Child Care rates?

Question

Can anyone let me know how to go about giving a rate for childcare? I'm a stay at home mom and have been given a few nanny opportunities and am not sure on what price to quote. How much for an infant? a toddler? A preschooler? 2 children in 2 different catergories?

I am a former daycare worker and know that the cost there was $200 per child per week-no meals included. Should I stick by that sort of rate? Or should I be more leniant since my daughter is my sidekick? or should I charge more since it will be in my home and I'll be providing meals? Any advice would be great. Thanks

Answer 1

For full time daycare, I was paying $35.00 per day.  I supplied meals.

Answer 2

In my area SAHMs charge less than traditional daycares but they often have a lot of offers and great relationships with the parents that they cater too.  For instance - here Kindercare and such costs $225 per week (under age 2) but in-home care with a SAHM with meals costs $150 per week for 2+, $100 per week for under age 2.  I think a lot of parents like having a SAHM watch their child because it's more intimate as well as costing less.  I know that the rates are discounted some for siblings but you'd have to use your best judgement for that.

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

Check the craigslist in your area, and see what other home care providers are charging.  That should give you an idea of what you should be charging.

Also make sure that you check out your local/state laws regarding licensing, how many kids you are allowed to watch and training that you need to take.

Answer 4

I am a stay at home mom as well!  I watch a 10 year old during the week.  I charge $20 a day plus she has to bring her own lunch and money for any field trip we go on!  I would say for an infant $30 per day and a toddler $25 per day.

I am assuming you are not licensed and since it is out of your home you can't ask for as much as the licensed facilities!

Answer 5

I have been a licensed child care provider in my home for 20 years.  Typically, home child care costs less than a Child Care Center.  I would suggest you do not charge as much as a center would.  If a person can afford a center cost they will typically choose that over an in home setting.  Centers have considerably more overhead than a home child care provider in terms of employees' salaries, taxes, building costs, etc.  There is usually licensing fees, continuting eduction, and business expenses to cover (such as advertising).  Additionally, it is most common for a Child Care Center to be run by a person with a degree and more likely to employ people with degrees.  Every area of the country can support different child care costs.  It will depend on the economics and location of where you live.  In our area, full-time in-home child care is in the $125-135 per week range.  I don't know any in home care providers who charge different for different age groups, but most centers do have higher tuition for infants. In my own personal situation, I only offer part-time child care so I prefer to charge only by the hour.  I am licensed for 6 children at one time and charge $3/hour for all ages of children.  You can do an on line search for average costs of child care in your county or city.  In the state I live in, Michigan, you must be licensed if you regularly care for any unrelated children in your home.  Usually being a nanny involves a person going to the home of a family.  If the child comes to your house, by definition, that would make you a Home Child Care Provider.