Daycare/Babysitting Costs

[cheerful chickadee]

Hi all! My sister has asked me if I would be interested in watching her 2 kids if she goes back to work part time. My niece is 3 years old and my nephew is just 2 months old. The hours would be from 11:30am - 5:30pm, 3 days a week. She asked how much money I want for it but I really have no idea what the going rates are, my ds is 9 and I was a sahm when he was little. My sister was trying to "sell" me on the kids not being too much of a hassle, basically saying she wouldn't need to pay me very much but honestly the 3 year old alone is a handful, let's call her...a spirited child lol. Her favorite words are "kiss my buttcheeks!". She is quite the wild animal. Anyways any advice or suggestions you can give me would be helpful!!!

 

[jlaspoq]

Well, we paid occasional teenage babysitters $5 / hour for our two and they were older than these kids. At 18 hours a week that would be only $90. I would think you should get more than that because these are much younger kids and this is a consistent commitment. What would it cost for a day of infant daycare in your area? Check some websites (kindercare, etc.) to see if you can find out. Daycares charge a full day even if you only use it for 6 hours. You don't say if you particularly want to do this..... make sure it's worth it to you.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

The problem is, $5/hr is going to be WAY more than a daycare.
My friend owns a daycare in her house...she charges about $20 for an infant, 7am-5:30pm.
If your sister is trying to save money, then she may pick a daycare facility...if she is looking for family childcare and $ isn't a problem, then she may pay the $5/hr

 

[aprincessmom]

My co-worker has a 2 year old and a 3 month old. She pays $16/hr for the two of them at a family daycare. That's based on a 40 hour week.

 

[va32h]

When I did in-home daycare, I charged $85 per week for toddlers, and $125 per week for infants.

But my most honest advice would be not to do it at all. So many difficult situations arise when close friends or family do childcare for each other. Babysitting now and again is one thing, but regular, lenghty childcare arrangments - I just haven't had good experiences and I wouldn't advise someone else to do it.

All the things I would have no problem addressing with a regular client - behavior problems, late payments, late pickups, overtime - were harder to resolve with family/friends. The temptation is there to treat what you are doing as a favor, not a service that deserves compensation.

 

[DisneyDmbNut]

When I did in-home daycare, I charged $85 per week for toddlers, and $125 per week for infants.

But my most honest advice would be not to do it at all. So many difficult situations arise when close friends or family do childcare for each other. Babysitting now and again is one thing, but regular, lenghty childcare arrangments - I just haven't had good experiences and I wouldn't advise someone else to do it.

All the things I would have no problem addressing with a regular client - behavior problems, late payments, late pickups, overtime - were harder to resolve with family/friends. The temptation is there to treat what you are doing as a favor, not a service that deserves compensation.

WOW! This is excellent advice!

 

[Bob Slydell]

Our next door neighbor is going to be watching DS2 for a couple days a week for us starting next week (at least for a few months). We're paying her $40 a day for about 9-10 hours a day.

I agree with va32h, though, it sounds as if you're already raising red flags about doing this (concerns about behavior, possible problems figuring out cost, etc.). You might want to think twice about this right away.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am a professional nanny with a DS9. I work in my employer's home - not sure if you would be in your home or your sister's home. My DS is welcome to be with me whenever he is not at school, which is very nice. I'm assuming you will have your son with you after school.

For plain babysitting (where my only duties are to play with the children and maybe give them a meal and put them into bed) I charge a minimum of $12 per hour for two kids.

In my full-time position where my duties are far greater my salary is much higher.

I understand that day care might be cheaper, but the advantages to having someone care for the children in their own home are vast. Sick children can not go to day care. Children in day care don't receive a lot of one-on-one attention. Children in day care might go on an occasional outing but for the most part they stay in the center. Turnover at day care centers can be very high which can be disruptive to children. Day care centers cost less than private care for a reason - there are LOTS more kids there than just the kids from one family!

I would find out EXACTLY what the expectations and duties are and then see if you feel like the salary being offered is worth it. I love my job, but I don't think I would want to work for a family member. There is a lot of room for hurt feelings and misunderstandings. Good luck with your decision!

 

[cheerful chickadee]

Thanks for the replies, I think I will check around in my area and see what they would be charging for the same ages/lenghts of time. I love my dniece and dnephew so it's not about the actual "work" of it, I would probably enjoy the company during the day while ds is at school but I would still consider it a job as any other job. I actually used to babysit dniece 8.5 hours a day from 5 months old on until she was almost two for $30 a day, so it will have to be more than that now because there are 2 children. I know she is going to say that paying me a lot for child care would kind of defeat the purpose of her working though because most of her money would go to paying me, BUT is that really my problem? Doesn't that just come along with having 2 children and needing child care? KWIM?

Her original plan was to be a sahm after baby #2 was here because the daycare costs would surpass how much she would take home from a part time job. I don't know what has changed, maybe she just needs to get out of the house. Anything I charge would of course be less than any daycare because she is my sister but I can't go too low or it really isn't worth my time and energy. I work part time in the evenings myself, I don't want to be spreading myself too thin. I guess I also would feel bad or snotty in a way if I said no or pay me more! It's kind of like she assumed I couldn't say no to her.

Ughhh I wish I wasn't so tempted by having extra money to go toward our Disney fund!

 

[RUDisney]

My DSis told her SIL that she couldn't watch her DD while she worked. They live right across the street from one another. My DSis became a SAHM to spend time with her DS, not her DS AND her DNeice.

The issues came up about what the rules were for going out during the day. What about my DSis getting sick, or one of the kids? What about vacation time?

My DSis saw too many reasons why her stellar relationship with her SIL would become an awful one if she started daily babysitting for her. She also had the same issue of discipline. My DNephew is very well behaved for a 2yo. Her DNeice has never had any discipline at home.

This will work out much better for both of them.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[puffkin]

Around here, daycares charge approx. $150-$200 for full time infant care. Most places do not offer part time infant care. The one place I did find was $100 for 20 hours/week, and you must provide all food/diapers etc.

Toddler care is significantly cheaper, but still runs $100 or so a week full time, about $75 part time.

Considering this, it would be approx. $175/week for a daycare center in this area for her kids. I wouldn't accept anything less than $100 for the two of them, she would still be getting a bargain.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

It sems that maybe your sister assumes she can take advantage of you and you won't mind. And if you really don't mind looking after her kids for a little extra money then that's fine. As long as you really ARE ok with it.

A wise nanny once said "Some things are not about money." Some situations aren't worth being in, even if they pay obscene amounts. Some situations you would do for free if you didn't have to cover your own living expenses. You know your sister, and you know your relationship with her. You might want to tell her you will do it on a trial basis for 30 days and see how you feel. If you discover it isn't worth the effort then you can sit down and discuss other options with her (she pays you more or she finds other care). Let her know you don't mind watching the kids as long as it fits in with your schedule and pays well enough to be worth it.

 

[cgcw]

When I did in-home daycare, I charged $85 per week for toddlers, and $125 per week for infants.

But my most honest advice would be not to do it at all. So many difficult situations arise when close friends or family do childcare for each other. Babysitting now and again is one thing, but regular, lenghty childcare arrangments - I just haven't had good experiences and I wouldn't advise someone else to do it.

All the things I would have no problem addressing with a regular client - behavior problems, late payments, late pickups, overtime - were harder to resolve with family/friends. The temptation is there to treat what you are doing as a favor, not a service that deserves compensation.

Just bears repeating.....excellent advice.

My part time rate is $50/per child/per day. I've been licensed for 6 years, caring for children for 10.

I experienced those wanting a "family discount" and honestly, it has been more trouble than it's been worth. When I started my daycare business, I only cared for family & friends. But, I never will again. The two just don't mix.

 

[Tanuki]

Starting in September we will be paying $775 per month for one child in daycare 3 days a week.

That's $65.00 per day, covering 7am to 7pm (approx $5.40 an hour).

We don't leave her there the entire time it is open, but we pay for the entire day because we need the flexible hours.

 

[crz4mm2]

I would not charge less because she is your sister. Doesn't make it any less of a job. She would have to pay someone else. You need to make sure you have things worked out before you start. Causes hard feelings if you don't.

Good luck. I know you want to keep peace and love your neice and nephew.

Cathy

 

[polyfan]

Alot depends on where you live. Some of the amounts I have seen on here are outrageous-$775 a month- etc.. Around here daycare in someone's home will run about $75-$100 a week for one child. In a daycare facility it is $100-$125 a week.

 

[vettechick99]

ooooo, I would think long and hard before committing to this. Like some other posters have said, things get very tricky when you work for family.

I've babysat for my two sisters and actually took care of my nephews a lot last year when one was in between nanny help. However, my sisters are super easy going and trust me to do my thing. But the fact that you say this:

My sister was trying to "sell" me on the kids not being too much of a hassle, basically saying she wouldn't need to pay me very much

is enough for me to walk away. She's testing you. She's thinking, if she's willing to take this low paying job, what else can I get away with? Really, I don't think she'd be easy to work for and would take advantage of you.

 

[cheerful chickadee]

thank you all so much for your advice, I'm really taking it to heart and it's giving me a lot to think about. I love my fellow DIS'ers!

I'm going to list pros and cons and talk it over with my sister tonight, tell her exactly what I think about the whole situation. She knows I will say no because when she got preggo with #2 I said no to watching them both, no hard feelings or argument, I had another job at the time so I couldn't. That is when she said she was going to be a sahm when #2 finally was born. She knows that I don't want to say no though because I don't want it to reflect on how I feel about my niece and nephew. Now that #2 is here, she has changed her mind about being a full time sahm. Like I said I did babysit for her dd before and went smoothly, all the details of times and money were settled before I started so of course if I did it this time I'd make sure everything were ironed out beforehand. I just know that it can lead to hard feelings, misunderstandings and I really don't need that, I have my own ds and life to live. I just don't want her to think I'm just flat out refusing to watch her kids for no reason because that is not it at all, I am just wanting to make sure everything is clear and out in the open and fair for all involved and if it can't be made fair then I will decline.

Still deciding, I will talk to her about it tonight and let everyone know how it goes and what I decide, thanks again for all the advice and for prices in your areas, I really appreciate it!

 

[Laurajean1014]

All children are angels and all are devils. It doesn't matter, the matter is your time spent watching them.

6 hours a day for (5?) days a week is 30 hours. Rates of $5 - 7.50 an hour are common in my area. That puts the cost at $150 - $225 per week. That is per child, for home care.

Your costs would be snacks, drinks, lunch food and clean-up materials.

I currently pay $413/month for after-school 2:00 - 5:30, for my dS9

 

[disykat]

I wouldn't do it based on this - she would be in big trouble for saying that at my house! Unless you think this is cute or are in total agreement in regards to discipline with her parents, you're in for trouble.

(Hmm - for some reason I see the quote here, but it left it out in my post. I was referencing her "kiss my buttcheeks" expression. Sheesh! I didn't even feel comfortable typing it!)