How do you manage pay for daycare?

[Suzie_Homemaker]

Hi,

I just wanted to say that whilst officially there are some dayhomes with fixed rates. There is no harm in asking again.

I disagree. When a parent tries to nickle and dime me and pass their over stretched financial issue on to my family, I am offended. I work hard and long hour. I make barely min wage after expenses if full. If someone wants discount, when already local market means home day care earns less than $11 an hour, then that shows me they likely will argue over everthing.

Experience shows, those who ask for discounts, are the same people here on doorstep the second key is turned and last to leave at end of day. They are parents who want their 18month old to stop napping even though he falling over tired and they are the ones who show up, every damn stat day even though closed.
So I disagree. Asking a day carer to cut their pay, does do harm. It's offensive. If you happy with your provider, pay her fees. If not, go somewhere else. But stop cutting the income of the lowest earners so you can have your vacation each year, two cars and trips to the beauty salon. And don't dare whine about fees, as you flick through your iphone, telling us how tight finances are and how you can't wait to go on cruise next month 'cause you exhausted. Totally disrespectful and on the occasion I've been asked for discount, that person hasn't been given the place.
It is two way interview afterall.

[TinyTwigs]

I disagree. When a parent tries to nickle and dime me and pass their over stretched financial issue on to my family, I am offended. I work hard and long hour. I make barely min wage after expenses if full. If someone wants discount, when already local market means home day care earns less than $11 an hour, then that shows me they likely will argue over everthing.

Experience shows, those who ask for discounts, are the same people here on doorstep the second key is turned and last to leave at end of day. They are parents who want their 18month old to stop napping even though he falling over tired and they are the ones who show up, every damn stat day even though closed.
So I disagree. Asking a day carer to cut their pay, does do harm. It's offensive. If you happy with your provider, pay her fees. If not, go somewhere else. But stop cutting the income of the lowest earners so you can have your vacation each year, two cars and trips to the beauty salon. And don't dare whine about fees, as you flick through your iphone, telling us how tight finances are and how you can't wait to go on cruise next month 'cause you exhausted. Totally disrespectful and on the occasion I've been asked for discount, that person hasn't been given the place.
It is two way interview afterall.

Suzie couldn't have said it any better! Its not our responsibility to give you a discount if you can't afford daycare. If you can't afford it don't have kids until you do. That may should harsh but it is the truth. Budget out EXACTLY what is needed for your child in the first few years of life and if you can't afford it don't have children until your ready. When having children comes a lot of responsibilities and one of those is daycare. I also do not agree in the child and tax credits! I am sick of people complaining about daycare costs. its so ignorant that people always look at the monthly fee, no one takes into consideration our time, meal prep, food costs, education, activities, craft supplies, parental stress I mean the list just goes on and on! Why should I decrease my rates for someone to have my own family suffering in the end? I don't think so

[betsy]

Shop around.

Some care-providers may provide care as an income-supplement, or because the care-provider is on maternity leave, or the care-provider's main objective is to have a playmate for her child, (so they may be flexible with how much they're willing to charge). Also sometimes rates do vary depending on location, experience and training.
A daycare that just opened up may be willing to give a discount to one or two spaces for a year, just so to get started - it's easier to get more spaces filled if you already have children since parents usually want playmates for their kids.

Don't hesitate to try to negotiate diplomatically.

Sometimes care providers are willing to bend back for someone they feel positive with. That good "chemistry" between parent and care provider at times count a lot.

[blackcomb]

We still need to earn enough too as a provider, am not just giving it away, you pay for what you get, quality care costs, anyone paying someone $7, how does that person survive on such a low wage, children are a lot of work too. I charge the same rate for each child, it's a spot, no pay, no spot.