Am I being unreasonable for child care in Denver CO?

I began watching three children, ages 2 unpotty-trained, 7, and 12 special needs (mind of three year old). My hours are from 5:15 AM to 2:45 PM (9 1/2 hours). I have to feed them (my own food) breakfast, lunch, drinks,and snacks. Three days a week, every other week, I get the two oldest up and ready for school, and get them on their different buses, and have them for the weekend. The other weeks I have them M-F. Our original agreement was $200.00 per week per child. Their Mom came to me yesterday and told me that she can only pay me $300.00 total for the month for all three children. Broken down that is $100.00 per child a month, $25.00 per week, and $5.00 a day. I told her that I can not do it for that amount of money that it is not enough. Am I being unreasonable? if so what should I charge?

Public Comments

1. I'd say she is the one being un reasonable...her request is ridiculous! You have them on weekends and fed them your food? You should be getting paid what you requested, if not more. You aren't a teenager and this is a nanny job, not a simple babysitting job. Shame on this mother for trying to take advantage!


2. I think your original rates are completely reasonable. My 2 yr old daughter goes to a regular daycare here in Texas. There hours are 6am-6pm Mon-Fri (though my daughter is typically there 8am-5pm) and the charge is $140 per week. There is no way you should keep 3 children for $300 a month. My monthly expense for ONE child is $560


3. You are NOT being unreasonable. In fact your orignal price was perfect for the things that you did! 300 a month for the MONTH is unreal and its on the verge of taking advantaeg of you. She will not find any daycare provider out there that cheap, so you will have been the only one to say yes. Honestly, if the original amount is an issue, compromise. Maybe cut it down by half to 100 per child, 150 for the 12 year old. That way you will be compromising by almost half but that is as far as I think you should go.


4. You need to get an agreement in writing for the amount you need. Daycare centers demand payment on time or your kid doesn't go. It sounds like this woman needs some assistance, but you are a professional and need to charge accordingly (my daycare charges 245/week!)


5. wow, time to find a new job, that lady is nuts, your daily pay is less then your hourly should be, she owes you what you agreed on


6. I can say that I live in Alabama, which is actually one of the cheapest places for daycare and I pay $145.00 per week for a two year old. I would say that you are not being unreasonable at all for that many children. I think the parent of these children is the unreasonable one. I would charge no less than 125.00/week/child. Most daycare Centres in my local area do not give any discount for more than one child. Good luck and I hope that this parent realises that you have to pay for good care for your children.


7. I'm not sure of the going rates in your area. In central Texas, I pay around $100/ week for my 2 year old (full time). That's the average in my area.


8. Misti, I was going to ask whether or not you're licensed, and what are the going rates for licensed providers in your area, but it really doesn't matter. $300.00 per month total, for 3 children is robbery (did she stick a gun in your face?). I'm a licensed child care provider here in California, and if a parent told me that they could only pay me $300.00 per month for 3 children, I would have to part ways with that parent. If she can't afford child care for her children there are State and county agencies that help parents pay for child care.

   From what you describe, you have a lot of work on your hands just between the 2 year old and the 12 year old. I can agree with the $200.00 per week for the 2 year old. I would consider lowering the weekly rate for the 7 year old. The 7 year old doesn't require as much work as the 2 year old and the special needs child. In addition, the 7 year old is at school for most of the day as is the 12 year old. Unless you're caring for other children besides these 3, and you hold their spots when they are in school, then I would definitely consider lowering the weekly rate for the two school children.

   I charge $200.00 per week for infants through 2 years old, when they turn 3, their rate is lowered. I charge $135.00 per week for school aged children during the school year. During summer, when they are in my care all day, I charge $150.00 per week. You might want to consider cruising Craigslist for your area, see if any child care providers list their rates on their ads. Good Luck, I hope it works out for you!



9. not unreasonable at all...you need to tell her to find alternate shild care. I pay $35.00 Canadian /day for my son. Iprovide his lunches/snacks/breakfast. I also supply his juice/pull ups/wipes. If they are going on an outing I provide extrasnacks and money in case he wants anything. You are being taken advantage of if she onyl has $300/month for all three.


10. Absolutely not unreasonable at all. I would be mortified to make that little money (and be that disrespected for the job I do) to take that. What happened to the original agreement?! You are being required to use your own money to feed all three children (which is not cheap), and care for them 10 hours a day. A ten-hour day, 3-5 days per week would run a daycare center around $450-$600/month per child (depending on the area). I live in So Cal, and I pay $450/month for one child for up to 6 hours/day. I would ask for at least $400/month for each child. I don't think $1200 for your services a month would be too stiff, nor do I think that it would be an insult for my work. Now, it also depends on the education and experience you have as to what you can really get from home care. The more education you have behind you, the more experience, and being licensed will definitely allow you to ask for more. If this mom is unwilling to treat you as if you are a "bill" (and this happens a lot when you run a home daycare- the parents put you last on their list of priorities to pay) and pay you for your valuable time and service- you have to be willing to dump the family. Sounds harsh, but you have to make a living too! You can't be expected to live on $300 a month! That's ridiculous!! If the mom is unwilling to pay for your services- get out now.