[mommyof3kids]

I will be starting to watch my friends 3 children ages 10, 6, and 9 months next week, m-f full time. I usually watch the baby for $10 for 4 hours, if I have the others I get $15 for 4 hours, but I would usually only have them 2 times a week. I don't know how much I should ask for. It's a new job she's starting. She's married and he makes okay income I believe. I don't want to charge too much since she is a friend, but I also don't want to rip myself off. I do have three children of my own, with the youngest just turning 5 and the oldest 13 in a month. I told her I would watch them because I was taking the summer off from school. I'm in nursing school. My husband works full time during the day, and we still struggle to make ends meet. I just want to know that I'm not going to charge her too much. I thought I would tell her either $25 or $30 a day. Is that too much or too little. I just don't know. I would appreciate any help with this. Thanks and God Bless

[nauticalstar420]

When I'm babysitting full time I usually charge $100.00 a week for one kid. If I'm watching more than one kid in the same household, I would charge between $150.00-175.00 per week depending on how many more there are than one.

[nauticalstar420]

I figure I really can't charge more than the daycare centers in the area because I'm not licensed to take care of children, I just kind of do it freelance.

[nya]

Hi,

Here in Miami, a licensed daycare will charge $110.00 per week for an infant and $50-$60 dollars per week for toddlers. I feel that $30 a day is very fair. I think you should give yourself more credit. You will offer more individualized service than a daycare. Your time is worth the rate of the daycare but since she is a friend, I understand why you don't want to charge her the same rate. Good luck you have a lot of children to tend to and I know it's not an easy job. I think the kids hit every age range. (Smile)

[alkalineangel]

Wow! Day care is cheap there... I pay 115/week for my 3 year old... and that is just because he is potty trained. It was 125/ week before then and 165 as an infant...

I think you are asking a fair amount.

[shygrneyzs]

$30.00 a day is a cheap deal - three children can eat $30.00 in food each day. But it is a fair amount, considering you are not licensed. You know if you did become licensed, you could qualify for the child care food program. You never know when you might continue babysitting, even after Summer.

Good luck to you and what a busy Summer you have in store!

[nauticalstar420]

Daycare here is $150-200 a week per child. So if you have three children that need daycare, it could run you $600 a week. I think that's a rip off.