Rates and Contract changes...

[Unregistered]

I'm in the process of updating my contract for my dcf. Currently, I feel they are getting me for next to nothing. I care for their 3 year old girl and 10 month old boy. I'm making less than $5/hour for both of them and it's 10 1/2 hours a day, 4 days a week.

With that said, I have decided to increase my rates to make this worth my time and energy, besides covering transportation costs (and time) coming up in the fall to take dcg to preschool and in general, it's what I need to do for my family and business.

I'm trying to figure out what a reasonable rate is for two kids. I don't mind giving a sibling discount, but I think the last time I did that, I cheated myself (my fault). I have been caring for dcg for almost a year and dcb since September. I haven not charged for late pick ups or early arrivals or when they decide at the last minute not to bring the kids. They also get a week unpaid vacation, unpaid sick days, as well as, my vacations and sick days are unpaid.

When I see it on paper, I feel like I've really cheated myself. Any thoughts about rates? I want to be fair, but I also want to be fair to me and my family.

[midaycare]

I don't know where you are located and what local rates are for you, so that will depend how I answer. Around where I live, daycare costs $125-$150 per week. But there are some here who live in high cost of living areas and charge $300 per week.

I can speak from my experience, charging $125-$150 per week. I charge $125 per week minimum, for a max of 10 hours. If a parent needs more time than 10 hours, I add an additional $5 per hour. I charge more for younger ones-not much, but $5-$10 per week.

I do sibling discounts of $10 per week.

I don't know if this helps, but it can give you some idea of what I charge.