Calling All Servers...

Updated on January 22, 2011
S.M. asks from Lakeside, CA
7 answers

I am looking for an amount to charge someone that needs childcare for 2 children. I am asking because I need to earn enough to survive myself, but am also interested in helping this woman because she's in school and trying to better herself.

Here's what she needs... She works 4 shifts per week at a run of the mill restaraunt. She has a 4 and 6 year old. Her shifts range from 4-6 hours in length 2 nights per week and longer on the weekends. She is also in school 2 days per week and needs her son taken to school those 2 days and care for the 4 year old. But in a few weeks, it will be only one day and one night per week instead.

Their ages are great. I want to be fair. But in recent months I've seen parents advertising looking to pay just about nothing on Craigslist. What is the lowest you would take or the lowest you would feel right about paying if it were you?

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So What Happened?

SH,
Your kind of silly sometimes and I mean that in an affectionate way from one provider to another. First of all, I claim my income no matter what. It's right and moral to do that. Second of all, we don't need a business license to claim our income. What we need license wise depends on both the state we live in and the town or city we live in. Thankfully for me, I don't need to be licensed and I don't need a business license which are two very different things. But I am a professional and usually get paid way more than a lot of local licensed caregivers. I get more because I keep such a small group of children. I am offering to help this woman for a few reasons. Recently, my evening shift has taken a real hit since people perceive times are so hard. That's a discussion for another day. I think it's mostly propaganda for political reasons. Being 44 years old and living through many presidencies, I don't really believe things are that tough. BUT, more grandmothers and aunts are offering to help take care of children at night. So while I am always way full during the day, I'm not at night. I also want to help because my daughter is a server, single mom, and going to school. I can see how hard it is for her. And she has my help!

I think the servers in our area make about the same and it ranges from as low as nights that are a complete bust to as high as 180 per shift on certain days and times. I think we have come to an agreement that we both can live with. I'm going to leave her an out for nights that she doesn't make anything and just see how often she says that and hope she doesn't try and take advantage.

I usually charge 25 per day for one and 40 for 2. But my other parents get paid better than a server and work longer shifts. I've asked her to tell me what she hopes to pay so that I can see if I'm willing to give her a break. But she hasn't thrown an amount at me yet. I'm not concerned with contract issues. I've done this for 24 years. I am just trying to decide how to be generous and helpful without cutting my own throat.

More Answers

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M.R.

answers from Phoenix on

I'm not sure we are the right forum to ask, because we don't know the income level of your area which would reflect the average going rate.

I would recommend you consider how much she'll be making. Do people tip well at this run of the mill restaurant? Does the restaurant pay minimum wage or less or more? When I lived in TX about 20 years ago the hourly waitress rate was only $2 an hour as it was considered normal practice to assume one worked for tips. States differ big time on this waitress wage.

1 mom found this helpful

D.H.

answers from Kansas City on

I had an in home daycare and charged $25 per day or $110 per week. With a $25 discount per week for second and third children. If they weren't going to be there a full week and it was scheduled (didn't include sickness) for them it was the $25 per day charge for the first and $15 for each additional. It worked for me and the parent's kids whom I took care of. Hope this helps some. Good luck and God Bless.

B.F.

answers from Kansas City on

I am a daycare provider as well. I would charge 30 dollars a day. Since it's both children most of the time. The other times you have one, you are still driving and providing meals so to keep it easy 30 a a day is a good deal. I should clarify, 30 bucks a day on the days you watch them. I wouldn't charge her on the days you don't have the kiddos.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

.... child care Moms, don't get paid much... as you have observed....and per if they are advertising on Craig's List. Or the parents wanting childcare.... don't want to pay much.

That is because, people want childcare but don't want to pay much.
But, childcare Moms, often get paid less than a super low level job... and we do not get any 'benefits' nor sick leave nor vacation pay.
But are, of course, expected to be on-call etc. The child-care Moms offering services... are doing it just to make a little extra money.... without necessarily being "licensed" or have a business license.... so that is also why.... they may be charging next to 'nothing'.... for their services.
AND... there is no telling, that if the parents are claiming that Mom-Childcare... on their taxes... or just being paid under the table....
So... you need to speak to this woman... about that. If she is going to claim you on her taxes... because then you need a 'business' license... I believe.....

I did childcare, in my home, for 2.5 years.
I charged a Flat-Rate, per month, paid regardless if they/the child showed up or not. (BECAUSE, even if they did not show up... "I" had to leave that space open for them). For me, charging a flat-rate, was just less hassle.

In my area.... well as far as the Moms I know... they also pay a flat-monthly rate. Back when I did it (about 4 years ago), in-home child care in your home.... was about $600/month. This was for 1 child. Additional children from the same family, got a reduced rate, for that additional child....

For the women I know that paid 'hourly'.... they paid a MINIMUM of $10/hour. For their 1 child. And is the usual.... AND if they were late in picking up their child.... they got charged $5 per additional 15 minutes of being late.....

Night-time child-care, in their home... I don't know the going rate for that.

The lowest "I" would take, per my area.... is $10/hour.
IF I chose to charge, hourly.....

AND, you need to see if "YOU" have to provide all meals/snacks for her children... or if she is going to do that.

AND... I assume... you will need to do 'homework' with her kids... too???

all the best,
Susan

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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

I totally agree with Mum4ever. We can't answer this question for you because we aren't in your area. Also, what she could be making at a restaurant on one end of town could differ from one under the same name at the other end of town just due to the customer base and the location. Weather, time of day she's scheduled to work and several other factors come in to play in this as well. To be fair, I'd charge $30...IF she even makes that much per shift.

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R.B.

answers from New York on

I am a server and I used to pay $50 per day for anything from 4 - 8 hours sometimes longer for one child who went to bed at 7pm. She was 1 at the beginning and we had this deal for 3 years.

M.L.

answers from Houston on

I charged $25 a day. In the area I live, $20 - $30 a day is typical for an in home provider. Not much to actually survive on, but may be a lot for a person not making much either to pay like a server.

Also, be sure you have a contract!!

thedaycarelady.com has lots of contract ideas and forms

http://www.suite101.com/content/free-in-home-daycare-cont...

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