In home babysitting

Hi everyone,
i am wondering if anybody else does in their own home babysitting or daycare. my husband was laid off and is having a hard time finding work in the evenings. So i was thinking i could do in home babysitting for 2 or three children. I know for daycare you need permits and whatnot but i believe you need a minimum number of children. If you were looking for in home babysitting what would you pay. If you do it yourself can you please offer advice?
Thanks!

Re: In home babysitting

Not sure if you are in Suffolk or Nassau but you can contact your local resource and referral agency: Childcare Council of Suffolk (or Nassau)...

If you are only interested in taking in 1-2 children, they can assist you in becoming a Legal 2 provider....

NYSOCFS also has information on their site as well...

http://www.childcaresuffolk.org/BecomeaProvider.aspx

http://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/main/childcare/becomeaprovider.asp

Message edited 3/27/2012 3:54:13 PM.

Re: In home babysitting

I did in home babysitting for a year and a half. It worked out well but my advice, if you do it, is to work out all the specifics beforehand so you and the parent are on the same page. Hash out the pay, hours, what happens if they are late or keep their child home one day, will they provide food, etc.

When I did it, both sets of parents provided the bottles and food every day. I kept a bin for each little boy at my house and they kept it stocked with diapers, wipes, meds, and a change of clothes. I was paid in full, cash, at the beginning of each week and for one little boy I was paid whether he came that day or not. We had worked that out in advance. They also provided the pack and plays for nap time.

The parents I had were great, it all worked out very well and they were very nice and cooperative. It turned out to be a great way to generate some extra income and I still was able to be with my DD all day. It is a lot of work having so many kids two look after but if you have a routine it all will work out. Both sets of parents found me on Care.com so you may want to create a profile on there. Parents can find you and you can find parents who are looking for care for their child. Good luck! If you have any specific questions feel free to FM me!

Re: In home babysitting

Forgot to add........I did not have any permits to do in home care however, I only watched two little boys in addition to my DD so technically, I do not believe you even need permits. I am a certified elementary school teacher which both parents were happy about.

I was paid $65/day for one little boy. He was with me Mon, Wed, and Fri from 730 to 330. The other little boy was with me Monday thru Thursday from 730 to 330 and she paid me $90/day.

Re: In home babysitting

thanks so much for all the information. i really appreciate it. any other insights would be greatly appreciated!!!

Re: In home babysitting

The law in NY is caring for more than 2 children in you're home you need to be licensed. Without being licensed you could face penalties. If a child were to be seriously injured or die in you're care you could face jail time. Ive been licensed as both a group and a family provider. It's a lot of work become licensed, home inspection, back ground checks, training requirmets. If you are only looking to watch 2 children you should still get you're legal 2 provider license. Not 100% sure what is involved in that. Call ny office of children and family services the childcare department and they can tell you. ETA as far a pricing goes I would find out what local centers in you're area charge and than Id take about 50-100 dollars off a week. Also you need to decide if you will provide food, if you want to be able transport the children, what hours you want. I find it very hard to run a serious business (licensed at least) with you're on children. Just remember you can't take off ever, no sick days, you cant just pick up as do whatever you want. If you have any questions fm me. I've doing it for 9 years.

Message edited 3/27/2012 4:32:15 PM.

Re: In home babysitting

I watch a little girl in my home and have been watching her since she was 6 weeks old --- she is now 3.5.

My best advice would be to work out all pay aggreements beforehand so that everything is out in the open. Discuss hourly/vs flat day rate, will you be paid if they call in sick/you call in sick, extra hours, etc.

I get paid $50/day and I have her from 6:20am-5pm, but I do think we have a special circumstance because most kids don't come that early. This is a good friend's daughter so I was flexible with the hours. I'd say $50/day for a 9-5 is pretty common for an in-home babysitter who is not licensed!

Re: In home babysitting

I used to babysit for a relatives DD.
It was from 9-2:30.
She supplied all meals, snacks, formula, milk, diapers, etc.

The hardest for me was the guilt I felt when I or my DS was sick and I had to tell her I couldn't sit that day. I HIGHLY recommend asking the parent(s) you are babysitting for, to PLEASE make sure they have some sort of back up.

The days she did not come, I did not get paid. I was 100% OK with that because she's family and I felt funny taking money in the first place.

I did this for just about a year. (I ended up having to stop immediatley because I was admitted into the hospital for bed rest and was there for a month).

That's why, for me, Back Up is so important because you do not want to leave the parents scrambling.

Re: In home babysitting

i drop DS off at a SAHM's house. she watches him M-F 7:45-5:30 and i pay her cash every friday $200/week.
i supply everything (food, formula,diapers,wipes, pack n play). her son is the same age as my DS (same birthday!)