MOMS who run a small daycare inside their home; What do you charge for a 2 1/2 year old still in diapers?

Question

How many children do you allow? Do you do this just 2-3 days a week or full time? What kind of activities would you recommend for this age. I am a sahm with a 1 year old and meeting with the mom of a 2 1/2 year old for care 2 days a week. I want to be fair in the pricing but also it has to be worth it especially since i only want to care for one family so that i do not have to deal with liscencing. If you are a mom who takes your child to a home daycare you are happy, with please let me know what you pay and if it's part or full time. Thanx for your input.

what state do you live in?

I do have experience as a pre school teacher.

Answer 1

I have been a mom for 28 years and a child care provider in my home for 20 years, state licensed for 17 of those years. I usually only accept part-time children. Because I only provide part-time care, I choose to charge by the hour. For one child, regardless of age, I charge $3/hour. Additional siblings receive a $1/hour discount. In our area, $3/hour is on the low end of the child care fee range, but I am able to be a child care provider because I like it and not because it has to pay the bills. Every area has their own average child care costs and what might be reasonable in my area would be outrageously low or high where you live. Do a search for "average child care costs in (your county)" and several websites should show you what is typical in your area. Where I live, in Michigan, it is against the law to regularly care for any unrelated child(ren) in your home without a license. There are numerous advantages to being a licensed provider. First, if you have any legal issues, you have resources through the licensing division to assist you. Claiming your income for tax purposes contributes towards your social security benefits for retirement. Any items you purchase such as food, supplies, equipment, toys, bedding, and utilities can all be deductions. I am licensed for 6 children at one time. Currently, by choice, I am caring only for 3. AT 2 1/2, activity ideas are endless. Reading, free play, playing outside, crafts, listening to music, make-believe/dress up play, coloring, singing, learning nursery rhymes and finger plays, and helping with "chores" (picking up toys, "helping" cook - stirring, pouring, measuring, and folding washcloths) along with a nap and meals/snacks will make for a fun-filled and busy day. Also, letting her "help" with your baby by getting diapers, putting food on her high chair, and giving her toys would be of interest to her. Caring for only 1 child is not going to provide a lucarative income. People who are looking for in-home care versus center care are expecting to pay less. Also, non-licensed care providers typically charge less than licensed providers.

Answer 2

I would get on the phone and call around in your area and ask for pricing structures at the different daycare centers to get an idea of the fees. Non-licensed care usually is less expensive than licensed care.

Be careful though, make sure you thoroughly check into licensing, a lot of places it is illegal to run a daycare out of your home, either because of local laws or maybe even your homeowners association rules.

By being licensed you are protected better financially if something bad happens. If a child gets hurt on your property while in your care, you are going to be held responsible for costs in the recuperation of that child. Do you have homeowner's insurance that will cover you in a situation like that? If not, then it could become very expensive for you and not worth the few dollars you would save by not being licensed.

Think long and hard about it, it's one thing to be watching a friend's child in your home as a favor and something totally different to charge someone to watch their child.

Good luck.

Answer 3

We pay $30 a day for our 2 1/2 year old. However our provider is taxed and licensed. So if you're being paid under that table expect it to be less. Our provider also has an early childhood degree plus 8 years of center experience plus 8 years of running her in home daycare.

Answer 4

I am a non-licensed provider for preschoolers. I have 2 kids of my own - ages almost 4 yr. and 18 mo. I watch one 4 yr. old in the morning for a little while (2 days a week) and then take him to preschool. The other one is also 4 and I pick him up from preschool at 11:30 every day and watch him for 3 hours a day. I charge both families $4.50/hr, this includes transportation to/from school depending on which kid. However, if I had them both all day with no transportation involved, I would probably only charge $3.00/hr.

Answer 5

I take my daughter to a licensed in home daycare and only pay $600 a month or about $30 a day. She is there from 6:50am-4:10pm. I provide diapers wipes formula and baby food for her. That was a REALLY good price after comparing other daycare centers and inhome child care.

Answer 6

First of all - the daycare shouldn't have given out the name of the child that did the biting. 2nd of all - you were not there when your child bit - so, I do not think you should have to pay. I would NOT offer any money unless this lady took me to court - and then I would FIGHT it!!! 3rd - It really isn't the daycare ladies fault either - because children bite FAST - I know this from experience - this is not a 15 yr old kid doing something wrong - its a 1 1/2 yr older - they do not know any better! 4th - It was her choice to take him to the hospital - I highly doubt that was needed - I think the parent should eat the cost of that! 5th - if you do talk to the other parent - be friendly - even if you don't agree with it - be friendly about it - and apologize that your child bit her child - and just ask if they are okay - but, if she told me to pay - I'd tell her that I don't think its my responsibility to pay since the daycare was in charge - Lets see if she sues the daycare - and is left with no daycare! I am curious to know if this lady pulls this child out of daycare - because if she DOESN'T ... I can guarantee that you would win the battle of having to pay and not pay - because apparently she isn't that worried about it happening again!

Answer 7

Small Home Daycare

Answer 8

$25/day for full time.