What Do You Pay for Childcare?

Hi M., Before my son started kindergarten I was paying $120 per week for him which by far was the lowest I have heard. Before I had him in that home daycare, his prior one was $140. Times are tough for everyone right now and if you raise your rates, the parents may have a hard time paying you too! Everyone is forced to cut back on everything, prices are ridiculous. I know that at the time my son was with his in home provider, I was the only mom that faithfully paid her every single Monday and I was making less than the rest of them! So my tip would be to make sure you have procedures in place for the late payers and stick to it! Good luck to you!

My care provider charges $150 a week for in-home care, per child. I feel it's on the higher end for in-home however she is amazing and so is the rest of her family!! She cuts us a break off of the $150 since the kids are only there four days a week. But, it would be $150 if they were there full time. I would agree with some of the other moms that if you ask the parents to provide different things to help you out, maybe you wouldn't have to raise your rates.
People get scared when their care providers start talking about raising rates and sometimes want to pull their children out because of it. Make sure that is your last resort if you have to do it. It may hurt you more in the long run if people starting pulling their kids out.

I agree with the others about raising rates. If you are really feeling the strain, try asking your parents to contribute something else. Such as bringing a bag of fruit or a bottle of juice to keep your food costs down. Just as an example. I'm sure most would be receptive if you explain your reasoning.

M.- I pay $135 per week for my in home provider and that has been the same for the past 3 years. She has been talking about the strain on her budget as well. She has also talked about the food program cutting back on what she gets reimbursed for. We are definitely all feeling this in our budgets. I really do feel for daycare providers because you can never really be sure how permanent a child will be with you, so how can you really guarantee your income.

I currently pay up to $25 per day per child and she is great! The days she has them she also transport to and from school.

Hi,

Prior to placing my daughter, now 2 yrs. old, in a daycare, she was with an in-home provider who charged a solid $120 per week. Her rate was the same for newborns up through age 4.

Good luck!