What do you charge for a part-time infant/hourly?

[Guest]

Hi. I just opened and one of my first calls was for an newborn for only 3 hours a day...what is the going rate for this? I'm in CT.

[Blackcat31]

I have no idea what the going rate is for an infant in your area but in mine, infant space is so hard to come by that I charge one flate weekly rate for anywhere from 1 hour of care to 40 hours of care.

I think you need to decide what works for you and if you can or can't accommodate the hours and days needed for this infant.

If you have no one else interested in the space, then an hourly rate is better than no rate at all but then you have to figure out what you will do if someone calls and wants an infant space for 8 hours a day 5 days a week...kwim?

HTH

[cheerfuldom]

there is definitely a reason why no one else is commenting on this thread....a huge majority of providers do not offer hourly rates or do not offer part time infant care. Giving up three hours during the day means you are committing to giving a full time spot to this child but only getting paid for a small portion of the day. plus part time infants are notoriously hard to work with. there wont be a routine for the most part, you will just be trying to keep this kid from crying till mom gets back. just something to think about.

that said, i have no advice on rate because i would never provide this service, unless parents paid for the full day rate of $30 in which case they can use whatever hours they want

[SunshineMama]

Are you trying to fill a full time spot but are only able to get this infant?

I agree with what Blackcat said.

If it were me, it would have to be very worth my while to take an infant for only 3 hours a day. Depending on the parents' parenting-style, you very may well have a screamer for 3 hours a day. (I do watch my best friend's infant for 3 hours every Wednesday, but she parents on a strict schedule, doesnt hold her all day, and I knew the baby since birth, so I knew her temperment. Also, I do not charge her, as I consider this baby family).

I would probably charge $10.00 an hour, or $150 a week, if it were me. That is $25 shy of a full time spot for me, but enough to make it worth it, to have the child only 3 hours a day. (Assuming you would have her every day).

I think you just have to decide what you are looking to get out of the deal. Don't short change yourself- a part time infant is extremely difficult, and finding someone to take one is next to impossible so make it worth your while.

[kitkat]

I did hourly rates up until this school, then switched to a flat rate for the day. My hourly rates were:

Infant to 1 year: $3.50/hr
1 to potty trained: $3.00/hr
Potty trained and up: $2.50/hr
(potty trained was specifically defined & I determined when the rate lowered)

I did hourly rates for about 5 years and it worked for me. I switched b/c I was taking on a new family and didn't want to deal with them on an hourly basis. After that family, I switched everyone to a flat daily fee b/c it's so much easier. I do have one family that I give a half day rate for, but dcb is 3 and usually it's during naptime.

I am not in your area, so not sure if my info pertains.