"Are your prices negotiable?"

[CPST_Manda]

I have only had about 4 enquiries so far and TWO of them have asked if my prices are negotiable.

Full time care in my area is between $35.00-40.00/day. I'm charging $40.00 because I only buy organic meat/dairy/soy and corn products and MOST of our fruits and veggies. It's expensive, but it's what I feed my kids so that's what everyone will eat. I know some parents don't appreciate this, and I get that but then pick another provider for crying out loud. I'm not selling bongs at a booth in the Flea Market for the love of God!

So frustrating that parents are trying to get blood from a stone when it comes to someone who is going to be providing care for their children!!! A 10 month old no less.

Is this very common?

[playfelt]

All too common. But there are many parents that are looking for organic and will understand that it isn't as cheap to eat this way. Make sure in your advertising that you emphasize the organic foods so you can draw in that crowd. Since the rates in your area are up to $40 a day you are right in the ballpark even without the organics. When someone asks if your rate is negotiable say something like sorry you will have to decide if organic foods, (-list here a couple of your special attributes such as your education, location, setup, hours or whatever sets you aside from the others) are worth the extra investment in your child. Making it about the child and not just dollars in the pocket book might help them to see your setting for it really is.

[KingstonMom]

"I'm not selling bongs at a booth in the Flea Market for the love of God!"

Hahaha!! too funny!!
I agree with Playfelt, you are positively doing fine if you are asking the going rate and alot of parents are looking for the organic benefit that you are providing.
Besides giving it more time, maybe try to advertise in different areas. Besides on this site, try kijiji, posting ads at schools, playgroups, on mailboxes in your area, even stores if they allow it. Here in Kingston, I would advertise at a shop called "Go Green Baby", where they sell cloth diapers, naturally made toys, organics etc. Also at Universities and Colleges could provide you with a different market.
But whatever you do don't budge on the rates. You are right, we are not bartering our salary, and you deserve the extra due to the expense in food!!

[fruitloop]

My fees are not negotiable and never will be unless they want to pay me more! Then I might bend a bit...lol. I serve a lot of organics, whole gain foods here too and it is expensive but all the families I have in care want this for their children so they will pay. You don't want a family in care that thinks your fees are negotiable!

[FS2011]

Feeding all organic and they don't want this for a 10 month old!!??? I wonder if some people have a brain in their head!

[Skysue]

I have only had about 4 enquiries so far and TWO of them have asked if my prices are negotiable.

Full time care in my area is between $35.00-40.00/day. I'm charging $40.00 because I only buy organic meat/dairy/soy and corn products and MOST of our fruits and veggies. It's expensive, but it's what I feed my kids so that's what everyone will eat. I know some parents don't appreciate this, and I get that but then pick another provider for crying out loud. I'm not selling bongs at a booth in the Flea Market for the love of God!

So frustrating that parents are trying to get blood from a stone when it comes to someone who is going to be providing care for their children!!! A 10 month old no less.

Is this very common?

People that are motivated by price are not loking for quality care there looking for cheap daycare. Hot dogs and alphagetties... sorry if I have offended anyone but thats the bottom line in my opinion!

[horsegirl]

You don't want a family in your daycare that is always trying to negotiate a better deal. I have dealt with parents like this before and I explain to them that I charge $40.00 per day and that this works out to be $3.81 per hour ( I am open 7am-5:30pm). I ask them if they don't think that their child is worth this small amount. I also ask them if they would work for this amount per hour.

I have a paragraph in my contract that explains why I charge what I do. I state that I do not have a medical or dental plan, nor do I have a pension fund, I cannot take off emergency days, nor can I accumulate my overtime and take it off as paid holidays. I have to pay for extra house insurance, liability insurance, special auto insurance and all the equipment and materials that their children use in my daycare. I also remind them that the benefits that most of them get from their employer is approx. 35% of their wage. They seem to forget the amount that they pay their babysitter while they go out for the evening--$10 per hour, or their favorite bottle of wine. Again, is their child not worth the $3.81 per hour.

Think twice about these families you do not need the hassle.

[CPST_Manda]

Thanks ladies! I feel a lot better. I'm thinking everything you've all posted and you're absolutely right. I do not want to accept a family that is price shopping when it comes to care. It's not like my prices are out of line with the norm in our area and I'm in NO HURRY to fill spots. I've been at home with my kids for 3 years and 1 more isn't going to break us. I'm sure a family that appreciates the way I do things will come along and we'll make out just fine

[Sunflower]

Just ask them if they want the level of care to be negotiable as well lol

[playfelt]

Sometimes parents will ask for breaks for but once you explain things to them most will see things from your standpoint. Another one is always do I give a special rate for siblings. I understand that the parent doesn't make twice as much money just because they have two kids but at the same time they have to realize that my costs don't change because the kids are siblings. When I turn it around and say well will you be ok with me making one sandwich and sharing it between the two of them or giving them one piece of paper and asking both of them to colour on it.....etc. Then just say my expenses don't change and sorry but you are taking up two spaces and I need to be paid for two spaces. And besides when you think about it if that family leaves care it leaves an even bigger hole in the budget because it is two spaces too. Parents have to shop for bargains for just about everything and I get that.