Daycare $ Question--what would you charge?

[CamColt]

I think $50.00/week sounds right.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

My sister-in-law used to do some casual watching of other children, for a small amount of money. She stopped after she became aware of the legal exposure of providing a service which could be distorted by plaintiffs in court into unlicensed day care.

I am licensed, so don't have these issues. Around here a person has to be licensed to care for even one child who is not related, for even a few hours a week. One reason that I will be stopping the daycare business probably next year when I am up for renewal. There are a lot of issues with not being licensed and I know that a lot of people in my situation are not licensed. One problem is that the parent is then not able to get the tax deduction. And of course the state will be all over a person, with fines, if they are not.

 

[bicker]

Well, then at least you have a lower-bound to work from, with regard to how much you charge: A fair allocation of your licensing fees and your liability insurance. You can add the cost of your time on top of that, to the extent you wish, but as you said, you're not spending extra time, so ...

 

[funhouse8]

I think $50 a week sounds reasonable. That was really nice of you to think that $75 was too much most people would just have taken it. She is willing to pay anything I'm sure for the piece of mind she has leaving her child with someone she can trust. I work in a pre-school and there are some winners out there. She is lucky to have found you!

 

[Tigger&Belle]

When I talk to the mom I'm going to tell her $50. The best situation when a person is purchasing anything, is for both parties to feel that they have a good deal. In this case, I think $50/week is fair and generous in this area and I KNOW she will think that she has a great deal. Afterall, if she's thinking 50% more than that the $25/week that she is saving can buy her family a take-out meal. So a win-win situation.

For those that say that fulltime care in their area is close to the $50/week--YIKES! I don't even know what it goes for since I haven't done that in several years, but it's more like $150/week here. Of course that depends on the age of the child, with infants being more.

And nobody said to stick it to the mom and go with the $75/week that she suggested. Glad I was thinking clearly yesterday, even with a migraine.

And I'll have to say that I have charged people less, especially if I know them and they are in a tough financial situation or it's a drop in, just when needed situation. I have one neighbor who knows that she can call meif she happens to need care (she works at home) and I will do it. She doesn't pay much, and pays in case, but I look at that as true spending $ because I'm not setting time aside for her children and watch them only if I don't have something else going on.

I have another neighbor who calls sometimes and her son comes over for free. I would never charge her and am doing it as a favor for a neighbor.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

A fair allocation of your licensing fees and your liability insurance.

Yeah, I have a BIG "cover my butt" umbrella policy...don't want to think about how much that's costing me for the part time daycare that I do. When we do taxes the business comes out as a loss. Hopefully that's because we declare everything we legally can, but maybe I'm just telling myself that.

 

[coliebird]

Most people around her don't pay much more then $50/week for FULL time daycare.

Wow, I pay $220 a week for full-time daycare.

I think the $50 a week is fair and reasonable. I'm sure that the mom will be thrilled since she was willing to pay $75.

 

[justhat]

T&B, you're being very generous with $150/week for fulltime daycare in the DC area. I worked at one before Madison was born, in Friendship Heights on the DC/MD border and for a 4 or 5yo (the oldest kids we had) it was $1010/month, plus an annual contribution of $250. So that's over $250/week (infants were $1400/month, so about $350/week!!). Now yeah, that's all day care, but still way over the $50 a week some people can get in other areas of the country. I definitely would not feel badly about the $50, I think it's a good deal, and considerably less than the mom was willing to pay so I know she'll be happy with it.

 

[Tigger&Belle]

It is amazing how daycare rates so widely vary across the country. It's not wonder that some daycare homes fill up with children-they need to if they are going to earn any money at it. Even when I did fulltime care I never filled up with children--I had no interest in watching 6-8 children. I was able to charge a premium since I didn't have that many children.

about the DC rates!

coliebird, yes, I think that the mom will be very happy. One thing that I didn't mention is that we have pets. I always put that out on the table at the very beginning just in case there are allergies, fears, etc. I can easily find that out from the mom of the girl I currently have. Hopefully that won't be a deal breaker!

 

[barkley]

used to be in california that family home daycares were the way to go (cost wise), but several years ago "welfare to work" was implimented which enabled some parents to qualify for child care assistance payments. the day care providers quickly figured out the maximum amount the agencies would pay out (and their formulas were based off what the big centers, more like daycare/preschool programs charged) and raised their rates accordingly.

infant/non potty trained care can go for as much as $1500 per month (and availability is few and far between), preschool age can run around 800.00 per month.

the school my kids go to (very small christian) has traditionaly had a half day kindergarten program with the option of full day (a few learning activities and a nap)-mostly for the parents who have older kids and want to pick them up at the same time. because of daycare costs and gas prices (have to go get the kindergartener to take them to daycare if you opt for half day) almost all of this years kindergarten parents opted for the full day program (the increased tuition was so much less $$$ than the alternative) so the school is seriously thinking of revamping the k program into a full day.

i recently figured it out, and if i were still working (early retiree due to health) i would be putting out about $350.00 per week for before/after school day care (not counting the increased costs during holidays and school breaks) i honestly do not know how the majority of parents make it-

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I don't think that daycare homes should be cheaper than centers, depending on the home. There are advantages to both and of course disadvantages to both. The small number of kids that I watched was a big advantage, but of course when I got sick (or my kids) the parents had to have alternatives.

I like watching the older kids and it works a lot better for me at this point in my life. The problem that I have run into, though, is that my kids have places to go, people to see in the afternoons, so watching other kids is hard since I have to bring them with me. The only thing that has made it possible has been a husband that works at home, so he is a good and easy backup when needed. Or he can run one of our kids to their activity.

 

[coliebird]

It is amazing how daycare rates so widely vary across the country. It's not wonder that some daycare homes fill up with children-they need to if they are going to earn any money at it. Even when I did fulltime care I never filled up with children--I had no interest in watching 6-8 children. I was able to charge a premium since I didn't have that many children.

about the DC rates!

coliebird, yes, I think that the mom will be very happy. One thing that I didn't mention is that we have pets. I always put that out on the table at the very beginning just in case there are allergies, fears, etc. I can easily find that out from the mom of the girl I currently have. Hopefully that won't be a deal breaker!

Hopefully there will be no problems with the pets. I have to say your cat is gorgeous. We have a Maine Coon as well (I'm guessing that is your cat's breed).

 

[Tigger&Belle]

Hopefully there will be no problems with the pets. I have to say your cat is gorgeous. We have a Maine Coon as well (I'm guessing that is your cat's breed).

No, I don't think any Maine Coon in her. Her brother is a buff color tabby and she's a delute torbie (or dilute calico, depending on what I read). The vet thinks they have different dads. But they are both pretty small, so I don't think any Maine Coon. I finally figured out how to post pics and have all my animals in the pet pic thread (I was very proud of myself for figuring that out ).

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I am a professional nanny. I think $50 per week is reasonable since you will be caring for the child in your home and won't need to travel, etc. And it is just for a bit in the morning. If it was a younger child I might consider charging more, or if you need to provide breakfast or transportation to school.

I am also amazed at the HUGE variance in cost of childcare! I don't know what daycare centers or licensed in-home daycares charge around here, but full time nannies cost $50 for about 3 hours!

 

[mickeyfan2]

If she is agrees, the $50 is fine.

 

[Sandy22]

Most people around her don't pay much more then $50/week for FULL time daycare.

I've never heard of day-care rates so low! Around here it's at least $200 a week.