Reasonable Babysitting Rate--FT? PT?

[nikkicole827]

Hi Ladies!  WOw I've not been on here in forever!  I have been so busy with school and Leah... who just FINALLY got her first tooth today at 7.5 months!  She's amazing, I love every breath she takes!  Anyway, I have a question for those of you "in the know".

In order to stay home with Leah this summer, I am looking into babysitting one child full time.  Does anyone know what a reasonable rate is?  Someone is interested in me watching their girl weekdays as well as the occasional overnight on the weekend.  I figured up just $5 an hour during the week and maybe $25 on the weekend for the night.  He and his wife both work full time and are both students and I want to give them an edge over daycare.  Do you think I am being reasonable?  I ask because I truly have no idea but would love to do this because it will keep me at home with my girl!  Theirs will be the only child I will watch.  Any ideas?  Thank you!

[RockRose]

nikki,  I think you should call a couple  local daycare and ask what their rate is, then look in the paper or on Craig's list for home day cares in your area to compare.  Rates vary SO MUCH across the country.

Best wishes.

[CYW]

here rates daily are depending on the age.. 45$ for an infant under 3...35$ for over 3...25$ for 6-12...this is a typical 8 hour day...I do think if you want to help and you dont mind making a little less than other daycares and it gives you money and you can do it.. I think it is reasonable:)

[tiredbuthappy]

i had dd in a daycare center (large chain) and it was $360/week for an infant. i now have her in a home. the lady charges $65/day for infants under 12 months old and $55/day for children over 12 months old. we thought this was a great deal.

i have babysat as well. in general, the going rate around here starts at $10/hr. heck, even my 15 year old sister makes $10/hr. of course, cost of living in our area is outrageous.

[nikkicole827]

My goodness where are you?  Sounds very expensive!  

CYW, I hope my rate would help them out!  5/hour would be $200/week.  I know when I looked into daycares around here they weren't cheap at all.  Plus I think there are benefits to having a babysitter over a daycare.  I will be getting CPR certified as well.  

[Trialanderror]

The cheapest in our area is 25.- $ per day for kindergarten kids in a private home, no ECE nor CPR training, no tax receipts, just the basics - but breakfast + lunch is prepared. A lot of older ladies in the neighborhood run it this cheap way but then have 8 kids in their care to make a living. 8 kids crammed into one living room, always sick and always watching TV.... In regular daycares with kindergarten the rate is around 170.- to 195,-$ per week. And infant rates are about 300.-$ per week.

[rubyolivia]

Nikki,
We pay $3/hour for Max at our sitter. She IS a good friend of mine's mother, so I think I'm getting a deal. I don't think $5 is unreasonable and $25 on weekends certainly isn't! You'll have a big advantage over a center because there will be more one on one, less germs, and pricewise, most daycares you pay regardless of whether your child is there or not. If you simply do it by the hour, they'll think that's alot better!

[kjbutcher]

on the flip side of ruby, if you are counting on the money and they dont show up for days and arent required to pay, you dont have the money you are counting on.  I think first of all you need to figure out how much money you NEED and figure out how to make sure you get that amount and anything else is extra.  Maybe something like 75/ week no matter what which covers 0-30 hours.  $5/ hour over 30 hours.  You may not think too much of it, but it is a big issue.  Here in MD, I am a licensed home daycare provider.  I charge $145/ week for under 2 and $110/week for over 2.  That includes food but they have to bring formula and diapers.  The one thing that is behind the scenes is licensed centers and homes get about $10/ day/ kid from the state to feed the children.  You wouldnt get that so you need to calculate in the cost of food.

[nikkicole827]

Yeah I do need to factor in the cost of food.  The girl is 3 years.  Still, I wont be hearing from her folks until the weekend... but if this doesn't work out, I hope to find a way to market the option to other parents.  Any ideas anyone?

[kjbutcher]

usually you have to be licensed to do any ads in newspapers.  You could try flyers at doctors offices or the Y.  have you though about just getting licensed?

[nikkicole827]

Well i'm looking into it being more of just a summer thing.  I have the summer off and then I will start classes four days a week in the fall and then student teaching full time in the spring so I was just hoping to save some parents some money for a summer while making a bit for my family!