Just a Quick Vent:

[Guest]

Why is it ok for me to work for LESS than minimum wage when it's not ok for someone who works at, let's say, McDonald's?? I would think the love & care your child receives at daycare would be more important than flipping burgers. I'm just sayin'...

{Nothing against Mickey D's employees...I worked there & loved it! Best times of my life I was just using it as an example.}

No offense to any daycare providers/parents either...someone just really burned my biscuits this morning asking about my rates. ($5 an hour is "way out of my price range" & "that's just not affordable"...REALLY?? WOW ) If you can't afford it, that's fine, I understand & I will help in any way possible (I even offered a discount!), but don't be nasty about it.

You need a service, I provide a service. Can't we all just get along??

[Blackcat31]

Because technically after all is said and done, child care providers are making more than minimum wage. Not much but it is more.

I also think that if a family is working for let's say $10 per hour and child care costs them $5 and then taxes take another $2-3 and work expenses cost a few more, they are basically bringing home nothing.

I don't know what area of the country you live in but if I made $5 per hour per child, I would be in heaven! Average rates around here are half that.

What did the potential client say that was so nasty? I hate when people get nasty about stuff too, so now I am curious as to what she said that "burned your biscuits" (lovethis that phrase btw)

[momofboys]

I'm in Ohio too OP & my rates are only about $3/hr per child, actually not quite $3/hr but close, & I agree they are a little rude to imply it is unaffordable!

[SquirrellyMama]

Because technically after all is said and done, child care providers are making more than minimum wage. Not much but it is more.

Not all childcare providers are making more than minimum wage. It depends on how many kids you have. I am making much lower than minimum wage.

I wouldn't be able to make minimum wage in my area watching the 2 kids that I watch. Rates aren't that high.

K

[Blackcat31]

Not all childcare providers are making more than minimum wage. It depends on how many kids you have. I am making much lower than minimum wage.

I wouldn't be able to make minimum wage in my area watching the 2 kids that I watch. Rates aren't that high.

K

Sorry, I should have said "most" or "many".

However, my point was that providing child care rather than working outside the home (for min wage) obviously has its perks/benefits or most of us wouldn't be doing this.

[Daycarelady1979]

I'm sorry, I haven't figured out the whole copy & paste thing yet, but I make wayyyyyy less than minimum wage. Especially on the full time rates! I do make more on part timers, but they don't pay me when they're not here, so the pay isn't consistent. They pay a little bit more on the hour because their spot isn't always held open, kwim?

For example, I had one full time kid here 50 hours a week...at the full time rate of $125, that means I was technically only making $2.50 an hour. Plus I provide all the food. I do get reimbursed from the food program but not THAT much.

If I break down my bottom line yearly income from my 1040, I'm making almost nothing on the hour.

Not complaining or starting any arguments, I'm totally blessed & happy to be able to stay home & do this job. I'm just saying...if you look on care.com & type in our zip code, the rates are MUCH higher than what I charge & that is for just a "babysitter" in most cases.

If my daycare was full & all the kids were here full time, then yes, absolutely I would be making more than minimum wage. But that's not the case right now, unfortunately.

Nothing but happy thoughts & vibes being sent to you all!! lovethis

[SquirrellyMama]

Sorry, I should have said "most" or "many".

However, my point was that providing child care rather than working outside the home (for min wage) obviously has its perks/benefits or most of us wouldn't be doing this.

I completely agree that there are many perks and benefits

K

[Daycarelady1979]

I also agree

[daycarediva]

I just figured out my hourly rate... $20.50. About $3.50/hr per kid. Not including summer breaks/days off from school. Then it gets bumped up to $23.50, and those are averaging my work week to 10hr days (some days it's more, some less).

No Mc'd's wages here.

[daycarediva]

I also have to add that I definitely make more than all of my daycare Mom's. Especially since I don't subtract daycare costs and gas to/from work. I have discussed this with the ONE Mom who makes almost as much as I do (RN).

[Unregistered]

$31.27 an hour here! If you are offering daycare services then yes,five dollars an hour is too much(unless you live in a expensive area) If you were a nanny offering one on one care that's a different story. If you are not running your daycare at full capacity that's not their fault.
I remember when I first opened my daycare i only had one full time and three part time.
Making $385/week or about $7/hour.I worked 55 hours a week and it was tough.
Now I make over $30/hour with 12 kids and an assistant.It will actually be more soon since I changed my closing time by a half hour.
Keep working at enrolling more kids and it will all work out.Good luck!

[EchoMom]

I'm with Daycarediva. I also make $20.50 an hour, but have paid holidays off. But individually each kid is about $3.20-$3.50 an hour.

[SilverSabre25]

I'm with Daycarediva. I also make $20.50 an hour, but have paid holidays off. But individually each kid is about $3.20-$3.50 an hour.

See, I live in the wrong part of this darn city. Well, plus I have two kids of my own under 6. IF I were full (I'm not) with kids paying my full-time rate (ha!) I'd make $9.60/hr.

Although...I must ask...how are you calculating that wage?

I work ~10 hours/day so my weekly rate divided by 50 times the number of kids gives my $/hr.

[lovemykidstoo]

I'm averaging about 16-19 an hour right now.

For the OP though, I agree if that is your rate and the person can't afford it then fine. They do not have to be rude about it though. All they had to say is I'm sorry, that is more than I can afford right now and leave it at that. No need for the person to get nasty.

[crazydaycarelady]

It is hard to judge the rates or wages since we are all in different parts of the country.

OP - but, but, your not in this for the money.........it's cause you love kids so much, right? LOL