Parents don't think I am worth $3... what would you do?

[Artsand crafts]

I made a big change to my contract about a year ago. Families had different contracts, depending on when they enrolled and I wanted to have one contract for all of them and more benefits for me. In the new contract they all had to pay for the space. So they now pay for 49 weeks out of 52 per year regardless of attendance I also added a few more paid days off such as Easter Monday, Christmas Eve, and New Year's eve. There is only 3 weeks un-paid days for my own days off. I also increased their fee from $1 to $5 depending on the family. 4 out of 5 families accepted all the changes (including the family with the $5 increase), but one and they left. I replaced them quickly and I felt that families that stayed really valued me and my program. Do what is best for YOU! I would also be careful on going back on your word, because they may think that everything else could be negotiated. If you're a though cookie it may not be a problem to just say NO every time that they think they could. I gave them over 1.5 months of notice to make the changes effective.

[planet.caravan67]

I made a big change to my contract about a year ago. Families had different contracts, depending on when they enrolled and I wanted to have one contract for all of them and more benefits for me..

This is exactly what I had so I also wanted one contract for everybody. All families agreed without a problem except this one, I guess there always has to be one.

Initially I told this family $160 per week (works out to $32 per day) IF they brought child 5 days per week. if the child didn't come 5 days it would $35 per day. They talked their way into paying $32 per day independent of how many days they would attend, as like I said I was desperate and would rather have made $32 per day than 0 at the time.

They also told me 5 days a week for the little one and 5 days a week after school for the older one. The little one I usually see 4 days sometimes 5 and the older one I haven't seen in 2 months. Every weekend I ask if the older one will be coming they say she will next week and she never shows up. I have also asked if they want to reduce the amount of days they need care for and they always say no so I am saving a full time spot really deep inside me knowing it probably wont be full time which in my opinion is unfair. Hence why I want pay for days booked, they have the option of only booking 4 or 3 days but at least then I know for sure that I can fill the other days.

This is why I decided to ask for pay for days booked because more often than I'd like I am left with an empty spot and no pay.

I am in Ontario so that part of losing a customer when I have one leaving in 2 weeks (all in good terms, I couldn't provide the care this child needed and mom completely understood) makes me a little worried, however as I mentioned I have 3 interviews next week so I am hopig that I will fill 1 and possibly 2 spots if I need.

I am going to stick to my guns on this one, I feel like I deserve the extra pay and some more security in terms of payment I receive. No one else is getting a deal, they aren't any more special than anyone else. Other people had an even better deal and understood and agreed to my changes.

[planet.caravan67]

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INPUT
I am just a little nervous of losing the income all together this is why I was unsure on what to do but I am now more confident.

This is just my second year doing this, I still have a lot to learn it seems