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Childcare questionsSubmitted by BeforeDreaming on Wed, 04/02/2008 - 4:47pm.
Hey mamas! I've been having such a struggle with deciding to return to work and finding decent and affordable childcare for J. After realizing that I'd be working to pay a sitter, I've decided to start watching other people's children in my home. I'm not looking for it to be a formal, licensed daycare, mainly just a few children/week drop-in, varying hours. I'd like to pick your brains on how this will work. BeforeDreaming's blog | login or register to post comments | email this page | printer friendly version
It's funny, because 5 bucks is really cheap here. Everyone says I'd be undercharging for what I am offering. Most are charging $10 an hour- unlicensed, for anything less than a 20hr/week committment. Full-time is usually $40/day. CPR certified ( of course I know you have that), nice healthy simple meals, organized but playful areas for children to play with appropriate toys/books/games. Big bags of homemade playdough, messy art projects, fun things going on for the kids like outings to the park or to events in town or at least creative endeavors at home. Overnights would be a *huge* thing, especially if you put the word out at hospitals where staff work nights & need the care... you could even specialize in just that & make great money. Being ok with taking a child on a day by day basis or drop in care ( with some advanced warning) is always a plus cause nobody likes to pay full time when their kid is only there three days. I'm curious, if you are a nurse, why not do that? Sure you may be away from your child and be paying for childcare, but the flexibility of nursing hours is so great & the pay is probably better even after childcare when you factor in health insurance for your family, retirement and all that jazz. Three twelves & your done for the week with four whole days off to spend with your kid. Are you willing to put in 10-12 hr days five day a week at home with a daycare? Yeah, I hear ya. If I worked 2 nursing shifts/month, on a weekend, I'd probably make more than I would doing childcare all month. The down side to this is that as a charg nurse on a unit of 40 patients, we generally don't get breaks (I'd have to pump)and frequently get mandated to stay another shift (In NY, you can be mandated to work up to 20 hours straight). This would wreak havoc with any childcare arrangements I had. I'd also be spending a fortune paying for childcare, just so I could make an extra 50-100 bucks a week. I'm not sure if it's worth it.
With everything here. I live in a fairly rinky dink town and gladly pay $7 an hour for occasional--1 or 2 mornings a week--care. People requiring more of a commited schedule seem to be charging $5-6hr. here. I would pay more for quality care that was educational and loving for my child. Group size and ages/child compatibility matters. Having a small enough group to do outings is a bonus, and general art/books/music activities for the kids. Safety of course (I'm looking for new care after the woman we've been going to said it was okay for a toddler to be putting change in his mouth because 'his mom lets him'). I think you should have a clear agreement about expectations regarding schedules, payment, and what's required for the child's care. |
wow i paid unlicensed $2-$3 per hour here. I surely wouldn't be working where you live!!! but the weekends and overnights would be a big draw.
Jessica
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~~Dr.Seuss