Before School Only

[Rainbow]

I have a neighbor who needs me to watch her kid, only while at the bus stop, at the same time as my kids. So for about 10-15 min if the bus is on time (so far this year it has been 5-15min late each day) Would you charge for this and how much? I'm mostly ok with doing this more as a favor, but I will have one daycare kid here during that time, if the bus is late (which seems likely based on it's current track record...). Has anyone else done this?

[Ariana]

For me it wouldn't be worthwhile to charge her since you have to be there with your own kids anyway. All you are doing is making sure he gets on the bus and she is your neighbour so I personally would do it for free.

[nanglgrl]

I would do it for free but also let her know that you will text her if your son isn't going to school (sick or vacation) so you aren't expected to bring your sick child out to wait for the bus. Also I would make sure she knows that on school delays or cancellations what the plan is.

[Unregistered]

I wouldn't commit. What happens if you are sick or your kids are and you don't go to the bus? If I was going to be out there anyway it wouldn't be an issue to keep an eye on another one for free.

[Blackcat31]

For me it wouldn't be worthwhile to charge her since you have to be there with your own kids anyway. All you are doing is making sure he gets on the bus and she is your neighbour so I personally would do it for free.

That's kind of like saying "you are home watching your kid anyways so you can take mine for free for 10 minutes while I run to X"

I never let a client (whether living next door or 10 miles away) talk me into giving away services for free. Even small increments of time. It's my job and to me job = pay.

ANY time I am taking responsibility for a child I charge.

I would do it for free but also let her know that you will text her if your son isn't going to school (sick or vacation) so you aren't expected to bring your sick child out to wait for the bus. Also I would make sure she knows that on school delays or cancellations what the plan is.

. have a plan for unforeseen and/or unplanned stuff..

[Blackcat31]

If you do take responsibility for even 10 minutes the child still counts in your ratios in my state (MN).

Here are a couple articles by Tom Copeland that might have useful info or things to consider: http://tomcopelandblog.com/?s=Bus+stop&x=0&y=0

[Leigh]

I charge in hour increments. So, I'd charge for at least 5 hours at my drop in rate. Seems like a lot, but she's not going to find someone else to do it for less or she already would have.

[Mike]

I agree with BC. I would only charge a small fee, like $10/week, but would charge something because that kid is your responsibility for that time.

And like nanglgrl said, be prepared for variations.

[LysesKids]

I have a neighbor who needs me to watch her kid, only while at the bus stop, at the same time as my kids. So for about 10-15 min if the bus is on time (so far this year it has been 5-15min late each day) Would you charge for this and how much? I'm mostly ok with doing this more as a favor, but I will have one daycare kid here during that time, if the bus is late (which seems likely based on it's current track record...). Has anyone else done this?

16 years ago I had a parent only need 35 minutes care in morning and she lived a few houses down from me... bus stopped literally in front of my home; I still had to count her in ratios during that time... I got paid $4 day for 5 days in advance (thanks to a wise mentor); point is just because you work from home does it not count against ratios, or state regulations (MN took the one lady to court over bus stop babysitting if I remember correctly)

You are taking the responsibility & Insurance liability for the child... charge for it

[Rainbow]

I agree with BC. I would only charge a small fee, like $10/week, but would charge something because that kid is your responsibility for that time.

And like nanglgrl said, be prepared for variations.

Yes, I agree with what BC said too and was thinking about charging somewhere around that amount/week as well. She said she would pay me, but we never discussed rates and I figured I would mull it over first.

I ended up figuring out an hourly rate, that is a little less than what my kids school charges/hr and looked at the school calendar and added up all of the scheduled school days and averaged it out over the number of weeks there is school, to come up with a flat weekly rate. I also factored in the longest possible time between drop off and potential bus pickup time in 15 min increments.

I'm not sure if my neighbor has other plans for late starts/early dismissals/no school/snow days or not, but I came up with a rate for those possibilities as well, just in case.

[DaveA]

I agree with BC. I would only charge a small fee, like $10/week, but would charge something because that kid is your responsibility for that time.

And like nanglgrl said, be prepared for variations.

I agree- also it gives you a starting point for inevitably she needs care for "just a little longer". If you charge something, you have established that it is a paid service. If not you run into the whole "give an inch, take a mile" situation.

[Play Care]

I think if you put a fee on it, don't be surprised if she suddenly doesn't need you to do it. This is what I find anyway.
People view in home child care as a "you're doing it anyway" situation and never take into account anything else. Mention licensing and they think you're being pretentious

I had to say no to a before care situation this year. I don't really do SA care to begin with but never before. My kids are in 5th and 6th grades so I don't even go to the bus stop with them. I knew it wouldn't take long for the situation to start being a hassle.

[Blackcat31]

I think if you put a fee on it, don't be surprised if she suddenly doesn't need you to do it. This is what I find anyway.
People view in home child care as a "you're doing it anyway" situation and never take into account anything else. Mention licensing and they think you're being pretentious

I had to say no to a before care situation this year. I don't really do SA care to begin with but never before. My kids are in 5th and 6th grades so I don't even go to the bus stop with them. I knew it wouldn't take long for the situation to start being a hassle.

It's funny how the entire situation "changes" when money is added to the mix.

@Rainbow, good for you for coming up with a rate. Now the ball is in mom's court to decide what she wants to do.

Keep us updated as to what happens because now I am curious as to whether or not she (DCM) kind of expected this to be free or close to free when she asked. kwim?

[Ariana]

That's kind of like saying "you are home watching your kid anyways so you can take mine for free for 10 minutes while I run to X"

I never let a client (whether living next door or 10 miles away) talk me into giving away services for free. Even small increments of time. It's my job and to me job = pay.

ANY time I am taking responsibility for a child I charge.



. have a plan for unforeseen and/or unplanned stuff..

All good points!

[KSDC]

If it were me, I'd be sure to have all of the required paperwork completed, too!