How Much to Charge? - Kansas City,KS

Hi C.

I guess I'm getting in a little late on this, but I'm glad you decided to charge a little more. I run a home child care and I am by no means qualified to teach, even though I do go over basic stuff with my 2's,3's and 4 year olds. I feed the children 2 meals plus 3-4 snack a day, the children are very hard on all the toys, supplies and equipment (just another expense)and I don't charge less then $30 a day. Most of my kids are with me for 8-10hrs a day so when you divide 30 by 10 it only works out to $3.00 an hr. I don't think that is a lot to ask, and since you are teaching this little girl plus taking her out and about to do things (another expense) I would charge $30 a day plus an activity fee.

I just had to get my 2 cents in on this, I think teachers and child care poviders are way under paid, so I think you and all of us are worth a lot more. Go for it!!!

T.

Hi C.. Well, my answer is going to be a little different! I'm C. & have been an RN for 35 yrs. working with kids, teens, pediatrics, & ER. I have a class I developed in LA for teaching kids how to be safe sitters, ages 11 & up... The Ultimate Supersitter Class". I teach all over & always at The Shawnee Civic Center. I am in the middle of developing a Junior Nanny Class for kids 16yrs. & up who are taking care of kids during the summer & driving them around. They NEED much more training!!& safety issues addressed. My experience over the past 6yrs. I've been teaching in the KC area is that parents are very willing to PAY my kids that I've trained. My daughter who is 21 has always been a nanny for kids during the summer because she gets paid so well( last summer she worked 20hrs.a week..5hrs x 4 days for $250...2 kids 7 & 10) That's 12.50 an hr. She is first aid & CPR trained & certified in child safety seat(for little ones) People will pay for good help. You are a teacher with skills the average person may not have. Don't sell yourself short!! The educational activities are priceless!!! Consider how many hours a day, food, etc. but I would not go lower than $40 if it's only 2 days a week.If it's an 8 hr. day. that's only 5 an hr. My 11 & 12 yr. old sitters get that & MORE!!Your worth it!!!! Good Luck! C.

Hi C.,
I think you need to go a little higher myself.
If you are going to be teaching her and keeping her up on what she has learned through the school year then you will have to pay for supplies. Also if you are planning field trips, then are you paying for admission or is the parent? Although she is only 6 you will still be feeding her. If you are feeding her 2 meals and 1 snack a day $15 doesn't cut it. In my opinion you should go atleast $25 a day. The parent has asked you for a reason and you should be compensated for that reason. The total would be $125 a week and then you could say this will include any field trips we go on, or activities we do. Hope you come up with a reasonable price. W.

That is an incredibly low rate. I would be thrilled to recieve an offer like that. I think you are setting a more than fair price with that. Even if you asked for a little bit more, you still wouldn't be asking for too much.

I would charge a little more. Probably around $25. Several years ago I watched a friends newborn forn $20 a day, but with inflation I don't believe that $25 for a elementary school aged child is unreasonable. After all daycare workers make minimum wage and while you want to be competitive you don't want to go broke helping out your friend.

I think it's easily worth $20. My old sitter charged $16 a day but she has state reimbursement for meals so her expenses were lower.

I think this is a fair amount to charge. Sound like you are going to have fun this summer!

Hi C.,
I Honestly don't think that is enough. I have a Home daycare/ preschool and I now charge 35.00 a day (I also serve 3 meals). I understand she is 6 and she is a friend. If you are also feeding and tourtering her. I would go more like 25 if it is all day.

Wow, $15 a day is a steal for your friend. I currently pay about $40 a day per child for both of my boys. I would charge more the the current amount you have in mind. You have to remember it takes a lot of your time and talent to watch God's children.

Hi C.,
If I needed a sitter for a day, I would be thrilled to find someone who would keep my daughter for $15. I think that is extremely reasonable! :)
J.

$15 is too cheap. I don't think the other suggestions of $25 are too much, but it should be at least $20.

You know I truly believe this decission should come from both of you. There are a lot of questions here? Are you very close? What has she offer.? What can she afford? What is your time worth to you? Consider the time,food and other expenses. Then talk it over with your friend you two need to come to a fair agreement together.

My daughter's summer camp is $145/week, so that's $30/day. I think you need to go higher. You'll spend $15/day out of your pocket on the child yourself - when you consider food, transportation, and activities. Even if you take free field trips, think of all the projects at home that she'll do that will take up supplies you'll need to replace. Even playing outside in the sprinker for 30 min/day will increase your utility bills. So you need to think of hard costs for you to watch her, as well as the additional work on you keeping track of a 3rd child.