I’m looking at daycare options, both in-home and centers, and just had an in-home provider tell me that they discuss rates during the tour after I asked for the rate for care. Is this strange? Wouldn’t you want to know the price and if it fits your budget before wasting time on a tour? This seems odd to me. Should I still go? I was looking forward to this option because it’s right down the street from me and only a block from my older child’s elementary school, making it super convenient.
Edit: I would understand this from a large popular center, but this is an in-home that doesn’t even have a website. It just seems weird to me.
Unfortunately, yes, that’s becoming more and more common. I was only able to find one center that would give me an estimate without having to go in for a tour.
Yes, it’s pretty common where I live. When we were looking for daycares for our twins, every time I asked about rates, we were told that they discuss them during the tour. I respectfully told them I couldn’t waste time doing tours with twin newborns if it’s not in our budget. After I pushed, the director finally got on the phone to talk rates with us.
They don’t care about wasting your time. They want you to feel invested because you’ve spent time touring their center. It’s a tactic to get you to spend your money there instead of elsewhere. I’ve called some places and asked directly, and it felt like they were reading from a script to avoid answering the question. It’s super annoying.
Yep, it’s super common. When I was looking for prices online, I found that none showed their rates except for the place we’re sending our kid. I was petty and posted about it in the local mom FB group. So many daycare workers defended this practice. I kept telling them, just like you, that if I can’t afford it, no amount of touring or fancy pitches will change that. Just tell me the price!
In-home daycare operators often have really strange business practices. Because there is so much demand, they think there’s no reason to change their usual approach.
Mica said:
In-home daycare operators often have really strange business practices. Because there is so much demand, they think there’s no reason to change their usual approach.
I toured one place and was told rates during the tour, but every other place I reached out to gave me rates over the phone. I think the higher-demand spots don’t want to waste your time, while those needing clients might use it as a sales tactic. All the popular spots near me won’t even give you a tour until they think you’re interested.
It’s not super common in my city, but I did encounter it once with a home daycare. I said I wouldn’t book a tour unless I could afford their prices, but she still wouldn’t tell me a price, lmao.
I told them honestly that I wasn’t interested in a tour until I could confirm their facility was within our budget. Typically, that either gets a response or I get ghosted.
I toured 3-4 places before settling on the one my son attends now, and each time I asked about rates over the phone before scheduling the tour. Most places I found had their rates listed on their websites.
Yes, in-home daycares in my state can be flexible with their pricing, especially for parents receiving subsidies. A provider might charge state-recommended rates if registered with the state, but can scholarship those rates based on family income. I’ve seen unregistered providers charge significantly more, which I wouldn’t personally consider. If a family qualifies for full state tuition coverage, a provider can charge the full price without feeling like they are screwing parents over. Payment rates and due dates should be adaptable to each family’s needs, but payment should always be made before care is provided.
Edit: Personally, I think a good home provider would be willing to discuss finances over the phone before offering a tour.