| Many factors come into play when you set your | | | | care? How much notice will you require to provide |
| dayhome rates. Are you planning to provide full-time or | | | | care? How will you fee structure fluctuate to |
| part-time care? Occasional or evenings and | | | | accommodate different situations? The rate for |
| weekends? What ages are you considering? Will you | | | | occasional care seems to be the hardest to pin down. |
| offer a family rate? | | | | It is also the hardest to budget and schedule. It is fair to |
| Full-time monthly rates in Calgary are currently | | | | expect parents to pay more for occasional care, but |
| between $650 to $800 in the suburbs to $1200 for a | | | | you must be flexible. The occasional rate I have seen |
| downtown daycare. At $650 per month, for an | | | | is $6.50 up to $10 per hour. |
| average of 180 hours (9 hrs per day X 20 days) you | | | | When choosing a fee, consider the age group. You |
| will be paying yourself $3.61 per hour per child. Most | | | | can charge more for infants, but the time investment is |
| dayhomes try to stay around $4 to $5 per hour. This | | | | much higher than for a four year old. A six month old |
| would be $720 to $800 per month. | | | | baby requires constant care and vigilance to ensure |
| If you plan on providing part-time care, you need to | | | | that they remain safe and comfortable. |
| carefully define what part-time care means to you. | | | | The final consideration is the family rate. This is a |
| Does it mean only before and after school care? | | | | discounted rate for sibling groups. The family rate is |
| Does it mean only 1-3 days per week? First, you to | | | | considered an incentive when promoting your |
| need to define your care and then determine what | | | | dayhome. There is less time spent in interviews and |
| you will charge. Before and after school care usually | | | | children do seem more comfortable with a sibling |
| means one hour in the morning and up to three hours | | | | present. Some dayhomes do not offer a family rate |
| after school. Four hours per day at the rate of $5 per | | | | and feel that they do not do less work if children are |
| hour for an average month is $400, it is a good idea to | | | | related. You will have to decide this one while weighing |
| add in one Professional Development day per month | | | | the pros and cons of any discount. |
| as well. Be aware that before and after school care | | | | Setting your fees is a choice that reflects the type of |
| will be different for children in kindergarten. | | | | care you are offering and the market in your area. |
| Kindergarten students usually only attend school for | | | | Keep in mind that the number of responses to your |
| ½ days. | | | | advertising is a good indicator of whether your fees |
| Planning to provide occasional care has many unique | | | | are supportable in your area. |
| concerns and issues. How will you schedule occasional | | | | |