Appropriate Babysitters Fee. - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Salem · 11-18-2009, 05:09 PM

So, I'm jobless. But I dont really want a 9-5 at McD's or Starbucks, And i love kids. So I figured I'd re-enter the world of child care. So I posted some adds, and I'm starting to get call's. Most of them want to know what I charge, obviously. So I'm wondering what the appropriate fee should be? What does everyone pay their babysitter per hour?

Martian · 11-18-2009, 05:43 PM

snowy's the authority on this, since she's a professional nanny, but I'm her friend and so have some level of knowledge by association.

Or not.

Anyway, I'd think it would have a lot to do with the level of service you're offering and what's expected. The norm I believe is X per hour per child, minimum of Y. Your qualifications and how much you're willing to do as a childcare provider will go a lot into defining the variables.

If you don't already have it, you should get first aid/CPR certification (when I did it many moons ago, St. John's Ambulance offered a 'level C' course that specifically covered infants and children as well as adults). Past that, qualifications are a determining factor. Do you have a background or any education in ECE or a similar program?

for myself, I'd probably figure around $10/hour for 1-2 children, but it's up to you what you think your time is worth.

snowy · 11-18-2009, 06:00 PM

Martian's got it spot on.

It depends on where you are, what your qualifications are, and what other people charge. I charge $9/hr for 1 child and $10 for 2, negotiable from there, though some people don't even ask and assume it's $10 here. I have a college degree, I am studying child development, and I am Infant/Child First Aid/CPR certified, as well as a boatload of experience. Obviously, you don't want to price yourself out of the local market. Admittedly, I live in a largely middle-class community and circulate in such. Some communities could probably not support what I charge.

Good luck. I love what I do but sometimes it's really hard. Be prepared to be elbow deep in shit, snot, and puke.

Xerxys · 11-18-2009, 06:10 PM

Hourly? if your working for some sort of daycare establishment I assume you would get either a weekly salary or not more than $9.25/hr USD. But I would personally pay you $7.25/hr USD (minimum wage) If you were coming to my home and taking care of my child because I assume all other provisions will be provided for.

If you were 16, on the other hand, I'd exploit the hell outta you and give you maybe 80 bucks for the day.

snowy · 11-18-2009, 06:21 PM

Xerxys, in-home, personalized care naturally costs more than daycare. I won't get into the nitty-gritty details of childcare pricing or the differences between in-home care and center care, but suffice it to say, daycare workers are paid less than nannies and babysitters, by and large. It's not uncommon for a teacher's aide in a center to be paid little more than minimum wage.

Additionally, keep in mind that the minimum wage is different everywhere. Here it is $8.40.

Oh, and by the way--what you pay a babysitter should only pay for them to do childcare. He or she should not be expected to do your dishes or fold your laundry unless that is negotiated separately. If you want a maid, hire one.

telekinetic · 11-18-2009, 07:43 PM

One of my friends charges $15 an hour in scottsdale. She actually nannys an 18 month old while the people are still home on weekends, friday to monday, and gets paid even when she's asleep, meaning she makes like $700 a weekend.

On the other end of the spectrum, we were paying $15 a day for another of our friends to watch our daughter for 4 hours twice a week. Definitely a homie hookup rate, though.

Xerxys · 11-18-2009, 08:28 PM

By provisions I meant things like breaks, entertainment, (TV is right there) food, (refrigerator is right there) as long as you just don't come to my home to eat and watch TV instead of looking after my kid. I also assume your local, driving less than 20 miles to get to me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowy

... Oh, and by the way--what you pay a babysitter should only pay for them to do childcare. He or she should not be expected to do your dishes or fold your laundry unless that is negotiated separately. If you want a maid, hire one.

**Plugs ears**

I can't hear you la la la la la la la la la ....

The_Jazz · 11-19-2009, 05:15 AM

The going rate in my neighborhood is $10 for one kid, $2 for each additional. If the provider has something special going (master degree, etc.) that rate varies upwards.

highthief · 11-19-2009, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Salem

So, I'm jobless. But I dont really want a 9-5 at McD's or Starbucks, And i love kids. So I figured I'd re-enter the world of child care. So I posted some adds, and I'm starting to get call's. Most of them want to know what I charge, obviously. So I'm wondering what the appropriate fee should be? What does everyone pay their babysitter per hour?

Not a criticism but why would you not have worked out what you are going to charge before placing your ads?

Salem · 11-19-2009, 11:02 AM

Well, I would say I have a base fee of $8. But I'm not going to say I charge $8 and then have someone with 4 kids only pay me $8. So I always put that my fee is negotiable, and go from there.

11-18-2009, 05:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
Salem Psycho Location: Canada	Appropriate Babysitters Fee. So, I'm jobless. But I dont really want a 9-5 at McD's or Starbucks, And i love kids. So I figured I'd re-enter the world of child care. So I posted some adds, and I'm starting to get call's. Most of them want to know what I charge, obviously. So I'm wondering what the appropriate fee should be? What does everyone pay their babysitter per hour?

11-18-2009, 05:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	snowy's the authority on this, since she's a professional nanny, but I'm her friend and so have some level of knowledge by association. Or not. Anyway, I'd think it would have a lot to do with the level of service you're offering and what's expected. The norm I believe is X per hour per child, minimum of Y. Your qualifications and how much you're willing to do as a childcare provider will go a lot into defining the variables. If you don't already have it, you should get first aid/CPR certification (when I did it many moons ago, St. John's Ambulance offered a 'level C' course that specifically covered infants and children as well as adults). Past that, qualifications are a determining factor. Do you have a background or any education in ECE or a similar program? for myself, I'd probably figure around $10/hour for 1-2 children, but it's up to you what you think your time is worth. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

11-18-2009, 06:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	Martian's got it spot on. It depends on where you are, what your qualifications are, and what other people charge. I charge $9/hr for 1 child and $10 for 2, negotiable from there, though some people don't even ask and assume it's $10 here. I have a college degree, I am studying child development, and I am Infant/Child First Aid/CPR certified, as well as a boatload of experience. Obviously, you don't want to price yourself out of the local market. Admittedly, I live in a largely middle-class community and circulate in such. Some communities could probably not support what I charge. Good luck. I love what I do but sometimes it's really hard. Be prepared to be elbow deep in shit, snot, and puke. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

11-18-2009, 06:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Xerxys Junkie Location: My head.	Hourly? if your working for some sort of daycare establishment I assume you would get either a weekly salary or not more than $9.25/hr USD. But I would personally pay you $7.25/hr USD (minimum wage) If you were coming to my home and taking care of my child because I assume all other provisions will be provided for. If you were 16, on the other hand, I'd exploit the hell outta you and give you maybe 80 bucks for the day. Last edited by Xerxys; 11-18-2009 at 06:13 PM..

11-18-2009, 06:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
snowy Kick Ass Kunoichi Location: Oregon	Xerxys, in-home, personalized care naturally costs more than daycare. I won't get into the nitty-gritty details of childcare pricing or the differences between in-home care and center care, but suffice it to say, daycare workers are paid less than nannies and babysitters, by and large. It's not uncommon for a teacher's aide in a center to be paid little more than minimum wage. Additionally, keep in mind that the minimum wage is different everywhere. Here it is $8.40. Oh, and by the way--what you pay a babysitter should only pay for them to do childcare. He or she should not be expected to do your dishes or fold your laundry unless that is negotiated separately. If you want a maid, hire one. __________________ If I am not better, at least I am different. --Jean-Jacques Rousseau

11-18-2009, 07:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	One of my friends charges $15 an hour in scottsdale. She actually nannys an 18 month old while the people are still home on weekends, friday to monday, and gets paid even when she's asleep, meaning she makes like $700 a weekend. On the other end of the spectrum, we were paying $15 a day for another of our friends to watch our daughter for 4 hours twice a week. Definitely a homie hookup rate, though. __________________ twisted no more

11-19-2009, 05:15 AM	#8 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	The going rate in my neighborhood is $10 for one kid, $2 for each additional. If the provider has something special going (master degree, etc.) that rate varies upwards. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

11-19-2009, 11:02 AM	#10 (permalink)
Salem Psycho Location: Canada	Well, I would say I have a base fee of $8. But I'm not going to say I charge $8 and then have someone with 4 kids only pay me $8. So I always put that my fee is negotiable, and go from there.