What should I charge for in home childcare?

Question

My neighbor is looking for someone to watch her preemie baby for about 5 months while she is working. I am thinking of doing it for her. (I have a three month old myself.) I have no idea what to charge though. I would imagine it would be worth more than daycare, which she is trying to avoid during his younger months. At the same time I don't want to over charge. Opinions? I asked her for a number but she put the ball back in my court.

oh yeah, she has no other options either because there is no openings around here for childcare until may 2007 for infants. She is on a waiting list. We aren't close friends, she sent a mass email out in the neighborhood looking for in home care. I offered for the extra money because we need it. Also, I have 3 kids so I kno what I am doing. My older two are in school during the hours she needs help, so that would work out well and my baby and her baby could be playmates.

Answer 1

Depends on for what ages.. Newborns-12mths you should probably charge around 125.00 - 150. But then again, I'm not an expert in the field. I think that would be a good price though

Answer 2

Home care shouldn't be more than daycare, especially if you are only someone helping out, not actually a registered home day care. A day for my child at a normal day care would be $32. My sitter gets $20 to watch my child for a full day, for a regular work week. I provide all I can, as far as the necessities, and lunch and drink and snacks. She watches my child at her house. Just to give you some idea. If it's only for a few hours, the rate is usually more per hour at places than if they are watching the child for a full day. At daycare, I think the rate is somewhere around $5, give or take, whereas when I checked into home daycares, it was anywhere from $2 an hour to $2.50 an hour, but I've heard that it varies. (I have a 2 yr. old)

Answer 3

It depends on where you live. I do in-home daycare in Iowa and I charge $135 a week for infants under 12 months. This is about $10-30 cheaper than the daycare centers in the area.

Answer 4

$20-25 a day is the gowing rate in Nevada. If it's a preemie, charge more towards $25. Lower the rate as the baby becomes less dependent.

Answer 5

i would say try out $40 per day. if she balks at that tell her you'd be willing to watch the kid for $30 per day. if she still thinks thats too tell her she needs to tell you what she can afford and you can always tell her yes or no to that answer. if she doesnt like that then she should get some prices from local daycares. my g/f and i had to do some hunting around but found 1 daycare willing to take my daughter for $5 per hour for the couple hours they are needed each day, otherwise her dad watches our daughter after he gets off work.

Answer 6

Call around to the day cares in your area. That will help you come up with a price. Don't short change yourself because it is your neighbor. Good in home daycare is priceless.

Answer 7

Check out what day cares around you are charging. I would charge less than them, just because she could go that route if she wanted to, and babies aren't TOO difficult (ie, they don't run around and get into things yet). Basically, it all depends on your area as prices vary.

Answer 8

where Im living at for in home child care they charge 100 a week.

Answer 9

I have a friend who pays 125/week for the same situation.

Answer 10

I think u should charge at least 40 dollars an hour.