I currently babysit a 2 year old from about 8am to 6pm M-F. The mother pays me $100/week. A friend of hers wants me to watch her 5 year old daughter from 4pm to 6pm or 6:30pm M-F. She is about to call me in the next 20 minutes. How much do I charge per week? I will provide one snack. Thanks so much!!!!

By Rayanne on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 10:38 am:

I really don't know, but I think anywhere between $30-$50 a week is good since it's only for 2 hours. The $50 one is probably much but it is also $5 an hour if you look at it that way. HTH

By Emily7 on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 10:40 am:

I agree with Rayanne.

By Cybermommyx4 on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 10:41 am:

I would have said $10 per afternoon, too. Those "snacks" can get expensive ;)

By Kaye on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 10:43 am:

My friend paid 10 a day for 1 hour in the morning. They served breakfast (2 kids). So I would say that is reasonable.

By Amy~moderator on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 10:45 am:

Keep them coming! She hasn't called yet - thanks so much for responding SO FAST! You all are great!

By Audreyj on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 10:45 am:

In coorporate daycare in GA, she would pay about $100 a week for an after school program from 2PM-6PM, even if the parent picks up the child early they pay the same rate.

So, for 2 hours, 21/2 hours, half of what she would pay in daycare seems fair. I would charge somewhere around $40-$50.

It is your own personal business, of course, but you may be under-charging your 2 year old's Mom. That's 50 hours (10 hr days X 5 days) $2 hour. If you are comfortable with $2/hr. then the afternoon care would be 2hours and 30minutes for 5 days, 12 1/2 hrs. X $2hr would be about $25 a week, great deal if you can get it!

Just for your own info. in GA, daycare rates for 2 year olds run somewhere around $150-$200 week.

Audrey

By Amy~moderator on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 10:54 am:

Audrey, thanks! I'm thinking $45 - but keep giving opinions!

By Conni on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 11:16 am:

Well, after school care here is about $40 per week *I think*. It runs from 3:30-5:30 or 6:00pm. They provide one snack, do crafts, homework time, playtime on playground.

My kids arent in it but friends kids are. It might be $50 a week now--its been a few yrs since I discussed it with anyone.

Also you might let her know you will charge extra if she is more than 15 min late for example...

By Vicki on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 11:23 am:

I tend to think that you should keep it similar to what your charging the first child. Hardly seems right that you have one child for 50 hours and the other for only 10 to 13 and charge about half the amount of the full time one!! That is just my opinion though. but if the two are friends, this will be talked about between them!

By Palmbchprincess on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 11:37 am:

My sitter watches my kids for a VERY cheap rate, but most daycares in the area cost $75 per child per week. They charge this if it's 2 hours or 8 hours. I would say $50 is a good price.

By Kate on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 12:32 pm:

I know you didn't ask this, Amy, but I sure would up the rates on the first child! Those are LONG hours with a two year old and $100 isn't very much. I agree that the second lady is going to wonder why she is being charged half the first, yet her child is only 10 hours a week. So, raise the other rates, too.

By Boxzgrl on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 12:44 pm:

Amy... you're cheap, wanna watch Kaitlyn?!?!?! LOL! Daycare here runs about $300.00 a week for one child from 6am until 5 pm. I think the $50.00 sounds good. I watched my neighbors child while she was in a big financial situation and charged her $10/day from 7:30 am until 4:30 pm, otherwise she was going to have to pay like $280/week.

So, how many kids are in your house now? 5
You've got major guts!!!!! LOL!

By Truestori on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 01:03 pm:

I agree Amy...you are charging very minimal but if its a friend then it is understandable. LOL

I'm sure the other lady mentioned something about the rate you are charging her so I would say 45-50 would be fair..

Ok, so how does Mike feel about all this added company?

By Kolbysmom on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 01:23 pm:

I watch a 5 year old. I pick her up at school at 3 and she gets picked up between 5 and 5:30. I charge $40.

By Amy~moderator on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 03:12 pm:

Okay, I'm charging $35, because I just found out that it will only be for 1 hr or 1.5 hrs. Plus, I will not be providing a snack as she will bring her own. So, I think that is reasonable.

As far as the two year old I babysit, $100 doesn't sound like much, but it is worth it! For example, whenever my kids are sick - her mom watches her daughter and I still get paid the same. If her daughter gets sick and stays home, I still get paid. I never watched the little girl at all last week because both her and her mother had step. I still got paid $100. I watched the girl Monday and today and will watch her tomorrow. Something came up with her mom for Tues and Wed, but I still get paid the same. See what I'm saying? I'm not going to mess with a good thing. LOL

How many kids in the house now? 5! Mike doesn't mind, though. We really need this money for Christmas though. Thanks again everyone!

By Palmbchprincess on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 04:10 pm:

Amy, I can totally see where you are coming from. I pay my sitter $75 every two weeks, because she usually only has the kids 1 or 2 days b/c of Nate's schedule. If she doesn't have them at all, or she can't watch them, I still pay her. On the flip side if I need her more in a week I don't pay extra. I provide all food and snacks, and everything else. It seems totally cheap, but it works for her, and for us. I think you made a good choice at $35, seems reasonable!!

By Cat on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 04:13 pm:

I have one little boy (1st grade) two days a week after school for about 2 hours each day and they pay $25 a week. I also have his 4yo sister 2 1/2 days a week, and I transport him to karate on Mondays with my kids. Going rate here is between $50-$75 a week for before/after care, depending on the hours.

By Feona on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 08:40 am:

In new york it would be $25 a day for 1/2 day.

By Karen~moderator on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 09:00 am:

Jules pays $135 a week for Madison's Montesorri preschool - although as honorably discharged military with disability, she gets about 75% reimbursement for that.

If what you are charges works for you, then continue as you are. There are advantages to doing it the way you are, Amy.

By Amy~moderator on Friday, September 24, 2004 - 12:28 pm:

Thanks everyone. I feel "right" about what I'm charging. There are many perks, especially not getting that worried feeling when I wake up to one of my kids sick. All I have to do is make a call - no problem, and I still get paid.