
    Thanked
    677 Times in 507 Posts
    If you charge much less then the going rates in your area that is the type of clients you are going to attract ... People who will want something for nothing, and then stiff you in the end. Make sure you have a contract outlining all the policies such as illness, pick up and drop off , lateness, nap time, withdrawal/termination, ect, ........ Always get paid in advance for the following two weeks, and get a deposit, get your first aid/ CPR, and a police check, and get a daycare Ryder on your house insurance. Read many of these threads so you can see some of the problems we have faced in the past..... Good luck

  14. #10
    Euphoric !
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Ontario
    Posts
    3,629
    Thanked
    949 Times in 781 Posts
    You could keep your rates a little bit lower to attract clients and get started, but please make a contract with clear policies and as the ladies already mentioned do get your CPR/first aid updated at the very least. Keep all your receipts as they are all tax deductions, even the CPR training.

    I started at a low rate because I am a Mom/Grandma and that was the experience I was drawing upon, but I found out that I do a fantastic job running my daycare and don't need an ECE diploma, just common sense and dedication to my business.

    Once I had a good client base in place so that I had fantastic references I was able to raise my rates slowly $2/year or so until I was in a better range after a few years. My clients didn't bat an eye because they were happy with me.
    Frederick Douglass
    It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.

  15. The Following User Says Thank You to Momof4 For This Useful Post:


Similar Threads

  1. Starting home daycare, help with what to charge?
    By depaolilisa2@gmail.c in forum This and that
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-22-2015, 07:30 AM
  2. Replies: 2
    Last Post: 07-16-2014, 09:12 PM
  3. Starting a home daycare - need tips
    By lilybean in forum Caring for children
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 06-21-2014, 12:52 AM
  4. Looking into starting an at home daycare in Ontario
    By twomonkeys in forum Opening a daycare
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 01-01-2014, 02:33 AM
  5. Tips and advice about starting a home daycare
    By Mekkers in forum Opening a daycare
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 12-23-2011, 06:30 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

A few tips...

If you encounter a daycare provider with out-of-date openings / spaces, click on the button right above the currently listed openings to report it!
Updates
We expect providers to keep their listing and available openings up-to-date. However, to prevent oversights, openings expire after 45 days.
Partner in your
search for a daycare provider