OT: Childcare rates

[disneygal2007]

I am going to be licensed in 6 weeks and I am going to charge 100.00 per week
but want kids who are potty trained

 

[Camno's Mama]

I am watching my friends kids (2 and 5)...I pick the older one up from KDG and do all the feeding...I provide everything except for diapers. I take the kids on field trips to the zoo, the library weekly, to go get bagels, and to McDonald's once in a while. (We go other places and do other things, but those are my favorites).

I do claim taxes which, added to supplies to do art projects and food and outings, takes out about 100.00 of what they pay me. (I use organic foods with my kids and do not buy food that comes cheaply in general...I told my friend that it's one thing I wouldn't change if I started watching her kids and I didn't want to make two separate meals). A lot of home day cares save money by using cheaper options...not trying to judge, but I worked in day care for years and I know how it goes.

That all being said, I charge 300.00 a week. I do not make her pay for any day that they are not there...sick or if Grandma wants a day with them or whatever. I'm also very flexible about timing. I also have a degree in education and years of experience.

I think it's all about what you're getting for what you pay for. Someone who is doing the bare minimum shouldn't be getting paid as much as someone who is going above and beyond.

The truth is, if you trust her and she's fabulous and you're really happy with your childcare, that's worth something. And, in my experience, most people are willing to negotiate. It's worth a try!

 

[tnkr_bell]

Well I don't know about Nanny's, but I take my kids to an in home babysitter and she basically charges $25 a day per kid. I think $20 an hour is crazy, but I also lived in the mid west so rates here are going to be lower.

I think I would start by getting quotes from three seperate people and then showing her what they would charge to do exactly what she does. If she doesn't want to match those rates then maybe it's time to choose someone else.

 

[Camno's Mama]

Okay...I read that more closely. 20.00 and hour is outrageous. If I charged that much, I'd be making almost 900.00 a week! I would feel very bad about doing that to someone. I would look elsewhere...even a wonderful day care center wouldn't set you back that much, although, I do know that nannies are much more expensive.

 

[amyhughes]

My sons both had a babysitter when they were babies who charge us 20 a day and they were the only children there aside from her niece. And they were usually only there 4 days a week. $160/wk for one on one care. Couldn't beat it! Man I miss that woman! She was great with them!

Now I think we are at $1000 a month b/c oldest son is in Montessori full day and younger son goes to Preschool elsewhere until he can get the potty training to be more of a habit. But still if we looked into a nanny it would have been outrageuos compared with what we pay now. Plus you just cannot beat the socialization they get at Montessori.

 

[Nanu57v]

I definately think someone coming to your home will cost a lot more than say a daycare or taking the children to someone else's house. Keep in mind that daycares in your area can charge at least 400 a week for your two children, and having a nanny is more of a luxury than daycare. I would base my decision on qualifications. So the daycare center would cost about $10 an hour for both. I wouldn't pay someone unqualified as much as a teacher licensed in early childhood, for example. Also, the more you can pay, the happier the person will be and the more likely she/he won't be looking for another job. You want the person watching your kids to be happy. If keeping costs low is more important, then perhaps the best option would be a daycare center where there are regulators watching the staff to ensure they are doing a good job.