What to charge for after school care?

[Kies99]

Our neighbor directly across the street has a son who will be in first grade this fall. They have asked if it would be possible for our 6th grade daughter to get him off the bus each day, 5 days a week and watch him for 45-60 minutes until the mom gets home. This will be around 4-5pm and would not involve dinner or anything. I will be home as well at this time, but it will totally be up to my daugther to watch him.

Any idea what we would be a fair rate to charge?

 

[bdoyledimou]

just enough to cover the liability insurance. nothing more.

 

[AJ1983]

I'm not sure what the going rate is for babysitters, but I did the same thing for my next door neighbor and was paid $8 a day (which I thought was alot), because babysitters normally got about $3 an hour.

 

[Freesia123]

$5 a day is readonable

 

[aprilgail2]

My daughter gets 12.50 an hour to babysit but I think if it was an everyday thing for an hour a day 40-50 a week would be ok. If they were to use the after school program here at the school they would be paying 100.00 a week.

 

[Dizisfun]

My daughter pays the person that gets her daughter off the bus until she gets off work $5 a day. They only have her for about an hour.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I would charge $8-$10 a day. One hour a day is not much time but that is a full time commitment that she will be there EVERY SINGLE DAY to watch their son. That is worth $10 a day. There is no way I would expect my child to be responsible for another kid for $5 a day. It would not be worth the time or trouble to bother with it. $10 a day/$50 a week is cheaper than any after school program she could get. The minimum I would let her take would be $40 a week. You don't realize what a big responsibility that will be for her. She can never make plans for after school with any of her friends or do anything until that child is picked up. And in most cases once the mom knows the child is being watched she will end up running late or running errands before picking him up and your daughter will end up watching him for more than an hour a day. So to be safe I would have her charge BY THE HOUR and not a flat weekly fee just in case the mom decides to try and take advantage of having an after school sitter and dragging out the time to more than one hour a day. I think $8 an hour would be fair.

 

[angierae]

The after school program here charges $7 a day no matter how long the child is there. I think 8-10 is reasonable to have him closer to home and not have to make a side trip to pick him up.

 

[brymolmom]

Agree with the $10 per day. While it isn't a lot of time every day - the having to do it EVERY day is a big deal. What about when a friend invites her over to a party on a Friday? What about when there is a dentist appointment you have to reschedule around this babysitting time? What about when the neighbor is late? Speaking of which...I would state it something like 'How about $10 for days when you're there by 5:00pm (or whatever an hour is) - and $15 if you're there after 5:00pm? Believe me - no matter how good of friends/neighbors you are - tensions will RISE if she starts 'taking advantage' and coming late with some frequency....Even if it's just 'because of traffic' each time. Having a monetary penalty DEFINITELY discourages that. You should also establish UP FRONT what happens on half days of school (if that applies), what happens on days off (will she 'assume' he can come there during the day), what happens on snow days, and HOW IS She PAID - ie: with cash at the end of each week???

 

[danygirl]

This means no staying after school for dd, no drs appt after school, no friends over... It is a huge commitment. FYI, my dd and I walk the neighbor's dog right after school most days and they pay $8 per day for that commitment plus they have a backup they can call if something comes up. IMO $8 per day is not enough

 

[MSSANDRA]

Is it going to be at their home or yours? Who's food will be be eating? First grade little boys are starving when they get home from school. I would really consider if you want to allow her to commit herself and you to every afternoon. I agree that OFTEN that hours gets later as mom stops at the store etc. I would only let her do it, at your home, for 30.00 per week for a max of 1 hour a day. I would also ask for a few snacks and drinks per week too.

 

[DizMe]

Wow, this must have a lot to do with where you live. There is NO ONE in my area that would EVER babysit for $5/hr. $25 a week for a commitment like that? Wow. It seems to me like it's sending a bad message to put such a low price on taking care of someone's child, but then I am not used to that kind of pricing here. I would not have my daughter do it for less than $10.

 

[englishteacha]

That is a huge commitment to expect of a 6th grader. I teach middle school, and my students often have sports, music practices, student council, after school study times, etc. What if your daughter wants to do a school play or join a sport? I'm not sure if I would let my daughter do it, to be honest. If you're going to allow her, then I wouldn't let her do it for less than $10 an hour.

 

[Janepod]

That is a huge commitment to expect of a 6th grader. I teach middle school, and my students often have sports, music practices, student council, after school study times, etc. What if your daughter wants to do a school play or join a sport? I'm not sure if I would let my daughter do it, to be honest. If you're going to allow her, then I wouldn't let her do it for less than $10 an hour.

I agree. I can't think of any teenage girl who would want this kind of commitment five days a week, either.

 

[Cindy B]

6th grade is a time for after school plans, activities, and extra help for academics. What if there is a group project due? What if the teachers ask for an after school study group? What if a review session is only after school? What about school plays, sports, band practice?

As a middle school teacher, I will say that activities will only enhance a middle school experience. If a student is not "plugged in", they may not take the academic part as seriously. Some kids are really social, and some aren't.

Last but not least, what if there is a delay at the middle school? Bus problem? Some of these middle school busses are delayed which causes a backup for elementary schools/high schools.

I would not put that commitment on a 11 year old. For you as an adult, maybe. Not an 11 year old.

The parent should really consider set school aftercare. These facilities

 

[LilyWDW]

That is a huge commitment to expect of a 6th grader. I teach middle school, and my students often have sports, music practices, student council, after school study times, etc. What if your daughter wants to do a school play or join a sport? I'm not sure if I would let my daughter do it, to be honest. If you're going to allow her, then I wouldn't let her do it for less than $10 an hour.

I agree. The 6th grader may be missing out on a lot of opportunities. I mean, she couldn't join any school clubs, the school play, do a sport, have an after school study group, or just spend time with friends after school. Have you really thought about just what this commitment would mean?

If you do decide to do it, then at least $10 an hour. Don't do a daily rate because people take advantage of that sort of thing.

 

[beansmom]

i don't think it will kill a 6th grader to 'work' for an hour a day...don't we all have to work daily? besides, money is good.

in our area babysitter is $12 an hour average. I would charge $10 for that hour....it's a steal.

 

[Kies99]

Thanks everyone so far for the replies.

My daughter is in a competitive baton twirling group and has been for a number of years. This takes up a lot of time so she doesn't do other activities. We've talked to her about all of this and it is her decision. She would watch him at our house and if he needs a snack it'd come out of our pantry. I (her dad) would be there every day as would her younger sister, but she would be completely in charge.

We just don't have any idea what to "charge".

 

[2disneyboys]

I think as long as your family is willing to stand behind this commitment to the neighbor, then ur daughter should do it and she should charge $10 an hour. (If nothing else, find out what the after school program cost and adjust from there) I 100% agree with setting an hourly vs daily rate to prevent being taken advantage of. Perhaps help your daughter write out a contract for this, And you should certainly address half days, snow days etc if they are a consideration. A written contract is good because it makes sure BOTH parties realize they are agreeing to the same thing. Include a "cancellation" clause (such as each party agrees to provide 2 weeks notice to terminate the contact or something g like that )

Overall, I think it's a great opportunity for life lessons.

 

[ssawka]

I know in VA the medicaid waver (paid by the state) is about $11 an hour. However, we cannot find anyone willing to provide after school childcare at that amount. It is killing us. I wish we had a neighbor here that was willing to do it.