I have done a couple of New Years Eve overnights. I tend to put the feelers out to the parents early as I typically want majority of kids to attend. I'm not going to do it if say only 1 child comes. I give them dinner and we do a craft and watch either a Xmas movie or a short Xmas themed show before bed. It depends on the age of the children and their bedtimes too. The parents have to pick up by 10am the following day so they have time to sleep in and get some asprin in them before they collect

I think the rate depends on your area. When I was in Burlington I charged $80 per child and I had 4 of them. In Niagara region 2 years ago I had 3 kids and charged $60 per child. The service is totally worth more in my opinion based on being cared for by an adult not some teenager babysitter, also by the regular and familiar daycare provider who will offer some activities rather than just plonk them in front of the tv for the entire evening. Also the luxury of not having to rush home to relieve a babysitter and then get them home. Unfortunatly, a lot of people, IME, don't see the benefits associated with the cost and will still pay a regular babysitter so this is why I dont charge more.

As for extended hours or weekends so the parents can do Xmas shopping, as a parent I know this is a great service, but in the same breath, I have my own Xmas shopping to be doing, my work week is long enough already working 6:30am-5:30pm M-F. Do I really want to make my week longer during a period which is also busy for me? And the amount of money they are going to pay me really doesnt make it worthwhile doing, unless I was short on money at that time inwhich case I would consider it.

I do quite a bit of weekend and over night babysitting for siblings I look after and she pays my a LOT of money, so maybe thats where it comes from. I have done an over night and been paid nearly $200 and thats on a normal day rather than New Years Eve which should be charged at a higher rate IMO