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 11
  1. #1
    Starting to feel at home...
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Calgary, Ab
    Posts
    68
    Thanked
    5 Times in 4 Posts

    Drop-in fees...am I charging too much??

    I just had a parent call me inquiring about drop-in care. I told her that I charge $25 for up to 5 hours and $40 for 5-10 hours. She said that it was a bit high as there was a day home in her area that only charges $20 for a full day's care. I personally thought that the day home provider closer to her is undercharging and selling herself short.

    I mentioned that I have 15+ years experience and provide all their meals and snacks through out the day. And really for on a Sunday, which would be the day in the week that she needs care for, I thought I was being generous not raising my weekday rate. What do you guys think?? Am I charging too much?? Or is this parent being unreasonable to think that I should charge in my opinion basically$2/hour or less for a full day??

  2. #2
    Expansive... Play and Learn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    828
    Thanked
    140 Times in 116 Posts
    Parent is being unreasonable. Drop-in fees should be higher in my opinion. She doesn't like it, the door is there!

  3. #3
    Euphoric !
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Ottawa, Ontario
    Posts
    4,499
    Thanked
    1,469 Times in 1,125 Posts
    If she was just coming on a day that I had open anyways ie filling in with other part timers then I would likely just charge my daily rate for the date. The fact it is a Sunday warrants a premium rate anyways. My weekend rate is $50. When I don't have other kids in care then I am the one entertaining the child all day and not getting my own things done so it needs to compensated. How regularly is she planning to drop in.

  4. #4
    Starting to feel at home...
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Calgary, Ab
    Posts
    68
    Thanked
    5 Times in 4 Posts
    From the sound of it she was wanting to come every Sunday. That's why I was a bit stumped at why she was saying I was charging a bit high of a fee.

  5. #5
    Expansive... Play and Learn's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    828
    Thanked
    140 Times in 116 Posts
    As playfelt said, you charge them a premium as they're taking your Sunday from them (for me, Sundays are a day of rest and cleaning up the house!). It's not high at all.

  6. #6
    Starting to feel at home...
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Calgary, Ab
    Posts
    68
    Thanked
    5 Times in 4 Posts
    Thanks ladies...I didn't think I was charging too high, but sometimes I just like find out for sure if I was wrong or not lol

  7. #7
    Outgoing
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Posts
    275
    Thanked
    4 Times in 4 Posts
    I'm in Calgary and have my drop in rate set at $50.00. This is a weekday rate. I wouldn't even considering doing care on a weekend since this is mine and my families time, but if I was to do it I would charge at least that if not more. You are not being unreasonable.

  8. #8
    Euphoric !
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    1,405
    Thanked
    239 Times in 191 Posts
    My drop-in/part time rate is exactly the same, $40 daily. IF I was going to take in a child on Sundays (which I wouldn't, as it takes my own family time away; so she is darn lucky that you are even considering it) I would absolutely charge a premium rate.
    Sounds like she is trying to get a "deal". Tread carefully with that one!

  9. #9
    Starting to feel at home...
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Calgary, Ab
    Posts
    68
    Thanked
    5 Times in 4 Posts
    That is exactly what I was thinking mom-in-alberta. She was pushing for a better deal and that worries me. Not only because I'm taking a risk taking this family on but I also get worried for the type of care the child will end up getting if she goes with the lowest quoted price (ie. the $20/day I had originally mentioned).

  10. #10
    Expansive...
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Posts
    929
    Thanked
    158 Times in 129 Posts
    Just ask her if she is looking for quality care or cheap daycare!

    Quote Originally Posted by MunchkinMinder View Post
    I just had a parent call me inquiring about drop-in care. I told her that I charge $25 for up to 5 hours and $40 for 5-10 hours. She said that it was a bit high as there was a day home in her area that only charges $20 for a full day's care. I personally thought that the day home provider closer to her is undercharging and selling herself short.

    I mentioned that I have 15+ years experience and provide all their meals and snacks through out the day. And really for on a Sunday, which would be the day in the week that she needs care for, I thought I was being generous not raising my weekday rate. What do you guys think?? Am I charging too much?? Or is this parent being unreasonable to think that I should charge in my opinion basically$2/hour or less for a full day??

Similar Threads

  1. Charging per hour/per day?
    By Beanie in forum Managing a daycare
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 03-20-2015, 03:10 PM
  2. Question about closing and charging for the day
    By MonkeyPrincess in forum The day-to-day as a daycare provider
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 11-13-2014, 10:10 PM
  3. Charging GST
    By Dreamalittledream in forum Managing a daycare
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 09-15-2012, 07:54 AM
  4. Charging HST
    By mimi in forum Parents' experiences with daycare providers
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 04-24-2012, 07:19 AM
  5. Charging for transition dates
    By zen39 in forum Managing a daycare
    Replies: 23
    Last Post: 04-17-2012, 11:53 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...

Do not hesitate to refer to this article to help you choose a daycare provider, know which questions to ask, have an idea of what to look for...
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