Anyone here babysit??

**handmerounds** · 11-03-2004, 08:17 PM

Just curious if anyone here babysits. I am a stay at home mom of two little ones 3 and 15 months. I have discovered that there is a need for childcare on an as needed basis. All of the daycares and even in home providers that I've checked want only full time children. I know, just like me, there are stay at home Mom's out there that need a babysitter once in a while. Whether to go to the doctor, hairdresser, etc. I am thinking about operating on an as needed basis during the day Mon. - Fri. And charge only by the day. That way if I need a day off for something I can just say I'm not available that day. What do you all think?? Anyone else do this??

**Sara Noel** · 11-03-2004, 08:46 PM

I don't babysit, but wanted to encourage you. I think it's a great idea. I wish that I could find someone that I trusted to watch my little ones even just once a month. I called our local childcare connection agency and NO ONE is listed on an on call/as needed basis. The daycares here will do part time, but their idea of part time is quite a few hours and I don't need that many hours.

Our paper has classified ads of moms looking for part time care. I saw one with really late night hours and wonder if she ever found anyone.

I agree with you that there is a need for quality care on an as needed basis.

**i.m.cheap** · 11-03-2004, 09:52 PM

I think that is a wonderful idea. My neighbor has a home daycare, and she gets all of her clients by referal from the local Child Care Association. Good Luck!

**mommy2three** · 11-03-2004, 09:57 PM

i babysit my nephew and get paid for it!! i am a sahm mom to 3...ages 6.5, 3.5, and 19 mo. it is pretty tiresome most of the time, but we need the money!

my nephew is 9 months and i've been watching him since he was 8 weeks!

good luck!!

**handmerounds** · 11-03-2004, 10:32 PM

Thanks for the encouragement!! I'm going to try and get a little prepared and then run an ad to spread the word. I have a spare bedroom right off the living room that I'm going to set up as a little playroom.

What would you all charge per day? The daycares run about $75.00 week. I saw one ad today in the paper charging $85.00 week. I thought that was kinda steep. I was thinking about $12.00-$15.00 per day. I know a lot of people pay more than that for one evening out on the weekend. What do you think??

Thanks in advance!!

**Mom23boys** · 11-03-2004, 11:01 PM

Gretchen, I think that is a great idea. I know of alot of people that would love to have the as needed basis. I would have loved that when my children were younger. It would have been great just to be able to go to town once a week by myself.

I don't think 12-15 a day is too much either.

Good luck!!

**SewCrafty** · 11-04-2004, 01:50 AM

I don't have children, but I think $12-$15 is extremely reasonable! I say go for it and good luck!

**DaisyLady** · 11-04-2004, 07:04 AM

Hi Gretchen,

I'm a sahm who babysits too. I have a 5 year old for 2 half days a week. I get paid $20 for a half day. (just over 4 hours). I give her lunch and sometimes a mid morning snack if she is hungry. In the summer time I have her and her brother who is 7 for 2 full days.

I also willingly take on any kids who need a place for a few hours here or there whether it is a regular thing or a one time emergency. (Like the regular babysitter is sick or mom is delivering little brother/sister) If I am available I will even go to someone's house and babysit there although this has only happened once in three years.

Good luck!

**AmyBoz** · 11-04-2004, 08:50 AM

I think it's a great idea. My son goes to a daycare in a woman's home and I love it. It just feels so much more homey and caring for him. She charges $50 a day, but that is actually the going rate in North Jersey. Luckily for me, it gets cancelled out most days because there are two sisters (7th and 8th grade) who I pick up after school (I'm a teacher) and bring them back to my house from 3-6. They do their homework, we study for tests together and then they play with my kids and their mom pays me $50 a day. So, it works out great for me.

Go for it...I guarantee you'll find people looking for exactly what you are offering!

**handmerounds** · 11-05-2004, 03:49 PM

THANKS EVERYONE! I printed up some flyers today. I'm going to hang them around town. I checked about an ad for the paper and it runs $20.00. I'm going to try the flyers first. See what kind of response I get. I will keep you posted!

**queenie** · 11-09-2004, 11:08 PM

$50. a day! Oh wow! The cost of living must be high where you live!

The costs of living here are quite reasonable considering. When dd was under 2 I was paying $24. a day for licenced day care. She wasn't getting the care she needed in the end so I took her out and opened my own unlicenced day care. I charged 15 dollars a day. When I had twins I charged the mom $25. DD had so much fun and I was happy to be home.

I don't do daycare now, But always have kids here even though dd is going to be 12.

You'll have fun with it. Goodluck.

Queenie