How much should I charge for child care (please read details below)?

This is for a 2 year old who is not potty trained. I am watching him 150 hours/month. I take him along with my two children to parks, museums, zoos, ext. I also wake up extra early to watch him (sometimes as early as 4am). What should I be getting paid for this per month? I am currently getting $600/month. Public child care that I called today charges $827! I am a stay at home mom. This is the only child I watch other than my two. I have extensive amounts of babysitting experience, plus college ECE classes. I keep an immaculate home & fix healthy meals. I live in Denver, CO

Public Comments

1. well the normal rate perhour is 2 or 3 dollars per child so I would say 300 at least.


2. I'd say at least $10-$12 per hour. Especially if you are getting up that early. Daycare workers get like $6 per hour & that is not enough.


3. well i know if it was me i would charge atleast 250-300 per month cause you have to feed him bath him and other expenses on a daily basis i bet if you really tried you could get 350 per month because that is what my aunt is getting for one kid in west virginia


4. i think you should at least get 10-15 dollars an hour.


5. First off, I want to know if you are a professional care provider or not. If not, $5.00 an hour will do, with an extra dollar an hour for you having to change diapers ($6.00 hr). And, are you watching other children, or just this one?

   I would advise you to tell the child's parents that $7.50 an hour would be a reasonable accommodation for you watching, feeding, playing and attending to the child. But, the fact that you must change diapers hinders the situation and you will be charging $9.00 an hour until they have properly potty trained their child. @ $9.00 an hour, 150 hrs a month, you'll be making $1,350. @7.50 an hour, 150 hrs a month, you'll be making $1,125.



6. Depends on the area you live and the pay rates, in my area 250 a month is average.


7. i watch a 14 mo. old and i get $50 a week, it just depends on what state you live in


8. This question would be easier if I knew if you were state licensed or not. I take my unpotty trained two year old to a great daycare whom charges sixty dollars a week whether he is there or not. Meals are provided as well as snacks, but I have to pay an additional dollar per minute that I am late picking him up which is reasonable as to she has a life other than tending children. So I would agree with some of the other people--arouund 250.00 per month...you could even say 300.00 if you wished until he was potty trained.