As normal, my son's daycare tuition will go up in September. However, the increase is not slight but more like close to 20%. I am a little bit stunned and ticked off to be honest...20% seems like a lot more then is necessary and I'm wondering what the norm increase has been this year. I'm sure they're trying to make up for all the kids who've left due to unemployment but not sure it's fair to pass the cost on to the rest of the families...Thanks.
Ditto! I would find some where else! A 4% increase for teachers is reasonable and what I have been acustomedd to , but 20% is crazy. I would ask for the reason and then see if they are willing to hear feedback about such a significant increase. Tell them that is not in many people's planned budget (wether it is or not-but usually is the case) and that you are looking elsewhere because it is too much.
I agree that 20% is insane. I am a childcare coordinator for an au pair agency and would like to talk to families about the affordability of an au pair and the flexibility it gives to families. The cost for an au pair is approx $325/week per family. We have not increased our rates this year due to the economy. If you would like more information or would have any ideas of how I could present the program to a large group I would love to hear from you.
M. Terlecki
Local Childcare Coordinator
847/658-6936
20% is too much. I think 2-5% is normal per year. I would check elsewhere and see how your daycare compares to the competition.
I would also have to agree with Jennifer, twenty percent is crazy! Increase should only be between 2% to 5%! But this is only my two cents!
20% seems like a lot and honestly if they are trying to make up for a deficit, they may be trying too hard. They are going to push more people away with that large increase.
Times are tough and as a D. provider, the cost of caring for a child (meals, juice, milk etc) has increased significantly but I don't yet find any reason to raise the rates at all and haven't in the past 4 years.
Does your son attend a center or home D.?
I haven't raised rates at my home day care in over 5 years.
I know the economy is tough and don't want to put an extra burden on parents. It does cost a little more to care for the children, but I try to cut costs where I can and deal with the expenses. I know the parents appreciate what I do for the children and I am rewarded in many ways! Twenty percent sure seems excessive.
2% and I was irritated at that. Like many, I did not recieve a cost of living merit increase, nor did my husband (or anyone else at our company for that matter.) Yet I'm going to have to cover a 2% increase in my kids' tuition.
20%? What is the justification for such an inflated number? If it's not a typo, I'd find a new provider if possible.
OUrs has been 5% at begining of each year and has been consistent all through!!
V.
A couple of year's back my tuition went up 10%--5% for each kid. I haven't seen an increase like that since. We have a new director now and she has kept rates stable. I am not sure how much is at her discretion. But, there are more 'add-on' fees throughout the year, instead. Summer fees for my 2 were over $300. This is for additional activites for summer that is paid in addition to the weekly tuition amount. She has also introduced certain fundraising campaigns to pay for additional games and such that the school uses. Just with the increased summer fees, I have looked into sending my kids to YMCA daycamps next summer. It is about the same per week, but without the extra fees. I will continue to use them during the school year at this point, because the after care at my son's school is actually MORE than what my center charges.
Our's goes up 5% EVERY year. It's getting old. If it would have gone up 20% we could not have afforded it! That is nuts... I am still upset about the 5%.
We just got a 3% increase at our daughter's day care.
I just got my letter yesterday. ours went up $5.00 per kid per week so 2.3% increase. It came with a letter explaining that they understand times are tough and they've tried to make all the cuts they can without sacrificing quality of care. 20% is crazy.
Good luck!
Jenny
YOu very well might be able to talk them down to a lower increase. That way if you like the school and your child does too you won't have to switch.
If in the end you do switch I have a document that I make available to parents searching for new childcare. I can email it to you if you would like it. We call it our Preschool/Daycare Tour Guide. What to do and ask when looking for childcare. Good luck
P. ____@____.com
