Play schools operate differently. Parents need flexibility — some bring toddlers 3 days a week, others need extended hours. Your fee structure must accommodate this without billing chaos.
Full-Day vs Half-Day vs Hourly
Three tiers: full-day (8 AM-5 PM) Rs 8,000/month, half-day Rs 5,500/month, extended hours beyond 5 PM at Rs 200/hour. Track extended hours daily.
Flexible Attendance Plans
5-day (full rate), 3-day (65%), 2-day (45%). Parents choose at enrollment. Switching requires one month notice.
Registration and Deposits
Non-refundable registration Rs 2,000-5,000. Refundable admission deposit Rs 5,000-10,000. Filters serious from casual inquiries.
Meal and Snack Charges
Options: included (simplest), optional add-on Rs 1,500-2,500/month, or pay-per-meal for flexible plans.
Activity and Material Fees
Quarterly kit charge Rs 500-1,000 covering art supplies and festival materials. Bill as one-time quarterly charge.
Absence and Vacation Credits
No credit for casual absence (up to 5 days/month). 50% credit for illness exceeding 5 consecutive days with documentation.
Sibling and Referral Discounts
15-20% off second child. Referral credits of Rs 1,000 work well — daycare parents are strong word-of-mouth advocates.
Late Pickup Charges
Rs 200-500 per 30-minute late pickup block. Covers overtime staff costs and discourages habitual lateness.
Digital Payment Priority
Play school parents are 25-35 years old and digitally native. Push for 90%+ digital from day one. Make payment as smooth as ordering food online.