Babysitting Rate for in Home Care

Updated on August 15, 2006
K.D. asks from Downers Grove, IL
5 answers

I currently work full time and with daycare tuition and our work schedules, it doesn't seem financially logical for me to work when I could stay home with my 3 year old daughter. If I do stay home, I will need to earn some extra income so I was thinking of babysitting a friends baby (she is 5 months old), what should I charge her per hour? I have no idea what the rate is these days.

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M.S.

answers from Chicago on

K.,
Iruna small daycare from my home. I charge Between 140/150 aweek.
If the parent wants to bring food, I charge 140.00. If I supply the food, I charge 150.00. Or if I do it hourly I cgharge 5.00 per hour, for 1 kid. 7.00 per for 2 kids and 9.00 per hour for 3. I try not to break anyone with fee's. Itry to keep it as reasonable as possiable. I have ahd some l;uck and some people tell me, no. But I donot charge enough for anyone to 1099 me. Becareful of that do not give out your S.#.
Good Luck in your adventure!
Kris A.

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C.S.

answers from Chicago on

Currently the home sitter I use charges $32 per day for kids up to 3. Then $29 for kids 3-6. Usually places charge more for the younger kids, and they have to provide the formula, diapers, etc. It also depends on if you are going to be paid 'cash' vs claiming it. Usually you can deduct a bit if you aren't claiming it. Also, my sitter uses the anything over 4 hours is "full time" so even on days you might have them for half day, you should get paid full time pay.

Just my experience, and I have had 3 different home sitters. Also, there's usually a break for the 2nd kid in the same family. I get $5 off a day since I have two.

You can email if you have any questions..

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T.S.

answers from Chicago on

It looks like you have some responses on rate so I'll just add some tips from my experience doing home day care. Think about what time drop off and pick up should be and how it will impact your family. It's reasonable to charge a little more if it's before 7AM and/or after 6PM if you are going to accept extended hours. School teachers are great because they pick up early. A late fee for pick-up in increments of 15 minutes is a good idea. It sets a boundry and also makes it not such a bummer if it happens often because at least you are getting paid for that time. I think it's good too to have a weekly rate that's payable regardless of a Monday holiday or a half day etc. Most liscensed home day-cares that I researched charged a paid 2-week vacation. I never did that but I did ask for at least 30 days notice so I could plan accordingly. Also determine up front how much notice you will give someone if it isn't working out and how much notice you expect from them. Some people hold a 2 weeks deposit for this. I think it's key to talk about all of this up front, even when it's a friend. If you enjoy doing it, chances are you'll be watching another child soon to or it will evolve from your friends baby to someone else if/when your friends situation changes. Treat it like a business and never let something get under your skin without addressing it with the parent.

OH, one more thing, I always liked it best (for the baby stages especially) when the parent supplied the food daily -- bottles made and whatever babyfood - cereal measured out and jars supplied. This way the parent is supplying exactly what they want eaten and the amount they are comfortable with. People have varried opinions on this so it takes the guessing out of it. Feel free to email me directly if you think of anything else - I'd be happy to help. ____@____.com

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J.O.

answers from Chicago on

I have been looking myself for in-home childcare and I have found the average rate is $4 per hour. But you have to also take into consideration if you are providing food and etc. for the child. Good Luck. I hope this information is not coming to late.

J.

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B.B.

answers from Chicago on

I pay our babysitters $6 an hour. I think $30-$35 is fair if you are getting cash and not caliming it. If you are licensed you can charge more. Alosi f you have an education in teaching any age you can charge more.

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