Babysitter Raising Rates?!

Crysty · Jul 1st, 2008, 11:04 AM

Oh I have looked around (both before using her & now) & her rate is the average for a sitter (not a center) in our area. We live in Indiana. A friend of mine pays $60/wk for her 2 mo old. I would never work for such little pay so I do agree with those who have posted that she is getting paid very little. The issue is not really the rate. It is more the method of delivery and the fact that we just discussed rates 3 weeks ago. $100 more a month is not a large sum of money, but I feel like this should have been a topic of discussion rather than a take it or leave it kinda deal. The whole thing is just really coming from left field and it makes me wonder if she really wants to keep my children or if her husband is behind this whole thing or what?? (She does seem happy to have them) I just feel as if it should be better clarified and I don't feel as if I should be the one to pry deeper into the details. They should be presented to me. Everyone acts as if she is doing my family some wondrous favor -- let's keep in mind that she (1. chose to stay home & keep children & (2. sets her own rates/terms relative to what others in our area charge.

The other part too, as someone mentioned, is that in a home vs a center I am going to pay less because the services rendered are less AND this woman does get paid under the table (her choice, not mine) so we cannot take the dependent care exemption when we file our taxes. She also gets paid for holidays (which I have never complained about despite DH's protest).

Oh & my 10 y/o is very happy there...the sitter lives in our subdivision so all of her friends are literally within a block.

You know, ultimately I am going to find someone else anyway because they will be moving at some point this year....I just wanted opinions on how random this "new rate" is and how poorly it was delivered. I would love to just walk into my bosses office and say, "You know, gas prices and food (and child care) are killing me, so in two weeks, you are going to pay me $X more per year." How well would that fly? Every six months, we have a pow-wow and discuss salary/benefits. I guess next time I will have to get in writing that the sitter cannot randomly change the contract and that annually or semi-annually, we will discuss these things. If her family has a deficit, why should my family have to pick up the slack?

Anyhow, thanks for your comments guys -- now back to pregnancy and purses!!

Korilynn · Jul 1st, 2008, 01:16 PM

One more thing,
In the future, you might look for someone that has a contract written up stating X per hour , per child..or X per week. That could solve you having legal trouble in the long run! I know she is just a temporary sitter, so she probably doesnt have training, etc...so I doubt she has a contract, but a "serious" home daycare provider would provide you with a contract, as well as meal shedules etc..... Word of mouth should help you find someone if you like the one on one care a home provider can give. Where I live, we are required to submit contracts and meal plans to a lady that regulates the home daycare providers!

twinkle.tink · Jul 1st, 2008, 05:52 PM

^^^I always had a contract with our day care as well.

Paid holidays, 'sick days' and vacation are standard here in CA. It was always frustrating when day care went on vacation, as then we were paying day care plus extra for whom ever we had filling in....but after 3 kids and lots of interviews over the years, we did come to realize this is just the way it is, at least here.

Last time I had full time daycare was about 4 years ago and the going rate was 180.00- 210.00 a week for non infant, and about 250.00 a week for an infant. From friends, I undertand going rate is 200.00- 250.00 a week per child, non infant. So it does seem to me 175.00 for 2 kids is a great deal.

Regardless of the actual price, it seems 2 weeks notice for an increase is fair.

Elvawith · Jul 2nd, 2008, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guccimamma

i think that is an absolute bargain.

ditto.

Around here its AT LEAST $15 per hour if not more when two children are involved.

*spoiled* · Jul 2nd, 2008, 04:23 PM

I think that price is totally fair! Are you kidding me? LOL

We pay 125/week for our 2 year old. We are putting her into a daycare center/kiddie school in August and will dish out 160/week. We are expecting another in December and that little one will go to the sitter but im sure she will charge us around 130 or so a week. Does this sitter feed your kids? If so, I think you're getting a bargain. If this person is good to your kids and they like her, I wouldn't complain. IT's very hard to find reliable and good ppl that you trust to watch your kids.

HTH! And Good luck with the new one! BTW when are you due?? I'm due Dec 20.

Crysty · Jul 2nd, 2008, 05:41 PM

I just found a woman in our n'hood who is licensed by the state and charges considerably less -- but again, it wasn't the rate, it was the point. The licensed sitter charges $95/wk for a 2 yr old which she said according to her "people" at the state is average for home care in our area......still waiting to hear back on the school-ager rate. And I know, once you break it down to hourly, it is sooo cheap (but again, average for our area). This woman does not plan to move and will watch the littlest one once he/she arrives too! For every closed door, one opens, huh?!

BTW we find out what we're having this Tues July 8th!

*spoiled* -- I am due Nov 24th! My 10 y/o's dob is Dec 20th -- the same as your EDD!

...and I so can't wait to post on your "moody" thread --- I think moodiness was probably the reason I posted this thread in the 1st place!

eviemarie · Jul 2nd, 2008, 06:32 PM

My DD goes to a childminder (think this is the same as a sitter in the US)
She goes there from 9.30am to 5.15 for three days i pay £35 a day about $65. That a day. You got a deal there mate. I wouldn't be looking for someone else. PLus she is family so you know she is safe.

Jul 1st, 2008, 01:16 PM	#17
Korilynn Member Location: UK, But from FL,USA	One more thing, In the future, you might look for someone that has a contract written up stating X per hour , per child..or X per week. That could solve you having legal trouble in the long run! I know she is just a temporary sitter, so she probably doesnt have training, etc...so I doubt she has a contract, but a "serious" home daycare provider would provide you with a contract, as well as meal shedules etc..... Word of mouth should help you find someone if you like the one on one care a home provider can give. Where I live, we are required to submit contracts and meal plans to a lady that regulates the home daycare providers! __________________ ITS A GIRL!! Counting down the days until Ireland Lucy arrives!

Jul 1st, 2008, 05:52 PM	#18
twinkle.tink Pixie Duster Location: Just call me Tink ;)	^^^I always had a contract with our day care as well. Paid holidays, 'sick days' and vacation are standard here in CA. It was always frustrating when day care went on vacation, as then we were paying day care plus extra for whom ever we had filling in....but after 3 kids and lots of interviews over the years, we did come to realize this is just the way it is, at least here. Last time I had full time daycare was about 4 years ago and the going rate was 180.00- 210.00 a week for non infant, and about 250.00 a week for an infant. From friends, I undertand going rate is 200.00- 250.00 a week per child, non infant. So it does seem to me 175.00 for 2 kids is a great deal. Regardless of the actual price, it seems 2 weeks notice for an increase is fair. __________________

Jul 2nd, 2008, 04:23 PM	#20
spoiled Member Location: Maryland	I think that price is totally fair! Are you kidding me? LOL We pay 125/week for our 2 year old. We are putting her into a daycare center/kiddie school in August and will dish out 160/week. We are expecting another in December and that little one will go to the sitter but im sure she will charge us around 130 or so a week. Does this sitter feed your kids? If so, I think you're getting a bargain. If this person is good to your kids and they like her, I wouldn't complain. IT's very hard to find reliable and good ppl that you trust to watch your kids. HTH! And Good luck with the new one! BTW when are you due?? I'm due Dec 20. __________________

Jul 1st, 2008, 11:04 AM	#16
Crysty Member Location: in the Hoosier Hills	Oh I have looked around (both before using her & now) & her rate is the average for a sitter (not a center) in our area. We live in Indiana. A friend of mine pays $60/wk for her 2 mo old. I would never work for such little pay so I do agree with those who have posted that she is getting paid very little. The issue is not really the rate. It is more the method of delivery and the fact that we just discussed rates 3 weeks ago. $100 more a month is not a large sum of money, but I feel like this should have been a topic of discussion rather than a take it or leave it kinda deal. The whole thing is just really coming from left field and it makes me wonder if she really wants to keep my children or if her husband is behind this whole thing or what?? (She does seem happy to have them) I just feel as if it should be better clarified and I don't feel as if I should be the one to pry deeper into the details. They should be presented to me. Everyone acts as if she is doing my family some wondrous favor -- let's keep in mind that she (1. chose to stay home & keep children & (2. sets her own rates/terms relative to what others in our area charge. The other part too, as someone mentioned, is that in a home vs a center I am going to pay less because the services rendered are less AND this woman does get paid under the table (her choice, not mine) so we cannot take the dependent care exemption when we file our taxes. She also gets paid for holidays (which I have never complained about despite DH's protest). Oh & my 10 y/o is very happy there...the sitter lives in our subdivision so all of her friends are literally within a block. You know, ultimately I am going to find someone else anyway because they will be moving at some point this year....I just wanted opinions on how random this "new rate" is and how poorly it was delivered. I would love to just walk into my bosses office and say, "You know, gas prices and food (and child care) are killing me, so in two weeks, you are going to pay me $X more per year." How well would that fly? Every six months, we have a pow-wow and discuss salary/benefits. I guess next time I will have to get in writing that the sitter cannot randomly change the contract and that annually or semi-annually, we will discuss these things. If her family has a deficit, why should my family have to pick up the slack? Anyhow, thanks for your comments guys -- now back to pregnancy and purses!!

Jul 2nd, 2008, 05:41 PM	#21
Crysty Member Location: in the Hoosier Hills	I just found a woman in our n'hood who is licensed by the state and charges considerably less -- but again, it wasn't the rate, it was the point. The licensed sitter charges $95/wk for a 2 yr old which she said according to her "people" at the state is average for home care in our area......still waiting to hear back on the school-ager rate. And I know, once you break it down to hourly, it is sooo cheap (but again, average for our area). This woman does not plan to move and will watch the littlest one once he/she arrives too! For every closed door, one opens, huh?! BTW we find out what we're having this Tues July 8th! spoiled -- I am due Nov 24th! My 10 y/o's dob is Dec 20th -- the same as your EDD! ...and I so can't wait to post on your "moody" thread --- I think moodiness was probably the reason I posted this thread in the 1st place!

Jul 2nd, 2008, 06:32 PM	#22
eviemarie www.designerclothing Location: Stratford Upon Avon	My DD goes to a childminder (think this is the same as a sitter in the US) She goes there from 9.30am to 5.15 for three days i pay £35 a day about $65. That a day. You got a deal there mate. I wouldn't be looking for someone else. PLus she is family so you know she is safe.