Fee increases and Bill 10

[Busy ECE mommy]

I'm trying to get a general consensus from those living in Halton/Peel area about fee increases for the "2 under 2" category. I'm having alot of people looking for Feb/March starts in 2015, and I wonder if I should be changing the fees for that grouping now, versus waiting until 2016, when the Bill actually starts. Technically, those people will be filling my " 2 under 2" spots now, because they won't be 2 years when the Bill takes effect at the beginning of 2016. Any thoughts? Is it fair to do the increase now, as I will be full with my quota, and can't take any more of this age category later??? Thanks in advance. If so, what kind of increases will providers be implementing? The going rate here is 45-50 day for home care, and 65-80 in a licensed centre.

[Busy ECE mommy]

Let me clarify the pricing-those are the going rates now, before any increases have happened.

[torontokids]

I am in the GTA. I am not going to raise my fees until the new Bill comes but that is because I am at the top end for my area.

Based on the $45-50 for your area. If you currently charge $45 then I would raise it to $50 if you can get it. You don't even need to mention the Bill for your fees. This is what your fee is in the New Year. If you are already at the top end of your market then I would keep your rate at the current rate and raise it in 2016 and when you give notice of the raise, give the Bill as the reason.

[bright sparks]

I get your thinking, but I feel like it's going to be tough enough for parents to pay higher rates for in demand placements when the law is enforced and almost unfair to expect parents to pay a premium based on a law change that while is definitely on its way, is still a year away. That's a hell of a lot of money to pay when the rule isn't in place yet and while the ratios are not mandatory yet, still leave parents with the ability to go elsewhere. You have to be able to justify the increase and at this time while I understand your thought process, I do not feel that a fee increase at this time is right or justifiable.

I would be taking families on with full explanation of what is going on and possibly even write into their contract about the increase in rate you will be implementing at such time and the reason why. That is just my feeling. Unless every other provider increases their rates, you will price yourself out of the market because there will be plenty of other more affordable quality daycare options from what I think will be still a vast majority of providers who will not be raising their rates.

Halton region is already saturated in home daycare providers. I am familiar as I provided care for nearly 4 years there prior to moving to Niagara Region and I was a member of the Burlington chapter of Halton Childcare Providers Association so I am very aware of the masses available and how competitive the region already is.

[playfelt]

If I am understanding correctly you have two spaces available this Feb that I assume two one year olds will be taking. I would charge them the high end of current rates letting them know that their rate "won't" go up with Bill 10 taking effect. Then since you will be full you won't have any issues until another child leaves care. That space when you fill it will be at whatever the new going rates will be come next January. Do you run the risk that someone will leave before now and next Feb yes but that is not the fault of the moms going back to work in Feb.

[Fun&care]

I think if you can get 5$ more now than go for it, I don't know if I am ready to raise rates, tempting as it is. I for sure have to fill one spot in 2015, maybe two. What I am tempted to do is charge my current 40$ if I sign someone on before June, after June start charging 45 for under two. I haven't decided yet.

I think it is perfectly justifiable. Even though the bill isn't in place till 2016 my thought process is that I need to start getting ready NOW and start saving up for the unfortunate time where I will only have 2 kids in my care because I feel it will inevitably happen sooner or later and I feel I need to start saving up for when that happens. Im also going to let my one part time family (4days per week) know soon that they need to move to the full 5, I'm losing too much money especially in the face of bill 10. I think it is perfectly justifiable, the bigger challenge is actually getting that extra 5$ because parents may go somewhere else.