summer slowdown

[Lyndsey]

Do you find that once people are on vacation they have less need of your services? What do you do to pick up the slack?

[tater03]

I haven't started my own home daycare yet, but I know my friend actually gets busier in the summer because the kids are out of school. I know that our school district will put your name on a list where other parents that are looking for daycare services can contact you. Do you know if you school district does somethings such as that?

[SageMother]

Most providers here have more business than they can handle, while school is out for summer.

As far as vacations go, saving up for slow periods is also common, so that a regular child's spot is available when they are back from vacation.

Of course, the parents still pay to keep the child's spot open, but the amount is lower than when the child is attending.

[tater03]

You know some of the providers don't lower the payment when a child is not there for a week for some reason or other. I feel if they are not there for a week they should get a break on the price as long as they are coming back.

[atula]

I agree tater...if their break is preplanned and they have informed about not comingfor a week or more...the pay should be adjusted accordingly...that is something you can do to build the relationship with the child's family.

[SageMother]

Originally Posted by tater03

You know some of the providers don't lower the payment when a child is not there for a week for some reason or other. I feel if they are not there for a week they should get a break on the price as long as they are coming back.

If the daycare owner can manage the cash flow, then it would be nice for them to charge less when the child is absent.

Most of the folks here charge based on enrollment, and not attendance.

Seems harsh, but that is how many get around any complications of a child not attending during vacations.

[atula]

Actually schools to charge based on enrollemet and that is how the daycares foolow that kind of rule too...but it would not be a bad idea at all to consider revising the fees based on attendence for special cases like preplanned travelling.