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?
Before School Only
Collapse
X
-
-
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.- Flag
Comment
-
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..
- Flag
Comment
-
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- Flag
Comment
-
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.Children are little angels, even when they are little devils.
They are also our future.- Flag
Comment
-
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?
You are taking the responsibility & Insurance liability for the child... charge for it- Flag
Comment
-
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.- Flag
Comment
-
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.- Flag
Comment
-
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.- Flag
Comment
-
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.
@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?- Flag
Comment
-
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..
- Flag
Comment
Comment