Hi there! I'm trying to get my home daycare up and running in the next couple of weeks and have been working on rates/fees/handbook and all that fun stuff. I initially thought to require a supply/registration fee, as that is what a home daycare mentor does with her program ($100). (she also directed me to you guys!) happyface She then requires this fee be paid again annually for supplies. She doesn't seem to have any problems implementing this fee.
After browsing around here I've noticed several of you require a 2 week deposit to be applied at the end of your contract. Does this seem to work better? Have any of you tried both and decided one worked better than the other? Do you still require a smaller "enrollment or application" fee? I was thinking if I used this scenario, I still might ask for a month notice for withdrawal, so that I'm not left scrambling without that income I may be depending on. Also, in those situations, do people actually go through the official withdrawal? Or do they just quit coming one day?
My next question is about rates. I have been doing a lot of research in my area about childcare. I live in a suburb to a very large city (with very high rates). In my specific area large full scale centers charge between $250-$350 a week. In home care seems to range from $175 all the way down to $65-75 a week! Within several days of posting my CL ad I received a lot of emails, but as soon as I told them my rate for full time care ($125 a week) I haven't heard back from them. Does that seem high? I am offering care from 6am-6pm monday through friday. Breakfast and snacks. Asking that parents pack a lunch. Offering a full age appropriate curriculum. I have a medical degree (which I would consider a plus if I were placing my daughter), 2 children (20 months and 10), experience working in a daycare before college and of course plenty of babysitting in my 31 years.
Any advice related to these things would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks y'all! (yes, I'm in the South!!)
After browsing around here I've noticed several of you require a 2 week deposit to be applied at the end of your contract. Does this seem to work better? Have any of you tried both and decided one worked better than the other? Do you still require a smaller "enrollment or application" fee? I was thinking if I used this scenario, I still might ask for a month notice for withdrawal, so that I'm not left scrambling without that income I may be depending on. Also, in those situations, do people actually go through the official withdrawal? Or do they just quit coming one day?
My next question is about rates. I have been doing a lot of research in my area about childcare. I live in a suburb to a very large city (with very high rates). In my specific area large full scale centers charge between $250-$350 a week. In home care seems to range from $175 all the way down to $65-75 a week! Within several days of posting my CL ad I received a lot of emails, but as soon as I told them my rate for full time care ($125 a week) I haven't heard back from them. Does that seem high? I am offering care from 6am-6pm monday through friday. Breakfast and snacks. Asking that parents pack a lunch. Offering a full age appropriate curriculum. I have a medical degree (which I would consider a plus if I were placing my daughter), 2 children (20 months and 10), experience working in a daycare before college and of course plenty of babysitting in my 31 years.
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Any advice related to these things would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks y'all! (yes, I'm in the South!!)
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