A child starting mid-period pays prorated tuition for the days attended. Weekly tuition divided by scheduled days times days attended gives the partial charge.
The example
$300/week, 5-day, 3 attended.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Item | Value |
| 2 | 300 / 5 | $60/day |
| 3 | × 3 days | → $180 |
The formula
The formula:
How it works
How it works:
- Daily tuition = weekly tuition ÷ scheduled days per week.
- Multiply by days attended in the partial period.
- For a mid-month start, prorate the monthly tuition by days similarly.
- Decide whether absences are billable — most centers charge for the enrolled spot.
Proration is for enrollment changes, not absences. Most centers bill for the spot — you pay whether or not the child attends a given day — so proration applies to a mid-week start or withdrawal, not to a sick day. Compute daily tuition off the scheduled days (a 3-day part-timer’s daily rate is weekly ÷ 3), and use it for partial first/last weeks. State the absence policy clearly to avoid disputes.
Try it: interactive demo
Weekly tuition, scheduled days, days attended.
Variations
Daily tuition
Weekly ÷ days:
Mid-month start
Monthly prorate:
Credit for withdrawal
Days not used:
Pitfalls & errors
Scheduled days. Daily rate uses scheduled days (3 for a part-timer), not 5.
Absence policy. Most centers bill for the spot, not attendance.
Zero days. No scheduled days gives #DIV/0!.
Practice workbook
Frequently asked questions
How do I prorate childcare tuition in Excel?
What's the daily rate for a part-timer?
Do I prorate for absences?
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