What do you pay for child care?

[brettcw23]

For the past year I have been watching my niece and nephew from 730-430 daily. For this my sister pays me $75 per child per week ($15/day). The children are age 2 (still in diapers) and age 3. I feel like I'm giving her a great deal, but she is treating me like I'm ripping her off. I thought full-day day care ran more in the $25-30/ per day range. Am I off my rocker for feeling like she either needs to treat me better or pay me more?

I have used both a relative and currently Day Care...your prices are a steal for your family.

1. Pirces are higher based on the age of the child. The price decreases as the child gets older.
2. There is usually a discount based on multiple kids in Day Care.

New born thru 2 year old: $1013
2-3 year olds: $725 (3 days) FT is $982
4-5 year olds (Pre-K age): $692 (3 days) FT is $935

They offer a 10% discount on siblings.

These prices are for the month.

 

[Anthony1971]

In Northern NJ prices varied from 1200 a month down to 950 the lower cost places are part of a church and closed on certain holidays. No one charged a day rate as if they were closed for hoilday, reapirs, snow, child sick, child on vacation etc you still pay the same amount. prices are around 100-150 more when not potty trained.
Friends in NYC lets say 1200 was cheap and potty trained.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Based on what my friends pay I'd say our area (populated area of VA) would be around $150-200/week.

How about you ask your sister to call around and find prices and you'll charge her x% below the average? You'll probably be getting a big pay raise

In all seriousness I'd be a little miffed if my sister was accusing me of ripping her off, and I'd also call around myself. I think you're giving her a great deal!

 

[Laurawill]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I decided to let her know I felt I deserved a raise. In calling around the cheapest rate I have found for full day care for a toddler still in diapers is $150/per week for the one still in diapers and $125 for potty trained.

What really brought it to a head is when I did my taxes and realized the difference it makes in my taxes even after taking all the business deductions I can. It still made about a $1300 difference on the bottom line for me. It just isn't worth it to my and my family for me to be taken advantage of. So last night I called and let her know that things need to change. I told her rates are going up and I will likely be getting a job when my daughter starts school in the fall. I just can't help them out when it is causing me to have negative feelings toward them. It isn't worth the family relationship being severed. She was upset that I let myself get to a boiling point about it, and I know that she feels like I am putting her in a corner, but I did let her know that if she wants to make other arrangements I totally understand.

 

[indimom]

Licensed in-home day care provider (yes, my kids are napping ). I charge $100 a week per child. The centers here charge $130-175, depending on the age of the child.

Honestly, the going rate isn't the issue.
You have a business arrangement, if either of you are unhappy with the situation as it stands, you need to make alternative arrangments.
Problem solved.

For the record, I provided day care for ten of my nieces and nephews over the years. My sisters NEVER acted this way, they treated me like the professional I am. Your sis is being a bit rude if you ask me. Just because you are family doesn't mean you work for free (or peanuts). Your time and energy does have value and you get to decide what that value is.

ETA: I just saw your update (we were posting at the same time). Good for you !!

 

[goofyboyzmom]

For the past year I have been watching my niece and nephew from 730-430 daily. For this my sister pays me $75 per child per week ($15/day). The children are age 2 (still in diapers) and age 3. I feel like I'm giving her a great deal, but she is treating me like I'm ripping her off. I thought full-day day care ran more in the $25-30/ per day range. Am I off my rocker for feeling like she either needs to treat me better or pay me more?

Lets just put it this way: Your sister has a loving, trusted relative who loves her children watching them everyday so that she can go make a living. How much does SHE make - that she should try to make you feel guilty for trying to make a living. Even if you are already home, your time is valuable. Compare: $15/9 = $1.66 -- $1.66/2 = $.83. That is what you are making per hour, per kid. Here in Michigan you can work at McDonalds for $7.25 per hour -- you would only have to work less than 3 hours a day (with taxes taken out) and still make more.

I don't want to sound rude but I did this for 20 years. People want to pay the least amount of their money for the most important things in their lives. But they don't blink an eye at lunch out everyday -- a Starbucks coffee averages $4-$5 -- vacations -- etc. People do not appreciate what they have.

 

[okeydokey]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I decided to let her know I felt I deserved a raise. In calling around the cheapest rate I have found for full day care for a toddler still in diapers is $150/per week for the one still in diapers and $125 for potty trained.

What really brought it to a head is when I did my taxes and realized the difference it makes in my taxes even after taking all the business deductions I can. It still made about a $1300 difference on the bottom line for me. It just isn't worth it to my and my family for me to be taken advantage of. So last night I called and let her know that things need to change. I told her rates are going up and I will likely be getting a job when my daughter starts school in the fall. I just can't help them out when it is causing me to have negative feelings toward them. It isn't worth the family relationship being severed. She was upset that I let myself get to a boiling point about it, and I know that she feels like I am putting her in a corner, but I did let her know that if she wants to make other arrangements I totally understand.

Good for you. I am sure that was not an easy conversation to have.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I happen to have pricing for one of the local child care places right in front of me.

The 2 year old would be $234 a week (5 days)
The 3 year old would be $199 a week (5 days)

 

[Shleedogg]

That's an awesome price. My SIL has run an in-home daycare for at least 20 years (she's the oldest sibling, my DH youngest, 20 yr difference in age). She charges $25/day, this includes lunch and a snack; diapers or not. For family, she charges half that a day, per kid. She watches my DD once a week (I'm a SAHM) so I can have some downtime. We pay $12.50 a day. I have a job interview tonight for one of my dream jobs and she's willing to take both my girls for the PT hours, 15-20/wk. So I'll end up paying $25/day for her to have my potty trained three year old and my 9 month old who is of course, still in diapers. I would just have an honest conversation with your sister about how she's acting and how it's making you feel. Maybe she feels you should be doing it for free? Now, I don't agree with that at all but perhaps that's how she feels. I think your prices (along with my SIL's) are very generous! I'm so grateful to my SIL, we always make sure to give her a nice Christmas gift even though we don't buy for DH's other 6 siblings.

 

[dgr1973]

I don't want to sound rude but I did this for 20 years. People want to pay the least amount of their money for the most important things in their lives. But they don't blink an eye at lunch out everyday -- a Starbucks coffee averages $4-$5 -- vacations -- etc. People do not appreciate what they have.

You have summed it up perfectly! I also do home daycare and I feel the same way. Sometimes I think if these parents think they are being charged too much maybe they should just stay home with their own kids. I will say however the familes I watch accepted my rate and have never complained but I know others that have to deal with parents nickel and diming about everything!

 

[Starclassic]

I'm a babysitter. I watch an 8 year old boy 5 days a week, about 2-3 hours a day. I watch him after he gets off the bus from school until his mom comes home from work. I get $100 per week ($20 each day).

 

[englishteacha]

I have a friend whose child care center charges $300 a week for any in diapers, $250 for potty trained children. This is a licensed child care center with certified teachers/early childhood professionals in New Hampshire.

 

[daughtersrus]

You have summed it up perfectly! I also do home daycare and I feel the same way. Sometimes I think if these parents think they are being charged too much maybe they should just stay home with their own kids. I will say however the familes I watch accepted my rate and have never complained but I know others that have to deal with parents nickel and diming about everything!

I'm also a home daycare provider going on 20 years. My daily rate is $34/day for full time and $40 a day for part time (minimum of 3 days/week).

I claim all of my income on my taxes (of course I take the legitimate deductions) as every business should. I've had mostly great families but on occasion had some that complain. What gets me is that some of the ones that complained had my DD's babysit for them for date night. My DD's made more money the few hours that they watched the kid than I did the entire 11 hours that they were in my care.

 

[dgr1973]

My DD's made more money the few hours that they watched the kid than I did the entire 11 hours that they were in my care.

Ain't that the truth! My oldest dd babysits and she too makes more money for a few hours then I do for a whole day! I think there is something wrong with this picture I do enjoy babysitting, it allows me to be home for my kids before and after school but sometimes it would be nice to have some adult interaction!

 

[goofyboyzmom]

I'm also a home daycare provider going on 20 years. My daily rate is $34/day for full time and $40 a day for part time (minimum of 3 days/week).

I claim all of my income on my taxes (of course I take the legitimate deductions) as every business should. I've had mostly great families but on occasion had some that complain. What gets me is that some of the ones that complained had my DD's babysit for them for date night. My DD's made more money the few hours that they watched the kid than I did the entire 11 hours that they were in my care.

DITTO!! My kids made a fortune at night for the same people I sat for. They loved it. The parents knew they had a good thing though - and paid well to keep it!

 

[tinkerbell423]

People want to pay the least amount of their money for the most important things in their lives. But they don't blink an eye at lunch out everyday -- a Starbucks coffee averages $4-$5 -- vacations -- etc. People do not appreciate what they have.

I agree with this. I have worked in day care centers and as a Nanny. There are so many people looking for a bargin price for child care.

Now I watch my toddler neice and put my school aged neice on the bus for $25 a day. I am not annoyed by the amount they pay me, I am annoyed that when they watched my DD who was a preschooler at the time they charged me $30 and then raised it to $35. I also think it is becoming detrimental to our relationship because I am starting to feel annoyed about things they do.