Attn: parents how much would you pay?

Question

I'm a SAHM of two boys ages 1yr and almost 3. Looking to watch acouple toddlers in my home to supplement our bills... While I'm not licensed I do have first aid cert/CPR.. I have a modest ranch in a really nice neighborhood, a private, fenced in yard with age appropriate toys. A/C and a downstairs playroom family room... My home is childproof. I wanted to charge for full-time $150 a week which included 2 meals/2 snacks the parents are responsible for formula if any and diapers if any as well as a change of clothes for each child.. I had a woman interested that I was willing to drop the price from $150-$125 however she needed me from 5:30 am - 5:30 pm M-F. She said that I was charging too much... Another woman wanted me to watch her child full time as well 32-40 hours, so I dropped it again to $100 and she said I was charging too much I've called other daycares and I'm wanting 1/2 or less than those... What is up with people and not wanting to pay? I live in Ohio suburb of Cleveland

Thanks for verifying that I'm not crazy ! I did the craigslist thing... I just needed to know if I was being "greedy"...

Remember, to watch someone else's children I would have to re-schedule my own children's doc. appts etc... So, my time is as valuable as anyone else's...

These "people" had two incomes both parents working full time.... The one person I quoted$100 a week was actually working 10 hrs. a day for Merry Maids.. So it was like $2.00 an hour breakdown and to be available at 5:30am-5:30pm... What between her/husband they couldnt' spare $10 a piece per day? Get real..!

Thanks for everyone's input- even if I disagreed it was good to read other's points of view.. I just think even though I'm "ONLY" a SAHM that my time is just as valuable as the next person and I don't want to take advantage or be taken advantage of as well.... Thanks to all who responded.. Be well everyone.

Answer 1

Well I was going to say that you should check with the licensed daycares in your area and charge LESS than they are, but it sounds like you already did that. I live in a small town, but I pay $83 per week and everything is provided at a liscensed home daycare. The woman that wanted you from 5:30am - 5:30pm is out of her mind if she thinks anyone else will charge less to have her kid 12 hours a day! Your fee for that one was reasonable concidering you would have the kid longer than most.

I don't think your fee's are to outrageous and there is bound to be a family that can afford to pay that price as long as the service you are providing is worth what you are asking I say stick to your guns.

Answer 2

I'm not sure this helps much, but my mom has had a daycare in our home for the last 9 years. Her rate is $1.50 an hour, per child. She does the same thing as you have in mind, with the meals and such. However, she does this full time, with6-15 kids, depending on days and time of year. The price may be high to some, if they are only making an avg. wage. Places that are certified, or actual daycare centers charge at least $150 a week. Its totally up to you! Good luck!

Answer 3

Sounds to me like they want something for nothing!! I live in Southern Colorado in a medium sized town and it is $100 per week easy, some places more if they charge by the hour. And that $100 is for a maximum of 10 hours for a child over the age of 3. under 3 is like $125. You just haven't had the right parents interested yet, don't worry soon they will realize their mistake. I don't know what the regulations are in your area, but it might not be too difficult to get licensed for home daycare, you might want to look into that if you want to charge about the same as the other people in the future.

Answer 4

I payed 105 for under 1 year old, 95 for 1year and up not potty trained, 85 for potty trained. I had to supply formula, baby food, bottles, diapers, wipes, and change of clothes. I also had to supply a nap blanket that I washed every week. Most daycare centers don't open till 6:30 at the earliest. I had to pay more for "early drop off" I think it was about 10 a week. Your prices are very good for one on one with the kids. Don't let people talk you downt from your price. The people that you want to have there childern at you home will pay the price that you are asking!!! (I live in southern Louisiana)

Answer 5

I live in suburb of Houston and this is the breakdown for fulltime care of children in our area:
6 weeks to 12 months: $180
12 months to 24 months: $170
2 yrs. $160
3 yrs.: 150
4 yrs.: 140
(Some places will discount the fees by $10 or so for siblings.)
This includes breakfast, lunch, and snack. This does not include diapers, pull-ups, formula, bottles, wet wipes, diaper cream/medication, special milk (soy, 1%, or skim), special foods due to allergies, extra clothes, blankets, nap mats, etc. The parents are responsible for these things. We also pay 2 fees a year. One is to help replinish toys and art supplies and the other is for educational supplies.
Daycare is expensive. People are going to try to take advantage of you and try to talk you down even more. Make sure that you have proper contracts with signatures about the amount of payment and payment schedule so that you can collect late fees if they are late paying you (or if you must take them to court). Just be careful and cover yourself so that they don't get away with not paying you for your valuable services.

Answer 6

ok i live in ohio as well and my babysitter would charge me $75 per week, which i could barely afford....just look at the people situations. I completely understand where you are coming from with having to work around these peoples schedules. But you have to look at where they are coming from as well. the average job in my area pays only 10 per hour. and to pay the babysitter was more than half my paycheck each week. 150 can be a reasonable price if your area actually pays more in average job salary. and the people that turned you down because you were 'charging to much' were probably barely making end meet as is. so please just look at other situation as well.

but at the same time do not let people run you over and take advantage. I say charge your price to those that can actually afford it, and a little less for those that cant

If you get certified in first aid and cpr then you can work through the state, which will provide with money to buy groceries for each child, instead of using your own money. and you could have the state help those who cannot pay you, and you may actually be able to get more money through the state rather than 150 per week....just a thought.

Answer 7

Those people are crazy and looking for someone to watch their children for next to nothing. In my opinion quality care is worth good pay.

I pay $250 a week for daycare and once my next child is born I will SAH and do daycare as well- $150 was what I expected.

Keep looking for people, put an ad on craigslist.com (it's free). The parenting forum on craigslist has a couple daycare moms as well who may be able to assist.

Answer 8

The problem youre going to have is that parents dont find home daycares the same as daycare centers. Its thought of more like a babysitter than a daycare. And although im sure you very well qualified for the job, you cant hold to the same standards as a regulated, licensed daycare center. It invokes a fear in parents...i know i wouldnt leave my child in a home daycare, not because they arent qualified, but just because you never know. For all i know, with you not being licensed or regulated, you could be a child molester. Dont take offense to that, hopefully as a parent you understand. And those things are in daycare centers too, but at least most of them have background checks done, and inspections of their facility. So because of that, you will not get paid nearly what you are, or think you are, worth. My cousin takes her children to a home daycare, and that lady charges 9 per half day, so 18 for a full day. Thats per child, with everything included (meals, diapers, etc). So for full time, it would be 90 a week. Good luck.

Answer 9

If your home is up to date, safe, ect. it might be worth going through the process of getting certified to be a "state approved daycare". Then you could take state kids and the state would be paying, not the parents. Also, the parents can't very well say you are not worth it when you have proof that you are. :) Good Luck! and don't let them get you down.

Answer 10

I think $150/week is very reasonable. I am thinking about doing the same thing, but charging an hourly rate of $3.50, which comes to (for 45 hours/week) $157.50