Has Anyone Offered Parent's Night Out?

[Sandbox Sally]

I think I might like to do this once every month or two....am I nuts?? lol

I would love the extra cash of course, but the MAIN reason I want to do it is because some of my parents have no family in town, and thereby nobody to watch their kids when want a night out. I have BEEN THERE DONE THAT, and it sucked.

So have you done this/would you do this?

How much would you charge? Same as a full day, or more, or less? How many hours would you provide?

I have some ideas, just want to ask other providers their opinions. Maybe there is something negative to this that I haven't thought about? :)

[mom-in-alberta]

I think it's a great idea, if you are willing to do it. Me, I am not willing! lol :)
Seriously, I think it's a good way to offer something that not all providers offer. I would just think through ALL the logistics. Will you take a quick break in between your regular dayhome hours or do a continual care type thing? Personally, I would get parents to pick up, have dinner and bring their kiddos back in pajamas so we could have a jammies and movie/ dance party. Will you feed them dinner otherwise? (I probably would, to avoid moms and dads bringing dinner) How late are you willing to have them at your home? (I would say midnight) Will you do bath time routine? (I wouldn't)
As for how much, I would say whatever your regular daytime rate is. Possibly a little more, since it's night time? And I think I would offer it as a trial thing, so that if it's not your thing after all, you don't have to continue. Once every 6 weeks should be a good timeframe, or you could offer it to parents on an as needed basis?

[playfelt]

One of the reasons I don't offer this is for the same reasons we have been posting in another thread about the fact parents are already making use of my services while they have freetime off work. Yes they are paying me in a sense but if they kept the child home for the day they would still have been paying me for the full week so in a sense I am giving extra care than I could have been if they had kept their child instead of having personal time. If anything the parents need to get together and offer me a night out without my kids by offering to pay for my babysitter.

[horsegirl]

One of the daycares in our area offered New Years Eve care, 10PM till 10AM and she charged $100 per child. She told everyone that she needed at least 3 children -6 yr to 10 yr-- to make it worth her while. She offered a few games, snacks and breakfast. She did very well. I think my husband would divorce me if I offered to take the daycare children any more days than I am (5 days per week--7AM till 5:30PM):yes:

Good Luck.

[mamaof4]

I, for one, would love this. Love. The last time my husband and I were out on a date was January.

[Tot-Time]

I offer date night with my daycare :)

I have 2 teen daughters who actually run it though. The parents pay them directly.

Basically, date night for daycare means that parents don't pick up their child until 10pm that evening (or later if previously arranged). Which ever daughter is running date night, feeds the kiddies a pizza supper, does a craft or outdoor play depending on whether, and popcorn and a movie. It is a lot of fun for the daycare kiddies and my girls make a few extra dollars.

I have been offering date night for 4 years now and most date nights have had a minimum of 2 kids booked.

I would love to offer a New Years Eve service but have never been successful yet, any suggestions on how/where/when to advertise?

[lilac]

I think its a great idea. But I'd not offer it til my kids were older! Honestly, I'm sometimes so beat by the end of the day that I dont have the energy for my own two!! And I should be cherishing that time with them! I love the idea of it when my kids are older and they can do the date night like Tot-Time!! I think thats a fantastic idea!!

[Judy Trickett]

I don't. But I do know of providers who do this with great success.

[Emilys4Guppies]

I don't. I'm not interested in evening childcare. I have a friend who offers a New Years sleepover every year though. $100/kid=$500 for 12 hours work.

[mamaof4]

I offer date night with my daycare :)

I have 2 teen daughters who actually run it though. The parents pay them directly.

Basically, date night for daycare means that parents don't pick up their child until 10pm that evening (or later if previously arranged). Which ever daughter is running date night, feeds the kiddies a pizza supper, does a craft or outdoor play depending on whether, and popcorn and a movie. It is a lot of fun for the daycare kiddies and my girls make a few extra dollars.

I have been offering date night for 4 years now and most date nights have had a minimum of 2 kids booked.

I would love to offer a New Years Eve service but have never been successful yet, any suggestions on how/where/when to advertise?

it is july and I already have my sitter for new years booked. If I wait past september they all seem to be booked! So maybe include it in a newsletter? Churches?