My New Teachers Policy - Feedback?

[sunnydays]

I actually don't offer any special deals for teachers. You pay for the spot or risk losing it. I have a teacher family now and they are paying throughout the summer and sending their kids for most of it so they don't lose their spots. I just can't afford to take a pay cut like that. Now, I do like your idea of adding up all the weeks of holidays and then dividing that amount equally to get their new rate...that would work so that you don't actually lose any money and you do get a lighter load in the summer...as long as they are willing to pay that rate as it could be quite a bit higher.

[bright sparks]

I actually don't offer any special deals for teachers. You pay for the spot or risk losing it. I have a teacher family now and they are paying throughout the summer and sending their kids for most of it so they don't lose their spots. I just can't afford to take a pay cut like that. Now, I do like your idea of adding up all the weeks of holidays and then dividing that amount equally to get their new rate...that would work so that you don't actually lose any money and you do get a lighter load in the summer...as long as they are willing to pay that rate as it could be quite a bit higher.

I am the same way but I havent always been. I used to charge the regular rate to teachers and then they had to pay a 50 % retainer for the summer upfront on the last day of the school year. I would then let them bring their child for 2 days per week. However, teachers are paid for 12 months of the year. Yes only 10 months of the year but its to cover a 12 month salary. There is no financial insentive for me to give a discount. Its just money out of my pocket. I know it sounds harsh, but its true. Fortunatly where I am there is huge demand for daycare so once my teachers child goes to school I will no longer be taking teachers children. I am always so comflicted wanting to be fair and reasonable in understanding their position but that doesnt benefit me and summer comes along and I have less income. While newly qualified teachers start at a much lower salary than those with years of service under their belt, the majority still earn far more than daycar providers so I can't afford to give them a discount when I only have 5 spots.