How much do you pay for child care?

United States
April 13, 2007 10:13am CST
I was talking to my wife's cousin yesterday, and we were discussing the costs of day care. She lived in California and she said that the going rate is $15 - $20 an hour. She said that if you know someone well, they will usually charge you about $15/hr. However, if you are not lucky enough to know someone, it could be upwards of $20/hr. I live in New York (in a small city) and the average rate around here is about $135 a day. I was lucky enough to find an amazing babysitter who is willing to watch my son for $20 a day. How much does everyone else pay for child care? How much is too much?
4 people like this
9 responses
@all4ucnc (861)
• United States
13 Apr 07
I stay at home and babysit other little kids.... I had quit to stay home with my children after having my second child, My sister-in-law pays $1200 a month for two kids full time in a daycare..... I didn't want to pay that, so I started watching others I charge $2.00 an hour, and keep my hours 6am -6pm.... So Full time kids average about $20 a day, and bring a bag of groceries once a month to help with the food for snacks.... It works out good for me, I get be home with my kids, and they're not overpaying some big daycare.
2 people like this
• United States
13 Apr 07
That's wonderful. My babysitter has pretty much the same system. She said that she couldn't see forcing someone to give up their entire paycheck for daycare, and that this just helps her out so she can stay home with her kids anyway. We give her extra money every week because she's so good to all of us. I know that she's simply not in it for the money (my son has been to other babysitters who were simply in it for the money, and they didn't care at all about the kids). I truly appreciate babysitters like you!! Thank you!
2 people like this
@sarah22 (3979)
• United States
15 Apr 07
well, i have been fortunite to beable to stay home with my son. but i did look into daycares and they wanted $250 a week for him as he is 4 years old. thats alot of money. we are in Washington DC. I payed less for my daughter when i was in NM.child care is very expensive
2 people like this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
13 Apr 07
I don't actually pay for daycare because we couldn't afford to spend $400-600 a month on daycare so I take care of my 4 year old son. I think it varies but the few that I looked into charged from $140 a week - $210 sometimes more. It wasn't much difference if your child went part time either so I think the prices are quite expensive here in Virginia. Mind you, I don't know my way around here so I may not have looked at all of the daycares available in our area. Back in New Zealand you pay around $80 a week - $120 at the most (that is in NZ dollars too). My hubby gives us an allowance of around $20-$30 a day so we can get out and about town instead of being stuck in the house all day. If we don't go out, then I save the $$ for the weekend, as we always do family things in the weekends :)
• United States
13 Apr 07
I had paid 10-15$/hr. for a baby sitter. But the service was very good. And I'm really satisfied with that.
2 people like this
@sunup13 (420)
• Canada
4 May 07
I'm looking into a home day care. The mother has a four year old and a 17 month old and is looking to stay home and take kids in for extra cash. She is asking 30 for a full day which is pretty good compared to what everyone else is saying! We'll still have to figure out if $600 a month is worth shelling out compared to me staying home or working part time. Thank you for posting this it helped me alot at trying to figure out how much is too much for child care.
1 person likes this
• United States
14 Apr 07
I do not pay for child care because I am a stay at home mom and I work from home i have more than enough time to spend with friends and family and they always ask whyI am always at the mall and never at work it is because I make money at home and have time for the mall
2 people like this
• United States
7 May 07
I live in nashville Tn and the daycare center here run any where from $125 a week to $150 a week per child. But we have a lot of in home day care that ruun about $100 a week. I think a lot of parents here are going for in home because your children are getting closer attion and the price is a lot less.
@cjthedog64 (1552)
• United States
4 May 07
I think if someones' paying 15-20 an hour, that's for babysitting in the evenings, not daycare. Only super rich people could afford to work then! Even in CA, that doesn't make sense. I'm in OH and charge $150/week full time.
@mmiller26 (1930)
• Canada
4 May 07
Bigger cities will always pay more. Where I'm at right now (near Windsor, ON) I pay $23 per day for daycare. That's care from 6am-6pm if I need it, two snacks and a lunch, outside time, music, crafts and a quiet time/nap. In Toronto, though, childcare is incredibly expensive.