Yup - I agree with Playfelt - I reevaluated and lowered my rates when I first started based on what the market could bare considering that in my area there are a large % of $20 a day providers who work under the table while getting spousal support or social assistance and do not want to claim their income and affect that.

So for me there was a gap between what I felt I was WORTH based on years of experience, training and program and what clients were willing to pay for care in comparison in my area of town .... I had my ad up for two months at the same fee that AGENCIES charges because I felt that I was offering the BETTER service than that so was worth it ... however I lowered them to the 'middle' range for my city which is the high end for my area within that - and than have spent the last several years adding indirect financial perks to my contract instead.

That said if there was demand and my market could bare my rates and it was just 'one client' who was concerned about the fee - NO I would not lower my fees for an individual client ... because that leads to issues down the road when you are foregoing income for someone and than you see them spending $ they claimed they did not have on things YOU feel should not be a priority over childcare ... so for example if she says she cannot afford your fee and does not know how she is going to 'balance' her budget and you lower it and than later they book a $$$$ family vacation somewhere, upgrade their car, do a renovation on their house and so forth or even those LITTLE things like going for a mani pedi or having a latte in hand every morning and so forth .... which are all 'family expenses' for sure when we budget however when they have a higher priority over CHILDCARE and you opted to go without income so now YOU cannot afford those little 'extras' .... resentment cannot help but sneak in even in the most giving person!