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If you calculate what $30/day per child means, its not much. It works out to approx. $3.16/hr (most daycares operate for 9.5 hrs a day). Now they can have up to 4 kids. So that makes it $12.64 an hour, unless they have their own kids. So if their own kids are factored in, lets say provider has 2 kids of their own they are looking after, that lets them make $6.32/hr as they can only take on 2 kids with their own. Thats way less than min wage. Now if their kids are in school, and they can take the full 4, they are making just over min wage. Now lets deduct food, toys, crafts, heat, water, toilet paper, kleenex, etc. That takes a good chunk out of money. So they are not making any good amount of money.  
Definitely not in it to get rich. No one can for this amount of money.  
Kids should come home dirty, that means they had fun. If they come home super clean they maybe did sit and watch tv all day.  
And the tv may be on, but it doesnt mean its being watched.  
We clean snot, puke, diarrhea, poop, pee and so much more. When potty training I sacrifice my furniture (couch and chairs get peed on with accidents). Im a waitress and a cook. Im a shopper, a party planner, an artist, an entertainer. I break up fights, I teach these kids how to share, and be nice. I kiss boo-boos, I give hugs and encouragement. I have children that arent disciplined much at home and have them run all over me and destroy my house and disrupt others. But Im expected to smile and keep encouraging better behaviour, and hope for the best.  
I have to wash all their dishes, and clean all their bedding. I even wash their clothes if time allows after an accident.  
But please tell me again, why I don''t deserve to make minimum wage while I do that? My children are older, so yes I am doing this for my love of children. But If im paying out more than im bringing in, then i would need to stop and go get another job. That would leave all my families without a daycare.  
I watch so many of my daycare families going to jamaica or mexico for holidays. They all make more than minimum wage and don''t have the deductions I do. My holidays are usually in my backyard, regrouping my thoughts, and centering myself. So I can do this job again after. Kids are not always easy, hence how parents get stressed out. Try mixing 4 kids who don''t get along. It can make for a long day, but it also can make for a rewarding one.  
After 15 years Im still going strong.  
So no, we dont think we need to make any more money than anyone else. But we do need to make enough to make things feasible. If Im stressed because I don''t have enough money made from daycare to pay the bills and pay for groceries, the kids suffer for that.  
Just my opinion, and it may differ from others. Take Care!  
PS. I don't get paid holidays, just stat. I don't get paid sick days and I don't charge for their sick days. I don't charge when families go on holidays. Youd be shocked at how much im expected to accept, and how much people take advantage of kindness.  
 
Edited by Cheezies, 2016-07-07 17:51:33

Thank you. That's a wonderful explanation.

In Ontario and Alberta most providers charge a monthly flat fee and it is a lot more then 30 dollars a day. I think our friends pay 40 dollars or more a day. If you are not charging families when they take holidays or sick days then you are really losing out on income for your own family and putting your clients needs first. If you are a good provider, most families will pay you these days. We always paid a monthly fee for daycare in another province and when our child was there or not and that was fine with us.  
 
Edited by winterstorm45, 2016-07-08 07:53:56

winterstorm45 said "In Ontario and Alberta most providers charge a monthly flat fee and it is a lot more then 30 dollars a day. I think our friends pay 40 dollars or more a day. If you are not charging families when they take holidays or sick days then you are really losing out on income for your own family and putting your clients needs first. If you are a good provider, most families will pay you these days. We always paid a monthly fee for daycare in another province and when our child was there or not and that was fine with us.     Edited by winterstorm45, 2016-07-08 07:53:56"

You sound like a great daycare family! Your provider probably appreciated you just as you did her (or him!)

I can't tell if anyone is talking about the home daycare I use, which is fine! but My provider as also recently set out a new contract...and it makes total sense!!  
My kiddo loves her, he literally tells her, I love that he has a caring, kind, supportive and fun extra adult in his life. She cares for him like one of her own when he's there, big stuff like keeping her home safe and clean and having craft supplies and healthy food. But also small stuff like an extra stash of sunscreen or toques and mitts so no one has cold fingers or burns!  
They don't sit around and watch TV all day, but have TV days when the kiddo is sick or needs some time alone.  
I could go on forever! There are so many positives!  
 
I absolutely am willing to pay a decent price for this service, it's my baby we're taking about, he's priceless! If I'm late, I'll pay the fee because I'm now affecting their family's personal time. If I take a day off I pay for that day so my spot is safe and she doesn't need to fill it. When she does take days off I get usually 2+ weeks notice, and sudden sick days happen and I don't want my kiddo getting sick anyway. The inconvenience is part of having a kid so I planned for that in my life when I got pregnant.  
 
If you are in the brandon area and you aren't happy with your day care there is probably 10 families willing to pay for sick days and take your spot.

And that was a great way of putting it macncheese. There is a few posts on here that were nice and positive and made me think about the good things my daycare has and provides for my child. I guess paying the extra days isn't so bad. Just like the daycare providers, I make enough to pay bills and get by so in my mind paying for those extra days that he's not there is kind of unfair to me but at the end of the day its unfair to them too. Except for a few in particular on this thread, thank you for giving me a different perspective.

I work in a centre, and my child attends another daycare centre and I agree with everything that was said here. To put into perspective, I watch YOUR children all day, love your children, play with your children, etc and so forth. While someone else has to watch mine. Sometimes that hurts a little, I'll admit. Just keep that mind when it comes to daycare providers, often time we are taking time away from our family and our own children to love and watch yours. This job is very rewarding but stressful just like any other job. We deserve more credit than we receive.