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Post by danikasmom on Aug 20, 2012 12:56:13 GMT -6
I don't lose money on infants. They are a lot more work when you have 4 to look after and they could be 6 weeks to 16 months old. When I worked in an infant room we had a schedule, but they don't always follow it. The reason I have parents bring in formula and baby food is because they are expensive and I would lose out on money if I bought everything. For lunch today I was able to feed 9 kids for under $4, which was spaghetti, peas & carrots, grapes, bread & milk. The babies I have been taking care of use breast milk, and so did I. I know formula is expensive, but so is the baby food. I made my own baby food, and some parents are not ok with homemade baby food. I try to provide a healthy meal without breaking the bank.
I will look at formula the next time I am at the store and see how much it would cost me to buy it.
I love my job, but I can't do it for nothing. I work 9.5 hours a day without a break(beside 20 minutes of going on the computer after they lay down). I charge right in the middle of what other home day cares charge. I have had people tell me I need to charge more and that I charge too much. I believe kids need all the love and care they deserve. You just need to figure out how much you want to pay someone to give them the love they deserve. I love the kids I take care of and I give them my all. I watch kids because I wanted to stay home with my kids and I love teaching. I have worked in centers, but I like being my own boss. I have a child development degree, so I don't always fit in with other home daycares.
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Post by nevaehsmom327 on Aug 20, 2012 13:23:30 GMT -6
I guess that was my question then...how...if parents are expected to bring all the supplies in for infants, i know one i looked at even said baby food had to be supplied...are they losing out on money?
I get that the items to buy to house an infant (basinnet or crib, blankets, etc) are expensive. But that's a cost as a provider that not only do you get to write off, but you know you're going to endure.
As a provider, do you plan to also shop smarter saving you even more money? I know daycares have to have regulations on the food they provide during the day, so does that make you, as a provider, aware of the costs you spend on the kids per serving and make you clip coupons, and go to stores like Costco for the extra savings?
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Post by ladyandrearose on Aug 20, 2012 19:01:49 GMT -6
Honestly, we only had one kid because we couldn't afford daycare for 2.
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Post by sharon on Aug 20, 2012 19:04:17 GMT -6
Maybe in home daycares it is different. I was in a school. We had a 1 to 3 ratio and you have to pay teachers and their benefits, in addition to the licensing costs, the staff training, nurse consultant, etc. I have never managed the budget myself so I don't know what all the costs are, but I know making a profit was out of the question. And in our planning going ahead for having one, we are the same. We don't plan to make anything. Staffing is definitely the biggest cost. But I hear you. We made no money off of me working when Ian was an infant. I worked to pay for his infant care. It was very frustrating, but it was what it was, and at least he was in a good program and very well cared for. For that we felt very blessed.
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Post by dara1012 on Aug 20, 2012 22:25:14 GMT -6
I have had DS in 2 in-home daycares and chose them for cost and comfort-level as centers were so expensive and I wanted to personally know who was caring for him as an infant. We are currently at a full day preschool/childcare center and will transition to a different location after Labor Day. We will be spending $350 more per month starting in Sept than we were with the in-home daycare which is not going to be fun at all! The only saving grace is that our car will be paid off and so it will balance out some.
I know kids are expensive but it is really hard to feel like we are forced to only have one child because of daycare costs. We live in a small house, buy used cars, have minimal school debt and make above the average income for the area and still can't afford more than one kid. I have felt good about the childcare choices we have made for our son and can go to work knowing that he is well cared for, but the financial cost is substantial. We will spend more on preschool/daycare in the next year than my graduate school tuition costs.
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Post by sharon on Aug 21, 2012 5:30:11 GMT -6
I wonder how other states do it. And if the new Parent Aware and Race To The Top programs will make it better or worse.
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