In-home childcare, what does it cost?

[waltskids]

We pay $30 a day for (DS 1) childcare (South Jersey) and it is in-home care. We provide the food. She is wonderful with our son and this arrangement works well for all of us.

 

[puffkin]

I think $30 a day is a pretty reasonable price. I pay $140/wk for my DS2 for an inhome center. She lives in a duplex and the whole downstairs is devoted to the daycare, she lives upstairs which is nice. Breakfast/lunch and snacks are provided, we bring diapers/wipes.

Daycare centers in our area run about $175-$200 a week for that age group.

 

[Sheaboys]

Actually, I am the one that will be doing the childcare. I'm currently a teacher and have decided to spend the next few years at home with my DD. I was looking to babysit part-time to supplement my husband's income. A family I met wants two days of care for their twins. I have no idea what to charge!

So...If I did $60 per day ($30 per child) that would be $120 a week. Does that sound too high or too low? Or just right?

I think $30 a day per child is a steal. These are infants, I would say about $35 per child. Especially take into consideration how many hours per day. If longer than 8 I would suggest $35 a day per child.

 

[Parkerpooh]

Well considering I'm a SAHM with 6 month old twins I think it's worth $10,000/day,lol!!! I'm planning on opening up my own home daycare in August and I just phoned around to daycare centres and to people who had their ads posted in the newspaper to figure out the average costs. One thing they do here is charge more for kids under 18 mths, usually $35-40, and then as they get to be easier and more social the rates drop to $25-30/day. Something to consider. Good luck to you!

 

[Suzanna1973]

I run an inhome daycare with my sister. We charge $30 per day for the first child $20 per day for the sibling. We are in Missouri.

 

[flipflop]

We paid $35 dollars per day, per child when our triplets went to someone's home for childcare as infants. We sent diapers, wipes, food, etc...our sitter did not provide those items. They went full-time. I would think you would be able to get a little more than that since the kids will only be there part-time.

I would not discount for siblings in this instance b/c you are dealing with infant twins, not two children of varying ages where one is more self-sufficient. I would consider adjusting the rate down once the children are not infants (or keeping it the same rather than adding in a COLA).

 

[alyssa810]

Im just south of Boston, which I'd consider just slightly less that NYC area prices, and when we were looking at in-home day cares, prices averaged anywhere from $40-$60 per day for full time care. I work a flexible work schedule so that I'm off every other Monday, and I was hoping to have a flexible day care schedule too (meaning, I didn't want to pay if he wasn't going to be there),but that didn't fly with anyone. We decided on a day care center that's really close to my office, and they offer a 10% discount off the 2nd child....

 

[fortheluvofpooh]

Actually, I am the one that will be doing the childcare. I'm currently a teacher and have decided to spend the next few years at home with my DD. I was looking to babysit part-time to supplement my husband's income. A family I met wants two days of care for their twins. I have no idea what to charge!

So...If I did $60 per day ($30 per child) that would be $120 a week. Does that sound too high or too low? Or just right?

In all honesty, it really really really depends on where you live. I do in home childcare, I live in the coal regions of the Pocono Mtns in PA. We are a low income town, funny, people will usually pay more to get the grass cut in other areas then I charge for childcare. On average in my town, the going rate it $2.00 an hour for one and each additional is $1.25 an hour extra.


Man oh Man I should babysit for NYers,... $18.00 an hour. My DH could quit his job.

 

[brymolmom]

A LOT depends on what you plan to do IMO. As a provider - as the babies get older - will you be doing any crafts/lessons, etc? Also, IMO you can charge more by offering to provide all food (and making it nutritious food and not PB&J all day every day) - since working parents consider that a huge benefit. My kids have been in an in-her-home provider since 3 mos old - and she is WONDERFUL - they came home from her house having learned to write their names at 2 and 3 years old - they always have birthday/mother's day/etc. 'cards' and crafts made for us. They read a lot and significantly limit TV time. They play outside a lot when able. These things are HUGE to a working parent. We had to use a part-time substitute for her for awhile, we paid the same price, but got PB&J only all the time - plus cookies every afternoon and the TV on all day long.....Will you be willing to drive to preschool programs eventually? That is another big benefit.

I think people will pay premium for a 'top quality' provider. Mine happens to be pretty cheap - but I would pay more for her. I pay $25 a day per child and I send them 3 times a week. She provides food - more often than not - hot meals plus fruits and veggies.

Don't forget the negatives of having someone do it at their house - no backups - anytime my sitter's own daughter is really sick or needs to go to an appointment, etc. - we get last minute notification that she can't take them. Luckily, this is rare, but it is something that needs to be offset.

Also a consideration - will you be claiming it? If the parents can't put your SS# on their forms, they won't get the tax write-off, so that should make it cheaper too. Daycare centers would be deductible and eligible for flexible spending accounts.

 

[Matt'nMeg'sMom]

I live in the suburbs of Denver. Childcare is phenomenally expensive. I paid $360 per week for two kids.

 

[Tnkrbelle565]

Wow...I'm moving! I pay $55/day for 1 child! That includes child care only...no meals. I bring all my own food and brought my own supplies when she was still in diapers. However, they do "school" for an hour in the morning, crafts every day, go outside everyday (unless it's a blizzard or pouring), don't ever let them watch TV. They take 5 weeks of vacation a year and every holiday. Holidays are paid...vacations are not. I would definately suggest making up a contract about those things.