What to Charge for Day Care?

I usually pay $2.50/hr or when Im the one sitting I'll charge $2.50/hr per kid. It doesn't seem like much but 5 year olds aren't too difficult to take care of in my opinion. (Compared to babies) Depending on if he is picky or allergic to certain foods, it might be better if he packed lunch, but if he is easy going, maybe he could eat what you eat for lunch and maybe charge a bit more? Hope that helps.

Our sitter charges $4-5 an hour for before school. $25 for the whole day. I would ask that they provide a lunch, and you provide snacks.

M.

I charged $12 a day for about the same amount of time but I was taking the child to school across town. I had the child from about 6:30 am until I dropped them off at school around 7:45 am. Most child care centers get about $11-$15 a day for after school care, which included a small meal/snack. I got the same amount for before school care and that included a full breakfast.

Four hours or more is considered to be full time care and deserves the full charge amount of a full day. If the child is eating breakfast and lunch in your home then you need more to cover the cost. You will need to prepare food they eat and not just whatever you want, they extra money is for food for them and you'll need to find out from the mom what she expects them to eat, what she considers a standard meal and go from there as to what to charge.

For example: If she thinks you should serve bacon, pancakes, fresh fruit, whole grain toast, and milk every day for breakfast instead of a wholesome cereal, milk, and half a banana then she is going to have to pay more for food especially because your time is worth money and hot water for washing dishes, soap for washing dishes, wear and tear on your stove and stuff, etc...all add up.

i watch a little girl in the mornings and i charge 100 a month.. i only have her a 1/2 hour in the morning.. so it's not alot.. then i drive her to school... if i had her longer.. i would probably go for at least 6 an hour.... start with 7.. ask the mom.. and hopefully she'll say 6 or 6.50... don't go to low... as for lunch.. tell her if it's 3 days.. that you will make him lunch one day.. and she can send his lunch 2 days... you can always make a can of soup.. or small sandwich.. tell her to supply juice box and maybe a snack... good luck.. you can also ask her what she was thinking of paying you.. so you know what she was thinking of.... don't go to low..

I pay $7/hr for my daycare. It is a women at home. I have also heard of alot of home places that charge $40-$50 per day, regardless of hours. My lady looks after other children and she feeds them 3 snacks and lunch.

Just an FYI in Ma you need to be licesened to watch children in your home. Going rate for day care is between 5 to 10 dollarsan hour. L.

I guess it depends a bit on your situation, and if you consider yourself a "daycare" (are you watching other children? IF so, you have to abide by the rules of your state etc with regard to regulations.

Or you could consider yourself a part time Nanny - my Nanny is paid 15-18$/hr.

Or perhaps you feel you are functioning as a babysitter. I have no idea what they earn these days,

Good luck. I agree it's odd not to have talked about this when agreeing to the "job".

If its about 3 hours a day, I would ask for at least $12-$15 and I would probably ask for a lunch to be brought.

I pay our 10 year old neighbor $5.00/hr to be a "mothers helper" so I cannot imagine being payed as little as that for actually caring for a child. I would think at least $12.00/hr is reasonable but I am surprised that the person who asked you to care for the child did not work this out with you.