What to charge for after school care?

[MSSANDRA]

I think you need to at least think through every aspect of the arrangement. We did something similar when I was a kid and again with my DS so sorta been there,

Remember that 1st and 6th grades are not that far apart. My 6 year old has a 5th grade cousin that he plays often and well wit. Can your child separate the play from the discipline? What if they both get into it? Will you discipline them both? What about the younger siblings? How will he work into the play/ discipline equation?
Who sets the rules on where he can play, and what he can do? It really is a lot more to the mix than money and with his family as neighbors, you really want to avoid hurt feelings and other issues.

 

[Kellydelly]

I think that $10 an hour seems like too much, I mean around here (SE MI) the latch-key program after school (at the school, which is offered till 6:00 pm) is only $3.75 per kid an hour. Does your district have that option? I would think $5-8 an hr tops would be reasonable. I mean, if she is making $25 a wk, that is $100 a month which seems like a nice sum for a 12 yr old. I think I would ask for $6 or 7 per day, no matter if they need her or not (like make a contract that if she signs on for this committment they have to pay her if she is available and there is school, if she is sick and can't do it then she doesn't get paid, or if there is no school because of holiday she doesn't get paid).

 

[powellrj]

I think $10 a hour is a bit much to pay a 6th grader to watch a child an hour a day afterschool. I think $25 a week would be more in line.

 

[gbanshee]

I paid $25 a week. And she got that $25 a week if she watched him 1 day or 5 days.

 

[Emteach]

If my sister were to do this for up to an hour she would charge $8 an hour as this is a very big commitment for a 6th grader and the parent of the young boy should understand that.

I agree with the comments about it costing more if they are late. I know that in babysitting both myself and my sister have had experiences of people taking advantage - consistently being late or not having enough cash on them, etc.

I think any less than $8 (or $40 a week) would not be fair to your daughter (and you for having to provide snacks etc.)

 

[McKelly]

Before you allow her to make that commitment, are you willing to watch the kiddo in case she does have an after school thing? If you are, then I think the commitment is fine, the neighbor probably had that in mind anyway. I would have her charge $5.00 a day, $25.00 a week, after all, it is your neighbor...maybe I am too charitable?

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

It's going to eventually take a toll on everyone, just to have that little boy in your house every day! It now not only commits your dd to that time, but you as well. I think that $50 a week is good, especially considering he's going to eat your food and drink your drinks...and tie the whole family down every school day. What are her plans for snow days, early dismissals, etc. Be ready for those to come up. I totally agree with writing up some sort of contract, because some parents will push the 5:00 (I'm a daycare provider, and have first hand experience with parents who go later and later).

Yes..$50 a week for a 12 year old is a lot. If it were my dd, I'd probably make her save half. It's just such a big commitment for only $25/week (especially since it commits you as well).

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

I agree with so many others that say charge $10 an hour.

 

[LuLuO]

I'd definitely draw up a contract. What if that 5pm gets pushed 15-30 minutes? You need to have an extra charge built in if she is late getting home. You can't think about a contract not being neighborly. You are making the contract to preserve a good neighborly relationship. Charging a late fee is fair to your daughter and will possibly help ensure that the neighbor doesn't take advantage of your daughter.

I'd charge $10 per hour up until 5pm and then tack on an extra $5 for every fifteen minutes she is late (rounding up to the 15 minute intervals).

Five days a week is a big commitment even if it is only for an hour. I would have reservations about my child being able to fulfill that commitment. Never being able to go to a friend's house directly from school, and never being able to participate in a study group or other after school activity cold become big issues for a young kid. I think if you are willing to step in and provide care when your daughter has something else come up then go for it. Otherwise, I'd tell the neighbor that it is too much for your daughter right now. That way your neighbor has time to find after school care. Better to say it now than have your daughter get tired of it three months in and then the neighbor is scrambling to find care.

 

[ssawka]

I'd definitely draw up a contract. What if that 5pm gets pushed 15-30 minutes? You need to have an extra charge built in if she is late getting home. You can't think about a contract not being neighborly. You are making the contract to preserve a good neighborly relationship. Charging a late fee is fair to your daughter and will possibly help ensure that the neighbor doesn't take advantage of your daughter.

A contract, other than for both parties being aware of the agreed upon terms, is useless unless it is enforceable and you are willing to go to court over a breach. I don't think that would be the case in this situation. I do agree that documenting the agreed upon terms is not a bad idea, just don't expect a contract to offer any kind of protection against breaches.

 

[LuLuO]

A contract, other than for both parties being aware of the agreed upon terms, is useless unless it is enforceable and you are willing to go to court over a breach. I don't think that would be the case in this situation. I do agree that documenting the agreed upon terms is not a bad idea, just don't expect a contract to offer any kind of protection against breaches.

Maybe "contract" was the wrong term? Would "written agreement" be correct? I would just want some sort of documentation so I could feel better about telling the other party to take a hike if they did not follow the terms of that agreement - email, text, signed piece of paper, something. I'd never expect to go to court in a situation like this but I guess you never know. People are crazy.

 

[aprilgail2]

I think $10 a hour is a bit much to pay a 6th grader to watch a child an hour a day afterschool. I think $25 a week would be more in line.

Why because it is a 6th grader should it be worth any less? She is still committing the same time as anyone else would and should be paid like anyone else would! No way would I let my daughter make such a big committment for 25.00 a week.

 

[ajk912]

Why because it is a 6th grader should it be worth any less? She is still committing the same time as anyone else would and should be paid like anyone else would! No way would I let my daughter make such a big committment for 25.00 a week.

While I agree that $25 a week is too low, I disagree with the practice of paying kids much more than minimum wage. A 6th grader doesn't have the same life experiences and skills as an adult, so obviously their labor is going to be worth less, and not only that, we want to give our kids a reasonable expectation of the amount of work that goes into work and how much you can expect to make from that 'work'. I am assuming the pay is already going to be under the table so the kid is already going to be coming ahead to not pay taxes. Let's say a kid is working at McDonalds, they are probably (after taxes) pulling in 6 dollars an hour- to work in hot conditions, muck toilets, etc- for an 8 hour day, that's only $48! And I know that some will use the tired excuse of, "there's so much responsibility in childcare", well, for one, a 12 year old (heck a 16 year old) is still a minor so there needs to be an adult somehow supervising (even if by phone, if needed) so the child is never truly alone. Even working at McDonalds, there is responsibility, you have to make sure you are following food safety codes or hundreds-or more- of people could get very very sick.

 

[danielle79]

I literally do this but only once or twice a week, I have a 7 & 9 year old and pay the 12 year old across the street to get them off the bus and stay at our house until someone gets home usually no more than 30 minutes. She took her babysitting course and is basically playing with my girls ( I don't expect her to get them a snack or help with homework, even though she sometimes does) I pay her $6 for a half an hour, she is thrilled! I agree it is a big commitment everyday and the child will be eating your food, so $10 an hour seems very reasonable, not to mention the first grader's parent knows you(an adult) are home if any emergency should come up.
Side note- $3 an hour is a joke I use to get paid better than that when I babysat 20+ years ago!!!

 

[DLgal]

I did this for my hairdresser when I was in 11th grade. But, I watched TWO kids, 6 and 8, from 3-6pm, three days a week.

I was paid (and this was a LONG time ago--20 years), $100 per week for this, or around $10/hr.

I would suggest that this woman find TWO people who are willing to take on this job. One would do it M-W-F, the other T-Th. This allows some degree of flexibility for the students involved. Often, there will be things like group projects to work on, or after school clubs, appointments, etc. that get in the way.

Also, does this parent have a backup plan for days that school is out? Will your daughter be expected to babysit all day? What happens if your daughter is sick and can't do it one day?

OP, honestly, if YOU can do it, just offer to do it yourself and ask for $50 a week. This seems like too much responsibility to put on a 12 year old, IMO. Maybe you can make your daughter be responsible for "entertaining" the kid for the hour at your house, and then split the money with her or something.

 

[DLgal]

While I agree that $25 a week is too low, I disagree with the practice of paying kids much more than minimum wage. A 6th grader doesn't have the same life experiences and skills as an adult, so obviously their labor is going to be worth less, and not only that, we want to give our kids a reasonable expectation of the amount of work that goes into work and how much you can expect to make from that 'work'. I am assuming the pay is already going to be under the table so the kid is already going to be coming ahead to not pay taxes. Let's say a kid is working at McDonalds, they are probably (after taxes) pulling in 6 dollars an hour- to work in hot conditions, muck toilets, etc- for an 8 hour day, that's only $48! And I know that some will use the tired excuse of, "there's so much responsibility in childcare", well, for one, a 12 year old (heck a 16 year old) is still a minor so there needs to be an adult somehow supervising (even if by phone, if needed) so the child is never truly alone. Even working at McDonalds, there is responsibility, you have to make sure you are following food safety codes or hundreds-or more- of people could get very very sick.

Just have to comment here. Babysitting is WAY different that working fast food. I did both as a teenager. I got paid a lot more to babysit, and that didn't mean that I was any less responsible about my work ethic once I started working in fast food because I was getting paid less. Babysitting comes with responsibilities that are far more important than those in being a "worker bee" at a restaurant. You are dealing with being responsible for people's CHILDREN. Children get hurt. Children do dangerous things. Children are often careless and require constant supervision. Babysitters can't usually be "turned off". It's an exhausting job. When I did babysitting after school as a high school student, I took care of a first and third grader (boy and girl siblings). I had to get them off the bus, prepare them a snack, spend time playing with them outside, and help them with their homework, all the while making sure that nothing bad happened to them. One day, one of them fell of his bike and got hurt VERY badly. He hit a pothole in the road, flew off his bike, and broke his arm. I had to call my mom to take him to the ER, where he parents met up with them, and then I had to stay with his sister at home for the rest of that evening until his parents got home with the son. Stuff like that doesn't happen at McDonald's...

Babysitters deserve (IMO) minimum wage x number of kids they are watching, per hour. No less.

 

[ajk912]

Just have to comment here. Babysitting is WAY different that working fast food. I did both as a teenager. I got paid a lot more to babysit, and that didn't mean that I was any less responsible about my work ethic once I started working in fast food because I was getting paid less. Babysitting comes with responsibilities that are far more important than those in being a "worker bee" at a restaurant. You are dealing with being responsible for people's CHILDREN. Children get hurt. Children do dangerous things. Children are often careless and require constant supervision. Babysitters can't usually be "turned off". It's an exhausting job. When I did babysitting after school as a high school student, I took care of a first and third grader (boy and girl siblings). I had to get them off the bus, prepare them a snack, spend time playing with them outside, and help them with their homework, all the while making sure that nothing bad happened to them. One day, one of them fell of his bike and got hurt VERY badly. He hit a pothole in the road, flew off his bike, and broke his arm. I had to call my mom to take him to the ER, where he parents met up with them, and then I had to stay with his sister at home for the rest of that evening until his parents got home with the son. Stuff like that doesn't happen at McDonald's...

Babysitters deserve (IMO) minimum wage x number of kids they are watching, per hour. No less.

I could never afford you then, I have three kids, apparently according to your pay grade just over $21 an hour would be expected.

For reference point, I did before/after care a few years back, and I charged $5 per hour per kid. I did have sibling discounts but I never had siblings. As an adult I felt justified in charging that rate since I had quite a few years of childrearing experience by that point. When I was pricing around the YMCA charged $75 a week for b/a care, so I was in line with my prices, though the Y did offer more activities for the kids to do. I did homework help, snacks, wii, backyard play, etc, the normal at-home-caregiver stuff.

 

[DLgal]

I could never afford you then, I have three kids, apparently according to your pay grade just over $21 an hour would be expected.

Well, then so be it. Our local After School child care program charges $177 per week for JUST afternoon care, for three kids. Elementary kids arrive at the program around 3:45 and have to be picked up by 6pm, no later. That works out to just over 10 hours per week, so the rate is about $17/hr for three kids.

Minimum wage is what, $7.25/hr (federal). This is only a little under that. I, personally, feel that babysitters should get paid MORE than institutionalized child care, but for whatever reason, it's always less. If someone is at my house, watching my kids, they are giving 1:1 attention. And, my kids get to be where they are comfortable. How is that not worth more?

I have two kids. I wouldn't even consider paying a babysitter less than $15/hr to watch them. They are both on the Autism spectrum, so maybe that plays into it. I would actually pay $20/hr comfortably, to someone who has experience with kids like mine.

Those kids clubs at Disney are something like $12/kid, per hour! Sibling discount is like $2 off per hour. So, you are still paying over $10/hr per kid. And, they have MINIMUM of 3 hours or something.

I find it odd that people are always trying to find discounts on their child care! Just don't get it. It's not something I would bargain shop.

 

[Granny square]

Babysitting is a million times easier than working crap food. I did both, including working as a nanny for 4 years. Perhaps I see it that way because I like interacting and relationships. Kids get hurt, usually when they aren't supervised. Occasionally a fall off a swing occurs and they get hurt when supervised. You document, bandage, encourage and move on. No big deal. I always find it amazing when people think it is soooo hard. I suspect they are the same people who read the lists of what sahm's do an the worth and agree. (And yes, I've spent many years as a sahm, loving it.)

 

[ajk912]

Well, then so be it. Our local After School child care program charges $177 per week for JUST afternoon care, for three kids. Elementary kids arrive at the program around 3:45 and have to be picked up by 6pm, no later. That works out to just over 10 hours per week, so the rate is about $17/hr for three kids.

Minimum wage is what, $7.25/hr (federal). This is only a little under that. I, personally, feel that babysitters should get paid MORE than institutionalized child care, but for whatever reason, it's always less. If someone is at my house, watching my kids, they are giving 1:1 attention. And, my kids get to be where they are comfortable. How is that not worth more?

I have two kids. I wouldn't even consider paying a babysitter less than $15/hr to watch them. They are both on the Autism spectrum, so maybe that plays into it. I would actually pay $20/hr comfortably, to someone who has experience with kids like mine.

Those kids clubs at Disney are something like $12/kid, per hour! Sibling discount is like $2 off per hour. So, you are still paying over $10/hr per kid. And, they have MINIMUM of 3 hours or something.

I find it odd that people are always trying to find discounts on their child care! Just don't get it. It's not something I would bargain shop.

I am not asking for your salary but I will mention mine, at my last job I made $11 an hour. Maybe that's why I was more understanding and didn't charge exorbitant rates, because I know what the average worker makes. Luckily, when I needed care for my kids, people were sympathetic and didn't charge me through the nose. That also, obviously, plays into why I couldn't afford to pay $21 an hour (or $17 an hour) for childcare, it's not that I was trying to "bargain shop."