Someone Asking Me to Watch There Child

Updated on October 26, 2006
J.P. asks from Ponca City, OK
25 answers

The lady that does my hair asked me if on occasion i would be interested in watching her little boy 16 months old!! I have a 11.5 month old girl!! I am ok with doing this and she request that it be in her home!! I asked about pay and she said $25 a day the hours are from a little before 9 till maybe 5:30 but more than likely 5!! What do you think about the pay is this an ok asking price for her and i!! I was thinking i should say atleast $5 an hour!! What do you think??? Thanks

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.L.

answers from Wichita on

It all depends on what it would involve. My husband and I watch 4 kids for $100.00 a week for a single mom. It depends on the care provider and the parents. If you wish to charge more then you need to sit down with her and explain why you think you will need more.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.C.

answers from Kansas City on

My daycare lady watches here son in her home for $35 a day but she also provides the food. If you are watching her son in her home $25.00 is fair! It is really up to you though! Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.G.

answers from Wichita on

Personally I think that is not enough money w/ as young as the kids are, and how much attention they require that that age. Babysitting is expensive, I know, but that seems a little too cheap to me!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.A.

answers from St. Louis on

J.-
Just to let you know, I have a wonderful home care provider. She charges $18.00 per day per child. They have two meals there and the only extra that I provide is the formula and diapers. The only thing that I would suggest, (since you have a little one) would be for her to bring the child to your home so that you can keep up the established routine for your own child. I would feel more comfortable being with my own things in my own home. On occassion I also take them to a friend who sits (just so my son can see his friends to play) and I pay her $25.00 a day per child. Same thing as above, two meals are provided and I bring the formula and diapers. If you were to watch any child after hours for a couple to go out then I would do the hourly rate (we pay our sitter $7.00 an hour for 2 small children), but I have never heard of a daytime sitter (home care provided) charging by the hour??
Just my opinion!!
Tks T.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.S.

answers from Springfield on

I don't think that your asking price is too much, especially if you would be taking your little girl along with you. It is more of a convenience on her part not to have to get him ready in the mornings and get him to a daycare on time, etc. Roughly $5 an hour is the average going rate if she were to hire a babysitter that is only a teenager from my experiences, so having an adult caring for her child at $5 an hour is a good rate.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.B.

answers from Springfield on

I think that out of the other responses, they were almost rediculous. I have had my girls in different daycares. One, when my oldest was a baby, it was $75 a week, whether you bring them everyday or not. That is a licensed facility. You are not. I also had my girls in a licensed at home like place, with other kids, and I oaid only $30 a week for all 3 of them, whether they came everyday or not. It included 2 meals and a snack. My gandmother and aunt also run licensed daycare centers, and they charge around $60-$75 a week, depending on whethere they are potty trained, school-aged, multi-kid disounts, or state pay. There are various factors. But my point is, is that they are all licensed. Your area may depend on price also. My cousin takes her 2 kids, one potty trained and in preschool, and the other is only 2, and not potty trained, and she pays $130 a week FOR BOTH of them. You guys' prices are very high, I dont know where you live, but I certainly dont want to live there.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.W.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I think $25 a day is great!!! Daycare's usually only charge $100 per week for under 1 and $75-$80 over a year. You have to concider what she makes too. 5 an hour may leave her making less than 5 an hour... And plus sitting in her home is easier for the kid too.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.G.

answers from Champaign on

J.,

I used to run a daycare out of my home and my youngest is your daughter's age. While $25/day doesn't calculate out to very much by itself (with only one child), this is the reason people take on more than one child when they start watching kids. If you try to think about it from her perspective, that's $125/week or $500/month for her one child to be taken care of. For many moms, that's more than their rent payment. Just think about it from that perspective and it makes it a little less painful.

Plus, from my experience, having another one the same age as yours is almost easier because it keeps them both occupied. Good luck!

J.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.K.

answers from Rockford on

I used to work at a daycare and the cost of an infant for full-time was $180 a week, which translates to $36 a day. I think asking that much is a fair price if it's only going to be an occassional thing.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

I.C.

answers from Tulsa on

going rate of a babysitter is about $2.50 an hour. although i would not really want to watch a child in a persons house. that comes with a lot of risks and a lot of trouble. if i were you i would tell her you'd wacth the child at your house or she can find someone else to watch the child. trust me watching the child at her house is not a good idea.

S.L.

answers from Kansas City on

If your going to agree to her home, I agree with you that you should get at least 5 dollars per hour. I'd tell her that you will do 25 per day in your home, but I personally wouldn't agree to 5 dollars per hour in this day and age. I'd say it's 7 per hour in her home.

Suzi

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from St. Louis on

That is a total rip off. Unless she is going to cut down the cost of your hair style as well as give you the 25 dolars. This is against work labor law. But if it is a friend I guess it is ok.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.R.

answers from Kansas City on

It depends on the area you are in. I am going to be starting a daycare any day now, and the rates are quite a bit higher here (in Olathe) than what most people have been saying. I think you should check with local providers and see what their rate is, and then tack on about $10/day. You have to realize that when you go into someone else's home, it is like you are their nanny...and nanny's make at least $10/hr(at least the good ones do)!:) Also, you may consider having them come to your home, because then you would be able to let your daughter sleep in her own bed, etc..
That all being said, I actually did go to another child's home from the time my son was an infant-1.5 years and we had a great time! I made $400/wk, and thought that was pretty low, but I wasn't paying for childcare for my son! I always thought that I would have loved to be in my own home though! I was also able to take the kiddos wherever I wanted to take them, so find out about all of those details. Kids, like adults, go stir crazy after awhile as well. Good luck! A.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.L.

answers from Rockford on

I think that sounds like a fair price too. Just make sure that this lady doesn't try to make u watch her lil one all the time.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.R.

answers from Kansas City on

She obviously trusts you if she is asking you to watch her child, so that's a good thing. $20-$25 a day is about the going rate for in-home daycare. $40 ($5 per hr) is extremely high as that would be $200 a week and most La Petits, etc. don't even charge that much and obviously they have much larger and involved facilities. The only way I could really see you getting more is to ask for gas money (to drive to her house). The other question is how do you feel about having to babysit hers and yours at her house instead of yours? Also is she providing the food, toys etc. to entertain, feed, etc.?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I think you could ask for $5 an hour or maybe give her a daily rate. Just think, a high school girl would get at least $5/hr. My 18 yr old daughter watches two teens and gets $10/hr! Good luck.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.

answers from Wichita on

An average working adult makes approximately $10/hr working outside the home. If you ask her to pay you $5/hr, you are basically asking her to relinquish half of her salary to you for watching her child. That is a lot to ask. If you include her tax deductions, medicare deductions, etc., she could probably not even afford to work after paying you $5/hr. Basically, her request of $25/day seems like a fair rate. However, if you feel like it's not worth it, then I'm sure she would understand if you politely declined. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.M.

answers from Bloomington on

I babysit for several familys and my price depends on the family-- I have a women who just left her husband and went from a sahm to a full time worker i charger her 25 a day for two kids. I know she needs the help i have another family of two kids i charge 200 a week. Relly it depends on you and the relationship you have with this lady. all the wemon i know that do daycare/babysitting-usully do it in there own home and either chager by the day or week for a week with only one child 150-175 is what most of them charge- i dont do it for the money though i just do it for friends who need some help-- Also when i'm seeting a price i figure out the food arrangment i take off if they bring in food or snacks to help me out-- Then i don't have to feed there children all week LOL. But that is just what people i know and i do for our charging--also if your not certified i belive there is a cap on what you can charge but u would have to call DCFS to find that info out.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.

answers from Oklahoma City on

I pay my sitter 13/day. I have an increadly good deal. She is also an old co-worker who watches her two granddaughters as well. I have paid 25 a day for care that is when my daughter was going full time to a women who watch 11 other kids in her home. What your hairdresser is asking for is a nanny to come to her home. The cost for a nanny is close to $12/ hour. Min wage is 5.15/hour. I would pay the high school student 5.00/hr to babysit not my fulltime care giver to watch only my child. I would pay them at least 10.00/hour however I can not afford that since I would only make 2.00/ hour and I like to eat so does my daughter and husband. I think both of you are low balling the cost of care she is wanting and expecting since I am sure she want you to do more then watch TV and feed her son and make sure he doesn't get hurt. I know I expect more out of my daycare provider then I do a babysitter. She reads to my daughter, lets he play outside, works on ABC's and 123's, keeps her clean, feed, and happy. All very importance things to me. Ultimaly it is you decission on what your time is worth.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.T.

answers from Kansas City on

I know $25 a day doesn't seem like much, but it equates to $125 a week, which is comparable to what daycares charge. You just need to decide what you're comfortable with charging and set a price for her. You don't want to take so little that it's not even worth it to you.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.M.

answers from Bloomington on

Hi J.. I just started watching 2 children in their home ages 2 and 5. During half of the day I only have the 2 year old, and then the 5 year old comes home from preschool during the afternoon. I just started doing this, and they told me that they would pay me $10/hr. I hope this helps you out! Good Luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I don't think 125 awk is a bad price. But this is also when the person is bringing them to you, not you going to them. You also have a child, that will mean you have togather all your daughters things everyday to go over to your hair stylish home to watch the children. So you must take into consideration the time and effort it will take every morning getting ready and the gas it will take each day to travel back and forth. All these things need to be accounted for. Look at the full picture and all the things that go into this decession before you set your price and time.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I had a friend who does in home day care watch my son while I went to school. She charged me 5.00 an hour, because she only watched him a few hours a day, if I needed all day it would have been 25.00. She also provided the snacks for 5.00 an hour. I would do it in my own home. It is easier with two who can play togather.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.L.

answers from Rockford on

I would honestly say it depends on what you feel the work it'll take would cost. $25/day only amounts to about $3/hr. Now watching a child that is just over 1 yrs old is a lot of work. I would say...try asking for the $5/hr. If they don't go for that, try having her throw in some free haircuts or something to make up for the lack of pay.

Good luck, and hope it all works out

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.M.

answers from Springfield on

$125/wk is a fair price. I am just starting my own in home daycare and I charge a flat rate of $125/wk ages 6wks-4years. That is for FT (four or more days a week) I charge $30/day for PT. This price also includes for FT Breakfast, lunch and 2 snacks. I also offer a monthly themed curriculum for children ages 2-4 years and and I am currently taking classes for sign language to include in my daily activites. Plus, all of the up keep to my home and the paperwork & training that DCFS requires. If you are going to be in her home and using her supplies, groceries I think that is a fair price. However, if you are going to be in her home then you limit yourself on possibly taking more children which then the pay may be worth it to you if you could have 2 or 3 children @ $125 week.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches