Ask:
I was thinking of doing this for extra $$ till I started seeing what most people in our area are charging! Living in AZ. I thought it would be higher, but the ladies on Craigslist and in the local MOPS and mom's groups are only getting $25 (at the most $35 a day) for a 10-12 hr. day!! That's 2.50 or less an hr!!! PLUS most of them are providing lunch and snacks and milk! I just don't get it. I mean these are the people you're trusting with your children you would think they could make at least minimum wage! I know these weren't daycares (they were other stay at home moms) but still I was shocked.
What is it in your area?
Answer:
The standard rate is $2.50 to $5 an hour for childcare. If they charged more than most families could not afford it. Think of all the people that are making between $6 and $8 an hour for a living.
If you do consider opening one in your home make sure you check and see if there are licensing guidelines. Most states allow you to take care of 1-3 kids without a license but some are strict and want you to be licensed for caring for even 1 unrelated child on a regular basis.
Many daycares ask parents to bring food for their kids and the daycare will provide snacks. Often the ones providing all meals are subsidized by the USDA and receive money towards meals if a certain number of their kids come from low income families...much like the free lunch program.
I don't run a home day care but I completed a semester long internship at a licensing office.
Jen
Answer:
Thanks for the info!
Yes I understand it does have to be affordable. I used to be a receptionist and brought home about $80 a day and to hand even $35 of it over at 5pm after working all day would be HARD unless it was for insurance or something.
Anyway, just curious to know what others charge also what do you charge for drop ins, like if you want a night out or something?
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I'm in VA and mine is $150 a week and they are open 7am to 5:30pm. So I guess that ends up being $3 an hour. There are 2 workers and their are 10 kids total so that must mean they make $15 per hour, excluding expenses. Not too bad, but that includes food and wipes. She is part of the USDA program so I know she gets some money for food. She is licensed by the state too, which is very important to me.
Don't know if this answered anything....
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I am in California and i am charging $40/day for infants....and $33/day for toddler and preschool ages.
It is very inexpensive hourly but it adds up the more children you have in your care. If parents wanted to pay $250 or up per week they would be able to afford a nanny so we do need to keep our rates competitive and fair.
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We are licensed to provide daycare in our home.....we charge $90 a week for full time (age 6 weeks - 2 years) and $80 a week for full time over 2 years old.....$30 for school age (during the school year)
We provide the meals and snacks, and we are part of the USDA food program.
The other poster was right that the number of kids that you watch is what helps you make your $$$$ you do not make that much per child (minimum wage).....the parents would have to be bringing in some BIG BUCKS to pay a home provider that well. In my state, you have to count your own children into you licensing numbers (even while they are at school)...so the more children that you have of your own, the less paying children that you can watch.
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I am in Northern VA and I charged $40 a day (9-5) per child. I did provide food and wipes, but not diapers. That price was for toddlers and preschoolers, I didn't watch babies but they charge more based on age. I only watched 2 boys part time, but I stopped last month. You can make more babysitting and providing part time care b/c you can charge higher. I make $10 plus an hour for occasional/drop in babysitting. Price depends on your area. If I were in your shoes I would not do full time care, it can be exhausting and you can make more providing part-time care! Market yourself as an occasional babysitter, hold mom's mornings out from 9-noon, or parent's nights out, advertise for free on Craigslist. I made way more money holding those once a week! Good Luck!
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Good idea about the drop in and part-time! I just wonder if there is a demand for it. I like the idea though!
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Hi, I am in Central VA. and I charge $130 a week ( 7:30-5:30 ) for one child and $230 a week for two.
I love what I do, and would not trade it for the world...but it is a FULL time and a half job.
I provide meals ands drinks, no wipes and dipes or formula. I also teach sign lanuage and preschool activities.
If you are interested in starting to do child care from your home, you can PM me. I have a wealth of info. and websites that will help you make your mind up. Good luck !
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I used to run an in-home licensed center in Wisconsin. OUr rules here are strict, but, there are several groups to discuss the "going rate" for your area. The USDA program is great. It pays a flat-fee per child fed at each meal. When I was doing daycare, it was more than I paid for the meals (usually). Since I shopped at ALDI's, I actually would make money on the food. I told the worker this, and, basically, she said, "good for you, it is a flat fee."
On the topic of occasional care, where I live I have seen ads for "specialty care". On New Years Eve, there is a family that hosts a kids movies/pizza/popcorn sleepover. The kids are there from like 6PM- noon the next day, and, the family charges over $100 per child. Parents pay it, because they want to go out for New Years, and, the kids love it. They also do a "Saturday Night kids club", and, take the kids from 6- 10 AM. They advertise off-hours and occassional care. They make a great living do it.
Also, there are families whose kids are off for summer, so, they advertise a "summer only" program for children grade-school age. Day care rules are few for this age group. They take all of the kids to the park, and, do lots of outside games, going to the beach, etc. I don't really know how much they charge, though, but, they fill up quickly.
HTH!
Amanda