Daycare Provider and Rates?

I am a provider and my rates don't change at all, 6 weeks or 4 years, the rate is the same.

HOWEVER, my clients know that from the get go because it is in writing.

If a provider has a rate change she needs to be very specific about whether it is at a certain age, etc. The thing about potty training can be really sticky (pardon the pun). Does this mean going #1 and #2 on the potty 90% of the time? #1 90% and #2 50%? It can take a really long time to get a child completely potty trained. I would get VERY specific about this, since you've already had some confusion.

M.

If it's in the contract that it changes at age 2, then bring it up with her. Don't be angry or defensive, just point it out. If she says yes, but it' really means potty trained, then tell her that she needs to update her contract to be specific, because the contract is misleading. Again, don't be angry or emotional when you bring it up.

Most providers I know raise their rates every year. So I honestly think you need to just shrug it off or look for someone cheaper if you must. I don't lower rates because they hit some magical age. There is no magical age. I don't consider babies any less or more difficult than older kids. Each age and stage has things to love and things to grin and bear. In fact, I personally think that 2 year olds are wild little things and 3 year olds are mouthy as heck. 4 and 5 year olds are asserting so much independence that they decide the only place they really can control is food. If there's one thing I hate it's trying to feed a child that is constantly saying they don't like this or that.

Now personally, I don't raise rates either. I'm charging the same now as I was charging 6 years ago. Come this august, it will be 7 years since I started charging what I'm charging now. If anything, I'm constantly giving discounts for sibilings or for paying a month in advance or for needing a shorter day etc.

I don't know your situation. But try and put yourself in her situation. There is a lot more to caring for kids than most know.

Not sure about your area specifically, but as far as I know with my networking with providers all over the country (I am a 15 year provider), there is NO standard on this issue. It is up to every individual provider to set rates and any discounting or altering rates as they see fit.

Some might have alternate rates for age changes (infant, toddler, etc), some may do the potty training deal. Many, like myself, do NOT change the rate at all. Actually mine only ever go up with inflation.

For me, a child goes from needing alot of supplies like wipes and baby food and cereals (and possibly formula if they opt for the one I provide), to using a ton of toilet paper and me needing to use alot of extra Clorox wipes and other cleaners to clean up their potty messes and misses, along with more laundry for hand washing (or buying more paper towels for the increase in handwashing). Also bigger kids eat more foods and use more art and craft supplies, etc. There is always something.

So, for me, the amount of expenditure on various supplies stays fairly constant no matter the age of the child, plus each age has its own challenges that still require as much attention. For me, its a bottom line thing. I am not willing to drop my price a few bucks a week when a child gets older, when they still cost me the same (or often more) to care for. Plus with the price of everything else going up and up...for me, its a no go.

Just wanted to offer another perspective you might not have been thinking of....

Providers do this differently, and it should be in her contract. For the provider not much magically changes when they become two except that the child is no longer considered an "infant". Where I live you can only have a small number of kids under two, and twice the number of kids that are 2 and over. So a child turning two sort of "opens" up and infant space.

If your child is in daycare full time, your provider will likely have the key responsibility for potty training her and that could be until she's 3 or older. And then there's the period where she's potty trained but still having accidents, which includes changing her clothes, shampooing the carpet or cleaning the floor.... all while caring for other children.

I wouldn't say her policy is "standard" but it certainly is common. If you like her, I'd let it go. I understand that you were looking forward to the extra money with the rate change, but it's already figured into your budget. I'd keep the provider and cut someplace else. You might also mention that you assumed that the rate would change and that you would have liked it if the information would have been in her handbook or policies.

good luck~

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That's how it was for us when mine were little the price went down once they where pottie trained because that means not as much one on one attention that they have to give.

I forget when the price broke at our old daycare, but I bet potty training is a factor, as well as the age at which she can take more kids (ratios and all). I'm not familiar with the network you mentioned - does that mean that those providers all share the same rates? Where we are, rates vary WIDELY. One place wanted $440 per week if we needed them to keep DD til 6:30PM. The place we went to was $299 per week through at least the baby and 1s room. We left before the 2s room. DD's preschool charges more for the 2s class than the 3s class, and they say that they will take 3s in pull ups but expect them to be trained by 4. I'm sure diapers factor in those prices.

I think that you were surprised by the rate, but I understand her POV. Diapers mean more work. Now, your DD may be in diapers through 3 and that's actually pretty normal, even though many kids (especially those in daycare) are trained earlier. My DD was just shy of 3.5 before she got the hang of it. I would encourage her but not push her to train before she's ready.

I'm sorry for the unhappy surprise. I would look at it as a misunderstanding and if your DD is otherwise well cared for, consider it price paid for quality care. I hear horror stories about people worrying about their kids during the day and having DD's daycare be a safe place was golden.

I would also get her to clarify the rate structure and process so that you know when you should REALLY expect things to change, not just for this but if you went PT (say when she's in preschool), etc. It should have been in your welcome packet but maybe it just needs to be reviewed.

it depends on the provider. she should have a rate sheet that reflects what the prices are clearly. was there something that made you think it goes down at age 2 or did you just assume? as others said, check your contract and bring it up (non-confrontationally!) if you find there was something misleading.

At the daycare my daughter attends it goes down after potty training, not when they turn 2.

Maybe you could talk to her about the rate change... explain that you were under the impression that when your child turned 2 the rates would go down, but since she is saying not until potty trained maybe you both could compromise. Maybe meet half way between the difference and then when your child is completely potty trained she will discount the complete $120... Just an idea! Best of Luck!!

At our daycare, the rates went down at age 2 because state licensing requirements are different for older children -- the daycare can have more kids per teacher at that age. Our daycare offers an additional discount for being potty trained. But our rate did go down about $20/week (not much) when my son hit 2, and another $20/week when he was potty trained.

2 is too young to expect a child to be potty trained. We are also in the SOMD area and my sitter charges $190 a week for under 2, and then $160 a week for 2-4. It goes down when they turn 5, but I don't know what that is yet. I won't know, because we pay $75 a week for part-time care of our 4 year old since he goes to afternoon pre-k.

Sounds to me like she is shady. She wants extra money just to change diapers? I'll ask my sitter (who has to follow the same regulations yours does), but I know her rates drop at 2 and 5.

What DOES your contract say?
There should be a price difference between an infant and a toddler, unless its mentioned in the contract. For us, it was a $10 a week difference.
For us their was a 2nd rate change around 2 1/2 - 3y old when we started the potty trainging.

My suggestion, you try to get your kid potty trained sooner rather than later, without being too pushy :)

the question is why did you assume there would be a rate change? did she tell you, was it on the website, in your contract, or did you just assume?
maybe rather than gouging you now, she's just been giving you a terrific rate all along!
khairete
S.

When my son turned 2 he started daycare and it was $160 per week, which if he was in the 1 year old room would have been $180 per week. He wasn't potty trained until he went to the 3 year old classroom then it went down to $150 and he had to be potty trained when he went to that classroom. I'm not sure what you pay difference is, but I don't think it's realistic for them to expect your child to be potty trained unless she's really in the process.