Client Requesting Overtime... What to charge?

[Suzie_Homemaker]

One of my new clients just received a new job offer which is great however they are wondering if I can do one day a week to approx 7pm. I think I am going to take it as right now I am already having a hard time filling my 2 vacant spots...
What do you feel would be reasonable to charge? I ask parents to pick up the latest by 6pm everyday. my rate is $40/day at the moment.


Thank you, your input is greatly appreciated

If you are sure you really want this commitment, then consider charging babysitting rates after hours. Here, that's $10 an hour per child.

Personally, I think that hour will be a long one since 6pm close is quite late anyway.

The other consideration is your late fee - for me, it's $1 a min so while this would be an arranged lateness, I wouldn't want to be too cheap in case she then asks for a second extended day.

If you want $15-$20 for the extra hour, tell her that. It's your personal time after all. If she doesn't want to pay that, then she can find someone to pick up the child when you close. She knew what your hours were before accepting the new job.

Make sure you document this change properly and are clear that it's only for the one day a week, what that day is, that they can't switch the later day and that 7pm is the absolute cut off.

And please, consider if you need a get out clause if you don't want to do this indefinitely because while it's tempting if you have spaces, once your day care is full, you are going to be wiped out by 6pm and might resent the change.

[Lee-Bee]

There are MANY things to factor in here. Do you typically feed supper to your children that leave at 6pm? This child will need supper by 7pm, so if you don't normally provide it then you need to factor that meal into your costs for the extra hour.

Also I would have a completely separate contract for this hour of care noting many important details. The firm 7pm, the days it is applicable for (not every day of care) and I would also note changes of care during this extra hour. If you do not watch tv during regular daycare hours but plan to use it while cooking supper or after supper until the parents arrive make it known. I would just be clear that daycare ends at 6pm and then it is an hour of more relaxed care. I would be weary of keeping the daycare routine going for one child until 7pm (you'll be drained). From 6-7pm have some free play while you get supper on the table, eat, then tv or free play while you clean the kitchen kind of deal.

As mentioned make sure you have an escape clause for when it becomes too much, which is why I suggest a separate childcare contract in addition to your usual daycare.

If you are looking for more income due to empty spaces and do plan to take this route maybe consider offering care to the other families as well? Give them all a date night or night to do groceries or go to the gym. In which case you'd make more money to make it worth it. But again, have it as a separate care in addition to your home daycare that you can end when needed.