Parents Night Out/Date Night

[Missjaime]

I was thinking about doing a parents night out for my dcfs sometime soon. Anyone do this type of thing? What do you charge? Are normal ratios required for an after-hours thing like that?

[Thriftylady]

I was thinking about doing a parents night out for my dcfs sometime soon. Anyone do this type of thing? What do you charge? Are normal ratios required for an after-hours thing like that?

You still have to stay in ratio. Also make sure your licensing allows such a thing. I have heard that in some areas once you turn in your hours of operation, you can't provide care outside of those hours. Which is stupid to me. So just make sure not to get yourself in a bind with licensing.

[Missjaime]

Good point, thank you. I will check into that.

[Controlled Chaos]

I do monthly (ish) date nights. I charge $20 for 4 hours. 5-9pm. I would charge more if you want to make a good profit. I do it more as good advertising and often have children off my wait list and past clients come. I do a craft to send home and watch movies

[Unregistered]

Spending non-daycare hours doing daycare *shudder*

Depends if you're dcf's have grandparents easily available and willing. Mine do, so this probably wouldn't ever work. Why pay when you don't have to?

[rosieteddy]

I offered this about 10 yrs ago .I charged 25.00 .The child stayed after the others went home until9:00pm.Dinner and a movie Only one childs family took advantage and it made for a very long day.I stopped offering it the next contract.

[BabyMonkeys]

I only care for 3 at a time, so I bond with their families pretty well. If they ask in advance I will usually keep them on the weekends for $10 an hour, or $60 overnight. I only offer that to "my boys" they are toddlers and they have been with me since birth. They know the routine and go right to bed, so I don't mind much. I do not offer babysitting for anyone else though.

[Missjaime]

All good points. I am thinking about it for a few reasons - one, I am super low on kiddos and am kind of looking for a little extra income! Two, my husband coaches high school football and my two little boys and I get bored Friday nights - I figured why not turn it into something positive for my business. Three - maybe it would be a good advertisement for future clients? I don't know. I think I have at lease one client (with 2 kids) who might take me up on it. Maybe one more. I was thinking of charging $20 or $25. Might make a little cash on the side

[Controlled Chaos]

All good points. I am thinking about it for a few reasons - one, I am super low on kiddos and am kind of looking for a little extra income! Two, my husband coaches high school football and my two little boys and I get bored Friday nights - I figured why not turn it into something positive for my business. Three - maybe it would be a good advertisement for future clients? I don't know. I think I have at lease one client (with 2 kids) who might take me up on it. Maybe one more. I was thinking of charging $20 or $25. Might make a little cash on the side

If we didn't need the money I wouldn't do it and my DH works Friday night too my kiddos love it, and I typically make $80-120 bonus for those extra 4 hours of work. When my kids get older i probably won't offer it anymore.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I do every so often!

I used to offer 4 hours and charged $16 ($4/hour). I would do it from 4:00-8:00pm.
Now that I have a young child of my own, I offer 3 hours and charge $15 ($5/hour). I now do it from 4:00-7:00pm.
I don't accept children younger than 2 into my program BUT for Parent's Night Out siblings 18 months old-5-years-old who aren't enrolled here are also welcome to attend. Their parents just fill out a form as if they were enrolled and provide the necessary items (immunization record of exemption form, Doctors note saying they're well enough to attend, etc.).

If it isn't too hot outside we go to the park and they come in pajamas. If it is hot then they wear bathing suits here and we do water play in the backyard. Then they change into pajamas after.
I provide dinner, they watch one 20 minute show (which they LOVE because they never get to see a show here), we do some process art and they play. Occasionally I will do a theme. We did a GIRLS ONLY party and we painted nails and put on make-up during that. The few bottles of nail polish and make-up were bought from Dollar General so it was very inexpensive.

I typically have between 8-10 children here and yes, you do have to stay within ratio.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Spending non-daycare hours doing daycare *shudder*

Depends if you're dcf's have grandparents easily available and willing. Mine do, so this probably wouldn't ever work. Why pay when you don't have to?

That was my group LAST year. This year, there aren't many available to watch the kids so I have quite a lot.