How much to charge for babysitting?

[pajamommy]

I have a family that would like me to babysit for them 4 days/week from 8:30-5:30. It would be for their baby most of the day, and then their 6 yo afterschool, and I have no idea how much to ask for! Should I do an hourly thing, or by week? Also, they are allowing me to bring my own child with me for most of the time, he will attend preschool 3 morning a week, so I will be taking care of my own son as well as their children, so should I go lower since I will have my own child with me, too? Anybody has experience with this? Thanks!

 

[believe]

I would call some daycares and get what the current rate is. Then based on what they would be providing (food, vehicle, etc) lower it accordingly since your son will also be taking advantage of these items.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

It really depends on the area where you live. I would start by calling some of the local daycares in the area and asking what their rates would be for similar services. Then, since you are unliscensed I would deduct probably 20 to 30 percent from that. BTW, if this is something that you will continue to do in the future, I would strongly consider becoming liscensed.

Most importantly, make a contract with these people that spells out how many of the common trouble spots will be handled. Are they going to pay you on days they don't use your service? Who is going to provide diapers and food? What if you are too sick to provide the service on a given day -- is there a backup plan? What about school inservice days and other off days from school for the older child? Will they want full day service then and if so, how much more will they pay? For the older child especially, how will discipline be handled? How do they feel about you taking the child places...the grocery store, the park, the zoo, etc etc etc...

Taking care of these questions now can really save alot of headaches later.

good luck!

 

[jwsqrdplus2]

I don't know about your area, but I paid $85/week at a home daycare.

I pay $110/week for a full sized center.

I pay $340/school year for 1 hour of after care per day for older DD. It sounds steep, but it includes a lot more. She is covered for early release until 1 hour after normal release. Also, on non-school days, she is in childcare all day.

Please keep in mind that both DDs are in the same "school." It is a private schoo/daycare that takes kids as young as 2 months all the way through 8th grade. However, the prices for full time daycare and aftercare are pretty comparable to the other daycares/aftercare centers in the area.

 

[pajamommy]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I did call a center and asked about their prices. I'd be going to the family's house, and I'd be using my own car to go anywhere, so it would really be just for my services as a sitter, not for meals, diapers, etc. I'm not doing home daycare, I'd be more like a nanny. Oh, and I called a nanny service, and they said that most families pay $10-15/hr., but I thought that was a lot, so I doubt I'd be charging that! Also, I'm in CT, so maybe the going rate is more expensive here, I don't know. Thanks for the advice!

 

[vald1977]

Hi Jen,
I watch a friend's son a couple of days a week and I charge $25.00 a day. He comes to my home and his mom brings all of his supplies (diapers, dinner, etc.). I have him usually 8 and half hours a day so it breaks down to about $3.00 an hour. I would charge a little more since you will have the two kids at the end of the day. Maybe $30 or $35 a day? I don't think your son being there should bring the price down. $10/15 seems like a lot but I guess it depends how much they can afford. I know my friend only makes $11 and change an hour so I wouldn't want to charge more than I do. Good luck!