Money or Quality?

I did a search a few months ago, and i am guilty of doing what you say. Actually my first question was "are you accepting any new kids?" then they would ask what age, and then i would ask price. There was a wide range of prices, so if they were out of my league no sense of either of us getting into big bios when the end for me would just be price. On a weekly basis it might be only $20 more, but over a month that is almost $100 and I am in alot of debt, and my ex wasn't paying me any $ for help. I also needed someone only part time, therefore any one who required a week rate and would not do daily rates was out of the question for me too. So in a way i think you are judging too quickly. BUT you are right, for a little more price, YOU might give much better quality than someone else. 1st impression means everything here. So i wish you luck! Some people just by talking for them for 2 minutes, i realized we were not a good a match. Luckily i found someone from my church who has daily rates and was very reasonably priced for my budget.

Well for a lot of ppl the cost is a big factor. Maybe they want to get that out of the way before they go into other things and then find out they can't afford it. I really don't know other than that.

In my opinion, I think it maybe just a prelude to the rest of the questions. Many families have a very tight budget and they may love everything about you, your location, qualifications etc all to find they can't afford you. I wouldn't judge, I think most all moms and dads are doing the best they can for their children - I am sure you do great work and working with kids is rewarding as you know, so many blessings to you.

Kim,

I agree with your concern! I have done the childcare provider search for my son three times now, and while money would certainly be one consideration, it's typically my last consideration after all of my other pre-screening questions. There are so many more important factors to consider like experience, # and ages of the children, smoking/non-smoking, pets in the home, location, how discipline is handled, etc.. To put financial concerns above finding an experienced, loving, warm, safe and nurturing environment is just wrong! My current provider just raised her rates considerably, and, although I am a single mom and struggle to make ends meet, I will go without meals out and my own haircuts until the end of time if it means my child will feel safe and loved when I cannot be with him. THAT is priceless. Good luck in finding quality clientele.

Hi K.,
I am a former Licensed Family daycare provider. The same questions used to bother me as well. I would not give my rates over the phone, I would set up an interview and tell them at the interview, it usually wasted my time and theirs. My husband finally convinced me just give them my rates over the phone. If they could not afford it, I didn't waste their time or mine. If you are as good as you say you are, and you probably are, give them your prices. If they are seeking quality childcare as to what you seem to be offering, they will come to you and it will all be worth it. J.

I also have done a recent search and my first question was always if they had any openings for my 2 year old, then, yes, I ask the fee next. It's not that I think the money is more important than quality care, it's just that I can only afford to pay up to a certain amount a week, and I don't want to waste their time if tuition is too out of my range. Once I make a list of all the the centers that I CAN afford, I visited each one and got a tour and looked for all the important things that a caring parent would look for. Then I made my choice as to which one I felt would be best for my little one. I did find the lowest prices within my personal affordable price range looked appealing at first but upon touring the center I was least attracted. I did end up going with the school with the highest possible rate I could afford, because I fell in love with the low teacher staff ratios and teaching curriculum. So, no, just because a parent asks for a fee first doesn't mean they care more about the money than their child's well being. It's just that centers vary by about 30 dollars and those thirty dollars add up BIG TIME in a month when the family is on a tight income, which in my case Im in school full time and my hubby is the only income. Good luck on your new daycare and your training, and try to keep an open mind, I'm sure you will be a wonderful provider for mommies! Best wishes! :)