$40 a Day too much?

[madancer]

Hi there! I'm looking for feedback on daycare costs. My cousin has been charging me $40 a day to watch my daughter for about 4 1/2 hours. She's in Kindergarten, & my cousin takes her to school with her kids, then picks her up after school & watches her for about 3 more hours. She also gets all her errands done, etc. while driving my daughter around with her. Does this seem like a fair amount in your opinion? She is also paid under the table, so I can't take advantage of child care tax credit.

 

[mster425]

That is less than you'd pay a babysitter and she's with someone you trust.

Think about it, it's less than $10/hr. I think you're getting a great deal!

 

[lindsmom]

Hi there! I'm looking for feedback on daycare costs. My cousin has been charging me $40 a day to watch my daughter for about 4 1/2 hours. She's in Kindergarten, & my cousin takes her to school with her kids, then picks her up after school & watches her for about 3 more hours. She also gets all her errands done, etc. while driving my daughter around with her. Does this seem like a fair amount in your opinion? She is also paid under the table, so I can't take advantage of child care tax credit.

Keeping in mind that I don't know where you are, and childcare costs vary considerably depending on location, I really think that's expensive. I could see $40 for full day, including meals. But for what is essentially a half day, I wouldn't say more than $25. Especially if she's under the table, she's not paying taxes on it.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

That is less than you'd pay a babysitter and she's with someone you trust.

Think about it, it's less than $10/hr. I think you're getting a great deal!

I agree!

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

It really does depend on location. I spend $75/wk for my 2.5 y/o son for full time. I get a great deal with his babysitter, but even the day cares in my area only average $125-150/wk.

 

[cheap traveler]

My kindergartner is with her babysitter for almost 4 hours per day. I pay $80 per week! My state has a daycare subsidy for low income families, and they pay $50 per week for up to 25 hours a week, at an unlicenced facility.

I live in NY, so EVERYTHING is expensive here. My younger daughter is at her daycare 50 hours per week, licenced center, and it is $241 per week.

 

[mster425]

It really does depend on location. I spend $75/wk for my 2.5 y/o son for full time. I get a great deal with his babysitter, but even the day cares in my area only average $125-150/wk.

True, I'm in PA and daycare is obscene. (approx 400/wk)

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Again, depending where you are depends on how good of a deal you are getting. HERE (in the Boston area) that would be a decent deal. But different areas of the country have different expectations of "expensive" The day care my DD went to costs $310 for 4 full days. Which is $77.50/day. Day Cares around here typically don't do 1/2 day rates so that would be the rate you paid. Plus she's doing all the transporting to and from school. If she went to a private day care, you would have to do that.

 

[DVCBELLE]

That seems high to me since it is under the table and you can't get the tax credit but she is with someone you trust. Next year when she is in 1st grade will you have to use her or will you work while your DD is at school> If it is only for a few more months -I wouldn't rock the boat with your cousin.

 

[arihillfarm]

Hi there! I'm looking for feedback on daycare costs. My cousin has been charging me $40 a day to watch my daughter for about 4 1/2 hours. She's in Kindergarten, & my cousin takes her to school with her kids, then picks her up after school & watches her for about 3 more hours. She also gets all her errands done, etc. while driving my daughter around with her. Does this seem like a fair amount in your opinion? She is also paid under the table, so I can't take advantage of child care tax credit.

Yes, that seems excessive. My kids are in a state licensed and inspected daycare with a very low staff to child ratio, and we pay $55 a week for two half days for my toddler son (5 hours or less) and two days after school care for my 9 year old daughter. Full time would be $60 a week for both before and after school for my daughter (I drop her off, so after-school only is $30 a week) and $140 a week for a full-time toddler (up to 12 hours a day). These rates include snacks and drinks but parents must provide lunch.

-Astrid

 

[Minnie_me]

I think that's really high for approximately 3 hours. My babysitter charged $20 per kid for the WHOLE DAY!

I think that $5 an hour is reasonable in this situation. How long have you been paying her this amount?? Would she even be open to a change at this point?

 

[Mathfailure]

I get the sense from your post that you feel that it is too much, and that your cousin is not doing too much (still goes on with her life) and that you resent not getting the child care credit.

Switch to a center, and you can get the credit next year, no one will take your child out, and you can shop around for cost.

It is easier not to have family members be employees, as this is essentially what you are having with this arrangement.

You may still need before and after school care next year, so make the change now and your daughter will be settled in before first grade.

 

[NemoMOm]

Considering your cousin is commuting your child to school, you're getting a great deal. I would ask that your cousin claim the money so that you can as well.

 

[brandylouwho]

We live in Wisconsin, not Madison or Milwaukee, but a metro area none-the less....

My daycare center is $7.50 /hour per kid for the hourly rate (we are part- timers with an irregular schedule so we are charged hourly). 10% discount on the second kid.

Full time for a preschooler is around $200/week with meals included. A licensed home provider would be similar.

A non-licensed home provider is more like $2.50/hour per child.

My brother watches the kids when he can and I pay him $40 for 8 hours. He comes to my house, feeds them my food (& is welcome to eat my food).

 

[secretpantssam]

To me that sounds like a good deal

 

[TanyaNMJ]

IMO that is a steal! We pay min $15 per hour for a college age babysitter

 

[wdwfan16]

Seems like a fair amount to me. She is with your cousin, gets driven to and from school plus gets to play with her second cousins. In a few months she will be in full time school. The cost will be even less. I would leave it just as it is now.

 

[wvjules]

That seems really high to me.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

True, I'm in PA and daycare is obscene. (approx 400/wk)

Indeed it is! That's why (well, part of why) I don't work!

 

[Shmily1]

It sounds high to me. DGS6 months goes to daycare from 7 to 5:30 M-F for $115/ wk. I thought that was high!! Most places around here are around $75/wk!!