I called my mom and told her what the sitter we found wants for our 3 kids. Two get on the bus in the morning and are gone at school all day. So she would have them about 2 hours a day. The 4 year old would go to part-time pre-k, so he would be gone 3 mornings a week. She would come Mon-Thurs from 645-415. One Friday would be 645-315, and the other Friday would be off. So 80 hours every two weeks. She told me she is asking for $225 a week. I think it's cheap, but I'm not going to complain about it. It leaves me room to give her plenty of raises! Do you think it's too cheap that it's weird?
Jo W - agree it's cheap!! I pay $150 for my 4 year old right now. But we can claim that on taxes...with her we wouldn't. Maybe that is why? I'm trying my best to find someone for mornings and was expeting to pay $20 a day...hopefully I can still go that route!
My kids all still take a quiet time, my 4 and 6 year olds are AWESOME nappers. They will both still nap 2-3 hours a day and sleep well at night. My 8 year old loves her quiet time too. So when they are home, they are easy. Still doesn't change the fact that she is responsible for 3 young lives. No cleaning involved...minus me asking her to clean up after the messes she makes during the day (breakfast, lunch, snacks, art, etc.)
My plan was to take the offer of $225 (assuming when we meet her that we really like and trust her - also after calling references). I plan to sit down with her in early January, 3 months later (we need to give 30 days notice to our current sitter), and give her another $25 a week raise. Then again 6 months later, give her another $50 a week, because that will also be summer. I would also like to give her spot bonus' if she is doing really well. Does that sound right?
I don't know what her duties will be - if she is doing household duties as well as child watching - I think it's a STEAL!!!
If this allows you to get your work done and you feel secure that your children are being cared for - GO FOR IT!!
Yeah that is really cheap. When I was in school I had to pay a sitter 20 a morning just to kick my two kids to the curb. That would match two of your three. So pretty much you are only paying 125 for the other one.
I think that sounds about right. It boils down to about $5/hr. My kids haven't gone to daycare for several years, but that woman charged $5/hr. Yes, you have more than one child and if she had all 3 all day then she deserves way more, but she doesn't have all 3 all day. I think it's a fine amount to pay her, especially if she suggested it. Like you said, plenty of room for raises. Don't feel like your skimping on her pay though.
What else is included in the pay? Will you be claiming the money you pay her as day care expense on your taxes? Will you be providing her with 2 meals a day? Depending on the answers to these, $225 seems low, but I would not say cheap.
Hope the interview goes well. I can't imagine working for that. It sounds like you have great kids. But I would be making a minimum of $400 a week for those hours. she is severely undercutting herself. but again she may not completely understand the hours your looking for. when I first read it I thought oh so just mornings and afternoons but then when I saw the younger one would be there all day 2 days a week I thought hmmmm lol. But I hope it goes well and works for both of you.
If you have checked everything out pertaining to the sitter and you are comfortable with her, then the price she gave you is not too cheap. Maybe it is not all about money for her and as you stated this leaves you room to give her money. Beside what someone charges does not always determine the quality of care.
How wonderful. I hope her interview goes well and her references check out. Regarding your "So What Happpened?" I think you would be able to claim her on your taxes, because my understanding is that you are required to pay her social security as her employer. This is often unknown by folks, but can come back to hurt them as the employee eventually becomes a former employee and then tells the IRS, which back bills you with penalties. Do you have a tax consultant you can ask? Either way, best of luck. I loved having a trusted person come to my house so that my children could nap in their own beds and play with their neighborhood friends.
i dont think thats a bad price for getting the kids to and from school i mean im assuming shes going to make sure theyre fed and homework is done and things like that right? i pay $125 per week for one child who is a toddler and needs constant attention....so add 2 school age kids in the mix and i dont think thats a bad price at all
That is a deal!!! I needed to get a sitter for my son last summer while my grandma (his normal sitter) was visiting my aunt out of state. I paid $200 a week for 4 days, roughly 7:40-4:50. Many afternoons my husband was home from work early and the sitter could leave...we still paid her as though she was there. My son also still napped 2-3 hours each afternoon. This summer I was again searching for someone to keep my son. High School and College students wanted $7+/hour which I just couldn't justify paying when they didn't even have baby-sitting experience, were free to eat and drink the food in my house and do as they pleased during my son's 2 hours naps. I also pay cash since it is only for 2 1/2 months.
I think you need to feel very fortunate!
Sounds cheap to me, but not necessarily "weird cheap" based on how much experience the girl has. A close friend of mine just left a nannying position for a program director spot at a pre school which is closer to what she's trying to do (she just graduated from college last year with an early education major). Anyway, as a nanny she was making what would break down to about $8/hr ($400/week M-F 8am-6pm) and that's with a degree. Maybe the girl you have doesn't have a ton of experience, or maybe she's honestly just selling herself short.
I love the idea you've already got set up in your head to give her regular raises rather than just taking advantage of the fact that you're getting a great deal. Good for you! ;)
