Need advice about babysitting rates
TV ClubHouse: archives: Need advice about babysitting rates
Hippyt | Monday, August 12, 2002 - 07:08 pm     Hi friends! My neighbor came over tonight to talk to me about babysitting her 2 boys during the new school year. I definitely want to do it,but I had no idea what to charge! One of the boys is 6 and will be here after school 2-3 hours a day. The other is 4 and will be in pre-k for 3 hours a day,and here about 6 hours a day. So,it's kind of a full-time thing with the small one. I know rates are different,in different areas.I live in Houston,Tx. I'd just like to have a basic range to be able to discuss with her,instead of being totally lost! Thanks!!!! |
Bookworm | Monday, August 12, 2002 - 07:15 pm     Well Hippy, I know what I tell you will be way cheap for a large city... (BTW, Wiggle is almost 1, and age <ie level of care> makes a difference in rates.) Wiggle's daycare charges by the hour. It's $1.50 an hour. This is nice because NC gets different days off every week. But the first daycare we used charged $80 for a full week or $16 dollars a day. We live in a small town in Iowa, so I am sure this is nowhere near comparable to rates in Houston. Good Luck! |
Pamy | Monday, August 12, 2002 - 07:31 pm     I would call some of the child care centers in your area, pretend your checking on rates for your kids(and use the ages of the ones you will watch). Get an average and go from there, also the neighbor should keep in mind her kids will get one on one care from you and not 10 to 1 as in a daycare. I would also mention to her your willing to help the 6yr old with his homework, that way it would be done when she picked him up and she wouldnt have to fight to get him to do and could enjoy him and just go over it in the evening.
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Halfunit | Monday, August 12, 2002 - 07:38 pm     ... AND take into consideration the following: meals? do you have access to her house for clothes, toys? will you be required to transport them anywhere? I don't have kids, but I am a planner by nature... OH, and probably most importantly - have her put you on the school list as a trusted adult, and get something in writing about treatment at an emergency room if an accident happens. |
Hippyt | Monday, August 12, 2002 - 07:57 pm     Great ideas everyone! I was sitting here thinking I'm really going to need to write up a "contract" of sorts. As in,when a child is too sick for school,he's too sick for my house,too. I have my own kids too! My son used to be in home daycare,and I loved the lady who kept him. She had a very detailed contract. I don't really need that,but I don't really know this lady that well,and I'd rather avoid conflict down the road by making things clear up front. Pamy,the call around idea came to me a few minutes ago. I'll be "pretend" childcare searching tommorrow! I like the homework idea too,because my son will also have homework,and I can get them to sit down and do it all together!(My son is a year younger,he'll think it's cool!) Oh,yeah,and halfunit,you're right at least one meal,and two snacks have to be included in this too. It's not like the old days,when some old neighbor lady used to watch me!! lol Keep the ideas coming folks! Thanks! |
Maris | Monday, August 12, 2002 - 08:46 pm     Your post drew my attention or at least the post that said a daycare only charged $1.50 an hour. Made me think what sort of care they are giving. Now you mentioned that you dont know the woman all that well. Do you know the children well? I would suggest taking the kids off her hands for one afternoon before the school year to decide if you want to be around them for extended periods and if they get along with your kids. I had a friend that took in two kids after school every day and at first it was a wonderful idea. Then her own kids started feeling resentful with the attention. Her youngest started having problems in school because she was dividing her homework attention. I dont want to be a downer but its something to think about especially if you are only going to get paid four or five bucks an hour. |
Hippyt | Monday, August 12, 2002 - 09:52 pm     Maris,I appreciate your concern. I know the children very well,they are here for most of the day.They are two well behaved boys. When I had children,at the fairly late age of 32,I discovered children are a lot more fun than adults! I'm that House,the one that ALL the kids go to,the Mom with the kool-aid and popsicles. I don't mind. |
Bookworm | Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 05:31 am     Actually the daycare that charges $1.50 an hour is very good. She is not in it for the money. She has been in child care here for about 30 years and works with the kids at their developmental level. She and Wiggle have been practicing walking for example. I see her playing educational games with the older kids. The TV is very seldom on. She is from Panama originally, and teaches the kids a little Spanish as well. This lady makes the most wonderful meals (lasagna, spaghetti and meatballs, turkey <the whole bird> and dressing, homemade beef and noodles, etc.) and the older kids get lessons on cooking. Another plus is that my cousins also go to this daycare, so Wiggle gets to spend time with them. The small town that I live in had only in-home daycares as an option until early this summer. A child care center did just open up, but it is not affordable to us at this time, and we are happy with the care Wiggle is getting at this in-home daycare. |
Bookworm | Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 05:33 am     Oh and again you have to remember we live in a town of about 5000 in Iowa. So the price is slightly lower than other in-home options in the area, but still comparable. |
Grooch | Tuesday, August 13, 2002 - 07:28 am     Does the lady plan on deducting what she pays you on her income tax return? If so, you will have to give her your Social Security number. This way, the IRS can check to make sure that you are paying taxes on your income. Just something to think about. |
Mammyyokum | Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 02:37 am     I would check with the local welfare department and find out what licensed day care providers in your area are charging. |
Hippyt | Wednesday, August 14, 2002 - 08:15 pm     Bookworm,I know in a lot of smaller towns day care is a lot cheaper. That's why I mentioned where I live,rates vary so widely. I'm still working on it,lol. Thanks for all the ideas gals! |
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