So I know I am way under selling myselF for rates. I have learned from interviews and from a few providers letting me know that I am any where from $10-30 a week cheaper than average in home costs for my area. I have only been open a few months so there's no going back with my current families but moving forward I want to obviously make sure I'm not under selling myself anymore especially since I pride myself on having a very active program with the kiddos and we do SO many activities and stuff gets expensive quick!
I am thinking of also doing not quite contracted hours but care cost based on hours present because I am having parents not pick up at their scheduled times and kids are here just way too long it's starting to get a little ridiculous. I am open 12 hours and most kids are here 11-11.5 hours!!! ALL of them! I literally have one mom who goes to the store after work every day for at least a half-hour or more and shows up five minutes to close when they are scheduled to be picked up an hour before close.
So here are my thoughts:
9 hours or less (current rates) X rate a week
10-11 hours X + $10 rate a week
11-12 hours X + $20 rate a week
This will be based on their schedule drop-off and pick-up time and I will make it very clear if they go over hours they will be charged extra and after so many weeks of going over hours you will automatically be put at the next tier of hours and pricing. Even if you only need 10-11 hours 1 day a week and 9 or less the other 4 you still must pay the 10-11 hour pricing. Any permanent changes in schedule increasing or decreasing hours will need two weeks written notice and adjustment period.
I was thinking about doing this for any new families and leaving my old families the way it is until Dec 1st when I go to change my license. At that point I will introduce this option where if they actually pick up on time they should stay at their current rate but if they are not like they have been it will be more expensive for them. So depending on how they prioritize their time they could stay at the same rate which I'm fine with as long as kids aren't here as long as they have been and if they are here for that long I need to be compensated better. That is my end goal!
Most people in my area commute so they will need the 10-11 hour option which will help me get more $$$$ in since I undersold myself a bit.
Does this make sense? Is it too complicated? Will it scare new parents away? Any other suggestions or improvements to my new idea? Any "loopholes" I should look out for?
I am thinking of also doing not quite contracted hours but care cost based on hours present because I am having parents not pick up at their scheduled times and kids are here just way too long it's starting to get a little ridiculous. I am open 12 hours and most kids are here 11-11.5 hours!!! ALL of them! I literally have one mom who goes to the store after work every day for at least a half-hour or more and shows up five minutes to close when they are scheduled to be picked up an hour before close.
So here are my thoughts:
9 hours or less (current rates) X rate a week
10-11 hours X + $10 rate a week
11-12 hours X + $20 rate a week
This will be based on their schedule drop-off and pick-up time and I will make it very clear if they go over hours they will be charged extra and after so many weeks of going over hours you will automatically be put at the next tier of hours and pricing. Even if you only need 10-11 hours 1 day a week and 9 or less the other 4 you still must pay the 10-11 hour pricing. Any permanent changes in schedule increasing or decreasing hours will need two weeks written notice and adjustment period.
I was thinking about doing this for any new families and leaving my old families the way it is until Dec 1st when I go to change my license. At that point I will introduce this option where if they actually pick up on time they should stay at their current rate but if they are not like they have been it will be more expensive for them. So depending on how they prioritize their time they could stay at the same rate which I'm fine with as long as kids aren't here as long as they have been and if they are here for that long I need to be compensated better. That is my end goal!
Most people in my area commute so they will need the 10-11 hour option which will help me get more $$$$ in since I undersold myself a bit.
Does this make sense? Is it too complicated? Will it scare new parents away? Any other suggestions or improvements to my new idea? Any "loopholes" I should look out for?
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