What's the going rate in your area?

[kjm]

Hey y'all!

3 of the kids I watched for almost 2 years just left me because they are moving. My rates seem to be in the middle of rates in my area. Some places charge anywhere from $100 to $150.. I charge $125/wk/kid (I do give sibling discounts)... Just curious what your rates are and if it works for you?

I'm asking because I've had a few responses to my ads and profile on care.com and sittercity.com and some of the people are saying that they can't afford my rate... but I don't feel as if I should lower my rate because I see others charging a lot more and I work a lot of hours so I don't feel I should lower my rate to be "affordable" for certain people... so I'm wondering if people are just wanting to save a buck.. or if I'm being unreasonable?

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance!!!

Katie

[Johny.Sam]

In Northern California, according to my inspection it was minimum of $10/hour. Anything less than that isn't worth people's time. For a full-time nanny, I would suggest for more than that. You are caring for someone's child, so they should be willing to pay a competitive rate. Although you can consider discount to parents having more than one child.

[kjm]

Thanks for the advice. I live in VA and I currently charge $125/wk (which allows 50 hrs/10 hr days)... which equals out to be $2.50 per hour!!!!! insane.. .and I started this topic because I had someone tell me that $125/wk was too much and out of their budget... so I said okay sorry I won't accept them then... NEXT lol I'm sorry but my time is worth something more than a couple dollars an hour. I am caring for your child... the least you could do is respect my time and my worth.

I have someone else that wants me to watch their son 7 in the morning til 7 at night and pay $125... I plan on telling them if they want me to watch their son that is fine.. but for 12 hr days 5 days a week I would require at least $200/wk... that's a lot of hours for me to watch for the bare minimum. Definitely wouldn't be worth my time and energy.

Again, thank you for the response! I was hoping someone would respond. Unfortunately most people around here won't pay $10/hr... my hourly rate is $8/hr and I've had people complain about it... I just don't understand it...

[kjm]

I also wanted to ask you... is that typically what people charge in CA? $10/hr?

Just curious cause I have a lot of people around here competing charging $65-$100/wk for hours of 5 am to 7 pm..including all meals and snacks... I just don't see how they can afford to do that...?

[freemom497]

I pay $5 per hour for my child to be watched by a babysitter but its at the babysitter's home and she has other children there. If I wanted someone to come to my home and watch only my child, it would be $10 an hour

[mamabird11]

in kansas/kansas city area it is about 150$ a week for an infant full time, I have it is 30-35$ a day part time. Big centers want about 260-285$ a week for an infant. Now go across the border to Missouri and you could get your child watched in home for about 80-90 a week.

I personally couldn't afford 35$ a day but if I do end up WOHM daycare will be paid half by my kids father so that I can afford, which will end up being about 30$ a day for me and 30# a day for their father for 2 kids.

And no if someone is making minimum wage paying 125$ will not be doable.

Minimum wage is 7.25 an hour so at 40 hours that is 290$ a week gross before taxes! and 125$ a week is steep. Make sure you are telling people about SRS or whatever state agency helps with childcare, some people do not realize they may qualify for state assistance.

[missrosie]

In southern California, I charge $200/week for an infant for full time care M-F. Infant here is a child under 2 years old. Toddlers 2+ I charge anywhere from $185/week, The older children 3+ I charge $165/week, these are full time rates. Elementary school age children are $120/week. I've been doing daycare since 2007 and rates have needed to change slightly from year to year to stay in competition with other daycares in my area.

[bmgj]

I babysit my beautiful Granddaughter most wkends for free. should we grandparents charge for babysitting out realitives?

[Lydia2000]

I did daycare in the summer and got 7USD per hour... think that was really badly paid...

[peaceunity]

When I had my home daycare I charged 120 a week. I called different providers in the area to get a feel for the rate, without telling most of them that I would be opening my own business. I am sure my area has gone up in price since. I live in WI/MN area and some also offer second or third shift care here at a different rate.
We are from Ca and I know daycare out there is a lot hire, understandably so.