In home babysitter cost

I know this has been asked a million times, but thought I would throw my scenario out there. I am returning to work after 2 years off in September. Before the last two were born (twins) I had my older two in daycare. Now they will be in grades K and 2. The twins will be 2 years old. with my commute, I need and want to avoid 2 drop offs in the morning (both of which would be out of my way) A lovely lady on my block babysits and said she would put my older two on the bus (and watch them from about 7:30-9:00 when the bus comes) and babysit the twins from about 7:30-4:30. She said she typically charges $60 a day per kid, but would do the twins for $100 a day. I would give her additional for the 1.5 hours for the older two and for getting them off the bus in the afternoon and the about 15 extra minutes between bus drop off and my arrival home. So for all this, I would think it would be about $120-$130 a day. I am thinking this is more than reasonable. I was paying about $115 a day for the older two in daycare 2 years ago. I also do not have to pay during my weeks off (Christmas, Feb. Break, etc. Or during the summer.. I am a teacher)

Thoughts? (This would be cash, no tax write off).

Re: In home babysitter cost

I think this is a great deal! Not to mention leaving the kids with someone you trust is invaluable so that alone is worth it.

Re: In home babysitter cost

I just switched to a daycare 4 houses from me too. She charges me $6/hr per kid. Same deal with not paying for holidays off etc. it saves me a lot of money! So it sounds like a great deal!

Re: In home babysitter cost

That's great! I wish I had a situation like that available to me!!!

Re: In home babysitter cost

I live OOS (in a very similar suburban area) and I pay our in home daycare the same amount ($100/day) for our twins. She does watch my 3rd grader occasionally on days off from school & I think that cost is similar to what you're paying too.

Re: In home babysitter cost

Sounds good- especially since you don't have to pay when you're off

Re: In home babysitter cost

Approx $600 a week tax free for her! She's getting a great deal

In home babysitter cost

I think it's a great deal but is she going to provide food? Is that an extra cost?

Do you know if she will be socializing your kids and teaching them like a traditional daycare setting? For those reasons alone, I feel that daycare is invaluable.

Re: In home babysitter cost

I pay $40 a day (8-4) and provide my own food (which I prefer anyway). My sitter watches several other kids who are close in age to my dd, so she gets plenty of socialization. I personally wasn't looking for a curriculum or anything academic at her age (2 turning 3), so it is a perfect situation for me.