I have decided to do a favor for my friend and babysit her 3 kids (ages 5, 7 & 9) for 2 days a week throughout the summer. Approximately 8:30am to 4:15pm.
She was in a pinch and didn't want to pay $60/day. Is that really how much day care costs? I have been an at-home mommy for 9 1/2 years and was just curious since I have 3 of my own, similar ages. I'm not charging her and don't want to because she is a friend of the family and has been for years, but can you tell me what is included in the cost? Morning/Afternoon snack, Lunch, Juice Boxes, Crafts?
I don't want my free favor to start costing me, but I want the kids to have as much fun as possible. They typically bring their lunches, water bottle and sunblock.
I appreciate any help!
Thank you for the responses! She is giving them breakfast at home, they bring a lunch and afternoon snack. Yes she did offer to pay me initially but because we have been friends for so long I didn't feel right about it. It was my decision and it's only twice a week. We have decided to get a pool pass for this summer and she ended up paying for my kids & I too which was really sweet, so it has definitely been mutual. She has been like an aunt to my kids and I to hers, it's just easy for me to spoil them but I want to be financially smart about it and not go too crazy. I am fortunate to be in a position to do this! We have a list of parks we can go to, a free vbs week, the pool when its hot and the library, that should keep us busy :)
Thank you again, I appreciate your responses!
For three kids, yep. That is what it costs. Trust me, this will end up costing you money. Have you discussed payment or did you tell her already it would be free? $75 a week would be a bargain. That would include lunch and snacks.
OMG you do not need a license to babysit a friends kids. If that was the case no kids would be allowed to play at another house, I would disregard the answer from Gamma G.
This is really a huge commitment on your part. I really think you should get paid. Also, do you have it worked out what will happen if one of her kids is sick...or one of yours is sick?
At a minimum, your friend should pay for all food and all cost associated with any activities you do.
Edit... And that cost of $65 is per child, correct? So you are really saving her a small fortune😀
How nice of u! She should also bring snacks and drinks and activities. It will cost you a lot if you start bringing them places! What a good friend you are.
I pay my babysitter (when she sits) $10/hr. for two kids, and I don't expect her to cook or take them places. So to me, $60 sounds great for that amount of time. But I'm like you, I've been at home for 11 years and have never used daycare. I think it's extremely generous of you to offer to watch three kids for free. I couldn't let a friend take my kids without paying them if it was as regular as that. But I would absolutely make sure to send snacks, not just for my own children, but for mine and yours. When hers show up with Oreos and yours are eating carrots, is that going to cause a problem? I would think she could provide snacks for yours as a thank you to you for what you're doing.
ETA: I highly doubt daycare laws will apply to you. You're babysitting a friend's kids for free. Whole different kettle of fish. And I wouldn't call yourself an in-home daycare (your title suggests that you are, not just looking for info).
$60 a day in this area is a pretty good rate for 3 kids.
I would suggest that while its great your doing this make sure that she knows your doing it when it fits for your schedule. Don't get sucked into doing it not only for free but also not being able to say I have something else going on a specific day.
And yes she should be sending lunches and snacks. If she wants them to be doing any activities she should be providing the money for that. And if it is something she wants you to take them to then she should be paying your way in as well.
Out of curiosity has she offered to pay you at all? If she hasn't at least made a token offer to pay then she is taking advantage of you. It is one thing for you to say don't pay but it is completely another for her to say hey can you watch my kids for free I don't want to pay for daycare.
As an FYI I nanny for a family 2 kids that I hike back and forth to all their activities, feed them breakfast and lunch, make sure they get baths etc each day. I have them aprox 10 hours a day through the summer and make $120 a day for this. I live in oswego.
Childcare varies by center and area and even then they vary. For example: my old in-home daycare charged $120 week and we supplied the food (basically $20 per day per child while part time care may have been $25 per day), our daycare/preschool that did Summer Camp previously was $175 per week but it included breakfast, lunch and pm snack, while our current summer camp is $130 per week including breakfast, lunch and two snacks plus one field trip per week.
If you are set on not charging her, let her provide ALL food and drinks. Have her pay for any expenses that you incure (like going to the local pool, skating rink, or whatever). If you plan to do that, maybe make a tenative schedule w/ costs so she knows ahead of time.
I pay $25 a day per kid. It includes breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks, and crafts.
If she is going to send lunch and water, you will still need to cover breakfast and snacks.
Our daycare charges $150/wk for one child, which would be $30 a day. But that's for one child. For three kids it would be $90 per day. This includes a morning snack, lunch, an afternoon snack and all materials for crafts. The usually serve milk with the morning snack and lunch and juice with the afternoon snack.
Not sure if that really answers your question. Good luck! Hope the kids have fun playing together!
so almost 8 hours a day for 3 kids... that would be $34 a day per kid for me, so total per day would be 102 per day...
If I were you I would ask for $20 a week for snacks and supplies/time you are putting in. SOMETHING. Otherwise you WILL feel resentful in no time.
Just read that she got you and your family a pool pass, imo this covers the cost of the favor, so no reason to charge her after all. You may want to go to this website to plan free things to do - http://www.familydaysout.com/
I really wouldn't worry about Gamma G's concerns. I don't remember specifics, but I've had a couple of friends (in the Springfield, IL area) that looked into becoming a licensed in-home provider, and I'm pretty sure there is no requirement to do son until you are watching 5 kids who are not your own.
Babysitting a friend's three kids would hardly qualify.
I understood "In Home Daycare Costs" in your title as you looking for a fair comparison. What would someone paying an in-home provider expect to pay. Not that you were calling yourself that.
Sounds like you'll have a busy summer!
