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
Results 1 to 10 of 10
  1. #1
    Starting to feel at home...
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Posts
    120
    Thanked
    15 Times in 14 Posts

    Weekly or monthly rate?

    Just wondering how you charge for daycare. Do you charge weekly? Or do you provide a flat monthly fee?

    For me it's weekly, $200. Parents have the option to pay me biweekly or each week. They all opted to pay weekly. So every Monday, I get their payment.

    I had considered a flat monthly rate of $800 but essentially that would mean payment for only 20 days ($800/$40). However, most months I'm providing more than 20 days of daycare, therefore I would be losing money, so that's why I choose to do the weekly route. Just wondering if there was some advantage to this flat monthly rate that I'm not seeing. Thanks.

  2. #2
    Expansive...
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Somewhere not warm enough
    Posts
    535
    Thanked
    102 Times in 74 Posts
    I think weekly is a better bet

  3. #3
    Expansive... Play and Learn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    828
    Thanked
    140 Times in 116 Posts
    I charge a weekly rate. They must pay at drop-off the first day of care that week - or no care!

  4. #4
    Euphoric !
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Ottawa, Ontario
    Posts
    4,499
    Thanked
    1,469 Times in 1,125 Posts
    The only advantage to the flat monthly rate is that it is paid at the beginning of the month and then it is over and done and there is no chance through the month for the parents to negotiate a lesser rate if their child was away.

    If you go with a monthly rate take a closer look at the calendar and figure out the average number of days and go from there if $800 is too low then add two days and charge $880 a month. Look at the full 52 weeks of the year to get your averages. Then months with 21 days pays the same as months with 23 days so it balances out. The monthly rate works fine if you choose the right monthly rate.

    Personally I am paid weekly at a flat rate every monday.

  5. #5
    Expansive...
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    971
    Thanked
    173 Times in 136 Posts
    I do a weekly payment every Thursday. Thursdays seem to work great. I hold a one week deposit for all the parents.

    I wouldn't do monthly because I think a large number like that can be intimidating to ask parents. Asking parents for $800-900 a month is a lot. I know I would have had a heart attack as a parent when I was using daycare if I had to pay a large lumo sum every time...especially the first month. It was hard enough for me to pay a deposit and then pay the following week again

  6. #6
    Outgoing
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    275
    Thanked
    4 Times in 4 Posts
    I charge monthly. I went that route as it seemed to be the norm around here. I honestly never even thought about doing a weekly rate although it doesn't seem like too bad of an idea. I like the idea of monthly because then if by chance I have to hound for money, it's just once a month.

  7. #7
    Expansive... Judy Trickett's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    In My Own Little World Of Warped Reality
    Posts
    739
    Thanked
    561 Times in 277 Posts
    I get payment for each week on Monday morning at drop-off.

  8. #8
    Starting to feel at home...
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Calgary
    Posts
    65
    Thanked
    4 Times in 3 Posts
    I get paid monthly in advance by three parents, and the 15th and 30th after the fact by the other two it works. I like the fact I get a large sum at the beginning of the month and then another payment in the middle. I do a montly rate but that includes two weeks paid off plus six flex days so I figure it evens out. Here most people pay monthly I don't think I know of anyone who pays weekly. The agency's and daycare's all charge monthly in advance here so I suppose people are used to it.

  9. #9
    Starting to feel at home...
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    British Columbia
    Posts
    90
    Thanked
    20 Times in 13 Posts
    I charge by the month. I find that this works better for book keeping. Every month they pay the same amount. I charge as if there are only 4 weeks in a month and I bank the days I have not been paid for as holidays, with parents still paying the same amount. You could charge this way or charge for 4.5 weeks per month ---eg--$40 per day X 5 days per week = $200. X 4.5=$900.per month. I put a note on my door reminding them of the date that payment is due.
    I prefer parents paying at the beginning of the month as I have had some parents with late payments. I can't imagine these parents being on time for payment every week.
    What ever works for you stick to your guns and make sure that you get your payment on the designated day.

  10. #10
    Euphoric !
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    1,405
    Thanked
    239 Times in 191 Posts
    I also get paid monthly (IN ADVANCE!!), as it is the "norm" around here, too. It is nice to get the lump sum, but admittedly a weekly or 2 week schedule would be nice for budgeting.
    I do tell parents that we will work out whatever arrangement is best for them. I would take 2 payments a month, etc, provided it was paid in advance of care.

Similar Threads

  1. Monthly daycare expenses
    By Craftymama1 in forum Managing a daycare
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 02-10-2020, 08:52 AM
  2. Claim Monthly expenses and Renovation in taxes
    By jinnie87 in forum Opening a daycare
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 03-10-2017, 02:23 PM
  3. Monthly Expenses
    By Britishmum in forum Managing a daycare
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 03-27-2016, 10:04 PM
  4. Monthly grocery budge for daycare only
    By Cheeky in forum Daycare meals
    Replies: 43
    Last Post: 10-25-2015, 12:53 AM
  5. Is it better to charge daily or monthly?
    By Cocoon in forum Managing a daycare
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 06-15-2012, 07:17 PM

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 visited or if you're using a childcare provider found on DaycareBear, do not hesitate to leave a review. This will most certainly help other parents!
Did you know?
DaycareBear is also available in Quebec (in French) and in the U.S!
Simply click on the corresponding flag in the upper-left corner.
Partner in your
search for a daycare provider