Help with figuring out what to charge.

[Countrymomma]

Hello there! First post, looking for some advice :)

I'm meeting with a family tomorrow who is looking for care. Both parents work the same 24hr rotation and would be looking for care 7-8 times/month. The little one is 2 yrs old and would be with me for 25hrs (6am-7am the next day) at a time. I would have a years schedule at a time, so i would know what I would be working a year in advance. This would include one Saturday and one Sunday a month, and occasional stats, depending on how the rotation fell.

I presently run mon-fri 7:30-5PM (40$/day) and have 2 other kids in care, plus my own 2.

Where would you even start to figure out what to charge? I'd like to figure out a set monthly amount.

Thanks in advance!

[Crayola kiddies]

I wouldn't even consider it .... Sorry I'm no help

[Dreamalittledream]

Just a thought but how about breaking down your daily rate to hourly:
($40/day=$4.50/hr times 25 hrs= $112.50 each 25 hour 'shift'?...just multiply the $112.50 times 7 or 8 (the # of shifts they need you for). Hope that makes sense?
You also may choose to consider a premium/extra amount for weekends & stats?

[Toregone]

:blink: ok wow. I have no idea how to charge for that. Breaking down your daily into hourly is good but you really should charge a premium for anything past your regular end of business day and weekends.

You are a brave woman.

[DaycareLulu]

Yes, I would definitely charge a premium for having someones child during evening and through the night as well!

[Littledragon]

Althought I could never do that lol if you feel that's something you would like to take on, then by all means. I agree with dreamalittledream. You should break down your day to hourly and charge hourly. Most likely, they'll take whatever you charge because finding care for those hours will be relatively impossible - unless the get a live in nanny, which cost much more than that. The fact that you have guaranteed hours for a year is great! I would definitely charge per hour. I have a friend who is opening a daycare and she charges $35 a day. She worked 12 hours one day and 6 hours the next. So, in two days, she worked 18 hours and got paid $60. That's not fair at all. Anything over 9 hours, I charge the additional time per hour. :)

[playfelt]

At minimum it is two times the daily rate plus. You are only open 9 1/2 hours anyways so they are coming pretty close to three times your daily rate. Taking into account the child will be asleep some of the time with you $100 a shift is not unreasonable. I would also consider some sort of premium for the weekend and any stat day since they will likely be getting a shift premium too on those days.

Do realize that it will be taking up a full time space so you might also consider doing that. In essence they are working their shifts and getting what they consider full time wages on a monthly basis. They will be taking up a full time space. Charging them your regular monthly rate is an option with the understanding the weekends and stats are included in that rate and set out how much extra time they may use if desired such as bringing the child for an extra day when they have errands and it not costing them since they are paying for the space anyways.

If you will have the yearly calendar then count up how many days you will be doing care and then since it is 24 hours double that to determine the monthly rate. Or do that for the days that fall during the week and then apply a different rate to days that fall on weekends or stats.

It isn't something I would want to do. I have had kids for evening shifts - 4-10 but they were for desparate neighbours etc and people that were already friends and they paid well for the privilege.

[Play and Learn]

I agree with the ladies above! BUT also remember if you're taking holidays with your family - will you want to take them on.

You posted that you will have them one Sat and one Sun and some STAT days. Have you considered that you may want to take holidays as well?!

Just a thought!

[mimi]

regular day charge plus time and a half for rest of day during week day. Regular day charge plus double time rest of the day during weekend. Stat holiday 2 times regular day charge(if you normally get paid for stat days) and double time for the rest of the day. My suggestion.

[DORITOSGIRL]

I would charge $125 per care shift as you will be feeding this child at least 4 meals. but to be honest there is no way I would take on a child with those hours.. Having a schedule in advance is nice but do you really want your weekends and holidays screwed up.. What happens if both parents are working Christmas AND ( or) NEW YEARS. or what happens if the child is sick during the parents shift?

It would be hard to plan your own free time and vacation and you would have set up a proper sleeping area for this child.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Hmm ~ I am no help cause I would not be willing to do this ~ my family time, weekends and holidays are too important to me and well a child being away from their parents that long goes against every family value I hold dear ~ no amount of $$$ would make it worth it for me!

However my values aside I agree that anyone doing this should consider a serious 'shift premium' just like those workers in hospitals and factories get compensated with for working these kind of schedules ;)

Prudent to be charging 'overtime' for going over 9 hours a day, an evening shift premium for working 'over night cause just cause the kid is sleeping you are required to sleep with one eye and ear open and I would definitely be doing double time for working any 'statutory holiday' and so forth as well as compensation for the lost income of holding a full time space open for someone who is only going to use 8 days a month!

[Countrymomma]

I certainly appreciate all your input. I do understand how many would not feel comfortable offering this type of care, but rest assured, my family and I have looked at it from every angle, from holidays, sleeping arrangements, calling the parents when the child is ill, etc, and agree it is something we can do.

Reggio, interesting you mention family values. In their email to me, initially, they explained they are both firefighters on the same shift. They work the same shift so that they can have days off together, as a family. They are doing things this way to spend as much time together as their career will allow. Sometimes their rotation allows as much as 7 days off in a row, together. They are working one of the most dangerous jobs out there and making sacrifices for me and the members in my community. I respect that more than I can convey. If they are not able to find 24 hr care, then they would have to work opposite shifts and rarely see each other, as a family. That hurts every family value I hold dear.

In a perfect world children could spend every moment with their parents, but, alas, that is not the world we live in. there are shift workers who have children and no family close by or available. They deserve quality care for their children. Many of these people are our health care providers, emergency service providers, police officers. Often times they are married to each other and that presents a work/family life balance issue regarding schedules and child care.

It reminded me of being a little girl, with a single mom who was a nurse. We were living in a new town and my mom had to work night shifts and rely on the kindness of strangers for my care. She had no choice. If I can pay it forward a offer a safe, secure environment for this couples child while they work, then I am up for the challenge.

This opportunity to support and offer care to this family, striving to maintain as many days together as a family as possible, while they work protecting my community, resonated with me, and my family values, greatly <3

Thanks again, everyone! :flower:

[country girl]

I certainly appreciate all your input. I do understand how many would not feel comfortable offering this type of care, but rest assured, my family and I have looked at it from every angle, from holidays, sleeping arrangements, calling the parents when the child is ill, etc, and agree it is something we can do.

Reggio, interesting you mention family values. In their email to me, initially, they explained they are both firefighters on the same shift. They work the same shift so that they can have days off together, as a family. They are doing things this way to spend as much time together as their career will allow. Sometimes their rotation allows as much as 7 days off in a row, together. They are working one of the most dangerous jobs out there and making sacrifices for me and the members in my community. I respect that more than I can convey. If they are not able to find 24 hr care, then they would have to work opposite shifts and rarely see each other, as a family. That hurts every family value I hold dear.

In a perfect world children could spend every moment with their parents, but, alas, that is not the world we live in. there are shift workers who have children and no family close by or available. They deserve quality care for their children. Many of these people are our health care providers, emergency service providers, police officers. Often times they are married to each other and that presents a work/family life balance issue regarding schedules and child care.

It reminded me of being a little girl, with a single mom who was a nurse. We were living in a new town and my mom had to work night shifts and rely on the kindness of strangers for my care. She had no choice. If I can pay it forward a offer a safe, secure environment for this couples child while they work, then I am up for the challenge.

This opportunity to support and offer care to this family, striving to maintain as many days together as a family as possible, while they work protecting my community, resonated with me, and my family values, greatly <3

Thanks again, everyone! :flower:


Good for you Countrymomma! I'm sure this family appreciates your help immensely. My husband is a firefighter (volunteer) so we don't have the shift work problem but I can definately sympathize with this family having a hard time finding care and the importance of family time (many dinners/holidays have been interupted at my house by that pesky pager!) Kudos to you for stepping up and doing it.
Good luck! :thumbsup:

[Cocoon]

Countrymomma, are you for real? Thank you for being so nice and taking care of this families precious. I'm actually touched by your post.

I think in your case what I would do is either charge them hourly or set an amount weekly whether they send their kid or not. Or charge set amount for weekdays and hourly rate for the weekends. But don't charge less then you feel comfortable as if you do in time you won't enjoy having their child in your home and you will feel that you are working hard but not getting enough pay in return. Especially, when the kid is difficult (teeting, not eating etc.).

[Dreamalittledream]

Re: Paying it forward.....that is simply wonderful of you. My 'warm fuzzy' for the day;)

[wingit]

Country Momma! I'm in the EXACT same position with you. The same schedule for a firefighter working 24 hour shifts. My husband works the same shift and I enjoy working 'shift work' myself but I'm not sure how to charge. When you decide what to do please let me know!!!