ASK for what you're worth!!!

[Not Mommy]

Price fixing is illegal... yes. I wasn't suggesting that no one offer care for under $40 (as others have suggested there are places where it may be appropriate) or that we all band together to push for $40 and above (the mere fact that I am talking rates AT ALL could be construed as illegal). What is also illegal is predatory pricing... undercutting the competition to put them out of business or offering your product at such a cheap price that no one can compete with you. Often these daycares end up going out of business around here... then parents are flabergasted as to why they can't find full-time daycare for $20/day! Exclusive dealing is also illegal... where providers offer special rates/discounts/times to lure people in, then up the rates or offer different clients different rates for same services. There are MANY MANY legal issues involved with being self employed, I'm suggesting they work FOR us as much as they work AGAINST us.

Yes, being self employed is difficult. You do need to "move up the ladder" with years of experience, but that IS based on your past relevant work too. My point here was NOT to enter into a debate about who is worth more... my point is that ALLLLL legitimate, caring, dedicated home daycare workers should be valued... but need also to value themselves AND each other. Each daycare is different, with different ammenities, values, etc. but by continually undercutting each other and suggesting daycare providers should NOT talk about this does not sit well with me.... also by continually accepting LESS we are, as one woman suggested, teaching people how to treat us.

[Fun&care]

Price fixing is illegal... yes. I wasn't suggesting that no one offer care for under $40 (as others have suggested there are places where it may be appropriate) or that we all band together to push for $40 and above (the mere fact that I am talking rates AT ALL could be construed as illegal). What is also illegal is predatory pricing... undercutting the competition to put them out of business or offering your product at such a cheap price that no one can compete with you. Often these daycares end up going out of business around here... then parents are flabergasted as to why they can't find full-time daycare for $20/day! Exclusive dealing is also illegal... where providers offer special rates/discounts/times to lure people in, then up the rates or offer different clients different rates for same services. There are MANY MANY legal issues involved with being self employed, I'm suggesting they work FOR us as much as they work AGAINST us.

Yes, being self employed is difficult. You do need to "move up the ladder" with years of experience, but that IS based on your past relevant work too. My point here was NOT to enter into a debate about who is worth more... my point is that ALLLLL legitimate, caring, dedicated home daycare workers should be valued... but need also to value themselves AND each other. Each daycare is different, with different ammenities, values, etc. but by continually undercutting each other and suggesting daycare providers should NOT talk about this does not sit well with me.... also by continually accepting LESS we are, as one woman suggested, teaching people how to treat us.

Exclusive dealing? This happens all the time, how is it illegal exactly? For example with phone companies they give new customers oodles of discounts and special offers, while their old customers are paying a higher rate...I've never heard of this being illegal.

[Not Mommy]

Yes, exclusive dealing happens but it is illegal in some ways, just like price fixing... my point is that there are always loopholes and we shouldn't be made to feel scared about having a discussion concerning fair practices, recommended fee schedules and job contracts etc.

This thread (as with most here!) seems to have flown in a different direction. This is ABSOLUTELY NOT a discussion about being "entitled" to increased pay, vacation, sick days etc. I'm glad that was mentioned. What it IS about is having the courage to stand up for yourself and your profession. I do not come from some corporate job where things were thrown at me... the exact opposite actually which is why I'm so passionate about people standing up for themselves, pushing through barriers and making life better for everyone (including the parents).
I see a group of people (home daycare providers) who are badly undervalued (both pay and personally) across the country no matter where you live or whether you think you are or not. I'm hoping to help change that.... healthy debate is where it starts... lets think about ways to help, support and value each other AND our profession for the good of everyone.
We can't expect others to respect our profession when we can't respect each other. I value each and every person on this board whether they agree with me or not (trolls aside!)... these are the people talking about it... working towards something better.