Would you charge more....

[GymMom]

for a 12 hour day than a 10 hour day? I'm just starting out next week and only have 1 part-timer lined up so far. Another mom has asked if I'd take her daughter a few days a week from 6am-6pm. My posted hours are 7:30 - 5:30 and for p/t, I charge $40/day. Would you charge more for a 12 hour day? If so, how much more?
Thanks!

[Crayola kiddies]

Well first i wouldn't do it ... And second yes I would charge more cause she is asking for care beyond your operating hours and infringing on your personal/family time. If you don't make it worth your while you will end up regretting it. She is asking you to open an hour and a half early so if you normally get up at 7 to open at 7:30 now you have to get up at 5:30 and you will still be working at 6pm then after the parent picks up, you have to get your families dinner and if you have children in evening activities it will limit what you can do unless hubby wants to do it all. When I first started I took one of those but it was part time and I dreaded those days ... They are no longer with me thankfully and I will never be that desperate again.

[Inspired by Reggio]

I would not do it either - lots and lots of providers start out thinking they can do this - bit read the threads on here a few months of working 60 hours a week and they are burning out ... if you are going to do it definitely make sure you are well compensated for it ... I charge overtime for anything over 9 hours and my max day is 10 hours - 7 to 5 is my limit of workday!

[Momof4]

I would not do it either. I charge for a 9 hour day with $5/half hour overtime or before or after my hours of 7:30-5pm. We have to do so much work after hours it's ridiculous which adds to our day, cleaning, food and activity and craft preps. We work bloody long days even with having the children here for 9 hours or less.

I bet if you tell the parents they are allowed a 9 hour day or pay a lot of extra money they will find a way to work it out. Grandparents and parents have worked together here when I had a Mom who worked at the hospital on 12 hour shifts to use 7 hour days. If they respect you and appreciate you they will find a way, trust me. Take care of YOU or you will burn out really fast.

[mimi]

I wouldn't do it either, but since you asked, I would charge another $25.00 on top of your f/t charge. My hours are the same as yours and I know if I went to 6 -6 I would be a huge mess by the end of the week. That's a 60 hr work week and then you have home responsiblities - no way

[treeholm]

I wouldn't even do it for an extra $25, to be honest. It just isn't worth burning out over. If I had to get up at 5:30, I'd be toast after two days...

[jec]

I wouldn't even do it for an extra $25, to be honest. It just isn't worth burning out over. If I had to get up at 5:30, I'd be toast after two days...
I'm with treeholm on this one. Not enough money if you do decide to do it.
I know your asking how much more to charge and not our thoughts on if you should do it or not but, I wouldn't put myself in that position for any amount of money.
Hang on..starting out is tough building up clients but don't burn yourself out getting there. You, your family and the littles in your care will suffer by you being too exhausted.

[Other Mummy]

I'm on the same thinking line as the others. NO WAY!:no: As a newbie, I made plenty of mistakes as well. One of my first clients was here from 7:15am until 6:45. I eventually terminated the contract (for other reasons) but I would never do this again. My hours are now 7:45am - 6:00, with a contracted 9 hours Max. for each client. You will burn out quick and even with extra compensation, it's not worth it.

[Monday 2 Friday Mama]

Hi there - while I certainly emphasize with your desire to build up good references, and establish a client base, I have just three words for you: Don't Do It. =) 12 hours is simply too long of a day for one caregiver to handle. You need time to be "off the clock" so that you can come back and do it all again the next day You may also need a few evenings during the week to complete errands - some daycare related. i.e. I have to buy fresh fruit a couple times during the week. Then there will be your own needs. Trust me - it's hard enough finding a dentist/doctor who has evening hours; what happens if your kids want to participate in Brownies or Swimming lessons, or your dog has a vet appointment. When I encounter parents who are looking for those kinds of killer hours, I re-direct them to a liscenced daycare centre. Centres have multiple employees who work overlapping shifts because who's at their best after 10 hours ! =) Hang in there - you'll find good clients without having to sacrifice all of your personal time. Parents who don't recognize that their caregiver is a person (just like them) who needs a healthy work/life balance are not people that you want to work with long term anyways.

[Starshine]

I wouldn't do it either. I made the mistake of having long hours when I first started and it was too much. Now I work 10 hours MAX each day.

[apples and bananas]

I wouldn't take the 12 hour day. It's hard on the kid, and it's hard on you. I've done it and I had to terminate, it was just too much.

If I was in a financial position where I had to, then I would charge an extra $5.00 per half hour outside of my normal hours. So, in your case... an extra 20 bucks. Ya, I might do 12 hours for 60 a day... however, I doubt anyone would pay it.

[monkeymama]

2x a month i do this for one of my dcf. this was arranged during the interview process and they pay me an extra $10/day ontop my daily fee plus they provide her additional meals. 2x a month is more than enough for me. i could never do it more than that. as the other ladies have mentioned, no money is worth your sanity.

[stitcherka]

Don't do it. Isn't there a regulation of how long children are allowed to be in care as well?

[daycarewhisperer]

I have done twelve hour shifts three days a week for full pay but I also ran an evening shift at that time I would NEVER keep a kid twelve hours a day five days a week. My max is a nine hour day for five day a week kids. If you are able to do the longer hours and the parent is willing to pay for a FULL week for the three long days then possibly you could consider it. It's when the parent wants twelve hour days and a part time rate where it gets sticky. You will resent it quickly because your hourly rate will be very low.