Cost of childcare

Kyle - posted on 02/07/2010

I get $300 a MONTH and only have the baby for about 3.5 hrs a day

Lynne Marie - posted on 02/07/2010

'did u check drop-in care?



I bbsit for free. The people I bbsit for are NOT related. I am close friends to some families with young.



When I was a single mom, I had three sons; all three and 1/2 years apart. They are now 30 (with one child under one), 28 and 27--married/no children.



Nobody would help me, not even their dad, who was busy filling-in off duty hours bbsitting for his girlfriends kids. We were still married BUT living apart!



I went to work in a childcare facility. That was the only was I could: 1. see my kids, 2. afford child care (nearly free or free, depending on facility policy) and 3. have a decent ($4.75 per hour) income in the '80's!



Some community colleges incorporate childcare services while u attend classes for a degree or a certificate, so u can work and keep some income. Even if u r married, u may qualify for many benefits of higher ed. Check it out online. They usually have sites u can get to by using common search engines.



Being I got pooped on by family and friends, I am passionate about child rearing to this day. There r many options: think outside the box!



Trade days with another mom= free. U work days/she works evenings.



THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX!

Iridescent - posted on 02/07/2010

Here (Minnesota) base rate is $2.50 per hour per child. You may need to apply for child care assistance or grants to be able to afford to work.

Blackwood - posted on 02/07/2010

Is it worth you going back too work? You may end up with costs just breaking even. I'm a home daycare provider in Ontario Canada and charge about $35/day/child. But could charge about $40.00. The centres in my area are $45-$60/day.Best wishes

Tah - posted on 02/07/2010

80 a week in florida...really....i have paid up to 200 a week, the only reason i'm paying 206 bi-weekly is because it's military daycare now..wow...

Sharon - posted on 02/07/2010

I live in florida and we pay our babysitter $10 per hour only because my daughter is 2 years old and still in diapers. But that is only for a night out.....our daycare asks for $80 a week for 4-5 days and then $20 a day if we only use them 1-3 days.

Suzette - posted on 02/06/2010

I'm not sure about WA state but I do know that in AZ they have daycare centers that offer services on a sliding fee basis for people depending on their income. You could also check with the State, like the Welfare department for the places that they know of. That way you know you're not paying too much and you're going to a place that's recommended by the state. Of course if you're not wanting to do that and you want a private babysitter, then I'd go with what other mom's say and check with the mom's in the neighborhood. They likely know what person is good and what person isn't, as well as a good fee to offer. :) Good luck!

LaWanda - posted on 02/06/2010

We live in Oregon, and its about $2 an hour per kid under 2 or not potty trained then like a $1.50 if they are potty trained!

Good Day! - posted on 02/06/2010

For three kids I would probably pay a high schooler/ college kid $10/hour.

Valerie - posted on 02/06/2010

I live in the Philadelphia area. Daycare is outrageous, a private babysitter may charge $25-40/day per child. Most will allow you to prorate the hours, like $12.50 for half a day. I would ask other moms in the neighborhood, since every area and cost of living is different.

Erica - posted on 02/06/2010

Call around to get the best price.

Jasmin - posted on 02/06/2010

Wow! I need to move to Washington, nice minimum wage!

I would say it depends on the person. You could pay high school kids less, college students/nannies more. If you're only gone for a couple of hours, maybe $30 for the session, since there are three kids. I babysit a 18 months old, he comes to my house 4-5 days a week, up to 10 hours and I get 150 a week, which comes out to $3 an hour and I'm not that happy, but it's the price I offered, thinking I could take on more kids. I really enjoy it though. Maybe check some adds that are out there and see what they offer/ask for, that might help, too. But I would pay 10-15 an hour.