I need someone to watch my 4-year old son all day on Tuesdays and Thursdays while I work, and just wondered what would be a good, reasonable rate to pay someone? I have two individuals that are willing to watch him for me, but have said they would accept whatever is fair. I looked into two daycares but I thought their prices were kind of high ($120 and $105 per week). Is that really what the going rate is?
WOW the different answers are interesting to read! I was looking into a great program for my son that charges $130/week for half days (half days being like 8-12).
I was charging $115 for "part time" in home childcare (18-24 hours/week), but they changed jobs and schedules. Now I charge $155 for 47 hours/week, M-F. I think it really makes a difference WHERE you're looking, and what they offer.
A daycare center will be higher than what you would pay an individual. Half-day mother's day out for 2 days a week is $175/month, so you might use that to compare.
I think $35/day is a good rate for one child all day. At least that's what I've paid recently. If it's an extended day (like if you're trying to cover a 12-hour nursing shift, as opposed to a standard 8-hour workday), you might offer up to $50/day, simply because long days are hard, and you wouldn't want your sitter feeling overworked and underpaid :-)
$120 and $105 sound too high for part time. My 5 yr son goes to a preschool in N. Garland full time all day M-F and we only pay $116/wk.
I provide in home care, and charge $30 per day for part time. One thing you also want to consider is that for my part time children, there is no "time off" with out pay. Any day that is missed, due to illness, vacation etc. is still paid to me (unless of course I am sick or on vacation). Good luck with finding what is best for your little man! ~A.~
My son goes to a daycare two full days per week, and I pay $76/week.
I provide part time in home daycare. I don't charge when the kids are sick or on vacation, and I charge $50 per day (this is from about 8:00am to about 5:30pm). I was told by the parents of the kids I keep (who by the way came up with this amount) that this was a bit more than the cheaper daycare centers, but they make you pay even when you're not there. However, it is less than a lot of the nicer daycares, and if you know the caregiver personally then your peace of mind would be worth a little bit as well.
