Do You Post Your Rates On Your Website?

[Crazy8]

So when they call to inquire about your services and ask your rates, is your reply "That is something I will be happy to discuss in person during our interview"? Does that put some people off? Do they ever ask you "Why won't you just tell me your rates over the phone?"

I have to say that as frustrated as I am over some aspects of the childcare industry at the moment, I DO love how much freedom we have pertaining to the choices we get to make in running our businesses!

yes, something like that. If they are persistent I explain that rates are based on individual needs and will sometimes give them a ballpark (high) rate. I think the only ones it puts off are the ones who are aren't even interested in coming here in the first place.

[Happy Hearts]

I post my rates and my Policy Handbook. Weeds out all the riff raff.

[Crazy8]

But that is only because you are viewing it from only one angle. You are seeing it as the parents hearing "The more you use, the more your rate would be" How about if you view it from the opposite end and say it to your parents like this:

"You will receive a discount from my normal daily rates the earlier yo pick up your child."

When they ask what you mean, you can explain to them that the earlier in the day they pick up, the cheaper their rate will be.

If parents still need to use the entire day, so be it but the ones who don't need the entire day have the option of making their rate a bit less expensive.

Cheaper for earlier or more expensive for later. Means the same thing, just stated in the opposite way.

I am starting to implement your rate structure too, sort of did by making my "regular" rate be a 4:30 pick up. Even teachers around here need till 4-4:30 so I rarely ever get anyone who would pick up earlier than 4:30 but I would probably discount it from my 4:30 rate if I got someone.

[daycare]

I think where I have the issue, is if I based if off my "want I want to make charge" or I can call it "my daily rate" that I have now, those parents that pick up past 4:00pm would be paying out the wazooooo for care much more than anyone else around and I know that more than half of my kids can not get picked up before 4:00pm....

[Kimberli]

I think where I have the issue, is if I based if off my "want I want to make charge" or I can call it "my daily rate" that I have now, those parents that pick up past 4:00pm would be paying out the wazooooo for care much more than anyone else around and I know that more than half of my kids can not get picked up before 4:00pm....

That's exactly what I was saying. My parents drop off between 6:15 and 7:30 and no child could ever be picked up before 5 - 5:30. Those rates wouldn't be competitive in my area.

[SunnyDay]

Yes, our rates are posted. They are on the high side of average for our area and I feel that I save a lot of time by having them posted rather than answering phone calls and e-mails from those who would not be willing to pay that much.

[Abigail]

I don't have a website and don't plan on having one since I'm almost full and am content at the moment. About the rates......when I first opened last November/December starting advertising and did the classic "I'll go over rate options with you during a tour if you're interested" but so many people didn't want to waste their time. It goes both ways.

So since I opened and got my first family last January I just told people over the phone because I didn't want to waste my time, . I have different rates for half-days (4 hours, but I'll do up to 5 honestly) and also anywhere from 1-5 days a week. I also have a higher rate for 0-17 months and the average rate for 18+ months. I do not lower rates anymore than that and only go based off those age groups because licensing has huge differences between those two groups for how many children you can have.

I LOVE my rate chart and the flexibility it gives people. I do require a set schedule do if someone needs 2 days one week and 3 the next to switch from like an A week and B week schedule, I will require them to pay for 3 days a week everyweek whether they use it or not but I am flexible enough to let them change the days each week with advance notice. Right now I have one part time who is 2 days a week and once every other month they switch from a T/TH to a M/TH or something with advance approval or else it's always a set schedule so it's not a hassle for me at all!

[dave4him]

Mine aren't posted but I only have one out of pocket kid and he is 90$ a week. The other two are DHS and I make very little off them both

[Blackcat31]

I don't have a website and don't plan on having one since I'm almost full and am content at the moment.

I have been full for years. I have a wait list with calls coming in daily for care. I still made a web-site.

My web-site wasn't necessarily made to entice or attract clients (although I am sure it helps) but was made to tell people who I am, what I stand for and what I do within my business. I want people in my community to know I am an established business and have put a ton of hard work and thought into my program.

My web-site is also my go-to site when parents do call inquiring about care.

Like I said, I have a full boat and kids on a wait list but when interested families call me, I don't always have time to tell them all about me or what I do so I simly direct them to my web-site. If they are still interested after that, they can call and get on a wait list for future openings.

I don't advertise or put my site out there so if anyone has seen it, it was from me directing them to it or from them stumbling across it. A majority of my callers get my name and number from word of mouth or from my daycare.com listing or from the local CCR&R lists.

Bottom line is, just because you are full doesn't mean a website isn't a useful and valuable business tool. It can be so much more than just advertising to potential clients.