The 3 Ways to Establish Tuition Rates for Your Childcare Center

It's an age old question, what should parents belists and/or a good reputationo What activities or
charged for childcare tuition? Other variables in thecurriculum do they promote? Some daycare centers
equation include, part-time vs. full-time care and halfhave swimming lessons, teach computer class, etc.o
days vs. whole days and weekly vs. hourly care.Are teachers certified or degreed?
It sounds confusing just thinking about it.3. Your Results will give you an idea as to what your
But there are some very simple answers and it's mymarket demands. What I mean by this is what other
job to lead down the road of salvation. So let's begincenters are charging. My knowledge and experience
with the 3 ways to establish a tuition rate for yourtells me that people are not so interested in the tuition
childcare center.rate, but more so on the environment and quality of
1. Do your homework and research: Find out exactlycare. Many parents choose a center based on if they
what everyone else is charging. You have severalfeel comfortable and trust that provider.
ways of doing this, you can be honest and introduceBased on your research you should have a good idea
yourself and your center and mention that you areas to charging tuition, but realize one thing. Don't try to
doing an evaluation of tuition rates in your area or youundercut others in your childcare industry. Parents
can do it anonymously. Pretend to be a parent lookingbelieve that they will get what they pay for. Having a
for childcare and ask for the rates. It's entirely up tocheap tuition rate will not bring you more enrollment.
you as to how you want to do your research, but I'll tellWhat will bring you enrollment is a healthy amount of
you that it is so very important to find out what other"word of mouth". Parents talking about you positively
daycare owners are doing in your community.and telling their friends and family what a wonderful
2. Evaluate all the information you have gathered, askexperience their having at your daycare center.
yourself this question:o Which centers have a waiting