In-home Child Care

Updated on October 02, 2010
L.2. asks from Kansas City, MO
19 answers

A good friend of mine has watched my two children (3 1/2 and 20 months) for the past 15 months now. We love her dearly and think that she does a great job. She is a SAHM, and the situation is great for the both of us--a little extra $ and a companion for her daughter for her and the in-home situation I desire for our family. And I'm not just saying this on her behalf--she's expressed as much many times. :) We currently pay her $250 a week. What are your thoughts on the pay--reasonable or unreasonable? I have no frame of reference to work with, so would appreciate your comments. Thanks!
Additional info.: I feed my children breakfast in the mornings, and I provide diapers, wipes, and sometimes snacks and activities. I am very generous on birthdays and holidays, and I often take her family donuts, etc. on weekends to show my appreciation. My children (who are sweet little monkeys, btw) are at her home M-F from 8:30 to around 5:30. Does this additional information change anyone's response? Thanks in advance; your responses have been very helpful!

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F.B.

answers from Kansas City on

That's just right, we had a 4 and 6yr old and got $200/wk (but the older they get the easier the work, so it goes down some). Lucky to have someone you like and trust.

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J.V.

answers from Kansas City on

Depends on where you are living. I am also in KC and I pay $150 (one child) for EXCELLENT in home daycare. She provides all the food and extras, I provide diapers and wipes.
$250 sounds like the perfect amount to me!
You can contact www.daycareconnection.org. They provide referrals for quality licensed care and can give you the going rates and tons of other info.

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L.S.

answers from Spokane on

Very reasonable. Is she indicating that she'd like more? If not, then leave it be. If she wants more, then you need to decide if the quality of care your children are receiving is worth what she wants to be paid.

1 mom found this helpful

D.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I had an in home daycare for years and charged $110 a week per child or $25 a day if they were not full time, then if it was more than one child they got a slight discount for the second child. To me $250 is a bit much for in home especially if you provide all that you do. I know some daycare centers that don't charge that much. I provided lunch and snacks and wipes, and they would send a pack of diapers when I got low. I even did the potty training and they went on outings, to the park and such. Now if she were providing the money for the extra stuff and food then $250 would be fine. Most of my families only paid $200 for two kiddos. Good luck and God Bless.

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K.S.

answers from San Francisco on

Sounds reasonable. I know daycare and preschool rates range from about $800-$1200 per month...but your friend gets to stay home and that is a huge benefit...

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K.C.

answers from Kansas City on

My daughter pays $70 a day at a daycare center for a 4 yr old and 1 yr old
before my granddaughter turned one she paid $75 a day for her and $35 a day for the 4 yr old
You are very lucky to have someone that loves your children, I would say it is time for a raise if you can afford it.
K.

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M.B.

answers from New York on

Sounds like a super deal for her!! My SIL pays her friend $90.00 per week for one and when it was 2 she paid her $120.00!

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S.R.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I think the amount is fair to you both and obviously suits your needs. If you were using a centre, you would be paying a lot more, at least while they are infants. Be sure to give her a gift at Christmas and her birthday to show how much you appreciate her, doesn't have to be expensive, just thoughful.

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A.A.

answers from Chicago on

Depends on your area, but in Chicago two kids would cost you alot closer to the $400 a week mark at the low end. $250 a week is less than $6/hour with a 40 hour week and thats two kids. . . if you can afford it and you love her this much, I would up that personally.

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T.M.

answers from Kansas City on

My daughter was paying about $600/month for after school care at the school care. They would take kids outside, color, play games for 3 hours after school and get paid that much. Yes you are getting a good deal, kids in diapers cost so much more to send to a Day Care. You ought to call a few in your area to ask for prices, you would appreciate your friend alot more if you did find out how much you save!

M.L.

answers from Houston on

sounds quite reasonable if you are would be going to a daycare. for in home, could be a little expensive depending on your area, but then again you have two children. it depends if that cost includes diapers, meals, maybe some crafts and preschool activities.

you can check on craigslist in your area for in home daycare costs for comparison, but if she is doing a great job and the kids are thriving, then if you can afford it, keep it up! it's hard finding a great place that works.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/search/bbb?query=in+home...

J.B.

answers from Kansas City on

I think that sounds really reasonable. Our in-home day care is $40/day/child, but she provides all food and often takes the kids to the library or the park, or places that require gas. That's wonderful that you've found such a great fit!

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R.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Sounds good to me!! I pay $150 for one right now, but he is 3.5. I was a nanny for many years and it was always $200 per week. If she is getting to stay home, that is more than enough!!

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K.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I have a 4 year old and a 25 month old and pay $400 a week for a day care center. I know when my second DD was an infant she went to a in-home that was $170 a week for just the one child and I provided ALL the food and diapers.
I think $250 is pretty reasonable, but that also depends on how much she provides. All in-homes can be different, providing food, wipes or extra arts & craft activities can add up. I'd say if she provides all the food, Milk, wipes etc then I would bump up to $300. But if you bring lunchs everyday for your kids, then $250 is fine.

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J.F.

answers from San Francisco on

I guess that is decent pay cause I am watching 2 boys for 300 a week.Does she have to drive them to places or spend a lot of $ on gas?IF she doesn't and that her kid is also there too.Then it's plenty but don't forget that 2 kids is not an easy job either.Give her a nice gift on christmas will make her feel appreciated.Also if you have her drive your kids to places with her car then you might want to throw in some extra once in a while for her gas.Hope this help:)

B.C.

answers from Dallas on

Sounds very reasonable to me. Especially for one on one care.

N.B.

answers from Minneapolis on

Here is the National rate survery (official) done for the state of MO. It has a yearly AVERAGE rate for each age bracket for the state. I tried to look for a further breakdown but couldn't find it quickly. In my state, we have our local Reource and Referral do a rate survery and it is broken down by cities, with weekly averages (just a little easier to read quickly). Figure it out and see if you are in the ballpark. Likely you are, but maybe your provider would like some other perks? I love the little things my clients do that I don't have to pay taxes on and count as income (when everyone has a cold and runny noses and someone brings me a big 3 PK of tissues...or they get extras of a fruit we like at the farmers market...or they saw packs of construction paper at a garage sale, or they bring me a big special tasty coffee since they stopped on their way to my place in the am/pm). Little things can go along way..plus the birthday and holiday gift cards/cash.

http://www.naccrra.org/publications/naccrra-publications/....

I do home childcare in MN and charge $350 a week for those ages in my home. I am licensed and have a recent child related degree (with honors!) and further training, plus my home is insepcted for safety, etc.

For the person ("Mommy") who said it was too high (or something along those lines).....Really? To be time-trapped with someone elses 2 children? Its a limiting job on your time as far as running errands, going to Dr appointments, etc. There is also ALOT of liability involved, and expenses if she provides meals, wipes, extra supplies for arts and crafts, learning materials, extra laundry for the blankets, bibs and towels she goes thru having 2 more children in her home for 40-50 hours a week. Not to mention carpet cleaning and plain wear and tear on her home! (sorry but the "tone" and comment ticked me off).

I applaud you for even asking...its a step in the right direction!

M..

answers from Ocala on

$250.00 a week!
~ WOW ~
That's alot.
She's got it great.

My kids are my world and if I needed to have someone watch them i know it would be PriceLess to have someone you completely trust to do the job
but $250.00 a week sounds to me like ALOT to have to pay someone to watch two small children.

Even $125.00 a week would be more than enough.

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A.K.

answers from Minneapolis on

At the in-home daycares in my area, they charge about $140 - $180 per week (per kid). And they can have up to 10 kids (even up to 14 if they have a helper). I think you should investigate the cost of a private nanny, because that is really what you are getting if she is only watching your kids and her own. Maybe call a few nanny services and see what they would charge. Sounds like a sweet deal for your kids, I would bump up her pay if you can afford it.

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