How much should I charge? Please read!

whitward87

My friend is going back to work and wants me to watch her 1 year old from 8-3 M-F. How much should I charge her? I was thinking as much as a daycare, but I am really not sure. My first though was $125 a week and I would pay for any activities we go to as well as daily food and snacks. Does this seem fair or am I overcharging? Let me know what you ladies think! TIA!

amg2007

I think that sounds more than fair.  But then again, I don't know about the cost of living in your area.  Around here it would be around $200 or more a week for those hours!  Good Luck!

sweetkakes419

I'm assuming that it's under the table.  In that case, I wouldn't charge anywhere near what a daycare charges.  They have so much overhead to cover - insurance, benefits, taxes, administrative costs, etc.  I would ask around for the going rate per hour and then base it off of that.  Or you could say you want to make $x per hour, so for 35 hours a week it costs 35 times x.  Then round up a little for activities / food.

whitward87

amg2007:

I think that sounds more than fair.  But then again, I don't know about the cost of living in your area.  Around here it would be around $200 or more a week for those hours!  Good Luck!

Good gosh that's a lot! It's about 125-200 weekly from 6A-6P, but since I wouldnt have her all day long, I am going to charge on the lower end.

katiemac12345

I don't know about the cost of living in your area, but I think that is a good deal for your friend. If you are paying for activities, food and snacks I would even say $150. You could find out the cost of several at home daycares in your area, figure out the price per hour (since many charge based on a 10 hour day) and then charge her a little less than that since you are friends and you aren't running an actual daycare.

superaunt

OMG that sounds great to me! But FT DC here is 300 a week.

Liss_37

I agree with the p.p. I wouldn't charge the cost of a daycare if you aren't actually running one. 

sweetkakes419

superaunt:

OMG that sounds great to me! But FT DC here is 300 a week.

My parents watch DS so we don't use DC, but I agree!  From what I understand, DC would be $400+ per week here.  The regional differences are insane.

babygirlcc

lisswastaken:

I agree with the p.p. I wouldn't charge the cost of a daycare if you aren't actually running one. 

babygirlcc

lisswastaken:

I agree with the p.p. I wouldn't charge the cost of a daycare if you aren't actually running one. 

mrsmyers8

I think a deal.  I pay 180 a week for my little guy.  Hours vary.  No matter how much he is there, that is what i pay. 

babygirlcc

babygirlcc:

lisswastaken:

I agree with the p.p. I wouldn't charge the cost of a daycare if you aren't actually running one. 

 

agree...if she wanted to pay that much i think she would have put LO in daycare. I'm not saying be dirt cheap but cut her some slack

mysonya

I pay my sitter $75/week.  She is paid under the table. I supply everything.....food, toys, carseat. She is a good friend of mine and we discussed payment prior to DD being born.  I asked her how much she would charge me and she told me to pay her what we could work into our budget.  I will say that in home DCs here charge $100 to $125/week  and regular day cares charge $125 to $175/week. This has worked out perfectly for us.