How much $ to watch a toddler for one full week

[aprilgail2]

on the daily rate.. it definitely depends on where you live though.. full time day care for an infant in our town is $650/month (~$32.50/day) and that is for a very nice top of the line accredited daycare...

Wow- that is VERY resonable!! Around here it is closer to 1500.00 a month at a day care! 75.00 is a normal rate per day. To get a sitter in your home its at least 10.00 an hour, usually less if you drop them off at someones home but never just 30.00 for a full day!!

 

[sam_gordon]

Daycare around here for that age group would be ~$100/wk. It's a little more for younger kids and a little less for older. That would be $20/day with multiple kids, so $30/day might be a little low, but not drastically IMO. I agree if you're going to do a 24/7 to be at least $75/day. I'm assuming your $30/day is for 8 hours. There are three '8 hour shifts' in a day, so that would be $90.

And for those paying $100/day for daycare... That's $500/week, and $26,000 per year!! That can't be an average price.

 

[MinnieForMe]

Wow! You are generous to watch a child for $30 a day. I pay more to board my two tiny dogs and they are little to no work!

 

[bdcp]

I know that a lot of people pay close to a couple thousand a month for day care in the DC area. I have a friend who made $175 a week 18 years ago taking care of a baby in MD. I can only imagine what the going rate is now for an infant. I know teenagers get at least $10/hour to babysit. Last time I paid a teenage babysitter was in the '90's and it was around $5/hour then for two elementary age kids. Average cost doesn't mean much because it really is dependent on where you live and what the median salary is.

 

[Momof4DisneyLuvrs]

I live in a fairly rural area and had a sitter for my son and daughter until a year ago. They were both toddlers at the time. I brought their lunch and snacks. I paid $70 for both of them. They were with her for approx. 7 hours. I paid her by the day-not by the hour though. She was considered inexpensive for my area.

 

[dfchelbay]

This is good advise. I have been asking for this anyway just in case something happens when he is in my care and they have been relaxed getting it to me. I will make sure this is in place before they leave town.

Get his insurance card too. When we took DS's friends with us on vacation, we always got the medical note and an insurance card to take with us. If you cant get the card, get a copy of the front and back of it.

 

[mjkacmom]

Around here, it costs about $5 an hour if the child goes to the sitter's home, $10 if the sitter goes to the child's home. However, since the child is probably still in diapers, and you are providing a meal, I'd say at least $60 a day. I also would let them know the child needs to be picked up by 5 pm.

 

[mjkacmom]

Just re-read your OP - I guess I think they should be paying you $60 for your regular gig. For 24/7, at least $100 a day.

 

[leight]

It definately depends on where you reside. In NY we were paying $850 a month for an in home accredited day care. At a nearby daycare site it would have been $900-1000 for infant -toddler care. It went down to $800 for pre-school age which is when we shifted to the daycare site for extra education taking place. But I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to care for my infants other than the home-operated daycare. She provided the most nurturing environment for them. In Fl it seems like it was about 50-100 less a month than in NY.

OP- another part of the equation would be if you were on or off the books. (don't answer on a public board tho!) If you were on the books you are paying out of your salary for licensing, insurance & taxes as well so the price is a little low for $30 a day. But if you're technically 'babysitting' (not state licensed) then that would make more sense.

Whenever dh & I go on a cruise or trip without the kids we provide my mom or whoever is watching them with our insurance cards, the health savings debit card as well as a notarized signed medical agreement to allow them to make medical decisions in our stead for the duration of the trip. Most states have their own guidelines, so I download that states' forms to give medical guardianship as well as a letter stating that we have put our children in their care for the trips' duration and it should be signed by both parents or guardians. I always felt much better knowing that my mom/mil had those documents to take care of the kids in the case of emergency. My MIL had to use it once when DD was 4 and had gotten bitten by a spider- had a horrible reaction to it. The doctor wouldn't have been able to provide full treatment without it so I would never take that responsibility without that document. I would also make sure that the guardians write that they are responsible for all medical bills incurred during the time the child is in your care.(you generally are signing that you are responsible, but you want to make sure that you have a letter that the doctor's office, pharmacy or dentist can add to their file showing that you are only able to make decisions not be liable for billing during the time you have the child)

Just google your state's medical guardianship- and you should find some examples of forms.

 

[tzolkin]

Areas with different income levels are going to have different childcare costs. Just because it costs double or triple in your area what the OP is charging doesn't mean that she can get that much.

$500/week? $18/hour? That's more than most people in my area make, so if they had to pay that much for childcare, no one could work.

 

[Vijoge]

I just called a friend of mine who has a daughter enrolled in a well-respected daycare program. She said they charge $180/week. Her daughter is there from 6 AM until 3PM M-F. Breakfast and lunch is provided by the daycare. We're located about 30 minutes from Chicago.

 

[ccgirl]

It varies greatly within the same state as well. Some of those rates for Boston.

I live a litte more than 1 hour outside Boston. A daycare center for a child that age would be about $50 a day (for a 10 hr day). This includes preschool as well. I had to provide all of my snacks/meals/drinks etc.

I know someone who has someone to come to her house after school to care for her 1st and 2nd grader. She pays $12 an hour. WHen I have a babysitter come at night we pay $12 an hour as well. But, they are expected to feed them dinner and put them to bed as well.

I would atleast double your rate and do $60 a day. Is the child a good sleeper? At that age, my son would sleep 12 - 14 hours. I would not ask for entertainment money as a lot of families don't really budget outside entertainment, especially if they are short on cash.

As others have stated, absolutely get a copy of the medical and dental insurance cards as well as the authorization for medical treatment letter. My In laws watched my children for 3 nights while my DH and myself were out of state. I had a copy of the letter (that included photocopies of the health and dental insurance cards) on the fridge, put one in her pocketbook, and one in the glove comparment of her car. I also left her with the carseats and the stroller. I did leave money on the counter in case she wanted to take them out or order in pizza or something but she didn't end up using it. I used a template I found online. It was free and easy. I had to plug in the birthdates of the children, any allergies, any pre-existing medical conditions etc. My DH and myself each then had 2 witnesses sign as we did not have it notarized.
Edited to Add: I also listed my children's primary care doctor, specialists, as well as dentist along with their contact info in the letter.
Good luck. SO nice of you.

To the poster that quoted the $26,000 year and was surprise. Salaries in those areas are not unheard of to be at least $65,000. So, while you are paying 1/3 of your salary on daycare you are also getting benefits, building your retirement etc.

Crazy how things can vary.

 

[perfectparanoia]

Child care is all over the map in terms of pricing. That is why I would go with triple your normal rate + emergency expenses.

 

[shortbun]

I'd charge at least double what your charge for an 8 hour day. He'll sleep some of that. then there's dinner to consider and your extra labor for doing his laundry, bathing him... so $100 a day sounds right to me. I would charge no less than that if I were you. And, like everyone else said, get a notarized letter that is acceptable for his pediatrician and the local children's hospital in case you need it as well as a copy of the insurance card.

 

[SoonerSarah]

It seems like this is a situation where you are doing what you are doing because you are a kind person and trying to help someone out, not because you are trying to make money off of it.

I had a situation where some good friends had to leave the state for two weeks. We took care of their kids who were older kids, Jr. High and upper Elementary. I was also 8 months pregnant and I worked a part time job. We knew the kids very well because my hubby was their Youth Minister. Anyway, we already had medical release forms for them and their parents gave us their insurance cards. We had to take them to school and such, we knew the situation and didn't want any money other than some to help with food costs. The son got sick and was tested for Mono and the parents were freaking out because I was pregnant. My OB said I was already exposed so it didn't matter either way. Anyway, he didn't have Mono, but we did have co-pays that we paid and prescription. the parents had actually left us a few blank signed checks (as I said, we are very good friends) which we used for the Dr./Drug bills.

If it were me, I would likely charge around $75. Having a toddler for an entire week means that whatever errands you have to make will have to be done with him in tow, which can make some things more difficult. If he is a picky eater or has special food needs, then I would also consider asking for a bit more for additional food costs. I would have a medical release form and I would either ask them for some signed checks in the event of him needing medical care, or I would ask for some emergency money, or I would make sure that if medical care is needed, they will reimburse you once they return home.

 

[DawnM]

Given this situation, I would say about double. But I would probably ask for $50/day plus $10 for food and diapers and word it that way so it seems like a "deal."

You are doing a great thing to watch this little guy.

Is he adoptable? I assume when you say caregiviers you don't mean parents.

Dawn

 

[stazmatic]

If you are watching the child for about 8 hours/$30 then you should charge at least $90/24 hours.

 

[seven dwarfs]

Since you mentioned caretakers does that mean he is in foster care? If so, I would find out the rate they get for caring for him and work out your pay from that. Otherwise, you could call around to local day care moms and ask what they charge for overnights.

No, for now he is with his grandmother and his aunt.

 

[lovesmurfs]

This is good advise. I have been asking for this anyway just in case something happens when he is in my care and they have been relaxed getting it to me. I will make sure this is in place before they leave town.

Make sure the letter is notarized (so that you have the caregivers' signature verified by the notary), and that you have a copy (front and back) of the health insurance card.

 

[seven dwarfs]

Thanks everyone for your help. There are days when I think $30 isn't enough. He has been very 'babied' and has some issues or both. He is developmentaly behind but I am not sure if it is his surroundings or his parental issues. I work with him daily and it is a lot. But, I also know I am his only fighting chance right now and can't turn my back.

He is very sweet and for the most part easy. He doen't sleep much. At least not like my kids have/did.

I will share these ideas with my hubby and come to a number. Never thought in a million years I'd be in this predicament.