childcare cost?

[javamoma]

I am working one day a month and a friend of mine is going to keep my 8 month old about 7 - 7 1/2 hours that one day I work. It's just one day a month. How much should I pay her? I asked her and she had no idea.

I am totally clueless on how much is appropriate.

TIA

 

[disney*mom*82]

That is nice that you have a friend willing to watch your LO while you work, even if it is only once a month. The peace of mind is priceless. That being said, for that one day a month, Ide probably offer to pay $20.

 

[njmomtoone]

I am working one day a month and a friend of mine is going to keep my 8 month old about 7 - 7 1/2 hours that one day I work. It's just one day a month. How much should I pay her? I asked her and she had no idea.

I am totally clueless on how much is appropriate.

TIA

For that amount of time, I would say $40-50.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Well, when my son was in preschool, two and a half years ago, it ran around 125 a week. That's for five days. I'd say $25 - $35 would be good.

 

[keltic]

I pay $35/day for my 3 yr old for full day. Half day is $18. He stays with a woman in the neighborhood who watches a few kids in her home.

I think it would also depend on your location. I am in New Jersey.

 

[NotUrsula]

Well, when my son was in preschool, two and a half years ago, it ran around 125 a week. That's for five days. I'd say $25 - $35 would be good.

That's about right for preschool, but this is an 8 mo old; I'd go up by about 28-30%.

FWIW, at 8 mos I paid $270/wk at a large center. Now she's in preschool and I pay $209/week.

 

[An_Island_Girl]

Oh my! The suggestions you have got so far are really on the low end! We pay our nanny $18 hour for the daytime, and $25 per hour for night work. 1 Child age 6... it would be higher for a younger one. We are in MA if it makes a difference.

 

[Madison'smommy]

I am working one day a month and a friend of mine is going to keep my 8 month old about 7 - 7 1/2 hours that one day I work. It's just one day a month. How much should I pay her? I asked her and she had no idea.

I am totally clueless on how much is appropriate.

TIA

I would pay near the higher end. You are leaving your child with someone you know and are comfortable with, and its only once a month. You don't have to worry about finding someone etc.... I would pay atleast $50. But...... if I was your friend, I probably wouldnt charge you, if I am home anyways and its just one day a month.

 

[scrapquitler]

For years I paid my mother to watch my child $75 a day to watch her one day a week. I don't think I'd pay a friend less than that.

 

[patsal]

$25 to $35. If you supply food and snacks go to the lower side, if not than pay the higher price. All day 5 days per week here is $150 per week, after school care for the older kids is $6 per hour.

 

[bootleg89]

Going rate here is $40 to $50 for one day. For 8 month old I'd say $50.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

Here in Maryland, I charge $45/day for infants. I am licensed. I do not provide formula, but do provide jar food/table food.

 

[javamoma]

Wow. Such a wide range of answers.

My friend did offer to keep him for free since she is already home with her kids. She is so giving and sweet. I insisted on paying her.

We do live way out in the country and the cost of living is very cheap around here. We are no where near a metropolitan area and that does make a difference. For example, my older child goes to a very nice private school and the cost is only $450/month. And that's not preschool that's real school.

Thanks for your answers. I'll talk to her about it and see what she thinks.

 

[okeydokey]

Since she has kids at home too, why don't you trade time. You can keep hers once a month and give her a day off.

 

[*Seanaci*]

I say it's up to you and your friend to hash out what seems fair.

While I understand where everyone is coming from as far as paying a higher rate because the child is under a year, it's her friend.

I babysit for my neighbors little boy (have been babysitting for him since he was 3 months old, he is now a year) and because she is my neighbor and a single mom, I only charge her $25 a day (I only keep him 4 days a week, but it is ten hours a day since she and her husband split up 4 months ago, before they split up, we agreed on $20 a day).

If your friend were licensed and watched other kids in her home, then yeah, I could see paying a higher end rate for the day she'll be keeping your little one. But, since (I assume) she's not, you two should sit down and work out a fair price.

Just my two cents worth.

 

[here757]

my nieghbor was charging me minium wage...
i was wondering how single mothers working retail could afford it!!!

turns out this same lady had been collecting a wage from the city for years for a job she hadnt shown up for!!

she told me i was rich LOL

 

[mjkacmom]

Oh my! The suggestions you have got so far are really on the low end! We pay our nanny $18 hour for the daytime, and $25 per hour for night work. 1 Child age 6... it would be higher for a younger one. We are in MA if it makes a difference.

That sounds about right - for a professional nanny who comes to YOUR house. However, around here, when you drop at someone else's home, it's between about $25 - $45 a day, depending upon the age of the child, and if they are licensed.

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I would say at least $50.

 

[GingerJay]

Wow- I may be in the wrong profession. When I first went back to work with my little one, my babysitter charged $6/day.. I pay a highschooler now for afterschool care $20/week.

I think you should go with the "swapping" option. She may appreciate the night off more than the money

 

[neatokimmo]

OP - I live in a low cost of living area. I pay $20 a day for daycare. Buy 4 days, get the 5th day free.