Substitute/Temporary Assistant

[StarMama01]

How much would you pay for a fully credentialed substitute or temporary assistant?

Since my daycare license is pending a few more months due to a required fence installation, I was thinking about offering my services to local in-home providers as a substitute or temporary assistant. I'd work as an independent contractor (EIN, liability insurance, pay my own self-employed taxes) for multiple providers using my own contract.

I've considered doing in-home child care for one family again, but I'd also like to get out and network with other providers. There seems to be a market for substitutes/temporary assistants, but maybe not the fully legal kind (paying under the table vs. w-2 employee). Thoughts?

[Blackcat31]

I'd pay min. wage or more for sure but I have to wonder how open other providers would be to using your services knowing you are opening your own daycare.

Personally, I would not care at all but seems everyone views others as competition so area providers might feel like you are only looking to make connections and potentially "steal" their clients.

Great idea though!! We have a retired provider that offers similar services and everyone loves her!

[daycare]

I can see what BC is saying that others may fear you as competition.

I also would only pay minimum wage, you wouldn't really be able to do anything other than baby sit the kids unless you were there long enough to get fully trained on how to run and operate the program.

I have a girl that I use as a sub, but she worked for me first for many years and then had her own child, so she only works when I really really need someone and she knows how to run my program very well.

someone who came on occasion, would not be able to do too much other than feed and keep them safe, which is ok to allow to happen from time to time...

[Leigh]

I pay mine $25/hour (OUCH!!!). I was hoping to find one for $15/hr, but she wouldn't do it for that. We live in a city where most people don't even make $15/hr (starting wages are usually $8.50-$11.50 per hour. She's not full time, though, she is on call.

[CityGarden]

I use an agency cost is $20 - $25 per hour --- it works as when I need a temp substitute it is typically just 2-4 hours to be at my dd's school.

[daycare]

I use an agency cost is $20 - $25 per hour --- it works as when I need a temp substitute it is typically just 2-4 hours to be at my dd's school.

I didn't know agencies existed for in-home in CA. how does that work. My understanding is that each person has to be directly attached to your license to work for you. Would love to know more. I have never heard of this before.

[StarMama01]

Good feedback!

I wonder if competition is that tight for it to be a concern. I'm in Minneapolis, and there seems to be a shortage of affordable, quality child care - especially for infants! Perhaps I could add a reasonable non-compete clause to my contract - like I will not contract with any family currently contracted with the licensed provider for one year.

There is no way I'm working outside of my home for minimum wage. On the flip side, I know it's unaffordable for most providers to even have a paid assistant/substitute. I couldn't afford it and would probably just close early or for the day if necessary.

I'm not looking for full-time work outside of the home, so $20/hr for a minimum of three hours seems reasonable. I mean, teenagers here get paid that much to babysit one family and don't pay taxes or carry insurance.

[Blackcat31]

Good feedback!

I wonder if competition is that tight for it to be a concern. I'm in Minneapolis, and there seems to be a shortage of affordable, quality child care - especially for infants! Perhaps I could add a reasonable non-compete clause to my contract - like I will not contract with any family currently contracted with the licensed provider for one year.

There is no way I'm working outside of my home for minimum wage. On the flip side, I know it's unaffordable for most providers to even have a paid assistant/substitute. I couldn't afford it and would probably just close early or for the day if necessary.

I'm not looking for full-time work outside of the home, so $20/hr for a minimum of three hours seems reasonable. I mean, teenagers here get paid that much to babysit one family and don't pay taxes or carry insurance.

Im 4 hours north of you and infant care is tough to find here as well but in all honesty it's not all because of space.

Its more to do with how parents parent their babies now days.... I know several providers across the state that have infant openings but none of them are willing to give up that space to a family that only wants a couple hours here and there every so often or families that want to pay pennies for nanny-like care. Its just not worth it.

I reserve my infant spots for currently attending families but if none of my current families are expecting then I fill the spots with older kids.

Have you considered maybe being a nanny for an infant or two? (not at the same time obviously) but you could get a premium rate/pay for something like that especially since so many families are needing infant care.....

[LittleScholars]

How much would you pay for a fully credentialed substitute or temporary assistant?

Since my daycare license is pending a few more months due to a required fence installation, I was thinking about offering my services to local in-home providers as a substitute or temporary assistant. I'd work as an independent contractor (EIN, liability insurance, pay my own self-employed taxes) for multiple providers using my own contract.

I've considered doing in-home child care for one family again, but I'd also like to get out and network with other providers. There seems to be a market for substitutes/temporary assistants, but maybe not the fully legal kind (paying under the table vs. w-2 employee). Thoughts?

I've paid as high as $20.50 and as low as $15. There is such a market in my area for subs. A huge pro for my program is I almost never close, but I couldn't do it without my subs. If someone was willing to take the steps of getting an EIN number, etc. I'd figure out how to pay even more. My subs have never asked, but I always give them at least 2-3 hours of work to make it worth their time.

I should add I'm at a point in life (recently pregnant and now with a newborn) that I need to leave often for appointments.

[StarMama01]

Have you considered maybe being a nanny for an infant or two? (not at the same time obviously) but you could get a premium rate/pay for something like that especially since so many families are needing infant care.....

Long story short: I want to be self-employed. I'd make a lot more money working for someone else, but I'm not interested in doing that right now.

[Blackcat31]

Long story short: I want to be self-employed. I'd make a lot more money working for someone else, but I'm not interested in doing that right now.

Totally understand that!

I was just thinking outloud....since you are in limbo until licensing can approve your license.

Is it just the lack of a fence that is holding things up?

[StarMama01]

Is it just the lack of a fence that is holding things up?

Yep, the fence is the biggest (and most expensive) issue. It was supposed to go in last fall, but you know, contractors. Always add six months to their timeline. :/

[Blackcat31]

Yep, the fence is the biggest (and most expensive) issue. It was supposed to go in last fall, but you know, contractors. Always add six months to their timeline. :/

Wow! Usually the licensors will still issue your license so that you can begin caring for kids but put a stipulation on you saying the kids maybe can't play outside without added supervision etc...

We have a provider in my county that has a similar issue and even got a grant to help pay for the fence but since it cant be installed until Spring the provider simply has a conditional license stating she can't use her yard for outdoor play and instead takes walks and goes to the nearby YMCA gym for her large motor activities.

I'm sorry the licensor in your county hasn't suggested something similar so you can get started already....seems like a poor reason to keep you and any interested families waiting. :confused: