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Consultation Fees

  • 1.  Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-08-2023 11:46 AM
    Hello Everyone! I have been asked by a colleague at another school to come do some training for their staff. Although I have presented at conferences and done trainings for my own staff, I have never done one as a "freelancer" per se. I am trying to figure out what my rate/fee would be for prep and the training sessions. It would probably be a full day workshop. Are there resources out there to help me figure this out? If you've done something similar, I would appreciate any guidance. Thank you!

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    Tammy Foster
    Curriculum Director
    King of Glory Preschool and Kindergarten
    Williamsburg VA
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  • 2.  RE: Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-09-2023 12:39 AM

    Hi - I hope you'll join the NAEYC Early Childhood Consultants and Authors Interest Forum to connect with lots of others. I've done thousands of hours of consulting all over the world.... and I still struggle with this question! I have a few pieces of advice: 1. Set a flat fee for the training. Don't haggle over how much per hour or how many hours. You always spend more time preparing than you realize, so just build that into the total price. 2. Fees are often regional - what does your school pay for consultants? What do neighboring programs pay? You don't have to reveal anything if you simply ask a colleague what they've been paying for consultants lately. 3. Look at your current salary. If you take a full day to plan and a full day to present - how much would your primary job pay you for that time? 4. Remember to calculate taxes on your fee so the net amount you make will be enough for the work you do. 

    Wishing you the best!



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    Karen Nemeth
    Author/consultant/keynotes
    Language Castle LLC
    Allentown PA
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  • 3.  RE: Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-10-2023 06:50 AM

    Hello Karen, these tips are very helpful! I have also joined the forum you mentioned. Thank you!



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    Tammy Foster
    Curriculum Director
    King of Glory Preschool and Kindergarten
    Williamsburg VA
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  • 4.  RE: Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-10-2023 09:49 AM

    Hi Karen 

    I really appreciate your suggestion. After working many years as a childcare educator now I am more focused in giving trainings and fee schedule and hours are always confusing me . Thanks for the suggestion about flat rate policy .
    thanks



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    Malika Jafri
    Infant Family Specialist
    Program manager ITSN
    Member of Board of trustees NJAIMH
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  • 5.  RE: Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-09-2023 12:50 PM

    Hi Tammy--

    That's really exciting to have a peer recognize the value you can bring her program! I do quite a bit of consulting and the first thing I would recommend is NOT to devalue yourself and what you can offer! Think about your experience, education and abilities as you set a price. 

    I would also be cautious about accepting a "full day" without setting your own parameters around that. I find that 3 hours in the morning with one break midway...then lunch of an hour if brought in, 1.5 hrs if they go out...then 3 hours in the afternoon with a break each 50 minutes works best. 

    Im happy to chat if that would be helpful--just email me and we'll set up a time. Wishing you lots of fun with your new adventure!

    Sharon



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    Sharon Jackson, PhD
    Consultant & Professional Development Specialist
    Early Essentials
    College Station, TX
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  • 6.  RE: Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-10-2023 06:52 AM

    Hello Sharon, your tip about how to set parameters for the day is very helpful. I may hit you on up on your offer of a chat. Thank you!



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    Tammy Foster
    Curriculum Director
    King of Glory Preschool and Kindergarten
    Williamsburg VA
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  • 7.  RE: Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-12-2023 10:35 PM

    I need to connect with this forum as well!  How do I do that?



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    Joanie Calem
    Music and Inclusion Specialist
    Sing Along
    Columbus, OH
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  • 8.  RE: Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-13-2023 09:24 AM

    Hi Joanie, go to your profile, click on Communties, and scroll down to find the group you want yo join.



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    Tammy Foster
    Curriculum Director
    King of Glory Preschool and Kindergarten
    Williamsburg VA
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  • 9.  RE: Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-13-2023 10:16 AM

    Hello! Thank you Tammy for sharing how to join. I've added a couple more steps from our webpage: https://www.naeyc.org/get-involved/communities/how-join-interest-forum

    1. Navigate to members.naeyc.org/eweb
      Log in using your NAEYC Member ID and Password.
       
    2. Once logged in…
      Find the "Account Links" section and click on "Interests".
       
    3. On the Interest page…
      Simply click or unblock the checkboxes next to the Interest Forum you wish to join. Please note: It takes around 30 minutes for changes to apply in Hello.


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    Mary Samour
    Online Community Manager
    National Association for the Education of Young Children
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  • 10.  RE: Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-10-2023 01:55 AM

    Since no one has given you a dollar amount I'll tell you what I charged in the past. At the time I was a professor with a PhD in a state flagship university. Bear in mind this was at least 15 years ago and I live in a state known for it's low cost of living. My last consultation/training work was a Head Start program with an Early Reading First federal grant. $125 per hour. I have no idea what professors are charging now. But you're making me think about the future as I prepare to begin training again. All I can say is I would charge less than my professor fee. But that might be low. I think your best bet is the interest forum mentioned by Karen Nemeth.



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    Loraine Dunn
    Provider
    Only Toddlers
    Norman OK
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  • 11.  RE: Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-10-2023 06:53 AM

    Hello Loraine, I have joined the interest forum you and Karen mentioned. Thank you!



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    Tammy Foster
    Curriculum Director
    King of Glory Preschool and Kindergarten
    Williamsburg VA
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  • 12.  RE: Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-11-2023 08:57 AM

    Money is energy and if you look at it like that, you can charge whatever you want if you provide the matched value and energy. I used to charge per workshop and after speaking with more successful ECE speaking mentors I started charging a flat fee for the day. Start with $1000 and offer more value after. Once you are getting too busy, double it. Head Start, CCR&Rs and Community Action Partnerships have billions in funding for PD. Look there for opportunities. I charge a flat fee and offer an hour virtual training before as a "getting to know the staff" and then a follow up virtual workshop after which has me connecting with the staff 3 times instead of once. Also give them other trainings/handouts and everything else that can provide value beyond their expectations. And if you fall in love with presenting and you are dynamic and full of joy, reach out and I'll mentor you. And great job asking for help on here!



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    Ron Shuali, M.Ed.
    ECE gardener
    Ronspeak
    Davie FL
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  • 13.  RE: Consultation Fees

    Posted 02-13-2023 09:32 AM

    Hi Ron, thank you so much for your reply. I love the idea of connecting with them before and after the training.



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    Tammy Foster
    Curriculum Director
    King of Glory Preschool and Kindergarten
    Williamsburg VA
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