What Would You Charge?

[maudie65]

I have a dcm that works as a county correctional officer. Shes also a friend. I have been watching her daughter for about 2 years now. When I first enrolled her I watched the dck for 13 hours almost 14 hours a day. But only 3 or 4 days a week. I charged $28 dollars than.
Its been 4 months since I've had to watch the dck for that long, since the moms scheduled changed to nights, I watched the dck when the mom slept on weekdays. I since changed my fees to $20 a day.
I also have another dck I've been watching for 3 months. M-f 8 to 6.
My dilemma is now my c.o. friend is going back to days and weekends, which means I would need to watch the c.o. dck for almost 14 hours a day.
Is this reasonable? My fee of $20 a day for 10 hours. Plus $3.00 per extra hour. So it would be about $32 a day. I think thats fair considering I no longer have any days off for at least 3 months, because she will rotate her shift. Am I over charging?

[DaycareMama]

Ugh thats a long day! I dont know what the typical rates are in your area but that sounds very cheap to me.

[Live and Learn]

That sounds too cheap especially considering no days off....FOR THREE SUMMER MONTHS!!!!:confused:

Your $32 for 14 hours is less than I get for 8 hours..........

I really don't think you are asking enough.

[maudie65]

That sounds too cheap especially considering no days off....FOR THREE SUMMER MONTHS!!!!:confused:

Your $32 for 14 hours is less than I get for 8 hours..........

I really don't think you are asking enough.

typical rates range from $25 to $30. i know, i really dont want to do it but dont want to lose her either. i honestly feel i should charge more but dont want to seem like im taking advantage of her because she doesn't have anyone else willing to help her.
i really feel sick to my stomach because i dont want to watch her for that long, especially since i will be watching another kid on the weekdays. and i want to tell her no but i cant afford to lose her. it ****s!! it really does!!

[Abigail]

What is your average rate? I think the $32 is fair and that should have been that high to begin with a few months ago. If you work weekends or evenings I would charge close-to or even double your hourly break-down rate. You need down time or you will burn out. How many other children do you watch and any of your own as well? Good luck with this summer!

I would also make sure this C.O. mom provides extra things like sunscreen and bug spray to lighten the purchasing load off you for your long hours as well.

[maudie65]

Ugh thats a long day! I dont know what the typical rates are in your area but that sounds very cheap to me.

i know its ridiculous. i asked her to ask family members who could help pick up the extra 4 hours but she didnt sound like that option would be possible!!!

[maudie65]

What is your average rate? I think the $32 is fair and that should have been that high to begin with a few months ago. If you work weekends or evenings I would charge close-to or even double your hourly break-down rate. You need down time or you will burn out. How many other children do you watch and any of your own as well? Good luck with this summer!

I would also make sure this C.O. mom provides extra things like sunscreen and bug spray to lighten the purchasing load off you for your long hours as well.

i charge $20. i have only 1 other dck and i have 3 kids myself ages 1, 3 and 11. so there are a few kids i watch just not that many i get paid for.

[Abigail]

i know its ridiculous. i asked her to ask family members who could help pick up the extra 4 hours but she didnt sound like that option would be possible!!!

Well then! LOL. For those four hours that you would like to be off, charge $5-$6/hour. You should try to aim for minimum wage at least when you don't have other children present. She'll find a way to help you out or she'll pay. You can charge your $2 an hour for the initial 10 hours for the $20/day. Then the additional hours beyond 10 hours should be $4/hour (doubled) because no children should be in care that long. Then if they go past 12 hours it should go up again (add $2/hour or $4/hour to double). If you had a 14 hour day SCHEDULED, whether they use it or not, you should get the initial $20 + $8 for the 10-12 hour time frame + $12 for the 12-14 hour time frame. That 14 hour day should be $40 at minimum!

[Live and Learn]

typical rates range from $25 to $30.

Maudie...

:confused::confused::confused:If the going rate is $25 to $30 in your area then why are you only charging $20?:confused::confused::confused:

If you are working past 9 or 10 hours a day the daily fee should be higher.

If you are working on a weekend the rates should be way higher.

[maudie65]

Well then! LOL. For those four hours that you would like to be off, charge $5-$6/hour. You should try to aim for minimum wage at least when you don't have other children present. She'll find a way to help you out or she'll pay. You can charge your $2 an hour for the initial 10 hours for the $20/day. Then the additional hours beyond 10 hours should be $4/hour (doubled) because no children should be in care that long. Then if they go past 12 hours it should go up again (add $2/hour or $4/hour to double). If you had a 14 hour day SCHEDULED, whether they use it or not, you should get the initial $20 + $8 for the 10-12 hour time frame + $12 for the 12-14 hour time frame. That 14 hour day should be $40 at minimum!

WOW! thats a lot! but it sounds fair. considering its 14 hours a day. i was never good in math but i like your calculation on this!!!

ty

[maudie65]

Maudie...

:confused::confused::confused:If the going rate is $25 to $30 in your area then why are you only charging $20?:confused::confused::confused:

If you are working past 9 or 10 hours a day the daily fee should be higher.

If you are working on a weekend the rates should be way higher.

Yup your right! But I charge 20 because i feel like the "good" daycares charge more. Since I dont have the extra stuff I feel I should have, like a jungle gym or sleeping mats or just nice things I shouldnt charge that much.
I do a lot of stuff with my kids. We have reading, singing, coloring/drawing, free play, blocks, and outside time (kickball, bubbles). Plus with the infant I have I play with her and I'm trying to teach her how to crawl and sit up.
Its just not as structured. I let them pick and have options on what they want to do. I guess I undercharge myself.

[Abigail]

Just remember it's not what you have, it's who you are. Are you licensed? You should raise your rates to $25 a day minimum and $20 for part timers this summer and asap for this newly discovered long hours. Make sure to raise your rates again to be average because you are cheating yourself short.

[Live and Learn]

Yup your right! But I charge 20 because i feel like the "good" daycares charge more. Since I dont have the extra stuff I feel I should have, like a jungle gym or sleeping mats or just nice things I shouldnt charge that much.
I do a lot of stuff with my kids. We have reading, singing, coloring/drawing, free play, blocks, and outside time (kickball, bubbles). Plus with the infant I have I play with her and I'm trying to teach her how to crawl and sit up.
Its just not as structured. I let them pick and have options on what they want to do. I guess I undercharge myself.

Kids don't need a jungle gym or sleeping mats. I don't have a curriculum or sleeping mats.

You need to raise your base rates to at least $25 if that is the minimum going rate and start putting more effort into thinking of yourself as a "good" daycare. You sound like a loving daycare provider.

What age of children do you care for?