So I interviewed a lovely family last week for September start when one of my current guys will be staying home with mom on mat leave. Interview went well and the mother said she really liked everything about my daycare program. She had another interview already scheduled that she wanted to honor and I said it was always a good idea to meet with multiple providers to get a real sense of their different options. She said she would call me today to let me know either way.

She just called and said she thought we were both equally great providers and didn't like one more than another so it came down to rate. I asked how much the other provider was charging and she said she charges by the hour so for the 8 hours it is $36 ($4.50 per hour) SO their rate is in fact the same as mine, $45 a day but I charge for the day which is 7:30-5:30 (10hrs) and this provider found a loop hole to undercut others. Clever or crafty, I don't know.

I understand the parents choice to go with her. It wasn't because she was cheaper No1, but because they liked us equally that's how they were able to make their choice.

I'm just gonna have to keep waiting for a family to sign on. I have one spot open now, for over about 18mths now and then another opening up in September. I'm actually trying to get an additional job to make up the difference in income if I have any chance of getting my finances in order for giving up work August of next year to go to school.

I'm not annoyed but a little disheartened. It's not something I can control or about doing anything differently. Just luck of the draw which can sometimes just be a bit crappy