I am considering watching my friends 8 month old baby boy. Her and her husband are both teachers. She offered me a flat rate and then told me that she would rather pay daily since they have days off durning some months. I called around to some day cares and they told me they charge per week the same price even if the child is not there. I would like to charge the same way as the day care providers, but I am not sure if that is what I should do. I did forget to mention that here in PA, we have to pay 25% of our income per month for state and federal taxes. I would also be watching him from 6:45-4:30 on days they are teaching. I am also certified and still working as a Para-Professional in an Elementary school. She is asking me to leave my job to help her out.
My friend came over to me and asked me if she paid me 50.00 a day and only days that the baby would be here then I would have to claim it as income and file. If she lowered it to 45 per day and only when the baby is here than I wouldn't have to claim it as income. They apparently asked their accountant. So here I lie with a dilemma, First, it started out a 1000 a month flat rate, then it just keeps going lower and lower. Plus she would want me to teach him and take him to social events, so he stays social and not an only child. I am talking to my friend today and explaining my situation and then I might just have to turn her down.
I just want to say that if you have ample notice when you will not have to be available to watch him, then I wouldn't charge for the days hes not with you. If you do not know until the day of or the day before that hes not coming, then you should make them pay for a full schedule.
Hi, B.:
She is looking for someone that she can control to do what she needs and wants. It is nothing about you.
If you want to be at someone else's will, then take the job.
Let her take her child to day care. They have a system that she can accept or reject.
Unless of course, you want to have a contract that meets your needs as well as hers. What are your needs to take care of this baby? Write them down. She can accept or reject it. That is her choice. You have needs too.
Good luck. D.
I would agree to her terms if she is willing to give you a schedule for the school year. That way you can plan when you will get money and not get money. I think you have a right to charge for any unexpected days that she decides not to use you (example, unexpected trip, sick, etc.). You cannot be expected to make yourself available every day then out of the blue just be left hanging one day without notice and without compensation.
You are not a licensed day care so you do have to be a bit flexible but on the same token, they need to be respectful of your life too. You are committing to them, they should have some sort of commitment to you. The school year is planned out for them, they already know which days they will have off for the entire year. Maybe tell them if you do not have at least 30 days notice of an off day, then you would like to be paid for that day.
Good luck!
Grrrr... Some people are just rude and ignorant.... I am referring to just a few responses here... It's just so rude. You don't HAVE to do anything you don't want to do.
Dear lady, I've been unlicensed for the last 19 years or so, been a provider for 24 years in all, licensed at first. I'm here to tell you that all my rules are the same as any licensed caregiver AND, I make the rules in my establishment. I also pay my taxes and I am absolutely able to deduct my expenses because it's not illegal in my state to do daycare as an unlicensed caregiver. If the state of PA allows a child or two before you need to get a license you will be able to deduct your expenses for watching the child. If not, then you'll need to do it in their home and they need to pay you with benefits just like any other employer and match your social security taxes paying 1/2 of that out of their own pocket.
Charge a flat week no matter what. I'm getting so sick of parents trying to take advantage of providers. It's not as if getting another child in on a missed day is that easy and these people are getting paid for their spring and winter breaks. They also get paid for the summer if they choose to have their payments spread out over 12 months. So if you choose to allow them not to pay you for those weeks, then figure out what you will be missing and add that to the daily rate so they will pay it none the less.
I have been in business 24 years and only have a hand full of drop in parents that use me a few times per year. When parents are gone, I'd lose my shirt financially if I let them get away with not paying me. Why would you leave a job for just one child? She would need to pay you quite a bit wouldn't she? As far as taxes...we all have to pay taxes. But you could do the care in your home so that you can get a few decent tax breaks...again, depending on the PA laws about unlicensed caregiving. The federal tax rules state that you can deduct your expenses just so long as you are not breaking the laws of your state.
If you go by her you will get no money during spring break or winter vacation, can you afford that? Most places charge a flat rate for budgeting, and even my summer jobs as a teen did the same, with me getting paid when they went on vacation. If you are going to be a full time care provider the norm is a flat monthly or weekly rate, whether you are licensed or not, and she can still claim you on her taxes even if you are not an actual day care. Whatever the agreement, get it in writing.
You can always work it out however you want however keep in mind the following:
She can claim a daycare on her taxes but not you (unless you are licensed)
She can have her child in a daycare 9-10 hours a day unless other arrangements (each is different).
You could agree on a daily rate (if you wanted to) based on the days you are scheduled to watch the child (based on the school calendar) with the agreement that she pay you even if she doesn't bring him. I would say whatever you agree to, get it in writing so there is no confusion later.
I am a teacher and my friend watches my 2 girls from about 7:30-3:30. I pay her for everyday including vacations, which is standard for most in-home daycares and preschools etc.. I do pay her only 1/2 in the month of July since that is an agreement we both thought was fair since I am home all summer. I pay her about $60 a day for both kids, but for an 8 month old I would charge $40 a day and agree to feed him breakfast and lunch.
well if you need the money you kinda have to go by their terms. My husband and i had a woman babysitting for us who really needed the money. She started asking for more (believe me we paid good) and she would get pissy about it. so we found someone else who appricates the money we pay her and is a much better babysitter. now the other woman who needs the money isn't getting any because we don't have her babysit for us anymore.
Would you be making more money watching her baby or as a para? I guess I'm just curious. Do you like your current job? I've been a teacher and have worked with para - professionals who felt like they hardly received any pay for all of the work they put in and they did not enjoy their job at all.
I would definitely charge as a normal day care. Maybe if she was a relative then it might be different.
Are you licensed? If not, then you really cant go by the daycare rules. If you need the money and want to watch their baby then I would go by their rules. You should ask them which days because you need to budget and plan accordingly. I am sure its not TOO many days...probably like 4 or 5...and that shouldnt break the bank.
Do you really want to quit your job? Seem like she is being really unfair. She does not want to leave her job but expects you to quit yours??
My thought is this...what is the difference they are wanting to pay per day and what you were charging per week? Also you're providing a service so you can charge however you want....whether you're licensed or not. Just depends on if you need to take the offer or are in a position to renegotiate.
Good luck!
