Do I have the right to be mad and what would you do?

[tasha99]

I did home daycare 15 years ago and charged way more for an infant than $75/week. I guess it depends on where you live, but that just sounds crazy low to me.

 

[tinatark]

Actually, your answer for her should be simple - she is asking for part time child care, and you have full time spaces. Even if your full timer comes only part time, they still pay for the full time space. Your proximity to her home may make her decide to pay for full time, use your service when she needs it, even for errands, etc.

 

[4nana]

Bless your heart, you really have your hands full with 12 children . Sorry your neighbor has put you in this position, but honestly sweetie, you need not feel commited,
as she is the one not holding up her end of the bargain and you need your full time slot filled. I've enjoyed doing day care off and on for years, it's situations like this that remind us we are running a business and need rules and regualtions so we can avoid heartaches. You have a big heart and are indeed more than reasonable. Day care in
our area is very expensive - FT infant is min, of $200-250 week, have long wait lists, and the parents furnish everything . Take care and I do wish you luck.

 

[daisy2jae]

Most family daycares around here do not take part time. When you're only allowed 2 you can't afford to take part time. I've heard pricing from other parents 80-90 for family that doesn't include anything but food. They also charge more for any thing over 45 hrs per week. The centers charge 90-120 for an infant. SD does have a lower rate. The state pays $1.85 per hr for infants and $1.75 per hr for 2 and older if parent qualify for it. (That's for my county...it changes when you get to the bigger areas up to 2.25) I understand that no one wants to pay anymore than they have to for daycare. But I wish they'd look at what they get. Someone they can trust with their child is important. I'm sure being a first time mom it's not easy. I know it wasn't for me with my first child. I started daycare when she was 2. I've been going for 8 yrs and I thought I'd have everything figured out. Including have a back bone so this stuff doesn't happen. I just want to please everyone and I put myself on the back burner.

 

[daisy2jae]

Bless your heart, you really have your hands full with 12 children . Sorry your neighbor has put you in this position, but honestly sweetie, you need not feel commited,
as she is the one not holding up her end of the bargain and you need your full time slot filled. I've enjoyed doing day care off and on for years, it's situations like this that remind us we are running a business and need rules and regualtions so we can avoid heartaches. You have a big heart and are indeed more than reasonable. Day care in
our area is very expensive - FT infant is min, of $200-250 week, have long wait lists, and the parents furnish everything . Take care and I do wish you luck.

Thanks...I love what I do and I know tomorrow spending the day making our craft and dancing the playhouse disney music will be the high light of my day. It's never the kids that make my job hard. It's the parents...sry but it's the truth.

 

[disney4us2002]

I'm not surprised that not person in this poll voted to lower your already very reasonable rates. I will say that not only did I have to pay a deposit to hold an infant spot for my son, but when the dc provider's empty infant spot opened up (her infant turned 2), I had to begin paying the weekly fee even though I was still two weeks from due date and was taking 12 wks off maternity leave.

Don't short yourself for anyone. Remember, you are running a professional business!

 

[bballmom56]

This is what I feel and want to say...but I'm just really worried about hwo things will be as neighbors. I'm sure they'll be fine but we're not going anywhere. Plus her close friend comes to my daycare. I can only imagine how I'm the topic of discussion. Plus she works at a hair salon...syr but it's the place for lots of talk. We live in a town of 13000. I would hope she wouldn't say bad things about me. I worry way too much what others think of me. Something I need to work on!

What may happen is that if you make a deal for her (and I think $45 for 20 hours a week is CRAZY), is that she will mention it to other people, and then other people will try to make deals with you. My boss does this (gives different deals to different customers) and it creates unhappiness when they all find out. You would be much better off sticking to a set rate.

 

[daisy2jae]

I'm not surprised that not person in this poll voted to lower your already very reasonable rates. I will say that not only did I have to pay a deposit to hold an infant spot for my son, but when the dc provider's empty infant spot opened up (her infant turned 2), I had to begin paying the weekly fee even though I was still two weeks from due date and was taking 12 wks off maternity leave.

Don't short yourself for anyone. Remember, you are running a professional business!

I would hate to ask someone to do this but I was considering something similar...kind of. I thought when this happened to maybe require them to pay $25.00 fee each month to keep holding the spot. This way if someone bails after 7 months I at least made a little. I'm not sure what else to do so people don't walk all over me.

 

[krcit]

This is what I feel and want to say...but I'm just really worried about hwo things will be as neighbors. I'm sure they'll be fine but we're not going anywhere. Plus her close friend comes to my daycare. I can only imagine how I'm the topic of discussion. Plus she works at a hair salon...syr but it's the place for lots of talk. We live in a town of 13000. I would hope she wouldn't say bad things about me. I worry way too much what others think of me. Something I need to work on!

I know it's a tough spot but just be honest with her. Noone can fault you for that. This is your living, how you support your family. Just figure out what you are going to say before you make the call so you're prepared with answers if she dares to argue with you. good luck and do yourself a favor and make the call asap so you can relax. I find that sometimes dreading something is actually worse than the actual 'thing'

 

[ksjayhawks]

Actually, if you figure it out, $45 for 20 hours is a better hourly rate than $75 for 40 . . .

I would not hold a spot for anyone for more than a month. If you held a spot for her for 7 months, you lost out on $2100, give or take, minus your expenses. I would start collecting a nonrefundable "holding fee" of $25 per week to hold an empty spot. I would not credit that back either when they start using your services. It sounds like you have no problems filling your spots, so if a parent doesn't want to pay the holding fee (I paid one during the summer when I was teaching so I could hold my ds's spot), thank them for their interest and move on to the next person.

I would also get the holding fee upfront. Or, if they don't pay the fee each week, they lose their spot--no promises to pay, not postdated checks. Definitely make a list of interested persons.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Your poll doesn't include the "Heck no, what were they thinking, I can't believe she'd even ASK that" option so I had to vote just plain no.

No. You provide full-time daycare; therefore, you do not offer part time rates and can't make exceptions. She CHOSE to reduce her work hours - probably, granted, because she doesn't want to be apart from the baby long - but there's no reason for you to make an exception. I think your rates are extremely reasonable already.

 

[abdmom]

I agree with the pp who said your rates are crazy low. I'm sure I spent most of that $75 per week on diapers and formula when my last child was born. I had infants in day cares in MA and MN and the lowest rates I had were $300 per week. That didn't include diapers or formula.

The fact that you've had so many people call, indicates to me that your rates are too low too. Just because the state will subsidize daycare, doesn't mean the subsidy has to be the full payment.

I paid full price to hold a spot for my first born for the 2 months it was available before I went back to work.

I'd tell her that you have a contract to sign TODAY, you need a deposit of x amount and that full fees will start next week. Otherwise, you will move to the next person on the wait list.

You have a very desirable service OP, don't give it away for free.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

75 a week for a BABY! Oh girl you are too cheap.

You know you already knew you broke your rule by not taking a deposit.

Frankly I would fill that spot quick so this neighbor does not become a pain in your side. I smell trouble......run away!

 

[Carly_Roach]

Live and learn. Now you know not to make exceptions in your business for anyone. Holding an open spot for seven months? Sorry, but business should come first.

What I'd recommend is making a written policy for your business, sticking to it, and having it available in case anyone asks you for this kind of "favor" again. Yes, you're a human being with feelings and like to do favors for people. But you're a business first and must make professional decisions based on what's best for your business.

I'd have an expiration date for that $75.00 hold. $75.00 is no kind of deposit, especially since another poster figured out that you'd already lost over $2,000 because of this person.

First come, first served.

GET A WAITING LIST! You've turned down 23 candidates in the space of seven months??!?! Good grief! So much business lost because you tried to do someone a favor. Put in your policy: no more favors.

As far as responding to your neighbor is concerned, tell her you're very happy she was able to locate a daycare arrangement for a price she is comfortable with. Wish her well in her endeavors and if she asks about her counter-offer for your own service, tell her that the price is what it is and it's non-negotiable. Be professional, but be firm.

I know it's maddening, but consider this a learning experience and move on. Be professional and pleasant about your response and you won't have to worry about her spreading rumors about you. Lead with telling her how happy you are for her that she found someone with a cheaper rate and consider your business relationship closed.

 

[Go Saints!]

As everyone else has said your rates are very low, and you operate a business. It sounds like they want a babysitter, not a daycare facility. I would let them know that you are sorry, but if you change the rates for them you would have to leave that option open to all other parents, and you would not be able to afford to keep your business running that way. Best of luck to you.

 

[Kies99]

Agree with previous posters.

You run a business. You are not doing them a favor by taking in the baby. It's not personal, it's business.

Yeah, and I agree your rates are WAY low!!

 

[Polyluvr]

Your rates are way too low!! I used to have an in home day care and the rate for new babies was 180 weekly.
They are trying to take advantage of you, don't let them.

 

[agnes!]

Actually, your answer for her should be simple - she is asking for part time child care, and you have full time spaces. Even if your full timer comes only part time, they still pay for the full time space. Your proximity to her home may make her decide to pay for full time, use your service when she needs it, even for errands, etc.

What may happen is that if you make a deal for her (and I think $45 for 20 hours a week is CRAZY), is that she will mention it to other people, and then other people will try to make deals with you. My boss does this (gives different deals to different customers) and it creates unhappiness when they all find out. You would be much better off sticking to a set rate.

Actually, if you figure it out, $45 for 20 hours is a better hourly rate than $75 for 40 . . .

I would not hold a spot for anyone for more than a month. If you held a spot for her for 7 months, you lost out on $2100, give or take, minus your expenses. I would start collecting a nonrefundable "holding fee" of $25 per week to hold an empty spot. I would not credit that back either when they start using your services. It sounds like you have no problems filling your spots, so if a parent doesn't want to pay the holding fee (I paid one during the summer when I was teaching so I could hold my ds's spot), thank them for their interest and move on to the next person.

I would also get the holding fee upfront. Or, if they don't pay the fee each week, they lose their spot--no promises to pay, not postdated checks. Definitely make a list of interested persons.

What they said.

And you could always consider telling her you held the spot for all those months and she now owes you $2100 in shortfall fees .

agnes!

 

[Ephany]

I clicked the wrong button, , thought it asked if you had the right to be mad. I paid $135 per week for DD and that was 7 years ago. Totally agree with everyone else, especially this..

GET A WAITING LIST! You've turned down 23 candidates in the space of seven months??!?! Good grief! So much business lost because you tried to do someone a favor. Put in your policy: no more favors.

As far as responding to your neighbor is concerned, tell her you're very happy she was able to locate a daycare arrangement for a price she is comfortable with. Wish her well in her endeavors and if she asks about her counter-offer for your own service, tell her that the price is what it is and it's non-negotiable. Be professional, but be firm.

I know it's maddening, but consider this a learning experience and move on. Be professional and pleasant about your response and you won't have to worry about her spreading rumors about you. Lead with telling her how happy you are for her that she found someone with a cheaper rate and consider your business relationship closed.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

No matter where you go, the rate for an infant is for the whole week due to as you said--state limits on how many infants can be had.

So yes and no--you can be angry.

You didn't collect the hold money--and if you did, you might still be in the same scenario. Do you get mad at any other client who holds a spot the proper way and then chooses not to use it?

I'd simply tell her that your rate is your rate and she needs to make a decision to utilize your services or not.

I think your rate is AWESOME.

I only went back to my work with my first and it was about $100 per week non-inclusive. I supplied all her things. That was in 2000.

In the end, you made a mistake and while you have a right to be upset that it didn't work out, I stronlgy feel you share some of the burden for not handling it as a business arangement.