How much to charge?

**danimarie0820** · 01-20-2009, 07:19 PM

I am going to watch a 3 year old and a 15 month old every Wednesday from 6:15-9:45p.m. I have no idea what to charge. The parents are wanting me to tell them my rates. Please help ASAP! TIA!

**lisettelovebug** · 01-20-2009, 07:23 PM

I would probably charge around $20-$25. If you figure $3 per kid per hour that is $21.

**Patty A** · 01-20-2009, 08:39 PM

It also depends on what the going rate in your area is. Daycare is set by the state, and is usually around 2.50 and hour for each kid, a bit of a rip off for those doing the work. You can also do flat rate, like 20 to 25 depending on what you feel is right. I know when you hire a teenager it is a much smaller rate than when its an adult doing it also.
I sure wouldn't want to do it for less than minimum wage, but many do.

**missyali** · 01-20-2009, 09:11 PM

I pay my 14 year-old niece $8.00 per hour and my kids are almost 3 & almost 6. This is usually on a weekend night, through. I think $20 - 25 sounds very fair! Will you have to feed or bathe them? That might sway me a little... Have fun! What fun ages!

**Momto2Boyz** · 01-21-2009, 06:32 AM

Just don't sell yourself short! I watched my neighbor's baby last year for a bit, and they totally took advantage of me. I was watching her 50+ hours a week and only making $100/week. It really upended my life having a baby in the house again. In a daycare, they are now paying almost $300/week!

I would check out daycares and see what they charge per day or per hour and go by that!

**joyofsix** · 01-21-2009, 06:37 AM

16 yo dd reports she would charge between $15 and $20 for 3.5 hrs x 2 kids.

**mommy4ever** · 01-21-2009, 10:09 AM

Our rates here are $7/hour per child for casual care.

**mombottoo** · 01-21-2009, 12:03 PM

I would probably check with local daycares to see what they charge in similar circumstances and go from there...but, I wouldn't do it for less than $20 if it were me do the sitting.

**Snyshine** · 01-21-2009, 02:24 PM

Here in CT- When I was paying off my wedding- I charged $15.00 per hour for a 3 year old and a 6 month old.

I am CPR/First A certified with a lot of experience.

Shoot high- or ask them for a range to give you an idea.

**danimarie0820** · 01-21-2009, 08:07 PM

Thank you for all of the advice! The center I work at charges $175 a week for 18 months to 3. For 3-5 it's $155 a week. But I think I will do around $25 each day.

**RetiredVeryEarly** · 01-21-2009, 11:24 PM

My best friend lives in a suburb of Chicago. She pays both adults and teens $10/hour for watching her two girls who are now 2 and 3. So for 3 1/2 hours it would be $35. Seems outrageous to me but she says that is the going rate there. My friends in some other Chicago suburb report the same prices. Might be cheaper in Ohio but probably not that much. That is a lot of responsibility. Since it is for a fairly short time, you need to make a good amount per hour. Those ages require a lot of care, although probably they will be sleeping part of the time in which case you might want to charge $25. Are you watching them and hence putting them to sleep in their own house, or will they be at your house? Sleeping children are very easy to take care of. :-)