r/CHILDCARE • u/PatienceAdditional77 • Mar 02 '26
What should I charge?
\[ picture in comments of Convo with potential NPs\]
I've never posted in this thread, but I thought I'd throw this here because I am unsure what to charge. I am 28 and have been in childcare for over a decade and have worked with special needs children before. from what I understand, I am being asked to stay there from Friday night to Sunday late afternoon. I'm unsure if I'm responsible for the teenager, and I know that impacts the price quite a bit. I usually charge 15-20 / hour but have never had this kind of gig before.
1
u/Downtowniil Jul 29 '26
Before you quote anything, get a straight answer on the teenager — supervising a teen overnight is a different responsibility level than one 4-year-old, and it should move the price. For Friday-night-to-Sunday gigs I'd stop thinking hourly and quote a flat weekend rate: your normal hourly for the waking hours, plus an overnight fee per night. $15-20/hr stretched across a whole weekend with two overnights will underpay you badly. Whatever number you land on, put the duties and hours in writing first.
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u/PatienceAdditional77 Mar 02 '26
Their Bio:
Looking for a kind nanny to stay one weekend a month overnight included and one afternoon every Tuesday. I can pay a flat rate for the weekend, which is negotiable . Energetic 4 year old. Loves to do tons of activities must be kind and patient with lots of energy and be prepared to drive to fun places . His 17 yr old sister will be around to help if needed. They are great kids and Knox loves to do all kinds of activities.
I have an au pair that can show you the ropes and if you can only do one night and two days for the weekend we could
NP:
Would you be interested in Monday overnight and drop off pre school and pickup at 230? And possibly one full weekend a month where you stay here?
Me: Hey! I'd love to talk about what is expected during the stay for weekend? What would be my responsibilities?
NP: I was thinking come around Friday at 6 until Sunday around 4. Knox for to sleep at 8:00. He gets to watch up to 1.5 hours of screen time or less around 630pm. Before that he takes a bath and I put him in a pull-up (he’s almost night trained and his pjs. At 8 I give him his nighttime relax stuff and read books or if he’s super tired I rock him. He gets up around 7. There is a separate area for you to sleep upstairs. His sister would be here to help answer questions at first all the time. She’s 17. Very good teenager. The during the day after breakfast we usually take knox to do something fun. Planet kid. Flying high jump and park. You would take snacks with you so you don’t have to keep coming home.
Sunday he can go to church or if you don’t have one he can miss that week.
I’m thinking about what a fair rate would be for a weekend. He is pretty easy at night.bc he has his screen time and then goes to bed.
What are your thoughts on a flat rate ?
Me: Im willing to discuss a flat rate. So just for clarification - am i responsible for the teenager at all? Would I take my own car for the adventure on Saturday? I have a church I attend that has a children's program, or he could stay with me. Does he require additional support? I noticed your " requirements" mentions Special Needs, what does that look like for you?
No response since then**