Need Advice About Full-Time Summer Babysitting Job

[Krystee]

Hi everyone! I really need help with something. I work for a company that provides before and after school childcare and works out of different elementary schools. The school I work out of has under 18 kids so I am the only teacher and I'm considered the Site Director/Master Teacher. I have over 30 college credit hours and will be finishing up this summer with an associates degree in Family Studies and Child Development. We don't work during the summer when school is out and the parents of one of my student's asked if I could babysit for them. I would be working from about 8am - 5 or 5:30 pm, Monday-Friday. She asked me how much I charge and I didn't know what to say. I've never done full-time babysitting before and I have no idea what the general pay is. I told her how much a make an hour at my job and to just make me an offer and let me know. I would be watching 1 child and he is in kindergarten. Since it's all day, I'm sure I will be feeding him at least lunch and would imagine picking up the house a bit. What would you charge for this? If you were hiring what would you pay for this? Advice is greatly appreciated!!

[BellaBlue82]

It really just depends on what she expects from you. If it's just strictly taking care of the child, then I would say around $10.00 an hour. If she's expecting some light cleaning out of you, then I would go to around $15.00 an hour. Obviously she likes you a lot, as most parents don't just leave their kids with just anyone, so you have a bargaining chip there. Throw out those figures and see what she says...

[Krystee]

Originally Posted by BellaBlue82

It really just depends on what she expects from you. If it's just strictly taking care of the child, then I would say around $10.00 an hour. If she's expecting some light cleaning out of you, then I would go to around $15.00 an hour. Obviously she likes you a lot, as most parents don't just leave their kids with just anyone, so you have a bargaining chip there. Throw out those figures and see what she says...

Thanks so much for the response I was telling my mom I was thinking around $10/hour and she thought that was too much. I mean, wouldn't you expect to pay a little more when a person is coming to your home and giving your child personalized care instead of being stuck in a school-age classroom (daycare) with 39 other kids? I don't have kids yet so I've never hired a babysitter or had to use daycare, but I've worked/work in childcare and if I had the money would much rather have someone I trust come to my home and watch my child. Any other opinions are welcome

[tjdmom]

I paid $75 per week for 3 days so about $25 per day but the woman I used also had another child to care for. Her own kids were in school so it allows her to be home with them during vacations etc. $10 an hour for a 40 hour week would be $400 a week. I personally think that seems like alot. Especially when so many people are making not much more than $10 and by the time taxes are taken out... But I guess it depends on what they do and how much child care is in your area. Maybe check out the newspaper and see what the going rate is. I know when I was looking I called several daycares and that's how I came up with the $75 or $25/day.

[Krystee]

Originally Posted by tjdmom

I paid $75 per week for 3 days so about $25 per day but the woman I used also had another child to care for. Her own kids were in school so it allows her to be home with them during vacations etc. $10 an hour for a 40 hour week would be $400 a week. I personally think that seems like alot. Especially when so many people are making not much more than $10 and by the time taxes are taken out... But I guess it depends on what they do and how much child care is in your area. Maybe check out the newspaper and see what the going rate is. I know when I was looking I called several daycares and that's how I came up with the $75 or $25/day.

See and I definitely couldn't pay my bills on that. That would be.. what...a little over $3 an hour. I would have to politely decline that offer. I think I would need at least minimum wage (which I think is $7.25?) to consider it.

[BellaBlue82]

Originally Posted by Krystee

Thanks so much for the response I was telling my mom I was thinking around $10/hour and she thought that was too much. I mean, wouldn't you expect to pay a little more when a person is coming to your home and giving your child personalized care instead of being stuck in a school-age classroom (daycare) with 39 other kids? I don't have kids yet so I've never hired a babysitter or had to use daycare, but I've worked/work in childcare and if I had the money would much rather have someone I trust come to my home and watch my child. Any other opinions are welcome

I have three kids (ages 7, 5, and 14 months) and I have also worked in the childcare industry before I had children, so I know what you mean. I can barely even go out anymore because I just don't trust anyone to watch my children, so it's nice that she knows you and has faith that you will care for her child like he deserves, and it sounds like you're great at what you do. On the off-occasion that I do get to go out, I drop my rugrats at Kids Quest (this is a service in some of the casinos here that watch your kids while you gamble, or in my case, go to a movie twice a year lol) and they charge around $8.00 an hour per child. But you are giving one on one time with their child in their home, so it does deserve a little more money.

[Hollee]

I did that one summer, for three kids and I work at a pre-school full-time during the school year. And for me... babysitting kids in the summer is way harder and not as much fun! I charged about 10 an hr for all 3 kids ( ya I got ripped off.... stupid me!) and I felt like it was nothing because it is such a different environment and the kids have a whole new personality at their own house.

[Krystee]

Originally Posted by Hollee

I did that one summer, for three kids and I work at a pre-school full-time during the school year. And for me... babysitting kids in the summer is way harder and not as much fun! I charged about 10 an hr for all 3 kids ( ya I got ripped off.... stupid me!) and I felt like it was nothing because it is such a different environment and the kids have a whole new personality at their own house.

Hmm, didn't think about that. Fortunately, I will only be watching 1 kindergartner, so hopefully it won't be so bad. Plus, I *think* they might have a Yorkie! LOL. The little boy saw a picture of Tobie that I have in my cabinet and he got excited and said it looked like his dog. Of course, there are other breeds that look similar but I can hope! LOL.

[CouversMom]

I was a nanny for a while and I charged anywhere from $10-13/hour. I agree... $3/hour would just not be enough. I could see doing that occasionally, but for a full-time gig, that is just not enough. I think sometimes people forget that even as a babysitter, you have bills to pay too

[Britster]

$10 an hour seems to be the going price. When I babysit for a few hours at a time, it's always $10 an hour. But I don't do all-day babysitting so maybe $7 or $8 would be more fair? Also, daycare now is sooo expensive. The daycare my little sister goes to is $50 a day and it's at a woman's home with about 6-7 other kids. She goes there 4x a week.

[Krystee]

Looks like I will not be babysitting this summer. I spoke to the dad today and he said they were thinking of paying what they pay in our after school program which is $75 a week! That would be a $1.88/hr. I had to tell him that I just couldn't do that. Crazy....

[red98vett]

Originally Posted by Krystee

Looks like I will not be babysitting this summer. I spoke to the dad today and he said they were thinking of paying what they pay in our after school program which is $75 a week! That would be a $1.88/hr. I had to tell him that I just couldn't do that. Crazy....

[Hollee]

Yep I have been offered many jobs by ppl who think that way! They will keep their pay the same, lucky them, but they just assume you wont mind a full time job plus a 7+ dollar an hour pay cut!!!!! Very selfish!!!! I'm glad you are not taking the job.

[Krystee]

I'm just surprised that they actually thought they could find someone who would be willing to drive to their house each morning... stay for 8 hours and then drive home that evening and only get paid $75 a week. I mean, maybe they could find some high school student to do it but I don't know if $75 a week is even worth a high schoolers time. LOL.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by Krystee

I'm just surprised that they actually thought they could find someone who would be willing to drive to their house each morning... stay for 8 hours and then drive home that evening and only get paid $75 a week. I mean, maybe they could find some high school student to do it but I don't know if $75 a week is even worth a high schoolers time. LOL.

NO WAY! I get paid more than that to watch 2 Boxer dogs for 4 days! (About $120-$150) ... and I'd much prefer to be with the dogs.