Rates - Help?

[rhonda_wahm]

I was just recently laid-off from my full time job and am considering babysitting during the day. I have created my rates and am wondering if someone could give their opinion as to if they seem reasonable enough.

Here it goes ....

Hours - Mon - Fri 6:30a - 5:30p

PT 3 days or less
1st Child - $60
2nd Child - $40

FT 4 days or more
1st Child - $100
2nd Child - $75

I provide all meals, snacks and drinks. They provide formula, diapers and wipes if needed.

I am an unlicenced mother of three. I have checked around and this seems to be a fair rate. Can you give me your opinion??

[kimalee]

Some of it depends on your location. Personally here's what parents and I have worked out in my almost 4 years of in-home day care...I take their situations into account, along with #children. On average it's been $20-35/day per child. $20 for school-aged, $25-30/day for preschoolers, and $30-35 for infants...transportation needs, food, etc. are factored in.

And if you do it HAVE A CONTRACT or you'll likely regret it.

[rhonda_wahm]

Thank you for your reply. I have actually started providing Child Care already and have two families so far

I did write up a contract that covers anything that should come up

I also decided to go with a weekly rate instead of a daily rate simply because each child I have takes up a space for that week so I decided that was the best way to go for me

My parents also prepay me. So the first day that they come to drop their kids off they also pay me

[kimalee]

Originally Posted by rhonda_wahm

Thank you for your reply. I have actually started providing Child Care already and have two families so far

I did write up a contract that covers anything that should come up

I also decided to go with a weekly rate instead of a daily rate simply because each child I have takes up a space for that week so I decided that was the best way to go for me

My parents also prepay me. So the first day that they come to drop their kids off they also pay me

I'm so glad it is working out for you! Prepaying is definitely the way to go. I didn't always do that, but am glad I do now.

[rhonda_wahm]

That way there is no question as to whether or not you will be paid for that week. I made everything very clear because if it isnt worth my time then there is no sense in me doing it

[LiveTheLife]

I like that idea of pre-paying! I should switch mine over to that.

I have a question tho, if they do not pay you, do you tell them to turn around & go home?

[rhonda_wahm]

Originally Posted by LiveTheLife

I like that idea of pre-paying! I should switch mine over to that.

I have a question tho, if they do not pay you, do you tell them to turn around & go home?

Since I last posted I have been having parents Pre-Pay and have never had a problem with them bringing the money. If they do not have the money and do not have a good reason then yes they will be finding another sitter until they pay me. I am not babysitting for free. My time is worth something to me and I do not feel sorry for people that obviously dont feel sorry for you by trying to have you babysit for free. Here is how I see it... It would NEVER slip my mind to pay a sitter for my kids so I dont see how it could someone else's either. They know that you are doing this as an income therefore it should be no surprise that you expect to be paid for your services.

[mrsdchastain]

Originally Posted by rhonda_wahm

Thank you for your reply. I have actually started providing Child Care already and have two families so far

I did write up a contract that covers anything that should come up

I also decided to go with a weekly rate instead of a daily rate simply because each child I have takes up a space for that week so I decided that was the best way to go for me

My parents also prepay me. So the first day that they come to drop their kids off they also pay me

How did you find clients? I am also looking into babysitting a few children in my house. I'm unlicensed but was a nanny for 5 years and worked at a day care before that. I also baby sat and have taken child development classes in the past. I now have a 10 month old daughter. We just need a little more income coming in every week to make things work. I am having trouble finding clients. I have emailed my local school's PTO. But I'm pretty much clueless on how else to go about it. I'm also registered on care.com and sittercity.com.

[CrosswordLady]

Your rates are 1/2 what people charge in my area.

[kristengiglia]

im new to this site and not sure if my response is still wanted.. but just in case.. i am a recently licensed group family provider in NY and starting daily rate is $55-$65 per day. that seems to be the norm in this area... $55 being a great deal!