$45 for 12 hours of childcare ????

Question

In my area of Colorado, I've been told the going rate for in home child care is $ 20 a day, I've started taking on a few children, one of which is 12 months old, her usual schedule is 8 hour day anywhere from 3-5 days a week, sometimes a Sat or Sunday even. Mom is needing me to take her this coming week from 8am till 8-9pm at night, thats three meals, bath and jammie routine and off to bed for her to pick up at night....I normally charge $ 20 day for 8 hour day....and $ 5 hour each hour over that....now I quoted her $ 45 for the 12 hour day....does that sound resonable to everyone out there??? Want to be fair and yet be paid for my valuble services, which is direct one on one care of her daughter, which working in a daycare, and now being a stay at home mommy of 2, I know is far better than any daycare.....Anyhow...Let me know....I'm tired and want to go to sleep, but wanted to feel this price was okay....Thanks for your time....Sleepy Mommy in Colorado =)

Answer 1

I think that is a reasonable amount. Not many babysitters would agree to watch a child for so long, so you are doing her a favor.  Also that is cheaper than what teenagers charge.  My daughter charges $8.00/hour.

Answer 2

Yes, that is a lot cheaper than a regular teenage babysitter!  I would say you are giving her a great deal.

Answer 3

That's is very fair, see if you can get a bonus to.

Answer 4

yes, a very reasonable price.

Answer 5

Basically you charge $2.50 per hour for the first 8 hours and then double that for each hour over that.  Sounds perfect to me.  You are taking valuable time away from your family to watch this child.  

get some rest...you are charging the right amount!!

Answer 6

Yes -- it is a fair price. I was paying $45 for daycare (at a big place) for a 1 1/2 and 3 year old - I know it costs more for babies. That was for about 8-10 hours on average - but up to 12 hours a day. I am in a small town in Texas and I think it runs about $6 an hour - at a low-end business - not someone's home - I'd think at home care was more expensive. Plus Colorado is more expensive than here. I believe it was $25 per kid per day, then I got a discount for the 2nd kid.

I'd be a bit open - in case the mom can not afford it, maybe you could charge a little bit less. But I think $45 is fair.

Answer 7

I would say that sounds about right!

I feel for the kids and the parents in that household though....i mean, wow...they never see one another do they?!

Answer 8

$45 is a great price.  I think it would be reasonable to even charge $10 an hour after 6pm, as many parents are paying high school and college kids 10 an hour for weekend and after hour care.  You prices are extremely fair, and charging more would be completely reasonable, in my area infant care can be as high as $175 a week for full time.  School age kids are usually $20 a day, b/c they require less attention and work.

Answer 9

the $5 dollars for every hour after the 8 sounds a bit steep. $35 sounds reasonable.

Answer 10

WOW That seems really cheap but I live in california, I want to move to colorado in the next few years for college. I think thats very cheap. I would charge more but I do not know average prices there. But that is alot of work. And when my husband works. he works 12 hour shifts. and 8 hours is reg. pay and the 4 hours after that is time and a half. So 20 dollars for 8 hours is  2.50 an hour... WOW your math is right. UM 2.50 an hour? Charge 5-10 dollars an hour normally! Charge minimum wage if you ask me. You are providing a service you should at least get paid the minimum. YOU WORK HARD! Good Luck with the business!

Answer 11

no i think that is reasonable.

Answer 12

I'd say thats fair. Especially in this day and age where money is so tight. You are doing this mother a great service.