Starting child care service in my home for summer. This going to be my only income. How much should I charge?

How should I do this to guarantee payment from parents some parents my friends. And how should i do this. Any other advice on child care in home if you had expreince

Public Comments

1. It depends on the ages of the children.

   You make a contract, they pay 1st of the month, or week, whatever...irregardless of if they are out sick or something, That way you are guaranteed payment on a regular basis..Don't let your friends use your friendship to get out of paying, it's your livihood!!



2. you care agency will tell the guildlines, i think it is about £4.50 per hour per child depending on what they need...


3. My advice to you is to aquire the price list from your local family day care organisation then deduct a small amount from that.

   I did family day care for 5 years...ONLY do it if you have intention of providing an educational, caring, fostering, service...otherwise it is not worth it for you...the kids...or your friendships when your friends find out you are sitting in front of the telly eating bon bons while their kids are out in the mud wrestling the dog! I have seen some shocking day carers, and the damage they do to young lives is irrepairable!

   Im sure you will do a great job though, just research research research!!



4. If your a qualified child carer then your ofsted registered & you can charge what you want & would know all the information etc & forms to fill in for parents etc from your training. I used to charge £4 an hour or £5 if I was supplying lunch & snacks for the child.

   If your basically doing it just for fun over the holidays, then you need to speak to the parents whose children you will be having & work out how many hours you will have the kids each day & set an hourly price to them. Then basically agree with them that they pay you every friday regardless off whether the child has been of sick etc, this way your guaranteed income. If they don't pay then don't have their kids (do not let them use you)! Please note that child care is a very hard job & the more kids you have accidents CAN & will happen & sometimes from no fault of your own, parents can blame you etc.



5. I used a home day care and she was wonderful. The parents were required to sign a contract with her. She stated her vacation time, and rates and rules on bringing children when they are sick. Also make sure you set your time guidelines, this is your job and you should have a time that you start and time that you finish. I know some daycares charge by the minute when parents are late picking up the kids. I understand there are situations (traffic, weather etc) that you may be running late, but some parents take advantage. I paid 125.00 per week for my infant and 50 per week for my daughter, she got her on her school bus in the morning and afternoon. Good luck


6. Most day cares I've seen around the area I live makes the parents pay every week. I think the best days for you to pick would be Monday or Friday's. I agree with the person that said find out what other day cares charge and take just a small amount off of that.


7. I am keeping 2 right now 6 months and 4 years they are siblings and they pay me $200 a week, and they bring their food. that is really good. Here in Tx infants are as much as 110 a week and they should pay every Monday and be a week ahead. That keeps it safe for you.