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Is it bedtime yet? 09:24 PM 02-28-2014
I have a DCM that asked me today if I would be interested in keeping their 18 month old daughter for a week while they are on vacation next month. If I do, I have no idea how much to charge them??? They pay $135 a week for 9am-5:30pm now. Any thoughts?
Unregistered 09:30 PM 02-28-2014
No, don't do it. You are not a family member or legally responsible for the child. Do they have no close friends or family to watch her ? Maybe they should just take her with them. That is way more responsibility than you should have for someone else's child .
SilverSabre25 09:41 PM 02-28-2014
I would only do it if they a) pay well and b) the girl sleeps well at night. And c) you CAN do it, legally, if you're licensed.
As for charging, it should be at LEAST double the weekly rate. I'd probably charge $400 for an easy kid. $500 for a more difficult one.
As for charging, it should be at LEAST double the weekly rate. I'd probably charge $400 for an easy kid. $500 for a more difficult one.
Is it bedtime yet? 09:58 PM 02-28-2014
Originally Posted by Unregistered:
No, don't do it. You are not a family member or legally responsible for the child. Do they have no close friends or family to watch her ? Maybe they should just take her with them. That is way more responsibility than you should have for someone else's child .
They are going to Mexico just the 2 of them. They have no family here. She is comfortable with us since she is here everyday anyway. Their other alternative is to take her to her aunts house 3 states away.No, don't do it. You are not a family member or legally responsible for the child. Do they have no close friends or family to watch her ? Maybe they should just take her with them. That is way more responsibility than you should have for someone else's child .
Is it bedtime yet? 10:03 PM 02-28-2014
Originally Posted by SilverSabre25:
I would only do it if they a) pay well and b) the girl sleeps well at night. And c) you CAN do it, legally, if you're licensed.
As for charging, it should be at LEAST double the weekly rate. I'd probably charge $400 for an easy kid. $500 for a more difficult one.
a)They would have to pay a lot, or it definitely isn't worth it to me I would only do it if they a) pay well and b) the girl sleeps well at night. And c) you CAN do it, legally, if you're licensed.
As for charging, it should be at LEAST double the weekly rate. I'd probably charge $400 for an easy kid. $500 for a more difficult one.
b)She is super easy during the day, but she isn't a great sleeper.
c)I am licensed.
I really don't want to do it, but I could really use the extra money. I'm just not sure how much is too much to ask for. It would have to be more then double for sure.
KidGrind 05:06 AM 03-01-2014
Originally Posted by Is it bedtime yet?:
a)They would have to pay a lot, or it definitely isn't worth it to me
b)She is super easy during the day, but she isn't a great sleeper.
c)I am licensed.
I really don't want to do it, but I could really use the extra money. I'm just not sure how much is too much to ask for. It would have to be more then double for sure.
How many days exactly?a)They would have to pay a lot, or it definitely isn't worth it to me
b)She is super easy during the day, but she isn't a great sleeper.
c)I am licensed.
I really don't want to do it, but I could really use the extra money. I'm just not sure how much is too much to ask for. It would have to be more then double for sure.
sahm1225 06:39 AM 03-01-2014
Does your licensing rules allow it? Ours says we can not have a child in care more than 18 hours a day
CraftyMom 06:42 AM 03-01-2014
I don't think I would even be allowed to do that here. There are guidelines as to how many hours I can have a child in my care
Is it bedtime yet? 06:51 AM 03-01-2014
Originally Posted by KidGrind:
How many days exactly?
7 days.How many days exactly?
Is it bedtime yet? 06:52 AM 03-01-2014
Originally Posted by sahm1225:
Does your licensing rules allow it? Ours says we can not have a child in care more than 18 hours a day
I guess I never thought about it. I will email my licencing lady and ask.Does your licensing rules allow it? Ours says we can not have a child in care more than 18 hours a day
KidGrind 08:05 AM 03-01-2014
Originally Posted by Is it bedtime yet?:
7 days.
$700 and I think that is extreme reasonable.7 days.
itlw8 02:04 PM 03-01-2014
minimum extra two shifts per day Plus the last 2 days would be 3 shifts in addition to the 135 they pay now. but really it should be higher for the after hour care because she is then the only one so hourly should be higher .
cheerfuldom 07:26 PM 03-01-2014
I would do $135 regular fee for her regular daycare hours, plus another $135 for the week day evenings plus $50 for each weekend day.....$370.....and I would round it up and charge $400 for the week. Yes I would do it. I have four kids here and one more makes no difference to me. I would make sure to have authorization for emergency situation, health insurance info, etc. which you may have already anyway. I would have parents provide all diapering and clothing items plus not allow any restrictions as far as what I do on the evenings and weekends. We will run errands and go to church just like we always do. I have had two different daycare kids go to church with me with the parents permission!
Blackcat31 07:17 AM 03-02-2014
Originally Posted by cheerfuldom:
I would do $135 regular fee for her regular daycare hours, plus another $135 for the week day evenings plus $50 for each weekend day.....$370.....and I would round it up and charge $400 for the week. Yes I would do it. I have four kids here and one more makes no difference to me. I would make sure to have authorization for emergency situation, health insurance info, etc. which you may have already anyway. I would have parents provide all diapering and clothing items plus not allow any restrictions as far as what I do on the evenings and weekends. We will run errands and go to church just like we always do. I have had two different daycare kids go to church with me with the parents permission!
But the family already pays $135 for 8 hours of care per day. Lets say that 8 hours is 7 am - 3 pm. Then if she charges another shift of 8 hours, that would be 3pm -11 pm which would still leave another 8 hour shift UNPAID (11 pm - 7 am) I would do $135 regular fee for her regular daycare hours, plus another $135 for the week day evenings plus $50 for each weekend day.....$370.....and I would round it up and charge $400 for the week. Yes I would do it. I have four kids here and one more makes no difference to me. I would make sure to have authorization for emergency situation, health insurance info, etc. which you may have already anyway. I would have parents provide all diapering and clothing items plus not allow any restrictions as far as what I do on the evenings and weekends. We will run errands and go to church just like we always do. I have had two different daycare kids go to church with me with the parents permission!
Plus, that $135 is for 5 days of care NOT counting weekends.....
I would charge closer to the $700 that KidGrind suggested. I think that is MORE than reasonable.
There is NO break in required supervision and responsibility for a 7 day stretch. That is ALOT to ask of your provider.
Technically, I would never personally do this. NOT for a ton of money even. I think it blurs the lines between me being a professional child care provider and someone's nanny or babysitter.
Plus, why would someone with a baby plan a trip when they really don't have anyone to care for her? That seems a bit odd to me. My child would be my first concern BEFORE booking a vacation.
No matter what the OP decides to do, keep in mind that if they ask you to do this once, it may be something they ask of you again. If it is part of the services you want to offer, great. If not, I would decline to this request now so that the family knows it isn't something you offer.
Cradle2crayons 07:31 AM 03-02-2014
I've done it before. I've charged three times my normal weekly rate. Plus an additional $50 for food. Plus an additional $100 for the two extra days. Plus I charge a refundable $50 supply fee in case something comes up they forget or I have to buy and I show receipts.
So, if their weekly rate were $100 a week, I would charge $300 plus $50 plus $100 which is $450 plus the $50 refundable extra deposit.
So, if their weekly rate were $100 a week, I would charge $300 plus $50 plus $100 which is $450 plus the $50 refundable extra deposit.
Is it bedtime yet? 10:16 AM 03-02-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
But the family already pays $135 for 8 hours of care per day. Lets say that 8 hours is 7 am - 3 pm. Then if she charges another shift of 8 hours, that would be 3pm -11 pm which would still leave another 8 hour shift UNPAID (11 pm - 7 am)
Plus, that $135 is for 5 days of care NOT counting weekends.....
I would charge closer to the $700 that KidGrind suggested. I think that is MORE than reasonable.
There is NO break in required supervision and responsibility for a 7 day stretch. That is ALOT to ask of your provider.
Technically, I would never personally do this. NOT for a ton of money even. I think it blurs the lines between me being a professional child care provider and someone's nanny or babysitter.
Plus, why would someone with a baby plan a trip when they really don't have anyone to care for her? That seems a bit odd to me. My child would be my first concern BEFORE booking a vacation.
No matter what the OP decides to do, keep in mind that if they ask you to do this once, it may be something they ask of you again. If it is part of the services you want to offer, great. If not, I would decline to this request now so that the family knows it isn't something you offer.
It is a lot to ask, and I am 75% sure that I will say no. The only reason that I am pondering it is that we really need the money and if I can get $500-$600 extra that week it is at least worth pondering the idea.But the family already pays $135 for 8 hours of care per day. Lets say that 8 hours is 7 am - 3 pm. Then if she charges another shift of 8 hours, that would be 3pm -11 pm which would still leave another 8 hour shift UNPAID (11 pm - 7 am)
Plus, that $135 is for 5 days of care NOT counting weekends.....
I would charge closer to the $700 that KidGrind suggested. I think that is MORE than reasonable.
There is NO break in required supervision and responsibility for a 7 day stretch. That is ALOT to ask of your provider.
Technically, I would never personally do this. NOT for a ton of money even. I think it blurs the lines between me being a professional child care provider and someone's nanny or babysitter.
Plus, why would someone with a baby plan a trip when they really don't have anyone to care for her? That seems a bit odd to me. My child would be my first concern BEFORE booking a vacation.
No matter what the OP decides to do, keep in mind that if they ask you to do this once, it may be something they ask of you again. If it is part of the services you want to offer, great. If not, I would decline to this request now so that the family knows it isn't something you offer.
They were going to leave her with an aunt and cousins in another state. She was telling me that the cousins are older and really rough and the aunt only feeds her junk food. They were really timid about asking and said that they totally understood if I said no. Why in the would you would plan a trip that long knowing that you are leaving your child in a bad situation is beyond me
I gave up a long time ago trying to figure out how parents can be so disconnected with their kids 
Second Home 01:05 PM 03-02-2014
Here you must be licensed for overnight care .
And if you are you are not allowed to sleep during those overnight hours .
So you would have to have an assistant and take shifts sleeping .
And if you are you are not allowed to sleep during those overnight hours .
So you would have to have an assistant and take shifts sleeping .
Blackcat31 01:07 PM 03-02-2014
Originally Posted by Is it bedtime yet?:
It is a lot to ask, and I am 75% sure that I will say no. The only reason that I am pondering it is that we really need the money and if I can get $500-$600 extra that week it is at least worth pondering the idea.
If you really don't want to do this but could really use the money, then throw her a really high price (atleast 3x your regular rate) and see if she takes it. It is a lot to ask, and I am 75% sure that I will say no. The only reason that I am pondering it is that we really need the money and if I can get $500-$600 extra that week it is at least worth pondering the idea.
If she does, great....you have extra money and if she doesn't, she probably wont' ask again.
Originally Posted by Is it bedtime yet?:
They were going to leave her with an aunt and cousins in another state. She was telling me that the cousins are older and really rough and the aunt only feeds her junk food. They were really timid about asking and said that they totally understood if I said no. Why in the would you would plan a trip that long knowing that you are leaving your child in a bad situation is beyond me I gave up a long time ago trying to figure out how parents can be so disconnected with their kids
More than likely none of that is really true...it is just words she is saying to you to make you feel badly for DCG and not want to put her in a position where she would be unsafe...kwim? They were going to leave her with an aunt and cousins in another state. She was telling me that the cousins are older and really rough and the aunt only feeds her junk food. They were really timid about asking and said that they totally understood if I said no. Why in the would you would plan a trip that long knowing that you are leaving your child in a bad situation is beyond me
I gave up a long time ago trying to figure out how parents can be so disconnected with their kids DCM is probably counting on the fact that you care about DCG and since you wouldn't want to put her in a bad or unsafe situation, you will agree to take her.
If she really truly felt her DD would be in danger, she wouldn't be leaving her.
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On a side note, can I ask you,.....does this family have to pay you while daycare girl is absent? Or are her absent days at no cost to the family?
Is it bedtime yet? 01:14 PM 03-02-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
If you really don't want to do this but could really use the money, then throw her a really high price (atleast 3x your regular rate) and see if she takes it.
If she does, great....you have extra money and if she doesn't, she probably wont' ask again.
More than likely none of that is really true...it is just words she is saying to you to make you feel badly for DCG and not want to put her in a position where she would be unsafe...kwim?
DCM is probably counting on the fact that you care about DCG and since you wouldn't want to put her in a bad or unsafe situation, you will agree to take her.
If she really truly felt her DD would be in danger, she wouldn't be leaving her.
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On a side note, can I ask you,.....does this family have to pay you while daycare girl is absent? Or are her absent days at no cost to the family?
She will pay me for the spot even if absent.If you really don't want to do this but could really use the money, then throw her a really high price (atleast 3x your regular rate) and see if she takes it.
If she does, great....you have extra money and if she doesn't, she probably wont' ask again.
More than likely none of that is really true...it is just words she is saying to you to make you feel badly for DCG and not want to put her in a position where she would be unsafe...kwim?
DCM is probably counting on the fact that you care about DCG and since you wouldn't want to put her in a bad or unsafe situation, you will agree to take her.
If she really truly felt her DD would be in danger, she wouldn't be leaving her.
***********************************************************
On a side note, can I ask you,.....does this family have to pay you while daycare girl is absent? Or are her absent days at no cost to the family?
Blackcat31 01:25 PM 03-02-2014
Originally Posted by Is it bedtime yet?:
She will pay me for the spot even if absent.
I think that might have something to do with her asking you then. She will pay me for the spot even if absent.
If the child stays with you, her payment won't be for nothing...kwim?
If child goes to aunts house, she still has to pay you.
Also, reading through your state regs it almost sounds like you are required to be awake too if you provide over night care (I could be wrong as wording for licensing is always weird) but it also says:
"Family child care home" means a family home that provides care and supervision for seven or fewer children for part of the 24-hour day"
which leads me to believe you can't provide continuous care for a full 7 days.
Plus if they have no family around, what happens if DCG gets sick? WHO are you going to call? What if she is contagious? Will you close and then lose pay from all families then?
I don't know, I totally understand needing the money and looking at it like an opportunity to make a few extra bucks but the more I think about all the things that could happen, it just sounds like a bad idea.
Plus, how nice to have a whole week (WITH pay) and no child actually attending those days...especially one that age.
spud912 01:37 PM 03-02-2014
I personally would charge $700. I normally charge $135 per week also and $5 per hour for any after hours. In my case, the total would be $725 and I would round down to $700.
I also agree with blackcat about if the child has an illness. I would either require that they have a backup person available if that is the case OR tell her you will charge an additional fee IF the dck does become ill and other families decide to keep their children home (unpaid).
Can I ask who they use normally for back-up care? I can't imagine literally having NOBODY.
I also agree with blackcat about if the child has an illness. I would either require that they have a backup person available if that is the case OR tell her you will charge an additional fee IF the dck does become ill and other families decide to keep their children home (unpaid).
Can I ask who they use normally for back-up care? I can't imagine literally having NOBODY.
Is it bedtime yet? 08:57 PM 03-02-2014
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
I think that might have something to do with her asking you then.
If the child stays with you, her payment won't be for nothing...kwim?
If child goes to aunts house, she still has to pay you.
Also, reading through your state regs it almost sounds like you are required to be awake too if you provide over night care (I could be wrong as wording for licensing is always weird) but it also says:
"Family child care home" means a family home that provides care and supervision for seven or fewer children for part of the 24-hour day"
which leads me to believe you can't provide continuous care for a full 7 days.
Plus if they have no family around, what happens if DCG gets sick? WHO are you going to call? What if she is contagious? Will you close and then lose pay from all families then?
I don't know, I totally understand needing the money and looking at it like an opportunity to make a few extra bucks but the more I think about all the things that could happen, it just sounds like a bad idea.
Plus, how nice to have a whole week (WITH pay) and no child actually attending those days...especially one that age.
I think the biggest reason for asking is they are going to have to drive 12 hours out of the way each way to get her to the aunt. Plus, they really like it here and I do believe that they think she will be better taken care of with us. I think that might have something to do with her asking you then.
If the child stays with you, her payment won't be for nothing...kwim?
If child goes to aunts house, she still has to pay you.
Also, reading through your state regs it almost sounds like you are required to be awake too if you provide over night care (I could be wrong as wording for licensing is always weird) but it also says:
"Family child care home" means a family home that provides care and supervision for seven or fewer children for part of the 24-hour day"
which leads me to believe you can't provide continuous care for a full 7 days.
Plus if they have no family around, what happens if DCG gets sick? WHO are you going to call? What if she is contagious? Will you close and then lose pay from all families then?
I don't know, I totally understand needing the money and looking at it like an opportunity to make a few extra bucks but the more I think about all the things that could happen, it just sounds like a bad idea.
Plus, how nice to have a whole week (WITH pay) and no child actually attending those days...especially one that age.
It does make it sound like I would have to be awake, I have never had need to question the wording but I have always found it strange.
I am most concerned about if she gets sick. Enough so, that I will likely not do it for that reason and state that as my biggest concern to the parents.
It is just super hard to not consider the money. We are trying to dig our way out of a financial mess due to job loss and medical bills.
All of my DCKs are that age, so I don't notice much when one is gone
Is it bedtime yet? 09:05 PM 03-02-2014
Originally Posted by spud912:
I personally would charge $700. I normally charge $135 per week also and $5 per hour for any after hours. In my case, the total would be $725 and I would round down to $700.
I also agree with blackcat about if the child has an illness. I would either require that they have a backup person available if that is the case OR tell her you will charge an additional fee IF the dck does become ill and other families decide to keep their children home (unpaid).
Can I ask who they use normally for back-up care? I can't imagine literally having NOBODY.
It is an odd situation. They live down the street from me and started doing part time drop off care(which I don't normally do). The DCM didn't work, but was taking care of her mom who has terminal cancer. The DCG was only here a few hours a day, but they were paying full price for a whole day. This all started about 5 months ago. The DCG is now full time and the grandma just moved back to her home state. The DCM I believe is going to be working for the DCD who owns his own business, so they are kind of their own back up as they can set their own hours. We also have a neighbor that has picked up DCG a few times if the DCM was going to be late.I personally would charge $700. I normally charge $135 per week also and $5 per hour for any after hours. In my case, the total would be $725 and I would round down to $700.
I also agree with blackcat about if the child has an illness. I would either require that they have a backup person available if that is the case OR tell her you will charge an additional fee IF the dck does become ill and other families decide to keep their children home (unpaid).
Can I ask who they use normally for back-up care? I can't imagine literally having NOBODY.
EntropyControlSpecialist 08:40 AM 03-03-2014
I would contact licensing and if it was okay I would quote them the $700+ price.