Am I Charging Too Little?

Updated on June 27, 2008
N.S. asks from Chicago, IL
7 answers

I recently received a post from a lady who is looking for childcare for her baby and is willing to pay me $7/hr. for 12 hours a week. In the past I have charged a lot more for sitting but am confused. When I spoke with other moms who pay for childcare for their babies the fees vary tremendously, I think having to do with location and amount of hours. I cannot see how someone with a masters degree in early education and 12-13 years of teaching experience can be paid $7/hr when highschool students get paid 10/hr. What do you all pay your babysitters who do in home daycare (in their homes vs. yours) Any input??!!

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for your input. I really appreciate hearing your feedback. I am realizing after talking to others and hearing from you all that I am being taken advantage of for this kind of pay. I know I would get so much more in a regular work environment (as I was making 30/hr before I took a break to raise kids) but I figured people can't afford more than 7-10/hr so you have to work with what the market bears to get kids in the first place, but I also feel (after hearing from everyone) that there is a line at which I have to say, I am just simply worth more and it's not worth my efforts and time for that kind of price. Thank you again mamas for you support and words of wisdom!

More Answers

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W.B.

answers from Chicago on

We pay our babysitters $12/hour in our home and in their homes for one child. They don't have college degrees but are good with kids. I've heard $10-$15/hour for babysitters or nannies. I think you could definitely charge more. You could also charge by the day as licensed day care providers do. But the other thing is that I'm getting to the point where I can no longer afford my babysitters because I've reached a salary cap and my other costs(commuting, etc) are going up. So if you want to charge more, be prepared that some parents might not be able to make it work. I'm thinking that it no longer makes sense for me to work because I'm just about breaking even.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.C.

answers from Chicago on

I have a college student (getting her masters in early childhood education) come once per week to babysit. I pay her $10 per hour. I think its a bargain! I know people who pay $12-$15 per hour. I don't know what area you are in, but $7 per hour sounds unreasonably low to me, especially with your qualifications.

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K.S.

answers from Chicago on

Hi N.,
Are you watching just her baby or several kids? I think a nanny who is watching just one family's kids will get paid more than a mom watching several kids from different familes. I do home daycare, and would not watch a baby for 12 hours a week at $7 an hour. I have set rates for babysitting kids in my home. For only 12 hours, I would charge $8-$10 an hour. I charge $8 an hour or $65 a day for one full day. If someone is looking for four or five days a week, I may charge a bit less.

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C.P.

answers from Chicago on

We pay our nanny, who is a younger cousin of my husband, $11/hour. She's 21 years old and has no college education, but she's very bright & is really great with our 3 year old. Plus we feel really safe knowing we have a family member here when we can't be... I think we're getting a bargain, but truthfully it's all we can afford to pay her. We started at $10/hour but after the first year we gave her a raise. We also give a week's pay for Xmas and a smaller cash bonus for her birthday.

I've heard of a friend paying only $8/hr for a full time nanny, but that was in glenview. Most everyone else I know pays more than we do and also gives weekly spending money and a generous holiday bonus.

I agree with you that someone with your education and experience should be paid a lot more than $7/hour (I'm a college professor myself). But I also know that many people simply cannot afford the high cost of childcare. If someone only earns $12/hour at work and has to pay that to a nanny just to have healthcare coverage for their family, things are really difficult. I've been in that situation and it's not an easy choice to make. Daycare isn't affordable either, at least not quality daycare...

I'd say that you should try to find a family who is able to pay what you're worth (at least $10-15/hour) and that will really value your education and experience. I know we feel like our money is very well spent (and we would be miserable if we had to send our son to daycare every day....). For $7/hour, it probably isn't worth you having to find care for your own children : ) Good luck!

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A.

answers from Chicago on

Yes, You are charging too little. I think that $10/hour is a jumping-off point. You should charge at least that.

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B.W.

answers from Chicago on

Like others have said, it depends on where you live and how many kids. $7/hour is way too low. With your age, education and experience you should be getting $10-$12/hour for one kid and $14-$16 for two,etc. Good luck!

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K.C.

answers from Chicago on

I take my son to an in-home center for two days per week/ 10 hors a day and we pay $100. Usually in-home providers charge alot less because they are taking care of multiple children.

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