How much $ to watch a toddler for one full week

[seven dwarfs]

I take care of a 23 month old 5 days a week and get paid $30 a day. Sometimes they give me an extra $10/wk because they want me to provide his food. I have been asked to watch him for one full wk day/night while his caretakers go out of town. They would like to know how much I would charge. I have no clue. Can anyone give me their ideas?

 

[mom2t]

Have no clue but get them to draw up a document that if the child gets hurt or sick you can get medical care for him/her. I watched my cousin's 14 year old once they had a judge friend help them with a document allowing me to seek medical care for him if needed.

 

[Evans Family]

Going rate around here is $100 - $125 per day.

 

[rnorwo1]

How many hours a day are you watching the toddler? Is the baby coming to your house or you're going to their home? I live in a rural area where prices are notoriously low, and the going rate is $10/hour for babysitting (a little less if in your own home) so you are doing them quite a favor at $30/day if it's all day! I agree with pp, at least $100.

 

[sl_underwood]

DD is 17 and gets $8 an hour when she goes to their house, plus $4 extra for the second child. In a daycare setting, childcare here is around $100 a day. I pay someone to come into my home one day a week for my son and she gets $150 but he also has some special needs and she has some training in ABA which works for us.

 

[clh2]

I think it makes a difference on what time they are dropping the toddler off, and what time they are picking them up.

i.e. if they are dropping off at 9:00 a.m. and picking up at 5:00p.m., I would be leaning to the $125. That is basically 2 full days plus the overnight.

If the time period is closer to 24 hours - I might charge closer to $100.

 

[seven dwarfs]

How many hours a day are you watching the toddler? Is the baby coming to your house or you're going to their home? I live in a rural area where prices are notoriously low, and the going rate is $10/hour for babysitting (a little less if in your own home) so you are doing them quite a favor at $30/day if it's all day! I agree with pp, at least $100.

I am supposed to have him from 7am to 5pm. Most of the time the grandma brings him and shows up whenever. Can be between 9 and 10. Kinda a pain cause I never know. They pick him up between 4:30 and 6, again I never know till that night. He comes to my home and I provide lunch, two snacks plus drink. We try to eat healthy so for lunch he has a main item, fruit and veggie. His snacks are normally a fruit, veggie or raisins. etc.

I will have him for 6 to 7 days when the caregivers go out of town. I am guessing I will then provide breakfast and dinner as well. I have no clue what to charge. I was supposed to only be helping them out for three weeks, but it has turned out to be more then that. I really have fallen in love with him and we can use the extra money so it's OK. He has a very sad history and I have become his MaMa.

 

[seven dwarfs]

Have no clue but get them to draw up a document that if the child gets hurt or sick you can get medical care for him/her. I watched my cousin's 14 year old once they had a judge friend help them with a document allowing me to seek medical care for him if needed.

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.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

If I'm reading this correctly, I think they are planning to leave for the entire week (not just a day or two). I would probably charge at least double your daily rate for each day you have him. I would also want a vehicle with a car seat in it. I think it is reasonable to ask for extra money for entertainment, eating out, etc.

Also, do make sure you get the authorization for medical care and a copy of the insurance.

 

[seven dwarfs]

If I'm reading this correctly, I think they are planning to leave for the entire week (not just a day or two). I would probably charge at least double your daily rate for each day you have him. I would also want a vehicle with a car seat in it. I think it is reasonable to ask for extra money for entertainment, eating out, etc.

Also, do make sure you get the authorization for medical care and a copy of the insurance.

Yes, this will be at least 6 days if not seven and will be around July 4th! ugh.

 

[DisHokie]

I have kept kids for days to a week at a time.. I have gone to their house and they leave food and/or money for entertainment. I have always gotten between $100-200 per DAY.. I wouldn't do it for less than $75 (maybe even 100).. I know it seems like a lot, but it is a HUGE responsibility and a lot of your time.. You are taking care of their baby! I live in a "rural" area.. big college town..

 

[disprincessatheart]

At least $100. Just think, we were looking into boarding our dog at Christmas and that was $35 a day. A child is WAY more work and responsibility!

By the way - the $30 a day your charging now seems really low. When we were looking into daycare last summer the cheapest we found was $1050 a month and that was a group not private care. Most were closer to $1200 or $1300.

 

[rnorwo1]

I am supposed to have him from 7am to 5pm. Most of the time the grandma brings him and shows up whenever. Can be between 9 and 10. Kinda a pain cause I never know. They pick him up between 4:30 and 6, again I never know till that night. He comes to my home and I provide lunch, two snacks plus drink. We try to eat healthy so for lunch he has a main item, fruit and veggie. His snacks are normally a fruit, veggie or raisins. etc.

I will have him for 6 to 7 days when the caregivers go out of town. I am guessing I will then provide breakfast and dinner as well. I have no clue what to charge. I was supposed to only be helping them out for three weeks, but it has turned out to be more then that. I really have fallen in love with him and we can use the extra money so it's OK. He has a very sad history and I have become his MaMa.

Ohhh... I was thinking you need to set some limits so you're not being taken advantage of, but I'm the first one to sacrifice personally when children may be negatively affected (I'm always doing crazy stuff for the kids I work with, they just break my heart when things aren't good for them.) That is a very long time to be away from "caregivers" for a young child, I hope you are able to work it out where you can be reasonably compensated and take care of him... it'll help him immensely to have you if you're already an attachment figure for him. Good luck!

 

[MistressMerryweather]

I have to agree that your normal daily fee seems really low, but I don't know your circumstances so I'll zip it.

When I was a nanny in Boston 12 years ago, with one child, I was getting $18.00 an hour. Any overnights, I received an additional $50 per night...on top of my daily hourly pay. I would definitely charge at least double your normal pay for weekly/overnight care...so $30 per night on top of your $30 per day.

 

[momof1princess]

hmmm...if you're getting $30 per day to watch him during the daytime, if he's going to be with you around the clock for a week, i would charge AT LEASE double-$60 per day, and specify that they need to bring you an adequate supply of diapers for the entire week (or provide extra $ to buy them) because they can really eat into your pay!
the medical release form will also be a must, and an appropriate car seat.
bless you for being a constant presence in this little guy's life-it sounds like he really needs that.

 

[DisHokie]

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...

 

[Hannathy]

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...

yes I was going to say that. There is no way people around here are paying 500 a week for day care! that is 2,000 a month. Heck I'll start watching kids if that were true. I truly don't think there are many places it is that high.

I think around here the going in home rate is about 30 a day. actually lower for kids other than babies.

I would think you should get double your rate and then a bit.

 

[labdogs42]

I think your $30 a day is pretty reasonable. I paid about that ($140 a week) for the toddler room at our local daycare, so I think you're right in line with that.

As for the overnight, I'd triple your rate. The $30 a day is for about an 8 hour shift, so with the overnights, you'll technically be "working" round the clock, so 3x $30 per day. If that seems too high, maybe go for $75 a day, but I wouldn't go lower. I think that's a reasonable rate for round the clock care.

 

[bdcp]

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.

 

[akcire]

If the "caretakers" are the kids grandparents they may be entitled to respite money from the county. I am not sure if the grandparents are foster parents or the exact situation.

I will just tell you that when we took care of my husband's 95+ year old grandmother (dementia), my mother was her respite caregiver; and the county allowed us up to $800 a year in "outside care". Since we didn't really trust anyone with Grandma (long story), and my mother was not related to Grandma, we set her up with the county (our caseworkers suggestion--we needed a caseworker to get meals on wheels--I was working a full time job from home but I needed a break from cooking 3 hot meals a day--she would not eat cold food including a sandwich). We arranged for her to be paid either $100 or $125 per day while we were on vacation.

It was pretty funny to employ my mother, and to have to fill out her "review" for the county. The first time, the caseworker stopped by while we were gone, and liked my mom so much she asked if she would be interested in additional jobs.

OP-Keep in mind my mother received a 1099 from the county--so you will want to base your rate on how you will be paid. You may also call your county and find out what the going rate for 24 hour respite care. Not sure who ultimately will be paying your bill.