Vent On Daycare Teacher Wages!

[AfterSchoolMom]

I have a BA and I minored in ECE. I also taught for about a year part time. I decided to do childcare out of my home when I applied at several centers and was laughed out of each interview for wanting $10 hourly.

I make FAR less than minimum wage now, but at least I get to stay home, be with my own kids as much as possible, and I get to set my own schedule and procedures.

[MrsB]

So I never did this before because I was just too scared, but I took my total amount brought in by tuition payments 30,096.00 for 2011 then divided it by my total hours that I had kids in my home for that year, 3814 hours. Comes out to $7.89 per hour! That doesnt include subtractions for ANY expenses or deductions like food, etc.

Yikes! Now I know why I've never done that before

[CheekyChick]

Reading what people with Masters and PHD's are making makes me feel VERY thankful for what I'm doing.

[Childminder]

So I never did this before because I was just too scared, but I took my total amount brought in by tuition payments 30,096.00 for 2011 then divided it by my total hours that I had kids in my home for that year, 3814 hours. Comes out to $7.89 per hour! That doesnt include subtractions for ANY expenses or deductions like food, etc.

Yikes! Now I know why I've never done that before

Yeah, pretty depressing, hunh?

Childminder....I know I make less than that but the difference is that I take care of my own 3 kids too. It is not a big deal to get licensed here and just a half dozen kids and you would make more than a full time teacher that has to take care of a dozen or more in a class.

New teachers make an average starting salary of $35,557 and an average overall salary of $54,739 for little more than 180 days a year. They also have and aid to help in the classroom and the children are older and easier to handle in larger groups. (hopefully anyways) If you have 3 children of your own then you can only care for three others here in MI. That brings down your income even more.

I realize we have a lot of perks by working at home and taking care of our own children, etc…but there are a lot of cons too for me. One is no benefits, ie; health insurance, no 401 or retirement, longer work days, isolation, communication mainly with under fives, not leaving my home for weeks at a time…these are choices I've made for 40+ years.

[Country Kids]

Your teachers are very lucky! All our classroom sizes are around 30+ and have no helpers (aids). Some of the teachers are asking parents if they could come and volunteer during the week because they can't get everything done. With 30 + kids in a classroom is really isn't very fun for parties and such because there are so many and then it seems 1/2 of them have some sort of behavior problem.

I actually know of providers in my area that make $35,000+ a year doing childcare. Nothing big either but they have fulltime clients and pay an hourly wage so it really adds up!

[AfterSchoolMom]

Your teachers are very lucky! All our classroom sizes are around 30+ and have no helpers (aids). Some of the teachers are asking parents if they could come and volunteer during the week because they can't get everything done.

Yep. Last year my son's teacher had 28 kids in her class. I went in once per week for two hours, helped with Word Study, and led one of the reading groups. I also graded papers and did clerical work for her (like making copies, cutting things out, etc.) for a couple of hours per week. I was doing SA care at that time, so it was fortunate that I had the time to help. This year I don't.

[Sunchimes]

MrsB, I wish you hadn't done that. After reading yours, I had to do it. $3.06 an hour. To make it really depressing, that is for the hours that I had kids in the house. When I added in the hours that I cleaned or did books, it drops down to $2.50.

I'm pretty sure it will be better this year though. While I've been at it a year next week, the first 4 1/2 months I only had one part timer--well, part time, but she paid by the day. If she didn't work, I didn't make a dime. I have backbone now and she will be paying part time rates when she comes back from maternity leave.

Plus I have a full time that started the end of July, and I'll have a part time baby. Could be a better situation, but I like the parents and the kids, so I can live with this for now. Nothing lasts forever and I know things could change at any minute. I have a couple on my waiting list, so it should be a better year. I dream of reaching your $7.89.

[Country Kids]

One time after we did taxes and they had deducted and did everything that needed to be done, I had made a whoping $1500.00 for the year! I was so depressed after that. My hubby kept trying to explain that I hadn't made that much but to me it didn't matter, it was on paper-

[3girls]

I worked for three years for the same company doing childcare and still left there at minimum wage (I got raises every year, but then minimum wage would increase and be higher than my raise) I could have up to 12 children by myself because it was a "drop in" center. Before that I was a preschool teacher for a little over a year and got paid minimum wage with no benefits whatsoever, 12 children by myself there too even though it was illegal.

I still make low wages but I'm at home with wayyyy less children and can get all my housework and stuff done during the day and that makes a difference to me. Before I would work then still come home to chores and cooking to do. My stress level is wayyyy down and I like that. I also like the ability to spend time outside during the day.

[cheerfuldom]

I worked for three years for the same company doing childcare and still left there at minimum wage (I got raises every year, but then minimum wage would increase and be higher than my raise) I could have up to 12 children by myself because it was a "drop in" center. Before that I was a preschool teacher for a little over a year and got paid minimum wage with no benefits whatsoever, 12 children by myself there too even though it was illegal.

I still make low wages but I'm at home with wayyyy less children and can get all my housework and stuff done during the day and that makes a difference to me. Before I would work then still come home to chores and cooking to do. My stress level is wayyyy down and I like that. I also like the ability to spend time outside during the day.

glad things worked out for you! Clearly poor wages are a huge factor in the astronomical turnover at most daycares. There are a few facilities in my town that always have hiring ads out. Never take them down off the web or newspaper. Why isnt that a red flag for parents??!?!