Help Help Help!!!

[cfred]

Hey! Welcome to home daycare....these are not uncommon issues. In fact, you sound very much like I did at the beginning. Many of these things you mention can be really hard to deal with while you're still a little green in the field.

I'm not sure what most providers in your area charge. Honestly, $35 sounds a bit low, considering what you offer...but again....I don't know what the norm is in your area. Have you checked that out in the search feature on this site? It's okay to go a bit higher, but, when I was in your shoes, I did so slowly. My first clients came in low, then, as I brought more on, I raised the rate by a dollar or two each time. So, I came in at $39 2.5 years ago and am now at $47. Each time a someone left and a new one came aboard, the price went up a little. In addition, I increase my rates by $1/day each year. This is in the contract and helps me to keep up with the cost of living. You have all the bells and whistles and will be able to command a pretty decent rate...but it might take a little while to build your reference list/reputation and to see what the market can bear. While you may want to start low, for new ones coming in, and once you have a reference list built up, you might want to consider hiking them up a bit.

The condo issue...well...it does make it a harder sell, but if your program is good, then it's good! You've stated that you're looking to move into a house once you can afford it and really, what else can you say? Don't let people dicker down your price because of your home. If your space is good, your program is quality and they're being well cared for, then so what if it's in a condo? One thing that frustrates me is when people come in my daycare/home (usually clipboard mums - I'm sure you've had some already) and pick it apart for the silliest things. On the one hand, it is their child's care and that's of utmost importance. On the other hand, I've often felt that they're looking for a bargaining chip which pisses me off enough to put them on my fake waiting list. This is my HOME! This is my business that I've spent my entire adult life building up. My first house, which I've sunk my life savings into. To walk into someone's little spot in the world and start tearing it down in the spirit of a lower fee...well...they're probably not a client I want anyway.

Organic food - That's a tough one. I opted out of the organic due to the cost, but instead offer a very broad and eclectic menu. I found the organics too much, despite my desire to offer it. If you can find a way to do it while maintaining prices people in your area can afford and still make enough money to make the business viable, then go for it! If you're having to raise your prices so high that it steers potential clients away, then you may wish to reconsider the organics or see where else you can cut back.

So far as a sibling discount....nope. I mean, you can, but I suspect the second child will use just as many supplies, food and equipment and need as much care as the others. The way I look at it is that if a child is taking up a full time space, I require full fees. Your vacation offerings for parents are exactly like mine were in the beginning. I now offer 5 days...that's it...and that's going to be phased out too. It is not our job to subsidize other families' vacations. I found it to be a LOT of money each year and finally decided I couldn't afford it. It IS however a great tool for filling your spaces up, initially, to get the ball rolling.

Parents lingering - I found, in the beginning, that it drove me a little nuts. Then I just turned my thinking around. I have open door policy and it's not at all uncommon to find parents in my play area with the kids, having a good visit. They like it, I enjoy the company and it makes the parents feel more a part of things here. I changed to this format quite a long time ago, and most parents say it's one of the biggest aspects of my care that they appreciate - the openness. Now I just offer them a coffee and include them in the fun. Not everyone likes this, but I've found it to be hugely beneficial.

Good luck with your new biz! Hope this helps a little. I'm sure others will write in with their 2 cents and offer loads more insight to consider.